Medical & Surgical

At IslandWide Dermatology, we offer many medical services that address your skin concerns. For a list of many of the diseases we take care of please see below. We also provide evaluations, diagnosis and treatment for a myriad of pre-cancer and cancerous lesions. We always treat our patients with respect and care, and understand how uncomfortable and painful skin disorders can be.

Acne

Acne occurs when your body starts to produce an overabundance of sebum, which is a natural oil that helps keep your skin moisturized. The overproduction of oil traps dead skin cells in the pore, creating the blemish. Normally, these dead skin cells rise to the top of your pores and shed naturally.

Sometimes bacteria from your skin can get trapped in the pore, creating blemishes that are red, swollen, and sometimes painful. If the bacteria in your pore travels deep into your skin, you may develop a cyst or nodule. Acne scars form when these large cysts break the follicle wall.

The hormonal changes that occur during puberty may trigger excess oil production, which is why teens are so prone to the skin condition. Pregnancy and oral contraceptives also affect oil production, as well as stress, diet, and certain types of medications.

When it comes to improving the look of your skin, the experts at IslandWide Dermatology offer many effective treatments for acne. However, no single treatment works best for everyone, and it may take some time to find the right combination of treatments to clear up your blemishes.

Basal Cell
Cancer
Treatment

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of cancer worldwide. In the United States, it accounts for approximately 80 percent of all skin cancers.

Basal cell carcinomas are most commonly found on the face, neck, hands, or other parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun. The first sign of basal cell carcinoma is an unusual growth on your skin. You may notice a waxy lump or a small, smooth, shiny, or pale growth. Or there may not be a lump at all, but instead you notice a flat spot that looks slightly different from the rest of your skin.

Basal cell carcinoma is a highly curable cancer with both surgical and nonsurgical therapies, especially if treated early.

Which treatment is used depends on:

where the tumor is
how big the tumor is
how deep the tumor is
your general health
your medical history
whether the tumor has been treated before

There are many treatment options are available for basal cell carcinoma. They include:

Cryotherapy
Curettage and Electrodesiccation
Laser Surgery
Mohs Surgery
Surgery
Radiation Therapy

Actinic Keratoses Diagnosis & Treatment

An actinic keratosis (ak-TIN-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a rough, scaly patch on the skin that develops from years of sun exposure. It's often found on the face, lips, ears, forearms, scalp, neck or back of the hands.

Also known as a solar keratosis, an actinic keratosis grows slowly and usually first appears in people over 40. You can reduce your risk of this skin condition by minimizing your sun exposure and protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Left untreated, the risk of actinic keratoses turning into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma is about 5% to 10%.

Blistering
Disease

Our dermatologists are experts in the diagnosis and management of blistering diseases including pemphigoid and pemphigus. If you’ve been diagnosed with a blistering disorder or have blisters on your skin, please make an appointment for evaluation. Our physicians do not shy away from the management of complex medical dermatologic disorders.

Connective
Tissue
Disorder

Our dermatologists are experts are managing skin changes of connective tissue disorders including lupus. We work closely with rheumatologists to ensure that best care is delivered.

Cysts & Lipomas

Cysts and Lipomas are benign growths that can become unsightly, painful, or sometimes infected. If you have a cyst or lipoma and it is bothering you, please schedule an evaluation as sometimes these are best surgical removed.

Dry Skin &
Eczema

If you have continuous dry skin it can be very frustrating and uncomfortable. Our skilled dermatologists can help discover what product works best with your skin and help alleviate your discomfort.

Eczema is an extremely uncomfortable and painful skin disorder that patients often find temporary to no relief from on their own. We can help prevent your eczema from getting worse, relieve pain and itching, prevent and treat infections, and remove scaly lesions.

Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating is a medical condition called hyperhidrosis. A dermatologist can help you with excessive sweating by discussing your options and deciding on the proper course of action, which may include medications or surgical procedures.

Hair Loss
Prevention &
Regrowth

Hair loss is not always normal and sometimes can be pathologic. Our dermatologists are skilled in the proper diagnosis and management of hair loss in both men and women including alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, and pattern alopecia. There may be many treatment options once an accurate diagnosis is made.

Herpes Diagnosis & Treatment

Herpes is often diagnosed visually, however it is important to take a swab of the area as well and test it to be sure of what is present. Although there is no cure for herpes there are many ways to manage it, allowing you to live outbreak free or minimize your outbreaks.

Hives

Hives can be frustrating and can become a chronic issue. We work to make sure that the eruptions are well-controlled or eliminated.

Melanoma Cancer Screening

Full-body skin exams are an important tool in screening patients for benign or cancerous lesions that they may not have been able to see or recognize on their own. From head to toe and back to front, we inspect the skin for any suspicious growths. This quick and painless preventive measure is an invaluable tool in the early detection of skin cancer as well as many other dermatological conditions. It is important to have regular exams in order to catch skin cancers early, especially in patients who have a strong family history of melanoma or excessive sun exposure. The cure rate for skin cancers can reach 100% if caught early, however many people delay screening, diagnosis and treatment, which could save their lives. Don’t take cancer lightly– know the warning signs of skin cancer, practice self-examination, and see your dermatologist regularly.

Mole Examination & Removal

Moles are one of the most common reasons that patients consult a dermatologist, like Dr. Silverstein. Dr. Silverstein is a specialist in mole removals both for cosmetic reasons, as well as concern for possible skin cancer. Dermatology is a broad field which encompasses identifying and removing many different kinds of skin growths, including common moles, nevi, skin tags, and skin cancer. In general, a moles or nevi, are benign growths, which are typically light brown in color. Moles can be flesh colored, light brown, blue, or dark brown. The darker the mole, the more melanocytes it contains. Dr. Silverstein will be able to examine your moles and determine if any of the moles need removal or a skin biopsy.

Nail Fungus

Due to the difficulty of applying topical creams under such small areas as a toenail, over-the-counter creams are often not effective. We commonly recommend oral medication to resolve nail fungus, however each individual must be examined in order to decide the best course of action.

Pigmentation Disorder Treatment

Our dermatologists offer treatments for many pigmentation disorders, such as hyperpigmentation disorders (darkening of the skin) and hypopigmentation disorders (loss of normal color of the skin).

Psoriasis Treatments

Psoriasis can be a very painful disorder, physically and emotionally. While not necessarily curable, treatment can result in minimal outbreaks and relief of pain, discomfort, itchiness, and embarrassment. There are many options that can be tailored to an individual patient for treatment.

Rashes

There are many different types of rashes including contact dermatitis, lichen planus, and bug bites. Our dermatologists are highly trained experts in the management of common and uncommon rashes. If you have a rash, please call and ask for an emergency appointment and we will do our best to accommodate you as quickly as possible.

Rosacea Treatment

Our dermatologists provide treatment for Rosacea by prescribing topical medications, oral medications, and through laser and other light procedures. Prevention of future outbreaks can be possible by wearing sunscreen every day.

Treatment of Scars & Keloids

Scars can be minimized through many different procedures offered by our dermatologists. We will examine the area to decide exactly which procedure will provide the best results. Possible procedures include: resurfacing, chemical peels, injections of fillers, cortisone injections, and cryosurgery.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Our dermatologists are expert at early detection of squamous cell carcinoma in addition to its prevention and management including surgical removal. Squamous cell carcinoma can present in many different fashions so an examination by a board-certified dermatologist is essential to diagnosis and management.

Surgical Treatments

At Islandwide Dermatology, we often perform surgical excisions of skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Additionally, we are able to surgically remove bothersome or painful cysts, moles, or lipomas.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis is an inflammation of your blood vessels, which causes the walls of blood vessels to thicken, weaken, narrow, and scar. This can affect just the skin or multiple areas of the body. You should speak with your physician and your dermatologist if you’ve been diagnosed with Vasculitis to discuss treatment plans.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is when the skin, hair, or even eyes lose color. Although not necessarily dangerous, it can be cause for concern, as most people feel very uncomfortable from their change in appearance. There are treatment options and this should be discussed with your dermatologist.