It is hard enough for skin these days as the weather moves from cold to warm. Skin naturally lost moisture throughout the winter and is now trying to balance back out. On top of that, some of you have to deal with eczema. And that just isn’t fair.

Eczema is a skin condition characterized by dry, flaky and itchy skin. Little red patches can pop up anywhere on the skin and drive you crazy with the nonstop itching. It is not contagious, but you can get it from simple things like washing dishes without wearing gloves and genetics.

Good skincare is a key component in controlling eczema. For some people with mild eczema, modifying your skin care regime and making a few lifestyle changes could help clear up the condition. On the other hand, more severe eczema may need medication like prescription-strength creams or pills to control its irritating symptoms.

We would love to help you ditch the itch! Call today at 865-690-9467.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the feet. The fungus which causes athlete’s foot thrives in moist, warm places, such as showers, gyms and around swimming pools. Since these are places that athletes frequent, they are exposed to the fungus more than the general population, hence the name athlete’s foot.

It is very contagious and can be spread by touching the affected area on a person who has the fungus. The symptoms of athlete’s foot vary, but can include any combination of the following: peeling, cracking and scaling of the feet; redness or blisters; and itching and burning.

Some cases of athlete’s foot can become severe. If you experience the previously listed symptoms at extreme measures (i.e. scratching your feet is causing them to bleed), or if you develop a fever, you should see a dermatologist immediately as these can be a sign of a bacterial infection.

Athlete’s foot can be prevented by practicing good hygiene with your feet. This means keeping feet dry and clean whenever possible. It is also advised that your feet be covered or protected when you are in places that are likely to have the fungus. Wearing sandals in communal showers, such as those at gyms, and wearing socks when walking on floors where a lot of people tread barefoot are other ways to keep from getting athlete’s foot in the first place.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Visit with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential. Schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group today at 865-690-9467.

You’ve heard the saying “40 is the new 30,” and we agree! Whether you are in your 30s or 40s, it is time to get serious about skincare. Be mindful of putting on sunscreen before running out the door and take notice of these tips for taking care of your skin in your 30s and 40s.

The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles becomes defined in your 30s and 40s. All those years of late nights, tanning with baby oil and eating whatever you wanted has finally caught up with you. Or if you spent your youth taking care of your skin, most likely you will still have some spots and wrinkles showing up now. Luckily, we have some tips to help combat or even prevent a lot of those signs of aging.

• Exfoliate- your skin has thinned and lost some collagen, and your complexion is beginning to look dull. Exfoliation will slough away those dead skin cells and smooth your skin.
• Consistent skincare routine- wash your face morning and night with your favorite cleanser and follow with an SPF moisturizer in the mornings.
• Introduce nighttime prevention- after you finish your above routine, add in one or two nighttime products to combat your signs of aging (dark spots, lines, wrinkles, etc). Retinols and serums are the most trusted solutions.

If you need help identifying what skin care regimen or products are best for your age or skin type, give us a call today at 865-690-9467.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Visit with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential. Schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group today.

All through our lives, our skin is changing. From birth to childhood, skin has different qualities than teen years. Mature skin also involves changes and it is important to realize some of the common traits, problems and solutions for aging skin in order to address specific issues that need to  be recognized and properly treated.

We are exploring this area of dermatology in this week’s Skin School blog article to better educate our  clients (current and potential) and help them achieve overall healthy skin.

Mature Skin Traits

As we get older, our skin undergoes a number of changes. How skin ages depends on several factors: lifestyle, diet, heredity, as well as other personal habits.

The most common characteristic of elderly skin is dryness. This is because as we age, our skin begins to thin. As it thins, it is less able to retain moisture, thus leading to dry skin.

Dry skin can lead to problems in a younger person, but can cause even more problems for the elderly. Because their skin is thin and can be easily torn, bacteria get in, thus increasing their chances of developing an infection.

Sun damage is another common trait of aging skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin damage from the sun is due to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light, which “breaks down elastic tissue (elastin) in the skin and causes the skin to stretch, sag, wrinkle, and become blotchy, occasionally with pre-cancerous growths and even skin cancer.”

Sun exposure (UV radiation) is the most common cause of pre-cancers and skin cancer, either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Many Americans (a million each year) will develop a skin cancer by age 65.

Skin changes that accompany aging include:

• Roughened or dry skin
• Benign growths such as seborrheic, keratoses, and cherry angiomas
• Loose facial skin, especially around the eyes, cheeks, and jowls (jaw line)
• Transparent or thinned skin
• Bruising easily from decreased elasticity

Common Skin Conditions in Older Adults:

• Wrinkles: Wrinkles are the most visible sign of aging skin. They follow chronic sun exposure and form when the skin loses its flexibility. Smokers tend to have more wrinkles than nonsmokers.
• Facial movement lines: These lines (often known as “laugh lines” and “worry lines”) become more visible as the skin loses its elasticity (in your 40′s or 50′s). The lines may be horizontal on the forehead, vertical above the nose, or curved on the temples, upper cheeks, and around the mouth and eyes.
• Age spots: “Age spots” are brown patches that appear on sun-exposed parts of the body (face, hands, and forearms), usually during the adult years.
• Bedsores: Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers) are skin ulcers that develop from pressure when people lie in bed or sit in a chair for long periods of time. Bedsores are a fairly common disorder in elderly people who have difficulty moving on their own. People with diabetes are more prone to bedsores because of their poor circulation and decreased feeling in their skin. Frequent rotation or re-positioning helps to prevent bedsores.

Tips for Preventing Mature Skin Conditions

Nothing can undo sun damage, but the skin can occasionally repair itself. Here are some tips to help keep your skin healthy.

• Use sunscreen when outdoors. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more provides the most   protection.
• Wear a hat and long sleeves when outdoors and sunglasses that block UV rays.
• Avoid the use of tanning booths and sunlamps.
• Examine yourself regularly for “changing moles” and new growths.

This is part one of a 2-part series on mature skin and its care. Tune in next week for more information about mature skin and how to keep it in great shape!

Would you like to learn more about the treatments and products available to get your skin in better shape? A member of our team here at Knoxville Dermatology Group can help! Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.

Milia is a skin condition characterized by deep seeded, small white bumps. The most common types, primary and secondary milia, are keratin filled cysts that are essentially harmless. It forms when skin cells become trapped rather than exfoliate naturally. The trapped cells become walled off into tiny cysts that appear like white beads below the surface of the skin.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, milia can occur on the skin or even on mucous membranes such as the inner surface of the cheek or the vermillion border of the lips.

Often the result of a problem that has affected the skin’s surface, these are some of the most common reasons:

• Heavy Skin Care & Hair Care Products- These clog pores and prevent the sloughing of dead epidermal skin cells. Be cautious when choosing make-up removers not labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic as they often cause milia around the eyes.  Also pay attention to ingredients in certain lipsticks, lip balms and similar products. They can cause milia around the mouth.
• Cumulative Sun Damage- A thick layer of skin develops as a result of prolonged history of sun exposure. Thus, skin cells have a difficult time finding their way out of the glands.
• Porphyria Cutanea Tard- This blistering skin disease is unusual, but milia are often a symptom.
• Oil producing glands in the skin that have not fully developed; this is common among infants.
• Genetics

Currently, there are no topical or systemic drugs that are proven effective against milia. However, your dermatologist can treat them surgically, without local anesthetic. Furthermore, there are few measures you can take to prevent milia:

• Exfoliation- A gentle exfoliation scrub keeps the epidermis thin and smooth which helps milia prone skin.
• Microdermabrasion/Glycolic Acid Peels- Removes unwanted surface debris and cleanses the pores. Glycolic Acid aids cell turnover as well.
• Limit Sun Exposure- Be mindful of sun exposure and wear a non-clogging sunscreen with SPF.
• Vitamin A- Exfoliates skin and thins the epidermis.

Knoxville Dermatology Group wants you to better understand your skin whether it is afflicted with a condition or not. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!

Would you like to learn more about the treatments and products available to get your skin in better shape? A member of our team here at Knoxville Dermatology Group can help! Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.

There is a condition that affects the immune system and results in hair loss on the scalp and body called alopecia areata. Alopecia areata affects millions of Americans and these numbers continue to rise. Our team of board certified dermatologists here at Knoxville Dermatology Group believes awareness and education about skin diseases such as alopecia areata are essential are not only to its proper management, but also to overall healthy skin.

About alopecia areata
According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, alopecia areata affects approximately two percent of the population, including more than 4.7 million people in the United States alone. Alopecia areata usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis).This common skin disease is highly unpredictable and cyclical; hair can grow back in or fall out again at any time, as the disease course is different for each person.

How does alopecia areata occur?
Current evidence suggests that alopecia areata is caused by an abnormality in the immune system. This particular abnormality leads to autoimmunity. As a result, the immune system attacks certain tissues of the body such as the hair follicles, disrupting normal hair formation. Biopsies of affected skin show immune cells inside of the hair follicles where they are not normally present; however, what causes this is unknown.Sometimes alopecia areata can be found among family members, thus linking this condition to heredity.

Who is affected by alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata occurs most often in children, teens, and young adults. However, it can also affect older individuals and sometimes toddlers. This condition affects males and females equally.

Diagnosis and Treatment
The characteristic “exclamation point” hair signals presence of alopecia areata. Found in areas of hair loss and visible with a hand lens, these short, broken off hairs are narrower closer to the scalp (appearing like an exclamation point). A biopsy of the scalp is sometimes necessary for a diagnosis.

As with many chronic disorders for which there is no single treatment, a variety of remedies are promoted, but results vary by person. Furthermore, there is no known effective method of prevention, although the elimination of emotional stress is helpful. Research has not found any drugs or hair-care products associated with the onset of alopecia areata.

Flare-Ups in Existing Conditions
It has been observed by dermatologists that prolonged, intermittent direct pressure of the hair bearing areas causes patchy loss of alopecia, which mostly recovers when the continuous pressure source is removed. This can occur when wearing a tight-fitted helmet or resting the head/neck against something for long periods of time. The direct pressure is damaging the hair germinal cells and producing auto antibodies against them, which further aggravates the problem.

Evidently, mobile phones’ radio waves produce an inflammatory reaction in the skin and thus cause damage to the hair germs in the matrix. This triggers the auto immune mechanism that results in patchy hair loss.

What You Can Do

• Do not apply contact irritants as this may cause further worsening, and, sometimes cause permanent scarring if the reaction is severe.
• Find the cause (posture, stress, etc.) and remove it if possible.
• Wear lotion and a high SPF sunscreen everyday to prevent exposure to unhealthy rays. Also wear hats and accessories for additional protection.
• Keep educating yourself about this condition so you can manage it properly.

To best address the skin needs for those afflicted with alopecia areata, routine visits with a dermatologist is recommended. Not only will they assess the skin’s condition, but also are able to provide patients with advice for proper skin care. The board certified dermatologists of Knoxville Dermatology Group understand how challenging living with alopecia areata can be. However, their knowledge and attention to patient needs is conducive to proper management.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!

Spring has officially arrived and although you may be eager for the first warm day to wear sandals or flip-flops, your feet may not be as enthusiastic about their looming reveal.  After being cooped up in heavy socks and boots all winter, your feet need some extra care so that they look good and feel great! Today’s Skin School blog provides you with information about pedicures and how to prepare feet for the changing season.

In recent years, there has been more focus placed on exercise and fitness. This means we are on our feet a lot more, which can lead to considerably more wear and tear on our feet. With that being said, feet need extra attention to treat problems such as bunions, corns and calluses.

Pedicures are a good way to keep your feet healthy and looking good. A pedicure consists of soaking the feet, clipping and filing the nails, pushing the cuticles back, getting off the dead skin, applying lotion, and a deep intense massage.

Over time, feet can buildup dry, cracked skin, particularly on the heels. Exfoliation is essential during a pedicure because it gently removes these tough, dead skin cells to allow healthier skin to show through. Skin on the feet will be elastic, smoother and callous-free.

At Knoxville Dermatology Group, any one of our board certified physicians can provide you with general information regarding proper skin care for feet; however, we suggest you contact a podiatrist to answer specific questions you may have.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!
Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.

With Spring and Summer fast approaching, so are the woes that accompany shaving. From shaving beards to shaving legs, men and women who choose this method of hair removal are more than often plagued with ingrown hairs. The redness, irritation and bumps that appear only a few days after shaving, typically accompany ingrown hairs. Though symptoms can be treated, incorporating simple habits to your skin care regiment as a means of prevention is much more advantageous. In this article, we will explore ways to treat and prevent ingrown hairs.

Ingrown hairs (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae) are unsightly and can be painful. They result when shaved hair gets trapped inside the follicle or grows back into the skin. Additionally, certain body parts that are more difficult to shave (such as underarms and bikini) are more prone to this condition due to body heat and friction between skin or against clothing. Ingrown hairs cause an inflammatory response (redness, itchiness, and/or raised infected area

According to the Library of Skin Conditions, some instances of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae can develop into extreme Folliculitis when the hair follicle becomes acutely inflamed. Bacteria, yeasts, or fungi infections can result, as well as some acne variants of the condition.

Razor bumps are caused by infected hair follicles and come from the end of the hair shaft that has been cut and continues to grow into another nearby hair follicle. The introduction of the sharpened end of a hair follicle into another causes an inflammatory response in the skin and leads to a pimple or bump.
The American Academy of Dermatology makes several recommendations to treat and prevent this condition:

*Use Active Ingredients: When selecting a facial cleanser/body wash, choose a product that contains beta hydroxy acids (such as salicylic acid). Since the hair follicle can be blocked by hardened proteins, exfoliating with a beta hydroxyl acid will penetrate deeply and slowly dissolve the plug of hardened proteins. Dermatological-grade ingredients exfoliate, moisturize, clear pores and help prevent infection. Salicylic acid is also recommended as a post-shave product.

Additionally, do not use any product that has alcohol as it will seriously worsen ingrown hairs by drying the skin and closing the pores.

*Exfoliate: Every time you bathe and cleanse your body and/or face, exfoliate to dislodge the tips of ingrown hairs and eliminate dead skin cells. This lifts the hair away from the follicle while softening the hair and preparing it for the shave. Moreover, exfoliation works well to grow hair in the right direction.

*Observe Shaving Techniques:
Razor bumps are triggered by shaving too close. When hair stubs are cut closely, they get trapped inside the hair follicle and curl inward. When shaving, press gently with the blade and make sure not to pull the skin. Also, use a single-blade razor (never an old, dull blade) and avoid shaving over the same area too many times, as this will cause unnecessary skin irritation.

Shave in the direction of the hair growth each time you shave (recommended every other day). For women, when shaving the leg area, shave down instead of up. Dermatologists believe shaving in the same direction, as opposed to against the grain, helps train the hair to grow out straight instead of curling back into the skin.

Upon shaving, apply a damp warm towel to the area for a few minutes to soothe and soften skin.

To treat already ingrown hairs:
*Disinfect the area using a product containing buffered fatty alcohol. This kills the bacteria without the “sting.”
*Use tweezers to carefully lift the ingrown end. Don’t pluck as this will make the hair grow deeper.
*Use products that contain azulene, allantoin and witch hazel to reduce the redness and swelling caused by the ingrown hair.
*There are products available that fight ingrown hairs. Apply to the target area and the bumps should subside and the ingrown hair will point back to the skin’s surface.

If you have further questions or concerns regarding this common condition, schedule an appointment today at Knoxville Dermatology Group with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!

Diabetes is a disorder of the body’s immune system in which the body has trouble regulating its blood glucose or blood sugar levels.  Although diabetes affects millions of Americans and continues to grow, medical advancements have opened the door to several treatment options that have eased the burden of living with this condition. Furthermore, proper management of diabetes through lifestyle changes makes a significant impact on the severity of the condition. For instance, if a person with diabetes neglects proper care of their body it could lead to complications that may turn life threatening.

The importance of proper skin care among diabetics needs to be stressed.  People with diabetes are more likely to develop skin conditions. According to the American Diabetes Association, as many as one third of people with diabetes will have a skin disorder caused or affected by the condition at some time in their lives. Skin problems can be the first indication that someone is afflicted with the disorder. Adversely, since reduced nerve sensitivity and circulation to the extremities are symptomatic of diabetes, skin problems are hard to identify for some.

How Diabetes Affects Skin
When blood glucose is high, the body loses fluid. As a result, skin on the legs, feet, elbows, and other areas on the body become dry and often itchy. Dry skin cracks, allowing germs into the body which can cause infections. If blood glucose is high, it feeds germs and makes infections worse. Moisture can also be lost through frequent urination, a common side effect of diabetes.

Another way diabetes can hurt skin is nerve damage that decreases the amount of sweat a person produces. As sweating helps keep skin soft and moist, decreased sweating in feet and legs can cause dry skin.

A major issue amongst diabetics is reduced or delayed healing. As patients more prone to infection, their bodies are slow to heal due to reduced blood circulation, higher glucose levels, slower metabolism and thicker skin.  Furthermore, thickening of the skin increases susceptibility to infection.

To keep diabetes well managed, here are several tips for skin care:

• When bathing, use a mild and/or moisturizing soap then rinse well. Avoid hot baths and showers. Try to bathe less during cold, winter months.
• Dry off skin well and use a standard lotion or cream. Ask a doctor or dermatologist for suggestions.
• Drink lots of fluids, such as water to keep skin moist.
• Wear all-cotton underwear to allow air to move around the body.
• Do not scratch dry, itchy skin as it can open up allowing infections to set in.
• During cold, dry months use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

To best address the skin needs for those afflicted with diabetes, routine visits with a dermatologist is recommended. Not only will they assess the skin’s condition, but provide patients with advice for proper skin care. The licensed dermatologists of Knoxville Dermatology Group understand how daunting living with diabetes can seem. However, their knowledge and attention to patient needs is conducive to proper management.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!

Since May is “Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month,” our Skin School will be posting a series of articles to explore this topic in-depth.  The first line of defense against skin cancer is prevention and our team of physicians at Knoxville Dermatology Group find knowledge is our most powerful weapon.  Therefore, our goal is to provide our clients (current and potential) with resources to answer dermatologic questions as well as increase awareness about skin diseases such as melanoma and skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types, called basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable. But melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous.

Who Can Get Skin Cancer?
Anyone can get skin cancer, but some things put you at higher risk, like having—

• A lighter natural skin color.
• A personal history of skin cancer.
• A family history of melanoma.
• Exposure to the sun through work and play.
• A history of sunburns early in life.
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
• Blue or green eyes.
• Naturally blond or red hair.

RISK FACTORS
Ultraviolet (UV) Light

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can penetrate and change skin cells.

As found on the Skin Cancer Foundation website, the three types of UV rays are ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC)—

• UVA is the most common kind of sunlight at the earth’s surface, and reaches beyond the top layer of human skin. Scientists believe that UVA rays can damage connective tissue and increase a person’s risk of skin cancer.
• Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, so they are less common at the earth’s surface than UVA rays. UVB rays don’t reach as far into the skin as UVA rays, but they can still be damaging.
• UVC rays are very dangerous, but they are absorbed by the ozone layer and do not reach the ground.

Too much exposure to UV rays can change skin texture, cause the skin to age prematurely, and can lead to skin cancer. UV rays also have been linked to eye conditions such as cataracts.

UV Index

Developed by The National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, the UV Index lets you know how much caution you should take when working, playing, or exercising outdoors.

The UV Index predicts exposure levels on a 1–15 scale; higher levels indicate a higher risk of overexposure. Calculated on a next-day basis for dozens of cities across the United States, the UV Index takes into account clouds and other local conditions that affect the amount of UV rays reaching the ground.

Tanning and Burning
When ultraviolet (UV) rays reach the skin’s inner layer, the skin makes more melanin. Melanin is the pigment that colors the skin. It moves toward the outer layers of the skin and becomes visible as a tan.

A tan does not indicate good health. A tan is a response to injury, because skin cells signal that they have been hurt by the sun’s UV rays by producing more pigment.

People burn or tan depending on their skin type, the time of year, and the amount of time they have spent in the sun. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the six types of skin, based on how likely it is to tan or burn, are—

• I: Always burns, never tans, sensitive to sun exposure.
• II: Burns easily, tans minimally.
• III: Burns moderately, tans gradually to light brown.
• IV: Burns minimally, always tans well to moderately brown.
• V: Rarely burns, tans profusely to dark.
• VI: Never burns, deeply pigmented, least sensitive.

Although everyone’s skin can be damaged by too much sunlight, people with skin types I and II are at the highest risk.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Warning Signs: The ABCDEs of Melanoma

Moles, brown spots and growths on the skin are not always harmless. Anyone who has more than 100 moles is at greater risk for melanoma. The first signs can appear in one or more atypical moles. That’s why it’s so important to get to know your skin and to recognize any changes in the moles on your body. Look for the ABCDE signs of melanoma, and if you see one or more, make an appointment with a physician immediately.

Asymmetry: The mole is asymmetrical.
Border: The borders of an early melanoma are uneven and edges may be scalloped.
Color: A variety of colors is a strong warning. Different shades of brown, tan or black
could appear; Melanoma may also become red, blue or another color.

Diameter: Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of an eraser on your pencil (1/4 inch or 6 mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.

Evolving: Any change — in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting — points to danger.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the ABCDE rule helps detect many melanomas but some melanomas do not exhibit the ABCDE features. Recently, several melanoma specialists developed a new method of sight detection for skin lesions that could prove to be melanomas. This method is based on the concept that these melanomas look different – they are “ugly ducklings” – compared to surrounding moles. The premise is that the patient’s “normal” moles resemble each other, like siblings, while the potential melanoma is an “outlier,” a lesion that, at a given moment in time, looks or feels different than the patient’s other moles, or that over time, changes differently than the patient’s other moles. The “ugly duckling” methodology may be especially useful in the detection of nodular melanoma, a dangerous type of melanoma, which notoriously lacks the classic ABCDE signs.

Thus, during skin self-examination and professional examination, patients and physicians should be looking for lesions that manifest the ABCDE’s, AND for lesions that look different compared to surrounding moles. An approach combining the ABCDEs and the “Ugly Duckling” technique should improve the chances of early detection of all types of melanoma.

TREATMENT

MOHS Surgery

Mohs Surgery is used for most common types of skin cancers, namely basal and squamous cell cancers.

Since 1971, Knoxville Dermatology Group prides itself in the quality and variety of services its Board Certified dermatologists provide to their patients. In particular, the MOHS procedure is performed in our state-of-the-art MOHS Surgery Center.

The American Society of Mohs Surgery describes Mohs Surgery as the “surgical procedure of removing skin cancer and other malignancies followed by a microscopic examination of excised tissue to ensure the malignant tissue has been completely removed.”  After the first layer of cancerous tissue is removed by the physician, a corresponding diagram is drawn to “ensure proper orientation on the patient,” and the technician “sections and stains the tissue to prepare a microscope slide.” Afterward, the physician studies the slide to determine which sections are still cancerous.  Once the lesion and all cancerous roots have been removed, the physician closes the “surgical defect.”

In other words, the main goal is to remove the skin cancer without leaving a noticeable scar and preserve healthy tissue.

According to the American College of Mohs Surgery, there is a very low chance that skin cancer will recur following the procedure. Cure rates have been reported as high as 96%-99%.

Prompt action is your best protection.

Preventing Skin Cancer
Take precautions against sun exposure every day of the year, especially during midday hours (10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage. UV rays can reach you on overcast days as well as reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Put on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
• Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. The UV rays from them are as dangerous as the UV rays from the sun.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.