Dermatology is a field of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair, and nail disorders. Dermatologists offer a wide range of services to treat various conditions affecting the skin. Dermatologists are medical professionals with extensive training and experience in all things skin-related. Dermatological services and procedures range from laser hair removal to cryosurgery.
Are you wondering what treatments a dermatologist can do? Here, we talk about some of the dermatological procedures that dermatologists routinely perform.
Biopsy
Biopsies are used to diagnose suspicious-looking moles or growths on the skin by taking a small sample of the tissue for further examination under a microscope, typically in a laboratory. A biopsy is an important step in diagnosing and staging skin cancer.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is an effective method in the removal of warts. It involves freezing the abnormal growths with liquid nitrogen, so they eventually fall off. It can also be used to treat certain skin conditions such as actinic keratosis and some forms of skin cancer.
Electrodesiccation
Electrodesiccation involves the use of an electric current to destroy abnormal tissues, such as warts, moles, and other benign growths, on the surface of the skin. Generally, it is recommended when more conservative treatments have failed or if there are concerns about the further spread of the condition due to its size or location on the body. In some cases, electrodesiccation may also be used as part of a larger treatment plan that includes other forms of therapy, such as cryotherapy (freezing) or laser therapy (burning).
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light directed at unwanted hair in order to remove it and permanently reduce future growth. The results of laser hair removal significantly last longer than traditional methods like waxing or shaving.
Laser Surgery
Lasers can also be used to treat stretch marks and birthmarks such as port wine stains or hemangiomas, which can cause disfiguration of the skin if left untreated. Some birthmarks, usually evident in babies, appear in the visible areas of the face or neck and grow so quickly that they become concerning. Laser surgery uses concentrated beams of light to cause such birthmarks to lighten or disappear completely.
Skin Excisions
Excision of the skin as a dermatological procedure is usually done when there are large lesions such as cysts, moles, or tumors that need to be removed from the body. The dermatologist uses precise cutting and stitching techniques to remove the lesions without causing significant scarring.
Wart Removal
Warts are caused by the HPV virus. Wart treatment involves applying topical medications directly onto the raised bumps, which helps dissolve the growths gradually until they are completely gone, making the skin appear smooth. The dermatologist can use other dermatological procedures to remove warts, too, such as cryosurgery, electrodesiccation, or skin excision.
These are just some of the dermatological services and procedures performed by a dermatologist in the office or hospital. Dermatologists also perform a range of cosmetic procedures.
Board-Certified Dermatologist in Miami and Coral Gables, FL
If you have a skin concern, Dr. Ana Duarte at the Children’s Skin Center can provide for all your dermatological and cosmetic needs. Dr. Duarte has the distinction of being board-certified in adult dermatology and pediatric dermatology and can take care of the entire family. Dr. Duarte performs many procedures in our dermatology office, and has operating room privileges at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for more extensive procedures that require surgicaltreatment.
Our dermatology team at the Children’s Skin Center is kind, caring, and compassionate, and is highly committed to the health of your skin. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Duarte, call or text our office today at (305) 669-6555.
