Dermatology

Acne

Most of us believe that acne is a disorder that affects only teenagers. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Controlled by oil glands and hormones, acne can also be influenced by other factors including stress, diet and makeup. While many suffer with acne, there is not one treatment that works equally well for everyone. After an evaluation and discussion, we'll classify your acne and start you on a regimen tailored specifically for you. Once a regimen has been chosen, it's important to note that treating acne is more like a marathon instead of a sprint. It can take months to clear to your satisfaction, so along with your cleansers and creams, don't forget your patience.

Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratoses, or AKs, are better classified as precancers. If left alone to grow without treatment, these lesions have the ability to develop into destructive skin cancers that have a small chance of spreading to other parts of the body. The most important cause of AKs is the sun. Most affected patients develop these precancers after years of outdoor activities in the sun without protection. Once they have formed, it is necessary to treat them to prevent progression. There are many methods of treating them, but the most important factor is continued sun protection.

Alopecia

Alopecia means hair loss. The word is used to describe any condition that leads to loss of hair on any part of the body. Three of the most common forms are Alopecia Areata, Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia and Androgenetic Alopecia.

Alopecia Areata | Localized hair loss in round or oval areas is called alopecia areata. It most commonly affects the scalp, but can be found in other areas of the body as well. Young adults and children are most commonly affected. While the exact cause is not known, alopecia areata may be related to an autoimmune dysfunction. It is often seen during periods of intense stress or following illness. Hair loss from AA is reversible.

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) | This form of hair loss is seen almost exclusively in women of African descent. In CCCA, hair loss begins on the crown of the scalp and grows slowly over time to affect large areas of the scalp. The alopecia is often associated with severe itching of the scalp. If not treated early, CCCA can lead to baldness. The hair loss in CCCA is irreversible.

Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) | Also known as pattern baldness, AGA is the balding that occurs due to heredity and hormones. Despite common misconception, AGA may be inherited from either or both parents. Men may begin to show signs any time after puberty, while women encounter the disorder later in life. If identified and treated early, medications may stop and even reverse hair loss. However, this form of hair loss is irreversible and long-standing loss cannot be recovered.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is also known as eczema. There are many disorders that fall under this category including:

• Atopic dermatitis
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis

Identifying the type and any aggravating factors is key to helping a patient achieve relief from this chronic condition that has no cure.

Excessive Sweating

Did you know that excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) is considered a medical condition? If you experience uncomfortable sweating of the underarms, palms and/or soles that causes embarrassment and interferes with your day-to-day activities, there are medical treatments available to help. After a series of questions and an evaluation to determine how significantly hyperhidrosis affects your life, several different treatment options will be discussed with you. Treatment can improve the condition and allow you to present your most confident self to the world.

Keloids

Keloid scars form when the skin fails to recognize a signal to stop healing after an injury. Common skin injuries that can cause keloids to form include surgery, accidental cuts, burns and blunt trauma. However, keloids can also develop after milder problems like bug bites, acne and ingrown hairs. For some patients, keloid formation can be completely spontaneous. Though keloids are unsightly and lead to emotional distress, they can also be painful, itchy and irritating. In severe cases, they restrict motion and cause functional impairment.

While aggressive treatment is generally desired to decrease the symptoms and improve the cosmetic appearance, care must be taken to avoid worsening the scars. Though the treatments require patience and diligence on the part of the patient, most are pleased at the end of their personalized treatment course.

Melasma

Melasma is the darkening of the skin that affects many women. Called the "mask of pregnancy," melasma is caused by the interaction between hormones and sunlight. Lighter-skinned women are more frequently affected with this condition. Treatments include creams, chemical peels, laser procedures and sun avoidance.

Rosacea

Often described as "adult acne," rosacea is actually a distinct and vague disorder. We do know that rosacea affects people as they mature, but it appears to be a completely different problem than acne. While the appearance may be similar, there are clues to tell the difference. Like acne, though, rosacea can differ greatly among patients. In addition to selecting the right medications, it is important to use the proper cleansing and moisturizing systems and to avoid the triggers that aggravate the rosacea in the first place. With proper attention, rosacea can be adequately controlled, even if there is no cure.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a disorder of the skin. The cause of psoriasis is hereditary in nature and interferes with the skins immune function. This disorder can impact up to 2% of the population. Psoriasis can take many forms. It can affect the elbows, knees, trunk, and scalp, by causing thick, rough, scaly patches to form. Psoriasis can also affect joints, causing arthritis that can be quite painful and deforming. Psoriasis is found more commonly in Caucasians, but tends to affect men and women equally. Medications and treatments can be effective in helping the symptoms, but at this time there is no cure for psoriasis.

Pseudofolliculitis

Folliculitis is the medical term for HAIR BUMPS or INGROWN HAIRS and involves inflammation of hair follicles, often with formation of small pus bumps. There is some itching, little pain or surrounding redness (discoloration). Common areas of involvement are the bearded part of the face in which minor trauma from shaving may be a contributing factor, and the scalp, especially at the back of the neck. Here at the Skin Wellness Center of Alabama, we use several treatments for this condition -- one being a special antibiotic cream or even laser surgery to minimize scarring or keloids that may have developed.

Scaly Scalp

A scaly scalp can be embarrassing and messy, but did you know that it can also be a subtle sign of an underlying problem? Scaly scalp can be the result of many different conditions including annoying dandruff, a fungal infection, psoriasis or alopecia. No matter the cause, there is a treatment available to help. Through a thorough evaluation and possible lab work, Dr. Hartman will help you to get to the root of the problem (pun intended) and devise a treatment plan specifically for you. Don’t suffer in silence; take control of that scaly scalp today.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a preventable condition that is caused by over exposure to the sun. Malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most prevalent forms of skin cancer.

Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer but the least common. About 4% of skin cancers are malignant melanoma. This form of cancer is able to quickly spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph system and other organs. At least one person dies every hour in the US from malignant melanoma. If this cancer is detected early, and proper treatment is received, around 95% of cases can be cured. The prognosis is poor if the cancer has already spread.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of cancer. This type accounts for about 80% of all skin cancers. In the US, over one million people develop this type of cancer each year. The good news is that basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads and is treatable by removing the lesions.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is most common in fair skinned people. Many times it presents in middle-aged or elderly people who have experienced sun exposure over a long period of time. This type of skin cancer is typically found on areas of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun, but it can develop anywhere. Around 16% of skin cancers are squamous cell carcinoma, affecting about 200,000 Americans each year. Squamous cell carcinoma must be treated early or it will spread to other parts of the body.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a disorder of skin pigmentation characterized by white patches affecting any part of the body. Approximately 1-2% of the population is affected and 20% of these people have a family member similarly affected. The cells responsible for producing melanin pigment (melanocytes) are absent in the skin lesions of vitiligo. The exact cause of vitiligo remains unknown, although a number of theories have been set forth. The course and extent of pigment loss differs.

Spontaneous repigmentation can occur, however, it is rare. Affected skin must always be protected because it is more susceptible to sunburn and photo damage than pigmented skin. A number of treatments are available including topical steroids, phototherapy, and skin grafting or depigmentation therapy. To date, there is no cure for vitiligo, but in consultation with a dermatologist, many options for treatment may be explored.

Warts

Despite urban myth, playing with frogs does not cause warts. Instead, warts are caused by a viral infection and spread by skin-to-skin contact. Once a person has been exposed, there is no way to get rid of the virus, but the affected skin can be treated to destroy the wart. There are many different ways to destroy warts, but several treatments are usually necessary despite which treatment is used.