Jacobs and Comfort SkinMed, Dermatologist

Why is Dermatology Important? Dermatology can help individuals to overcome acne, examine skin spots, receive skin cancer screening, treat eczema or psoriasis, and more. Your skin can tell all when it comes to things that may be occurring under the surface. If you feel as if your skin looks or feels different than usual, dermatology can help. Dermatology and Skin Cancer Excessive exposure to sunlight tends to be the most important factor associated with the development of skin cancer. The most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. People with fair skin tend to develop skin cancers more frequently than dark-skinned people. The more sun exposure fair-skinned people receive, the more likely they are to develop a skin cancer. Exposure to radiation, trauma, and exposure to certain chemicals may also contribute to the development of skin cancers. Most skin cancers are present for over a year before being diagnosed and their growth is relatively slow. Unusual skin growths with dark areas, irregular margins, and thickening of the skin should be examined by a dermatologist. A biopsy may be needed to examine the cell structure of the skin to ensure it is not precancerous or cancerous. This can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. If treatment is needed, Mohs Micrographic Surgery may be an option. Mohs Micrographic Surgery Mohs Micrographic Surgery involves removing the visible portion of the tumor. A thin layer of tissue is surgically removed from the site and is then processed and examined underneath a microscope. If a tumor is noticed during the microscopic examination, the location is established and a thin layer of additional tissue is excised from the area. The examination is repeated until no tumor is found.