Active Acne

Acne usually occurs at a vulnerable young age but increasingly persists well into the late thirties. Rapid scarring can occur and early effective treatment is important.

The full range of treatments is available. We also provide skin care advice, topical medication (for external application) and oral medication including Roaccutane (isotretinoin), the latter requiring close supervision.

Comedone extraction, treatment of acne cysts and residual pigmentary change are available where appropriate.

Rosacea

The full range of medical and cosmoceutical treatments is available together with laser and intense pulsed light (Lumenis IPL), the latter an effective treatment for the vascular component of rosacea (redness and dilated facial vessels).

Eczema

Diagnosis and treatment of different subtypes of eczema including atopic eczema is provided. Investigation of contact allergy (patch testing) is available.

Psoriasis

We optimise external and oral therapies for psoriasis and can arrange phototherapy treatment. Strict criteria are required to institute the new injectable biological agents and this would be initiated within an NHS setting.

Ethnic Skin Complaints

Some diseases are more common in pigmented skins and others because of the contrast with normal skin just appear more unsightly. Skin complaints can result in pigmentary disturbance and the dark patches are known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) seen following acne or eczema. In some cases of eczema there is prominent thickening / lichenification of the skin. To minimise these problems, even common skin complaints must be effectively treated.

Commonly treated skin complaints in Ethnic skin:

• Acne
• Eczema
• Contact allergies
• Psoriasis
• Skin Pigmentation
• Vitiligo
• Benign Skin growths – Moles/Warts/Facial DPNs
• Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Pigmentary Problems

An even radiant skin tone is an important denominator of beautiful skin and health in general. Increased pigmentation may occur after the skin has been inflamed as occurs following acne lesions and is especially common in pigmented skins.

Some skin types are inherently more prone to pigment. The pigmentation takes months to fade and the use of lightening agents and peels may facilitate this.

In Melasma (also known as Chloasma) pigmentation is usually hormonally induced. It predominantly occurs in women during pregnancy or whilst taking the oral contraceptive pill, is difficult to treat and inherently prone to occur, minimised by meticulous sun avoidance. Reduced pigmentation, such as Vitiligo is treated with variable success.

Aging skin complaints

We assess the specific problems that contribute to aging and which are of concern to you. In conjunction with externally applied topical agents and sunblocks, photorejuvenation with intense pulsed light is used to treat pigmented patches (benign solar lentigines) and prominent facial vessels known as telangiectasia. A variety of treatment wavelengths are available including longer wavelengths to treat fine wrinkling.

Unsightly seborrheic warts and tags can be treated.

Skin Cancer

We provide diagnosis and management of skin cancer including Melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. We work in conjunction with our surgical Consultant colleagues for the removal of larger tumours. Selected superficial skin cancers are more appropriately treated with licensed immunomodulatory agents and reassessed to ensure a satisfactory response.

Selected patients will be referred for Mohs micrographic surgery.

Pre-malignant skin conditions

These lesions are diagnosed and treated to prevent progression to skin cancer. Appropriately diagnosed lesions can be effectively treated with cryotherapy or externally applied creams. Any worrisome lesions including atypical moles are removed and submitted to histological analysis for precise diagnosis. We provide mole checks, make a risk assessment and provide help with self examination.

Cosmetically-sensitive benign lesions

Unsightly skin tags, warts and moles can be carefully removed to minimise scarring and post-procedure pigmentation. These include seborrheic warts / keratoses, facial dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPNs), fleshy moles, milia etc. Appropriate lesions are subjected to histological examination. For viral warts we offer cryotherapy and topical treatments.

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light

This modality is available to treat vascular lesions, rosacea and benign solar lentigines (liver spots).