Our dermatologists work with a multidisciplinary team of specialists who collaborate to provide you with the exact care you need. They use the latest medications and techniques and advanced equipment and surgical techniques to provide you with world-class care.
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The botulinum toxin, also known as Botox®, is a purified protein injectable filler that is FDA-approved for the temporary treatment of facial frown lines. This non-surgical injection is also commonly used to temporarily reduce or eliminate forehead creases, crow’s feet near the eyes, and other areas.
Botox blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles, therefore providing the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Studies have suggested that botulinum toxin can also help relieve migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes.
Emory Dermatology Services can help you explore options to rejuvenate or refine your appearance and enhance your self-confidence.
Contact allergy, similar to what is frequently experienced by exposure to poison ivy, can be induced by a wide variety of substances at home and in the work environment. This disorder may be difficult to diagnose and can present with difficult to treat dermatitis which may persist for months to years. Emory Dermatology maintains a large library of allergens which can be used to define contact allergy. Dr. Robert Swerlick has over 20 years of experience in evaluating contact allergy.
Inflammatory skin disease may develop as a consequence of the local skin environment or as a consequence of diseases that affect the skin and other organs. Emory Dermatology has one of the largest groups of physicians in the world with special training and board certification in Immunodermatology. Our expertise in the arena, both in terms of availability of specific diagnostic tools and experience and expertise in the use of immune modulating therapies is unique in the state of Georgia and is on par with the best Dermatology programs in the country.
Emory Dermatology participates in a multidisciplinary melanoma management group which incorporates elements of early detection, world recognized Dermatopathology, state of the art staging, clinical trials for advance disease, and basic research delving into the basic mechanisms of the disease. Early detection tools include our pigmented lesion clinics staffed by Drs. Chen and Washington, and access to "mole mapping" photographic services which provides critical information required for optimal surveillance. Drs. Chen and Arbiser are involved in fundamental studies into the impact and cause of melanoma moving the frontiers of our understanding. Appropriate patients for referral include:
Mohs surgery is an innovative technique to remove some skin cancers. The Mohs procedure process involves the most minimal tissue removal of any other form of skin cancer treatment. And, for cases in which it is recommended, the success rate is over 95%. Our doctors are board-certified in general dermatology and fellowship-trained in Mohs surgery.
The procedure can be very effective on facial skin cancers and other sensitive skin since the minimal tissue removal required for the process leaves low damage. It also is very successful in re-current skin cancers. Although skin cancer tumors are usually visible, tumor cells can remain undetected and eventually cause a tumor to reappear. Mohs can effectively remove these cells with a high degree of accuracy and prevent a re-occurrence with a 95% effectiveness rate.
However, a dermatologist can best judge whether Mohs is the most effective treatment option for a patient over many other skin cancer treatment options.
The procedure was pioneered over 50 years ago by Dr. Frederick Mohs. It involves "mapping" the skin area and removing layers in a grid pattern that are then checked microscopically for cancer cells. Further layers are taken from the site until traces of the cancer cells are not evident.
While very effective, the treatment is time-consuming and exacting. But because of the precision of the Mohs technique, the majority of the cases can be handled in one treatment session. The "wound" is bandaged and dressed. The dermatologist will consult with the patient on the appropriate aesthetic procedure to address any skin damage. Because the wound is small, the results of aesthetic operations following Mohs are very successful.
The Department of Dermatology has three Board Certified Pediatric Dermatologists and provides the most extensive scope of pediatric dermatology services in the state of Georgia. Drs. Mary Spraker, Leslie Lawley, Zakiya Rice, and Monique Gupta Kumar have unique training and experience in the diagnosis and management of childhood skin disorders including congenital and genetic skin diseases, vascular anomalies, inflammatory skin diseases, infectious diseases, and skin diseases associated with systemic diseases.
