Services
General dermatology
Cosmetic dermatology
Dermatologic surgery
Imagine Retail Dispensary
Actinic Keratosis ~ also known as a solar keratosis, is a small, crusty, scaly, or crumbly bump that arises on the skin surface. The base may be light or dark, pink or red, or even the same color of your skin. They are often recognized by feeling dry or rough. Occasionally it itches or produces a tender sensation. It can also become inflamed and bleed. AK’s are most likely to appear on parts of the body most often exposed to sunlight. AK’s are precancerous. If treated early, almost all actinic keratosis can be eliminated without becoming skin cancers.
Basal Cell Carcinoma ~ is the most common type of skin cancer that most often appears on sun-exposed areas. These tumors can have several different forms. The most common appearance of BCC is a small dome shaped bump that has a pearly white color. Blood vessels may be seen on the surface. BCC’s can also appear as a pimple-like growth that heals, only to come back again and again. The most common sign of a BCC is a sore that bleeds and heals up, only to recur again.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ~ is the second most common cancer of the skin. It arises in the outer layer of the skin (the epithelium). SCC’s often arise from solar or actinic keratoses. They generally appear as a crusted or scaly area of the skin, with a red, inflamed base. SCC’s can present as a growing tumor, a non healing ulcer or just as a crust. They are most common in sun-exposed areas.
Melanoma ~ is a type of cancer that begins in the skin. It is completely curable when detected early, but can be fatal if allowed to progress and spread. Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment producing cells in the skin, known as melanocytes. Melanoma is when melanocytes become cancerous, grow and invade other tissue.
Seborrheic Keratosis ~ non cancerous growths of the outer layers of the skin. They can vary in color: brown, tan or black. They vary in size from a fraction of an inch to larger than a half dollar. Seborrheic keratoses have a waxy or "stuck on" appearance. When they first appear, the growths begin as a small itchy bump. Eventually it will thicken and develop a rough, warty surface.
