Excision is performed when a large chunk of skin tissue, or a skin lesion, needs to be removed for medical purposes. Usually, after an unwanted mass is found on the skin, your doctor will remove the mass as well as the area around it. If you observe a new growth on your skin, tell your dermatologist here at Valley Dermatology immediately so it can be examined.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), also called photoradiation therapy, phototherapy, or photochemotherapy, is a two-stage treatment process combining special drugs and light therapy that kills cancerous and precancerous cells. Used to treat localized cancers, this procedure can help candidates live longer and improve the quality of their life.

Ultraviolet or UV Safety Month comes right in time for beach season. UV radiation comes from two types of rays – UVA and UVB. Both can cause cell damage to your skin’s top layer. While it has some benefits for people, including the creation of Vitamin D, it also can cause health risks, including skin cancer, which is now the most common cancer in the United States. UV Safety month is a reminder to take careful precautions to limit your UV exposure and risk of skin cancer.

Knowledge is power, equip yourself with it about the most common types of skin cancer so you’re aware of what to look out for. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

At Valley Dermatology, all of our dermatologists are board-certified, and are dedicated to providing excellent care. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in and treat more than 3,000 conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. Needless to say, they help with a wide variety of conditions and diseases. On any given day, they could treat anything from a birthmark, to melanoma, eczema, hair loss and more. Dermatologists also treat patients who want help with cosmetic concerns. This includes giving patients with aging skin a more youthful appearance, removing unwanted fat or hair, and diminishing scars due to acne or other causes.

Winter weather brings less humidity, less vitamin D, lower temperatures, and brisk winds, which all affect how much moisture your skin receives and retains, making your skin drier. In the winter, you’re constantly switching from cold weather outside to forced air and heat inside, which decreases humidity indoors and causes dry skin. Vitamin D from sunlight is a natural anti-inflammatory, and you are exposed to much less vitamin D in the winter because you spend less time outside in the sun.

Noticing red patches on your face? Are you experiencing swelling? It could be an underlying skin condition.  Below are 10 conditions that create redness in the face. If any of the symptoms below match your experience, our board-certified dermatologists can help you diagnose and treat you so that your skin can get back to normal.

Are you noticing more hair buildup in your shower drain or on your hairbrush? Are bald spots forming on your head? You could be experiencing hair loss, or alopecia, and it’s more common than you think. There are many causes of hair loss, so it’s not always straightforward to find the cause. The loss could be connected to an underlying issue such as a disease, vitamin deficiency, hormone imbalance, or infection. Your dermatologist will know how to properly examine your symptoms and create a proper treatment plan.