Excisional Surgery – Skin Growths and Lesion Removal

Skin growths can often be benign, but cause aesthetic concerns and even result in pain and other functional issues. If the growth is malignant, timely removal is critical for the patient’s health. Excisional surgery is a safe, proven and effective way to get rid of an unwanted skin growth, which could be a cancerous lesion or simply a benign growth.

Dr. Jamie McGinness is a board certified dermatologist and a fellowship trained surgeon in Mohs Micrographic surgery. The judicious Dr. McGinness specializes in advanced surgical treatment of skin cancer using the Mohs technique. During the initial consultation, he will closely examine the condition of the skin growth or irregularity, assess the patient’s medical history, and recommend a customized treatment plan.

Types of Excisional Surgery

An individual may consider having a skin growth or lesion removed, depending on the nature of the growth as well as its location. If the growth is causing aesthetic distress, it is still a valid reason to have it removed. In most cases, abnormal skin growths and lesions can be excised with the patient under local anesthesia. The procedure can be safely performed during an out-patient appointment.

Shave Removal

If the patient has a raised growth, such as raised moles, the surgeon may recommend this surgical technique. A local anesthetic will be applied by injecting under the growth to minimize any discomfort. The surgeon will then remove the growth using a very sharp razor along the skin surface. The cut is minor and will not require sutures. Minor redness or scarring may occur at the surgical site.

Snip Excision

In case of raised lesions such as skin tags, the surgeon may recommend the scissor excision or snip excision technique. Following a local anesthetic injection, the surgeon will firmly secure the growth with a pair of forceps, and gently pull it away from the body. They will use a small set of curved scissors to lightly snip away the growth, cutting both under and around the area. The procedure will not require any sutures and scarring is likely to be minimal.

Full Excision

If the growth has penetrated into the deep dermis levels or the tumor has a malignancy, the surgeon may recommend a full excision procedure. The procedure will usually involve only local anesthesia. The surgeon will create an elliptical incision around the lesion, penetrating the fatty tissue under the growth to excise it completely.

The surgeon will typically take a margin of healthy tissue from around the growth’s edges. Pathological analysis of this tissue will be performed later to determine if all the abnormal cells have been taken out. Recovery in case of a full excision can vary from one patient to another depending on the size and location of the lesion being excised.

When melanoma is fully excised in its pre-metastatic stages, it is usually an effective way to eliminate the malignant cells. The procedure should only be performed a fully trained and experienced dermatologist and surgeon. Fantastic, dedicated, and board certified dermatologist Dr. McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, I and St. Louis, MO, and other cities and towns in this part of America for various skin treatments.

If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

How to Prevent Acne?

Acne is commonly seen in teenagers, with a reported prevalence of 70 to 85 percent. However, younger children as well as adults are now increasingly suffering from acne. This skin condition occurs when the hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.

Acne are commonly seen on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. While effective treatments are available, acne can be a stubborn problem. Therefore, prevention of acne is the best possible approach. Perspicacious, fabulous, and board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides acne treatments to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations across the middle part of this country.

Early Treatment

If acne has already appeared, timely treatment will minimize the risk of scarring and mitigate emotional distress for the patient. The earlier the acne treatment begins, the better will be the chances of success and lower will be the risk of lasting physical and emotional damage.

Once the acne condition improves, the patient may be required to continue the acne medications or other treatments as a preventive measure against new potential acne break outs. The patient may have to use a topical drug on acne prone sites, continue taking oral contraceptives or undergo light therapy sessions.

Tips for Acne Prevention

Wash acne-prone sites just two times a day to remove dead skin cells and excess oil. Avoid too much washing because it can irritate the skin. Use a gentle cleanser and oil-free, water-based skin care products.
Use an acne cream or gel as prescribed by the dermatologist to help dry excess oil. Products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as the active ingredient can be used.
Apply non-oily makeup. Oil-free cosmetics will not clog the pores, and minimize bacterial build-up.
Remove all makeup before going to bed. Sleeping with makeup can clog the pores. Regularly clean the cosmetic brushes and applicators with soapy water.

Whenever possible, choose loose fitting clothes so that heat and moisture does not get trapped inside to cause skin irritation. Avoid any clothes or accessories that create friction against the skin.
After exercise, sports or other vigorous activities, take a shower to remove excess oil and sweat.
Do not touch or pick at the problem sites because it may trigger more acne.

Risk Factors

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes commonly occur in teenagers, girls and women. Even people who are taking certain types of drugs, such as corticosteroids, androgens or lithium can go through hormonal fluctuations.

Genetics

Family history can play an important role in acne. If an individual’s both parents had acne, they are likely to get it too.

Greasy or Oily Substances

If the skin comes in contact with oily creams and lotions or with grease in a work area or a kitchen, it may lead to the development of acne in the contact sites.

Friction

Certain types of tight clothes, helmets, tight collars, backpacks and mobile phones may cause friction with the skin in some cases. This can contribute to the development of acne.

Committed, golden, and board certified dermatologist Dr. McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other cities and towns in this part of The Show-Me State for acne treatments.

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis, Shiloh, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Acne Treatments

A number of treatments are available today to improve or eliminate acne conditions. Patients should choose an experienced dermatologist with expertise in acne treatments in order to achieve safe and successful results. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides acne treatments to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities.

How do Acne Drugs Work?

The dermatologist may prescribe appropriate medications to control acne, avoid scarring or other damage to the skin, and make any acne scars less conspicuous. Acne medications work by lowering the production of oil in the sebaceous glands, promoting cell turnover in the facial skin, combating bacterial infection and mitigating inflammation to help prevent scarring.

Prescription acne drugs can typically show improvement in about one to two months. The skin may get worse before it gets better. Depending on the condition of acne, it can take many months for the acne to clear up entirely. The prescribed medication will depend on the type and severity of the acne, and it could be oral or topical drugs.

Prescription Medications

Retinoids

These drugs are available in the form of cream, gel and lotion. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and include tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene. The application begins gradually about thrice a week and then daily as the skin adapts to it. Retinoid drugs work by preventing plugging of the hair follicles.

Topical Antibiotics

Antibiotics will kill excess bacteria and improve redness. In the first few weeks or months, the patient may have to use a combination of retinoids and antibiotics. The antibiotics are often combined with benzoyl peroxide to minimize the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.

Oral Antibiotics

For moderate to severe acne, the dermatologist may prescribe oral antibiotics to eliminate harmful bacteria and fight inflammation. Choices for treating acne include tetracyclines, such as minocycline and doxycycline. Once the symptoms begin to improve or if it is evident that the drug is not working, the dermatologist will taper off the medications.

Combined Oral Contraceptives

These are helpful in treating acne in women and adolescent girls. The FDA has approved a few medications that combine estrogen and progestin. These drugs may cause mild side effects for a temporary period.

Anti-androgen Agent

The dermatologist may prescribe the drug spironolactone for women and adolescent girls if oral antibiotics are not working. This drug blocks the effect of androgen hormones on the sebaceous glands. This curbs excess oil production in the skin to reduce formation of acne.

Oral Isotretinoin

This is a highly effective drug, but it has considerable potential side effects. The dermatologist must closely monitor the patient who chooses this treatment. Astounding, cordial, and board certified dermatologist Dr. McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other towns and communities in this part of Missouri for acne treatments.

Non-Drug Therapies

Light-based therapies, laser resurfacing and chemical peels are treatments in cosmetic dermatology that can be used to treat certain types of acne conditions. These procedures can be performed in-office, and have minimal risk and side effects. Patient will be required to avoid sun exposure for a few weeks after the treatment and wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis, Shiloh, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

What Causes Acne?

What Causes Acne? | St Louis Dermatology | Belleville Dermatologist Acne are undesirable blemishes on the face that may occur at any time for a variety of reasons. Although acne break outs typically occur in the younger age, the problem is now becoming increasingly common even among adults. Stubborn acne issues require a customized treatment approach to achieve sustainable results.

The adroit and splendid Dr. Jamie McGinness is a board certified dermatologist and a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon providing cutting edge treatments for acne and various other skin conditions. Dr. McGinness provides acne solutions to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations.

Acne Factors

Four key factors may contribute to the problem of acne:

Excess oil production in the skin
Dead skin cells
Clogged pores
Bacteria build-up

Acne commonly appears on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. These sites have the maximum number of sebaceous glands that produce oil. Acne forms when the hair follicles get plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Oil glands and hair follicles are connected. The hair and skin receive lubrication from the secretion of these glands.

This secretion called sebum often travels along the hair shafts and through the hair follicle openings on the skin surface. When the production of sebum becomes excessive, it can combine with dead skin cells to build up in the hair follicles. This creates a soft plug, allowing an environment for bacterial to thrive. Inflammation will occur if the bacteria infect the clogged pores.

The follicle wall may bulge because of the plugged pore, producing a whitehead or a blackhead. Acne appears as raised red spots with a white center, which will develop when infection or inflammation occurs in the blocked hair follicles. Blockages and inflammation that develop deep inside hair follicles produce cyst-like lumps beneath the surface of your skin.

Factors that Aggravate Acne

Hormones

During puberty, both boys and girls can have an increased production of androgen hormones. This hormone causes enlargement of the sebaceous glands and increases sebum production.

Certain Types of Drugs

Certain medications containing corticosteroids, androgens or lithium can worsen acne.

Diet

According to several research studies, some dietary factors, including dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods may trigger acne. Chocolate has long been suspected of making acne worse. A research study of 14 men with acne showed that eating chocolate was related to an increase in acne.

Stress

Increased levels of stress or emotional ups and downs may also have a role in the worsening of acne.

What does not Cause Acne?

Many people are under the misconception that greasy or oily foods, dirty skin, or cosmetics can cause acne. The fact is that eating oily or greasy food has little or no effect on acne. Acne is also not caused by dirt in the skin.

In fact, patients should avoid scrubbing the skin too hard or cleansing with harsh soaps because skin irritation may worsen acne. In case of cosmetics, it is a poignant idea to choose oil-free makeup to avoid clogging of pores. Profound, accomplished, and board certified dermatologist Dr. McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other cities and towns in this region of the nation.

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis, Shiloh, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Excisional Surgery – Skin Growths and Lesion Removal

Monthly Archives: November 2017