In 2002, Todd Minars, M.D., joined his father’s dermatology practice, Minars Dermatology. Based in Hollywood, Florida, it has been serving the South Florida community since 1975. Dr. Minars has seen the office experience substantial growth in medical, laser, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Here, he discusses many facets of dermatology, from finding a competent dermatologist to curing toenail fungus.
How to Find a Good Dermatologist
Word of mouth is usually the best way to find a decent doctor, and that includes a competent dermatologist. He should also have the right credentials, a well-run office and a caring bedside manner.
What is Medical Dermatology?
Any skin condition or problem that is not purely cosmetic falls under the heading of medical dermatology. If you have a skin condition, a medical dermatologist should be much more qualified to deal with it than a general physician, as this article points out.
What is Cosmetic Dermatology?
Anything that can affect the cosmetic appearance of your skin falls under the rubric of cosmetic dermatology, which mainly is concerned with fillers, lasers, injectables and cosmeceuticals.
Talking to Your Dermatologist About Skin Cancer
Nobody should feel embarrassed to visit a dermatologist if they have a skin condition that is worrying them. Early treatment is always the best cure. So if you have a suspicious-looking mole or a sore that won’t heal, see your doctor.
Detecting Skin Cancer Early
You know your skin better than anyone else, so you can keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t look right. Follow these guidelines to stay in the pink, and don’t wait more than a month if anything looks a bit suspicious.
Preventing Skin Cancer
Proper protection from the sun, including wearing a high SPF sunscreen and avoiding the midday rays, all contribute to healthy skin. Seeing your dermatologist regularly is also vital when it comes to avoiding skin cancer.
Lasers to Treat Psoriasis
Lasers are now considered the most effective treatment for psoriasis, although they don’t work well for absolutely everyone. New technological advances mean that the present laser treatment is safe, targeting only areas affected by this often unsightly and embarrassing condition.
Using Lasers on Brown Spots
It’s important to have a dermatologist determine what exactly your brown spot is before any treatment can be carried out. After all, you don’t want a med spa technician lasering off a potentially dangerous melanoma, do you?
Lasers to Reduce Acne Scars
Several laser treatments work well on acne scars, but not all scars respond positively to lasers. See your dermatologist to determine is the type of scarring you have is a good candidate for this type of treatment.
What is a Medial Facial?
A facial works best when it is designed for your own special skin type. These doctor-designed facials are made for specific types of skin, so there are almost always excellent results, whether you have older skin, rosacea or melasma.
What are Seborrheic Keratoses?
These raised or flat pigmented spots occur often with age, and although they may look unsightly, they are completely harmless. Various treatment options are available, such as freezing them off with liquid nitrogen.
Treatment for Melasma
Often referred to as the mask of pregnancy, this skin condition usually appears on the face of women with darker skin. But hormones don’t always play a role in who gets it.
Getting Rid of Dark Under Eye Circles
Many treatments don’t eliminate under eye circles. It all depends on why the circles appeared in the first place. Giving hollows under the eyes more volume with an injectable filler works the best, but that’s only appropriate for some people, as this article points out.
Getting Rid of Razor Bumps
People with thick coarse hair, both men and women, are usually more prone to getting unsightly razor bumps than other people. Laser treatment can stop the problem entirely, and many people find it almost completely painless.
Dealing With Male Pattern Baldness
Several treatments are available to “cure” this distressing cosmetic problem. Some are topical, others require taking a pill everyday. They usually have little or no side effects, and the majority of people see an improvement. However, how your hair is thinning may determine how well the treatment will work.
Treatment for Excessive Sweating
Few people realize that prescription antiperspirants can work wonders on excessive underarm sweating. For hands and feet that sweat, you have a variety of options, such as pills and injections of BOTOX, which blocks the chemical transmitters which cause us to sweat in the first place.
The Benefits of Beetle Juice
Thousands of children every year get Molluscum contagiosum, a wart-like virus which can be distressing for them as well as for their parents. Interestingly, the juice of the Blister beetle seems to be the best cure!
Treatment for Cold Sores
Oral pills can reduce the severity of cold sores on the mouth and face, and can make life much more bearable for the sufferer who has them. Some pills taken at the first tingle can also help prevent outbreaks, or at least lessen their severity.
How to Treat Genital Warts
Caused by the Human papillomavirus, or HPV, these warts can cause cervical cancer in women if left untreated. Yet they can be cured through destructive techniques, which usually involve freezing or burning them off. Make sure your partner is treated as well.
Is There a Cure for Toenail Fungus?
Yes! Although toenail fungus is a challenge to treat, it is possible to make thick, yellowing toenails a thing of the past. The problem is that reinfection so easily occurs. Learn what the treatment involves, and what steps to take to stop reinfection – as much as possible.
