At Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, our goal is to provide treatment for skin disorders as well as patient education on proper skin care and preventive measures. This section provides descriptions of commonly seen skin disorders. If you feel you need to be seen due to a skin disorder, call our office at (816) 364-1507 or (816) 792-2255 to schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Dermatologists for an evaluation and to discuss the best treatment option for you. You may also visit the American Academy of Dermatology websites at www.aad.org/dermaz or www.skincarephysicians.com for information regarding skin conditions not listed below.

Acne

Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20's - even into their 40's - can get acne. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can lead to scarring.

Mild Acne

Treatment for this may require topical therapy in addition to the following:

• Deep Cleansing Facials
• Chemical Peels
• Microdermabrasion

Moderate Acne

Treatment for this may require oral medications such as antibiotics or accutane in addition to the following:

• Topical Therapy
• Deep Cleansing Facials
• Chemical Peels
• Microdermabrasion

Left untreated, this could lead to scarring.

Severe Acne

Treatment usually requires oral therapy such as accutane to be effective. Left untreated, this could lead to deep acne scarring.

Acne Scarring

Our Fraxel laser is one of the few FDA approved lasers to treat acne scarring. Using pinpoint laser beams that penetrate beneath the skin's surface, it eliminates old, damaged skin cells and stimulates the production of new collagen. Immediately after the initial healing is complete, your skin will feel softer, look brighter and the tone will start to become even. Progressive results occur over the next 3-6 months as deeper layers of skin continue to heal and produce new collagen.

Please call for your complimentary consultation and visit Fraxel.com for more information.

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Actinic Keratoses

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are dry, scaly, rough-textured patches or lesions that form on the outermost layer of the skin after years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, such as sunlight. These lesions typically range in color from skin-toned to reddish brown and in size from that of a pinhead to larger than a quarter. Occasionally, a lesion grows to resemble an animal horn and is called a “cutaneous horn.” It is important that anyone with AKs be under a dermatologist’s care. AKs are considered the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer and have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that can be fatal. Anyone who develops AKs already has extensive sun-damaged skin. This makes one more susceptible to other forms of skin cancer, including melanoma. Melanoma is considered the most lethal form of skin cancer because it can rapidly spread to the lymph system and internal organs.

It is important that anyone with AKs be under a dermatologist’s care.

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Aging Skin

Research shows that there are, in fact, two distinct types of aging. Aging caused by the genes we inherit is called intrinsic (internal) aging. The other type of aging is known as extrinsic (external) aging and is caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to the sun’s rays.

Intrinsic Aging

Intrinsic aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20's. Within the skin, collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. While these changes usually begin in our 20's, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. The signs of intrinsic aging are:

• Fine wrinkles
• Thin and transparent skin
• Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck
• Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin
• Dry skin that may itch
• Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin
• Graying hair that eventually turns white
• Hair loss
• Unwanted hair
• Nail plates thin, the half moons disappear, and ridges develop

Extrinsic Aging

A number of extrinsic, or external, factors often act together with the normal aging process to prematurely age our skin. Most premature aging is caused by sun exposure. Other external factors that prematurely age our skin are repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions and smoking.

Although you can’t reverse the flow of time and become younger, there are a wide array of dermatologic treatments available today that allow you to remove many of the effects of aging and photoaging. For information on how you can erase fine lines, red or brown spots and improve skin tone and texture, visit the Laser & Spa page on this website.

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Rosacea

Rosacea (rose-AY-sha) is a chronic (long-term) skin disease that causes redness and swelling, primarily on the face. Other areas that can be affected are the scalp, neck, ears, chest and back. Sometimes, rosacea affects the eyes. Those afflicted with rosacea may first notice a tendency to flush or blush easily. The condition can occur over a long period of time and often progresses to symptoms such as a persistent redness, pimples and visible blood vessels in the center of the face that can eventually involve the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose. Since rosacea causes facial swelling and redness, it is easily confused with other skin conditions, such as acne and sunburn. For this reason, rosacea is known as the “great pretender,” and often incorrectly referred to as “adult acne.” For information on how you can erase fine lines, red or brown spots and improve skin tone and texture, visit the Laser & Spa page on this website.

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Dry Skin/Eczema

Eczema is a general term encompassing various inflamed skin conditions. One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic dermatitis (or "atopic eczema"). Approximately 10% to 20% of the world population is affected by this chronic, relapsing, and very itchy rash at some point during childhood.

Fortunately, many children with eczema find that the disease clears and often disappears with age. In general, atopic dermatitis will come and go, often based on external factors. Although its cause is unknown, the condition appears to be an abnormal response of the body’s immune system. In people with eczema, the inflammatory response to irritating substances is exaggerated, causing itching and scratching. Eczema is not contagious and, like many diseases, currently cannot be cured. However, for most patients the condition may be managed well with treatment and avoidance of triggers.

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Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. There are five types, each with unique signs and symptoms. Between 10% and 30% of people who develop psoriasis get a related form of arthritis called “psoriatic arthritis,” which causes inflammation of the joints.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. About 80% of people who develop psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which appears as patches of raised, reddish skin covered by silvery-white scale. These patches, or plaques, frequently form on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. However, the plaques can occur anywhere on the body.

The other types are guttate psoriasis (small, red spots on the skin), pustular psoriasis (white pustules surrounded by red skin), inverse psoriasis (smooth, red lesions form in skin folds), and erythrodermic psoriasis (widespread redness, severe itching, and pain). Regardless of type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin often itches, and it may crack and bleed. In severe cases, the itching and discomfort may keep a person awake at night, and the pain can make everyday tasks difficult.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition because there is currently no cure. People often experience flares and remissions throughout their life. Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires lifelong therapy. Treatment depends on the severity and type of psoriasis. Some psoriasis is so mild that the person is unaware of the condition. A few develop such severe psoriasis that lesions cover most of the body and hospitalization is required. These represent the extremes. Most cases of psoriasis fall somewhere in between.

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Skin Tags

A skin tag is a small, brown or flesh-colored flap of skin that is usually narrow at its base and may range in size from very tiny to the size of a pencil eraser tip. These soft, flesh-colored tags of skin are often found around the neck, upper chest and eyelids. Depending on where they are located on the body, they have the potential to become twisted, irritated, or inflamed. There is no known reason for the appearance of skin tags. Skin tags occur most frequently at sites where the skin is rubbed by clothing or other body parts. They tend to show up in hot, moist body creases. Skin tags may appear around the neck, under the arms, under the breasts, in groin creases, and on the inside of the upper thigh area. They can be removed easily, right in our office.

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Warts

Warts are non-cancerous skin growths caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin. Warts are usually skin-colored and feel rough to the touch, but they can be dark, flat or smooth. The appearance of a wart depends on where it is growing and which type of virus is causing it. Warts are passed from person to person, sometimes indirectly. The time from the first contact to the time the warts have grown large enough to be seen is often several months or years. The risk of catching hand, foot, or flat warts from another person is small, but warts are contagious. Warts in adults often do not disappear as easily or as quickly as they do in children. Warts can be treated with several different therapies, and the dermatologist will help you decide which method is best for you.

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Moles

Everybody has moles, but it may be difficult to appreciate which ones are safe and which need to be removed. Moles are usually brown in color and can vary in size and shape. The brown color in moles is caused by special cells containing a pigment called melanin.

Dark, flat moles are especially concerning as they may progress to melanoma. Studies have found that sunburns and excessive sun exposure may increase a person's risk for the disease so the American Academy of Dermatology recommends:

• Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Never go to tanning booths.
• Wear sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours while exercising or sweating.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses while outdoors.

Know Your ABCD's
Recognize the warning signs of malignant melanoma by using this easy-to-remember guide:

• A stands for asymmetry. Beware of moles where one half doesn't match the other half in shape.
• B stands for border. Watch for moles with ragged, blurred or irregular borders or edges.
• C stands for color. Look for uneven coloration, more than one color, or moles with unusual colors.
• D stands for diameter. Give special attention to moles with a diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser.

Keeping an eye on moles is an important part of your total skin health. If you have a mole that fits the descriptions above or see any moles that have changed in appearance, color or size, please make an appointment to be seen by one of our dermatologists.

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Skin Cancer

The 3 most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Please visit the Mohs page of this website for comprehensive skin cancer information.