What Can a Dermatologist help you with?

Your Dermatologist will help simplify your skin care management

At Dandenong Dermatology Centre, we are dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your specific conditions.

Skin Cancer


Two out of three Australians will develop a skin cancer during their lifetime, however, most skin cancers are curable provided they are diagnosed early. Our dermatologists can peform a full skin check and evaluate your risk. They are highly experienced in treating sun damage and skin cancer.

Exposure to sunlight in childhood and adolescence is a major factor in causing skin cancers. A history of severe sunburn increases the risk of developing melanoma, and long term sun exposure increases the risks of both non melanoma skin cancers and melanoma.

Because it is highly visible, skin cancer is generally detectable at an early stage. Early detection is particularly important for malignant melanoma. The first step is self-monitoring. If you have fair skin, freckles, a large number of moles or have a history of skin cancer, make sure you check your skin regularly; every three months - for example, at the start of each season.

Acne


At Dandenong Dermatology Centre we are experienced in the treatment of all forms of acne, including adult and hormonal acne.

Acne occurs when the oil glands (pores) in the skin become blocked. The face,neck, chest, shoulders and upper back are the areas mainly affected because they have the highest number of oil glands, however, Acne can occur anywhere on the body.

The good news is that all types of acne can be treated. While there are products that can improve the visible effects of a few pimples in a short period of time, to get the maximum benefits, treatment of acne takes time and patience.

Psoriasis


Psoriasis is a common, chronic, scaly rash that affects people of all ages. It is an auto immune disorder and can be triggered by environmental factors, stress or illness. It is not contagious and is not due to an allergy.

Over recent years there have been some major breakthroughs in the treatment of psoriasis. your Dermatologist will be able to discuss these advances with you and what they may mean to the treatment of your psoriasis.

Eczema


Eczema affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives and results from a variety of different causes with various patterns. 

 Eczema often starts in infancy and can completely dissappear by school age. Hayfever, asthma and allergies along with eczema can all be classified under the term Atopic. There is no cure for Eczema but much can be achieved by optimizing skin care and minimizing environmental irritation. Your Dermatologist can assist with identifying potential triggers such as allergy, stress and infection and in formulating a strategy to reduce flare-ups and restoring the skins natural defenses. 

Rosacea


Rosacea is a common skin disorder that causes red patches, 'pimples', bumps and 'burst' capillaries on the face. The most commonly affected areas are the nose and cheeks (central face), but it can affect the whole face, including the ears and neck.

Rosacea can occur at any age but is most likely to affect people in their30's and 40's. Individuals with fair skin, blue eyes and Celtic origins are especially susceptible, although no racial group is spared. It very rarely affects children.

Unfortuantely, Rosacea can't be cured, but it can be controlled. Flushing 'triggers' that can make all forms of rosacea worse are:

  • Spicy food
  • Hot drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Heat (hot baths, hot tubs and saunas)
  • Sunlight
  • Some medications

Sun avoidance and use of non-irritating broad-spectrum sunscreen is particularly important to prevent worsening of facial redness.

 

 

Vitiligo


Vitiligo is a relatively common, acquired loss of pigmentation of the skin, affecting 1-2% of the population. Destruction of melanocytes, or pigment cells, occurs and the skin becomes white.  Many people develop Vitiligo in their 20's, but it can occur at any age. the disorder affects all races and both sexes equally, however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.

At this present time, there is no cure for Vitiligo. the treatment is prolonged and progress is slow. However, pigment cell research is ongoing and will hopefully lead to better treatment options in the future.

Dandenong Dermatology Centre's Laser Clinic

Dandenong Dermatology Centre has medical and cosmetic lasers which cater to a wide range of both medical and cosmetic conditions. Our individual treatment is outlined during a free consultation at which time we can assess your needs and advise on pre and post laser care information.

Our lasers and new generation IPL's treat conditions including telangiectasia, rosacea, Campbell de Morgan spots, acne, freckles and sun damage; Hair removal and photo rejuventation are also available. Our non ablative lasers have been very successful in treating scars and stretch marks.

At Dandenong Dermatology Centre we only use properly calibrated FDA approved medical grade lasers. Our lasers have inbuilt cooling or are used in conjunction with a Zimmer cooler, which cools and protects the skin whilst minimizing patient discomfort.

Your Skin is an organ that forms a protective barrier against germs and other organisms. Skin also helps maintain a constant body temperature and is only about 2mm thick.

Your skin is made up of two layers that cover a third fatty layer. The outer layer is called the epidermis; it is a tough protective layer that contains melanin, which protects against the suns rays and gives the skin its colour. the second layer is called the dermis; it contains nerve endings, sweat glands, oil glands and hair follicles.

Pigmented Lesions


the most common pigmented lesions are  freckles, age spots and liver spots. they normally contain very high concentrations of melanin and can be caused by too much sun, aging, genetics or injury.

The green light from the Norseld Dual Yellow laser targets the melanin, which is the principle component in the lesion. You will see immediate change and in some cases the lesion will darken slightly, which is perfectly normal. The pigment will then gradually come away over the following week. this method causes no damage to surrounding tissue and you avoid invasive procedures such as surgical removal or freezing.

The Norseld Dual Yellow laser multi wavelenghth laser can also treat Acne, Melasma, Bulky lesions, Vascular and Skin rejuvenation

Photographs courtesy of Norseld