Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when pores become blocked. Acne is most common among teenagers – affecting an estimated 80-90% of teenagers – but it can affect people of all ages. It can develop anywhere on the body, but it is most common on the face, upper chest and back. Typical features include whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts, and possible scarring, all of which respond to different treatment strategies.

Your treatment plan will vary depending on the severity of your acne. After a consultation, your Sōna dermatologist will provide a number of options that could range from oral and topical prescriptions to acne extractions. We carry a number of medical grade cleansers, toners, moisturizers, lotions and sunscreens. Your dermatologist will tailor recommendations and treatment plans specifically to your skin.

Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines.

Age spots are very common in adults older than 50, but younger people can get them if they spend time in the sun.

Age spots can look like cancerous growths. If a lesion is changing, get it evaluated by your Sōna dermatologist. True age spots don't need treatment, but they are a sign the skin has received a lot of sun exposure and are an attempt by your skin to protect itself from more sun damage. For cosmetic reasons, they can be lightened or removed.

You can help prevent age spots by regularly using sunscreen and avoiding the sun.

While many allergies present themselves in childhood, it’s possible for adults to develop allergies later in life. Your immune system mistakenly identifies a substance as foreign and you experience symptoms like dry, itchy eyes, a runny nose, a scratchy throat, or a chronic rash (known as contact dermatitis).

When someone develops an allergic reaction on the skin, patch testing is performed to determine the exact allergen(s). Allergens are applied to patches, which are then placed on your skin. Patch tests do not use needles. During a patch test, your skin may be exposed to 80-100 extracts of substances that can cause contact dermatitis. You wear the patches on your arm or back for 48 hours. During this time, and for five days after the patches are removed, you should avoid bathing and activities that cause heavy sweating. The patches are removed when you return to your doctor’s office. Irritated skin at the patch site may indicate an allergy.

Once identified with patch testing, allergies can be treated by avoiding the offending allergen and taking medications that reduce uncomfortable symptoms.

People worry about moles but they are very common. Most moles develop when we are young adults but can continue to see new moles into our 50's. The average person has between 10 and 40 moles. Most moles are harmless and need no treatment unless you want a mole removed for cosmetic reasons. Certain moles, however, can turn into skin cancer (melanoma), so you need to keep an eye on your moles and monitor them for changes. Sōna Dermatology recommends and offers annual Full Body Skin Exams for this very purpose.

Birthmarks are equally innocuous, although they can be larger than moles. Some vascular birthmarks will resolve themselves with time. Others are permanent.

We keep an eye on your moles and birthmarks (if you have one) with our total body skin exams and test lesions that look suspicious. And if you’d like, we can remove some of these growths.

Dandruff is a common condition that occurs when the skin cells on your scalp shed at a faster rate than normal, clumping together to form flakes. These white, oily flakes become visible in your hair and on dark clothing and are often accompanied by an itchy scalp. Dandruff has several causes and can be linked to other skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Men tend to be more prone to dandruff, possibly due to hormonal differences.

If natural treatments aren’t eliminating your dandruff, a more intensive treatment plan might be required. For mild dandruff, a doctor could recommend a medicated shampoo. For moderate to severe dandruff, prescription medications to rub into scalp to control itching and decrease inflammation could be the answer.

Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis, or AD) is a common non-contagious skin disease that usually develops early in life. Symptoms of eczema include a rash with red dry itchy scaly skin. To diagnose eczema, a dermatologist will examine the skin for rashes and ask about relatives who may have had AD since it runs in families. Sometimes a dermatologist will run an allergy patch test.

Once eczema is diagnosed a treatment plan is created consisting of skincare, medical therapies, and tips to avoid flare-ups.

Excess body fat isn't just a cosmetic concern. It's a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

There are many reasons why some people have difficulty losing weight and excess fat, which can result from inherited, physiological, and environmental factors, combined with diet, physical activity and exercise choices.

The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with excess fat. A healthier diet, increased physical activity, and behavior changes can help you lose weight. Prescription medications and weight-loss procedures are additional options for treating obesity.

Body contouring (also known as body sculpting) is a medical or surgical procedure that aims to reshape an area of the body. It may involve procedures to:

* Eliminate excess fat

* Get rid of extra skin

* Reshape or contour the area.

Body contouring does not usually help you lose weight. Instead, it helps shape the body and address specific areas where weight loss isn’t effective or after significant weight loss results in extra skin.

Sōna Dermatology offers the leading body contouring treatment developed by Allergan called CoolSculpting®. The CoolSculpting procedure eliminates stubborn fat safely and effectively, without surgery or downtime. CoolSculpting is the only FDA-cleared procedure to use controlled cooling to safely target and eliminate diet-and-exercise-resistant fat.

CoolSculpting results are proven, noticeable, and lasting, so you'll look and feel great from every angle. Whether you want to treat your abdomen, back, thighs or a combination of areas, Sōna will customize a CoolSculpting treatment plan that’s right for you.

It’s estimated that at any one time in the U.S., at least one in five people have a skin fungal infection, the most common being athlete’s foot. Skin fungal infections can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but we have treatment options that can help.

There are many types of funguses that grow on the skin. Two common types include ringworm, which is an infection that causes a red, circular itchy rash on the trunk of the body, and athlete’s foot, which is a fungal infection that affects the feet.

A fungus loves two things above all: warmth and moisture. That’s why the feet and toenails are often a breeding ground for fungus. Some fungi, like ringworm, are contagious and can be passed from person to person or from animals to people through direct or indirect contact.

The most common treatment for most types of skin fungal infections is a topical anti-fungal medication. In some cases, an oral medication may be prescribed. For athlete’s foot, it’s important to keep the feet clean and dry since fungi thrive in moist environments.

Healthy skincare often starts with a series of questions: What are the best skincare habits for my particular skin? Which and how many skincare products should I use? Which ones are right for my skin? In what order should I be applying these products? What do these products do?

At Sōna Dermatology, the first step is getting an annual Total Body Skin Exam.

While aging and sun exposure will take their toll on your skin, early detection of any potential issues can minimize long-term damage. Almost all skin cancers are curable if caught early, so an annual checkup can not only improve your skin health; it could also save your life.

If you have any specific concerns, relay them to your Sōna dermatologist at the beginning of your appointment. As part of your skin exam, your Sōna dermatologist may ask about your family history of skin conditions or cancer or a list of medication you may be taking.

Sweating is a normal bodily function that regulates body temperature. If you tend to sweat excessively, it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Hyperhidrosis is a common condition that can be a symptom of another chronic disease, a hormonal imbalance, or be inherited genetically.

As it is often a symptom of another health issue, it’s important to consult a doctor to find the root cause. There are a number of options for treating hyperhidrosis including prescription antiperspirant, oral prescription medications, and injections or surgery to block or remove sweat glands.

Hyperhidrosis can be very debilitating and there are treatments available that can help reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is state-of-the-art treatment for skin cancer in which a specially trained dermatologist serves as surgeon, pathologist, and reconstructive surgeon. For decades, the procedure has proven effective in getting to the roots of skin cancer by combining the surgical removal of cancer with the immediate microscopic examination of the tumor and underlying diseased tissue. The process enables Mohs surgeons to see beyond the visible disease and to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Although skin tumors can be visible to the naked eye, individual cancer cells are microscopic. Some of these cells may form roots or “fingers” of diseased tissue that can extend beyond the boundaries of the visible cancer. If these cancer cells are not completely removed, they can lead to re-growth and recurrence of the tumor. The tumor may spread beyond its obvious external margin, with groups of cells growing in unpredictable areas.

Of all treatments for skin cancer, Mohs Micrographic Surgery offers the highest cure rate, up to 99% based on research data for treating basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are common poisonous plants that causes an itchy skin rash. These plants produce an oily sap called urushiol that brings on an irritating, itchy allergic reaction. When you touch a poisonous plant or an object that’s been in contact with a plant, you can develop an itchy rash. This rash is a form of allergic contact dermatitis.

Psoriasis is a systemic disease that causes a rash with itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. The patches usually develop on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms or feet, but can show up on other parts of the body.

Psoriasis is the result of an overactive immune system. In a process called cell turnover, skin cells that grow deep in the skin rise to the surface. Normally this process takes about a month; however, in people with psoriasis, it happens in just days because the cells rise too fast.

Psoriasis doesn’t have a known cure, but it can be put into prolonged remission with treatments that manage its symptoms and clear its visible signs.

There are several methods used to treat psoriasis including prescription topical creams for localized cases and systemic therapy (prescription oral or injectable biologic medications) which can be used in​combination with laser or photo therapy for more extensive cases.

Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes blushing or flushing and visible blood vessels in your face. It may also produce small, pus-filled bumps. These signs and symptoms may flare up for weeks to months. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne, other skin problems or natural ruddiness.

Rosacea can affect anyone but it's most common in middle-aged Caucasian women. There's no known cure for rosacea but treatment can control and reduce the signs and symptoms.

A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear. Fluctuating hormone levels seem to play a role, and you may also have a higher risk if people in your family get stretch marks.

When stretch marks first appear, they tend to be red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown, depending on your skin color. Early stretch marks may feel slightly raised and can be itchy. In time, the color fades and the narrow bands sink beneath your skin. If you run your finger over a mature stretch mark, you might feel a slight depression

Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent, but treatment may make them less noticeable and help alleviate the symptoms.

Skin cancer develops when damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. As the damaged cells multiply, they form a tumor.

There are three main types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC is the most common cancer in humans. BCCs usually appear in sun-exposed areas. These tumors tend to grow slowly and can take years to reach an inch in size. While these tumors very rarely metastasize (cancer spreading to other parts of the body), early diagnosis and treatment are important in order to prevent extensive damage to surrounding tissue.

• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While most commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the body, SCC can develop anywhere, including the inside of the mouth and the genitalia. SCC requires early treatment in order to prevent metastasis (cancer spreading to other parts of the body).
• Melanoma. This form of skin cancer can be life-threatening because it can rapidly spread to the lymph system and internal organs. With early detection and proper treatment, however, the cure rate for melanoma is about 95%.

People of all races and skin types can get skin cancer, and it may arise in a number of ways. If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, consult a dermatologist as soon as possible.

• An open sore or wound that does not heal, persists for more than four weeks, or heals and later reopens;
• Any skin spot growth that continues to itch, hurt, crust over, form a scab, erode, or bleed for several weeks;
• Any skin spot that is very dark or much darker than any mole on your body or has multiple colors.
• There are a number of effective methods for treating skin cancer. The method chosen will depend upon factors such as location, size and prior therapy. Methods include topical therapies, curettage and electrodessication, cryosurgery, radiotherapy, standard surgery, and Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Melanin, produced by cells known as melanocytes, is the pigment that produces the various shades and colors of human skin, hair, and eyes. All humans have approximately the same number of melanocytes in their skin. Skin coloration (pigmentation) is determined by the amount of melanin produced by each​melanocyte in the skin.

Without melanin, the skin would be pale white with shades of pink caused by blood flow through the skin. Fair-skinned people produce very little melanin, darker-skinned people produce moderate amounts, and very dark-skinned people produce the most. People with albinism have little or no melanin and thus their skin appears white or pale pink. Usually, melanin is fairly evenly distributed in the skin, but sometimes people have spots or patches of skin with more melanin. Examples of such spots include freckles, age spots (lentigines), and melasma.

A skin tag is a small flap of tissue that hangs off the skin by a connecting stalk. Skin tags are common and are not dangerous. They are usually found on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts, or in the groin area.

Skin tags usually don't cause any pain. However, they can become irritated if anything, such as clothing or jewelry, rubs on them

Your Sōna dermatologist can remove a skin tag by cutting it off with a scalpel or scissors, with cryosurgery (freezing it off), or with electrosurgery (burning it off with a small electric current).

Warts are benign (non-cancerous) skin growths that appear when a virus infects the top layer of the skin. Viruses that cause warts are called human papillomavirus (HPV). You are more likely to get one of these viruses if you cut or damage your skin in some way.

Wart viruses are contagious and can spread by contact with the wart or something that touched the wart. Warts are often skin-colored and feel rough, but they can also be dark (brown or gray-black), flat, and smooth.

Warts can go away without treatment. This is especially true in children. In adults, warts may not disappear as easily or as quickly as they do in children.

Although most warts are harmless, dermatologists do treat them. You should see a dermatologist if you cannot get rid of the warts, the warts hurt, or you have many warts. Dermatologists have a large variety of treatments for warts, depending on the patient’s age, health, and the type of wart.

Telangiectasias, also known as spider veins, are small, dilated blood vessels that can occur near the surface of the skin or mucous membranes, measuring between 0.5 and 1 millimeter in diameter. These dilated blood vessels can develop anywhere on the body but are commonly seen on the face around the nose, cheeks, and chin.

Dilated blood vessels can also develop on the legs, although when they occur on the legs, they often have underlying venous reflux or "hidden varicose veins". When found on the legs, they are found specifically on the upper thigh, below the knee joint and around the ankles.

Your Sōna dermatologist can properly perform an evaluation and perform treatments such as laser or sclerotherapy injections. In some cases, your dermatologist may refer you to a vascular specialist if underlying deeper vascular disease is suspected.