The ABCDEs of Melanoma Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer that can be fatal if not identified and treated early. At Derick Dermatology, we take great pride in protecting our patients from harmful melanomas by performing thorough, full-body, skin examinations. Since last Melanoma Monday, we diagnosed and treated approximately 400 melanomas. If…
Melanoma in People with Darker Skin By: Hanna Sutton Melanin is the brown pigment responsible for giving African Americans their darker complexion and for giving most Caucasians tan skin when they are exposed to sunlight. Increased melanin production in African Americans offers some protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, but more melanin does not…
More Harm than Good: The Infamous Base Tan Lauren Fanta With spring break right around the corner, you may hear the phrase “base tan” being used more often. The age-old myth goes something like “if you get a base tan, then you will avoid burning while tanning.” According to the CDC, a “base tan” only…
Risk of Skin Cancer Lauren Fanta If you have a history of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), it may have been a huge relief to hear the diagnosis was not malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma accounts for less than 1% of skin cancer cases, but makes up the majority of skin cancer…
Excision of a Melanoma In recent years, skin cancer has become increasingly prominent–far outnumbering all other types of skin cancers combined. One specific type of skin cancer is called melanoma which affects the pigment-producing cells in the skin. Melanoma can present in various ways, e.g. atypical moles. Although melanoma cancer accounts for only about 1%…
Mohs Surgery By Hanna Sutton “You get to keep all your skin today!” remarks certified nurse practitioner Kristen Wozniak (who works in Derick Dermatology’s Barrington and Elgin locations) after a successfully clear skin exam of a patient. After all, that is the best case scenario when a patient comes in for an annual…