If you’re reading this you most likely already know what a dermatologist is and what they do. However, it can help you better understand your care and what a dermatologist can do for you. Dermatologists are medical doctors who complete a 4 year residency training in skin, hair and nail diseases. Dermatologists are also experts in skin cancer and surgery of the skin. No other area of medicine is as highly trained in the area of skin and skin cancer. 

The training required for a dermatologist involves advanced education in greater detail than any other area of medicine in the skin, skin diseases, skin cancer diagnosis and management as well as cosmetic dermatology. Many patients seek dermatologic evaluations for routine skin cancer screening examinations as this is the highest trained specialty for this.

In addition, dermatologists are experts in other skin growths, skin cancer, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, acne and warts so many people see dermatologist for these common skin problems. Since skin cancer is the number one cancer diagnosed in America today (affecting up to 1 in 3 people), most people go to see a dermatologist annually for a skin cancer screening examination.

Dr. Roger Moore treats patients with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma from Elkhart, South Bend, Goshen and all of Michiana. The renowned removal technique of Mohs Micrographic surgery is performed routinely by Dr. Moore as well. He is the first to offer this technique in Elkhart County. If you or someone you know has a skin concern or problem call Dr. Roger Moore and his team at DermacenterMD today at (574)522-0265. No referral is necessary and don’t forget, no other area of medicine is as highly trained in the skin.

The answer is simple- YES. Check out the article below from the Skin Cancer Foundation on the importance of taking the time to check your own skin every month. It could save your life!

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone practice monthly head-to-toe self examination of  their skin, so that they can find any new or changing lesions that might be cancerous or precancerous. Skin cancers found and removed early are almost always curable. Learn about the warnings signs of skin cancer and what to look for during a self examination. If you spot anything suspicious, see a doctor.

Performed regularly, self examination can alert you to changes in your skin and aid in the early detection of skin cancer. It should be done often enough to become a habit, but not so often as to feel like a bother. For most people, once a month is ideal, but ask your doctor if you should do more frequent checks.

Find step-by-step instructions on how to perform a self-examination by clicking HERE. 

You may find it helpful to have a doctor do a full-body exam first, to assure you that any existing spots, freckles, or moles are normal or treat any that may not be. After the first few times, self examination should take no more than 10 minutes – a small investment in what could be a life-saving procedure.

If you or someone you know has found a suspicious lesion, give our office a call to have it examined. We are accepting new patients. 

DERMACENTERMD 574-522-0265

Q: “Why should you see a dermatologist?”

A:   You should see a dermatologist because skin cancer diagnosis at epidemic proportions according to some experts. 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer at some point in their life.   With this high rate it is best to perform monthly self-exam and see us annually.   Using a dermatologist gets you someone who spent 4 years after medical school specializing in the skin.   No other doctors are trained as highly in the skin.   You are assured someone who evaluates and treats skin daily so are in excellent hands.

At DermacenterMD we strive to educate our patients including giving our free ‘Skin Cancer Educational Guide’ at appointments. 

We would be honored to see you.   We want you looking and feeling great.  Call today us at (574)522-0265 for your skin cancer exam.  No referral necessary.

You may be surprised by the answer to this question-

If you suffer from mild to severe rosacea there are certain lifestyle changes that can be implemented to help decrease flare ups and keep symptoms to a minimum. These aggravating factors may or may not affect your flare ups, but if you find that they do, it may be a good idea to avoid or reduce these activities in the future.

1. Sun exposure-

It is important to protect your skin from the sun using daily sunscreen and wearing a hat to shield your skin. Even a small amount of sun exposure can cause rosacea to flare. 

2. Hot liquids-

Many people with rosacea report having flare ups when they ingest hot liquids such as coffee or teas. Try your coffee or tea iced for a period of time and see if your symptoms improve or subside.

3. Spicy Foods-

Avoiding spicy foods may also improve symptoms of rosacea. Often times, the spike in body temperature induced by spicy foods is thought to cause flare ups.

4. Emotional Upset-

Feelings of stress, anger or embarrassment are thought to make rosacea symptoms worse.

5. Seasonal Changes-

Changes in the weather can also affect flare ups. According to a new National Rosacea Society (NRS) patient survey, nearly 90% of 852 survey respondents said their rosacea is affected by the change in seasons.

6. Alcohol-

Having a glass of wine at the end of a stressful day sounds relaxing, but if you suffer from rosacea it may cause flushing to become worse. The reason for this is unknown, however, alcohol does not cause rosacea despite pervious popular belief.

7. Temperature Extremes-

Extreme hot and cold can cause flare ups of rosacea to be more frequent. If you must be exposed to extreme temperatures, try to stay covered up or stay cool to keep your body temperature as regular as possible.

8. Strenuous exercise-

Exercise has been reported to increase flare ups and cause flushing. Taking it easy can be beneficial to thwart symptoms.

9. Hot baths or saunas-

Once again, avoiding extremes in temperatures such as hot showers or baths can help reduce flushing. Maintaining a regular body temperature can help reduce flare ups.

10. Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications-

Rosacea affects the blood vessels of the face and any drug that dilates blood vessels can increase irritation and flushing.

Making simple lifestyle changes like avoiding certain aggravating factors, such as the ones listed above, can help to reduce your symptoms and flare ups. However, going in to see your doctor can be the best choice. Your dermatologist can evaluate your skin can determine the best course of action for treatment. Many prescription topicals can provide significant improvement.

Source: via http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20040218/link-between-rosacea-alcohol

There are a number of reasons why brown spots or age spots can appear on our skin. Many times they are evidence of aging, sun-damage or an active lifestyle. Just because they appear on your skin does not mean you have to live with them. Here at DermacenterMD, we offer an innovative and effective treatment called BBL PhotoRejuvenation. This can help to reduce signs of aging and reduce the appearance of brown spots and age spots.

The BBL broadband light will be administered to your skin using a hand piece and a flash of laser light will gently heat up the under layers of your skin. You may briefly feel a rubber band snap or warm sensation as the light is absorbed by your skin.  The heat absorbed by the targeted areas will stimulate your skin cells to generate new collagen. This will help to restore your skin’s natural beauty, blending its natural color and making it smoother, vibrant and younger. It can also eliminate those pesky brown spots and age spots by targeting the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions. BBL can improve the overall appearance of your skin. 

This procedure is non-invasive with minimal discomfort and virtually no down-time. Recovery time depends on the depth of the treatment. There are several different depths that can be utilized depending on your particular needs. The deeper the treatment, the longer it can take to heal. Redness may be present for several hours after the procedure and some pigmented lesions may darken and then fade and flake off leaving your skin smoother, fine wrinkles will be less noticeable, and sun spots or uneven pigmentation will fade. You may need 2 to 5 treatments at 2-4 week intervals to get your desired results. Any area of the body can be treated, but the most popular areas are the face, neck, back of the hands, chest and shoulders.

If you or someone you know is interested in improving their complexion and rejuvenating their skin, call our office today at 574-522-0265 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Moore and his team today.