Medical Services Archives

What is acne? As one of the most common skin disorders, acne is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the skin’s hair follicles and oil glands. The acne symptoms you develop are determined by the type of acne you have, and it can form on many areas of the body, including your face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders. While some...

What is actinic keratosis? Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a skin disorder that causes rough, scaly patches of skin. Actinic keratosis forms on skin damaged by chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or indoor tanning beds. Approximately 58 million Americans have one or more spots of actinic keratosis. Non-cancerous actinic keratosis is not...

What Are Age Spots? Age spots are small, flat dark areas on your skin that can vary in size. They usually appear on parts of your body that are more exposed to the sun, such as your face, shoulders, hands, and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots or liver spots, although they have nothing to do with your liver....

Alopecia areata (hair loss) is an autoimmune skin disease that results in the loss of hair on the body. The autoimmune process is characterized by the body’s own immune system attacking hair follicles. The three types of alopecia areata are: Alopecia areata – skin loses hair in round sections of varying size Alopecia areata totalis – complete loss of hair...

What is “athlete’s foot?” Athlete’s foot is a contagious, fungal infection caused by the same fungi as ringworm and jock itch. It gets its name because the infection often spreads in places like locker rooms, pools, and showers, but can impact anyone.

What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers? Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the most common types of skin cancer. Both start in the top layer of your skin (the epidermis). These cancers are usually found in areas exposed to the sun—such as your head, face, neck, and arms—but can occur anywhere on the body. If you or...

What are bed bugs? Bed bugs are blood-feeding insects. Adult bugs measure approximately 1/5 of an inch (about the size of an apple seed) and are red/brown in color and wingless. Nymphs, or young bed bugs, are translucent or white/yellow and are nearly invisible to the naked eye. Bed bugs are usually nocturnal and prefer a dark, warm location, like...

A birthmark is a generally harmless irregularity on the skin caused by overgrowth of blood vessels, cells that contain pigment, smooth muscle and fat cells. Birthmarks can be flat or raised, have regular or irregular borders, and have different shades of coloring. Birthmarks earned their name as they appear at or shortly after birth. The two main types of birthmarks...

What is Hyperhidrosis, and how does Botox® help? Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excess sweating regardless of temperature or activity level. It exists in two forms: Primary focal, and secondary generalized. Primary focal is a genetic condition affecting 2.8% of the U.S. population, while secondary hyperhidrosis is causal and its symptoms can be treated. Botox® reduces sweating in qualifying...

What is CellFX®? CellFX® is an advanced treatment that removes skin lesions, growths, and bumps. CellFX® providers use the procedure to treat a variety of lesions on most areas of the body, including the face, neck, shoulders, back, legs, feet, and hands.