Women's Dermatology
Women's Dermatology
Women's Medical Dermatology involves diagnosis, and medical or surgical treatments of skin cancers, rashes, moles, growths, or any of the other 2000+ dermatological diagnosis.
For decades, studies have shown that skin parameters are different in females as compared to males: Skin thickness, pigmentation, hydration, transepidermal water loss, pH, sebum and microcirculation are some of these variable factors. We have to understand and consider these differences to properly address cosmetic and medical products and treatments. As physicians we are well aware of sex differences in anatomy, physiology, and epidemiology in many other organ diseases and skin is no different.
Dr. Heidi focuses on understanding chemical and biophysical characteristics of the skin in women. This helps her to better develop products and have a more specific and proper approach in offering cosmetic procedures or management of skin diseases.
Dr Heidi strongly believes that skin, just like any of our other organs, can be healthy or sick. When it is healthy, you need to maintain with simple and effective skincare regimen. But when skin becomes diseased, you need to seek help from a board-certified dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Heidi specializes in diagnosis, and medical or surgical treatments of skin diseases. She also uses skin as reflection of overall health; hormonal acne and hair loss are prime examples.
Women’s Cosmetic Dermatology is all things beauty; prevention and correction of lines, wrinkles, brown spots, aging skin, acne scars, etc. Read More about Cosmetic Dermatology.
Medical Dermatology
Adult Acne
Acne is the most common skin condition in the US. Adult acne can affect women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Although there are many effective treatments available, there are also a lot of inaccurate information out there. Dr. Heidi can help you understand acne and offer effective treatments that can successfully treat your acne, and boost your self-esteem.
Facial Redness & Rosacea
Rosacea is a common adult skin disease that usually begins with a tendency to blush or flush, with or without acne-like breakouts. There are many effective treatments for rosacea including topical and oral medications, light and laser treatments.
Moles (Nevi)
Almost everyone has moles; they usually first appear during childhood or young adulthood. Sun exposure can stimulate the body to make more moles. If you have lighter skin you may have a lot of moles, which is normal. Important to know that new or changing moles can be a sign of melanoma and should be evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Heidi.
Scars
Scar is a tissue that your body makes to repair a damage or injury to your skin. The type of the scar that your body makes varies depending on many factors, including on how deeply your skin has been damaged and how you care for a wound. Talk to Dr. Heidi about ways to prevent scars as much as possible or treat the ones you already have.
Keloid
A keloid is a type of raised scar that, unlike other forms of scars, grows beyond the boundaries of the initial wound or cut. It is challenging to treat a keloid, but a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Heidi, can discuss ways to treat, and more importantly, prevent keloids. There are also treatment can help reduce symptoms of pain and itch that usually accompany a keloid.
Seborrheic Keratoses (A Type of "Maturity Spot")
These common benign skin growths may look like a mole, or a wart, a pre-cancerous skin growth, or even a skin cancer and cause a lot of worry but they are harmless. As always every questionable skin lesion needs to be evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Heidi. After proper diagnosis, treatment of maturity spots is considered cosmetics.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a rash caused by exposure to a substance that you may have used for short term or even long term; examples can be poison ivy, make up or a wedding ring you have worn for years. Discuss proper evaluation, including allergy testing, and treatment with Dr. Heidi. At times, referral to an allergist may be necessary.
Hand Eczema
Hand eczema can cause dry red, thick, scaly, or even deep and painful cracks on your hands unlike dry skin, you need more than a good moisturizer to treat your hand eczema. Dr. Heidi will discuss recommendation on good skincare products and give you prescription medication to treat your hand eczema.
Basal Cell Carcinoma & Skin Cancer Screening
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. It usually develops on sun-exposure areas of the skin such as face and neck. If you have a newly formed lesion make sure you have it evaluated by your dermatologist.
Melanoma & Skin Cancer Screening
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because it can spread quickly to other parts of the body, and can be deadly. However, when found early, melanoma is highly treatable. Make sure you have a full skin check by Dr. Heidi or a board-certified dermatologist every year. Take charge of your skin health by checking your own skin regularly, watching for any change to an existing mole, or a new mole, and making an appointment with a dermatologist if you notice growing, itching, bleeding, or changing mole. Schedule yearly full body skin cancer screening with your dermatologist just like a yearly general health screening with your primary care doctor!
Preventative Skin Care (Skin Cancer Screening)
Dermatologists have special training that allow them to diagnose and manage skin cancers if detected. Many skin cancers are curable of detected early. Yearly preventative skin evaluations are especially important if there is a history of melanoma or abnormal moles in the family.
When you see Dr. Heidi for a complete skin checkup, expect a 20 minute visit, that includes a review of your medical history and also a head-to-toe skin examination. This is a great time to ask about any spots on your body you are worried about. Dr. Heidi will educate you about what to look for, such as any changes in the symmetry, border, color, size or shape of a mole. She will also teach you about self-skin checks and proper use of sunscreen.
Skin Infections
Nail Infections
Warts
Skin Tags
Skin Growths
Eczema
Psoriasis
Excessive Sweating
Skin Darkening
Hair Loss
Women's Skin Evaluation & Care Program
Surgical Dermatology
Skin Cancer Surgical Removal
After proper diagnosis with a biopsy (sampling) of the lesion, Dr. Heidi can plan and perform surgical excision of skin cancers, such as a Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma, or other skin caners in her office. For skin cancers located on head and neck, she usually makes a referral to her trusted local Mohs surgeons, but still manages your case and speaks directly to the treating surgeon, to make sure you receive excellent treatment and care.
Mole Removal
After proper diagnosis with a biopsy (sampling) of the lesion, Dr. Heidi can plan and perform surgical excision of moles in her office. Healthy moles can be removed with no margin, but abnormal moles require a proper margin excised around them so the scar will be larger than your mole. Dr. Heidi will discuss your specific case and several methods of removal with you before scheduling your surgery.
Lipomas, Cysts, and other Skin Growths
Most small and superficial skin growths can be removed in the office. Larger or deeper lesions may require imaging first.
Warts
Skin Tags
