Seborrheic keratoses... Or what I like call "Wisdom spots"

Written by Dr. Wendy Myers

If you are over the age of 30 and have had a skin check with me, you may have heard me use the term "wisdom spot." What I am actually referring to are common lesions called seborrheic keratoses. Seborrheic keratoses or SKs are common benign skin lesions that often start developing in patients in their thirties, and continue to form as we age. I often like to joke with my patients that these are markers of their wisdom and maturity, as most patients do not want to hear that they are due to aging.

Patients often confuse SKs with "moles", but they are not. SKs are made of keratinocytes and not melanocytes which comprise true moles or nevi. They can develop on any part of the body except the palms and soles and can appear in many different ways: skin toned, pigmented, flat, or even quite raised, often resembling warts. 

The good news I always try to reinforce with my patients is that they are benign and require no treatment. They can be removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated, inflamed, or itchy. There are various ways that this can be done in the office including cryotherapy (freezing lesion with very cold spray that results in the lesions peeling off), curettage (scraping lesion off after local anesthesia), or electrocautery (electric needle to burn lesion off, often with curettage).  Therapies are often determined by the size and location of the lesion. Treatment areas often heal well, but may hyper or hypo- pigmentation as a result. 

The ABCDE’s of Melanoma – What to Look For and How to Protect Yourself

By Dr. Brian Keegan 

School is back in session. You may know your alphabet, but do you know your ABCDE’s on how to check your skin for melanoma? According to the American Cancer Society, about 76,100 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed this year. At Windsor Dermatology, we are focused on educating our patients on how to check their skin and protect themselves. 

Originally developed at New York University as a way to identify concerning lesions, the ABCDE’s of melanoma is a screening procedure to help patients check their skin. If you suspect anything suspicious, remember to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. 

Learn the ABCDE’s of melanoma:

Asymmetry – If you fold the lesion in half, both sides don’t look the same.

Border – Most moles will come to an end. Lesions that are of concern may bleed off, look more faint in certain spots or different around the edges.

Color – Lesions that have multiple colors, such as red, black, brown or white, can be concerning. 

Diameter – Moles should not be bigger than a half a centimeter. 

Evolution – Added after the ABCD’s, evolution stands for change. Any change in a mole should be further examined by a dermatologist. 

The ABCDE’s of melanoma provide a way for patients to check their skin at home. At Windsor Dermatology, we see lesions all the time that fit some or many of these points. The important thing to remember is anything that is of concern, should be checked by a dermatologist. Scheduling annual skin screenings is important as your dermatologist knows what specifically to look for and is able to check those hard to see areas of your body.

To schedule a skin screening with a dermatologist at Windsor Dermatology, call 609-443-4500 or visit Windsor Dermatology to make an appointment or to learn more about melanoma.

Dermatologist or Spa?

Today, many non-physicians are performing various cosmetic skin procedures in med-spas, shopping malls and walk-in clinics. While these locations may offer some convenience to consumers, the supervision of the person performing the procedure, as well as the training and equipment available to handle complications or medical emergencies, can jeopardize the health and appearance of the patient.

Choosing a dermatologist who has medical experience in skin conditions, not just cosmetic experience, is the answer.

Nobody knows your skin better than your dermatologist. At Windsor Dermatology, you'll receive the same types of cosmetic and rejuvenation procedures you would find at a med-spa, but from board-certified medical doctors with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions. Plus, every procedure is an FDA-approved, established treatment and performed in a medical facility. 

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery has warned consumers to be wary of med-spas claiming affiliations with “board-certified” doctors, because the certification could be in an unrelated field. The spa’s affiliated doctor may be board-certified—in gastroenterology. In other words, the spa is promoting their association with a doctor, while omitting the doctor’s irrelevant experience.

Even if your skin care need is purely aesthetic, Windsor Dermatology can provide any treatment a med-spa can—with greater expertise and the latest technologies. We work with you to develop the best treatment that is personalized to your specific skin condition, not a one-treatment-fits-all approach typical at a spa.

Let the healthy skin care providers at Windsor Dermatology help restore your skin to a healthier and younger-looking appearance. We offer a complete line of non-surgical cosmetic procedures and employ the latest techniques to leave your skin feeling and looking refreshed and rejuvenated.

Most of the cosmetic dermatology procedures we offer require only a minimum amount of time and involve little to no pain. Procedures typically only take a matter of minutes to administer, so you can visit our office for treatment over your lunch break and return to work with healthier, younger-looking skin.