Conditions

Active Acne

Acne usually occurs at a vulnerable young age but increasingly persists well into the late thirties. Rapid scarring can occur and early effective treatment is important.

The full range of treatments is available. We also provide skin care advice, topical medication (for external application) and oral medication including Roaccutane (isotretinoin), the latter requiring close supervision.

Chemical peels, comedone extraction, treatment of acne cysts and residual pigmentary change are available where appropriate.

Acne scarring and visible pores

Scarring can be addressed after treating active acne. Following Roaccutane (Isotretinoin), a minimum interval of 6 months off treatment is required. We use Dermaroller treatment and a deep abrasive TCA peel, known as sandabrasion for acne scar resurfacing.

Rosacea

The full range of medical and cosmoceutical treatments is available together with laser and intense pulsed light (Lumenis IPL), the latter an effective treatment for the vascular component of rosacea (redness and dilated facial vessels).

Eczema

Diagnosis and treatment of different subtypes of eczema including atopic eczema is provided. Investigation of contact allergy (patch testing) is available and Skin Prick testing can be arranged.

Contact Allergy

Allergy testing to contact allergens can be performed at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Trust with a standard battery of over 30 allergens and additional allergens such as cosmetic and facial batteries as appropriate.

Psoriasis

We optimise external and oral therapies for psoriasis and can arrange phototherapy treatment. Strict criteria are required to institute the new injectable biological agents and this would be initiated within an NHS setting.

Ethnic Skin Complaints

Some diseases are more common in pigmented skins and others because of the contrast with normal skin just appear more unsightly. Skin complaints can result in pigmentary disturbance and the dark patches are known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) seen following acne or eczema. In some cases of eczema there is prominent thickening / lichenification of the skin. To minimise these problems, even common skin complaints must be effectively treated.

Commonly treated skin complaints in Ethnic skin:

• Acne
• Eczema
• Contact allergies
• Psoriasis
• Skin Pigmentation
• Vitiligo
• Benign Skin growths - Moles/Warts/Facial DPNs
• Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Pigmentary Problems

An even radiant skin tone is an important denominator of beautiful skin and health in general. Increased pigmentation may occur after the skin has been inflamed as occurs following acne lesions and is especially common in pigmented skins. Some skin types are inherently more prone to pigment. The pigmentation takes months to fade and the use of lightening agents and peels may facilitate this. In Melasma (also known as Chloasma) pigmentation is usually hormonally induced. It predominantly occurs in women during pregnancy or whilst taking the oral contraceptive pill, is difficult to treat and inherently prone to occur, minimised by meticulous sun avoidance. Reduced pigmentation, such as Vitiligo is treated with variable success.

Excessive sweating

We offer botulinum toxin injections for axillary sweating requiring repeated treatment at intervals varying from 3 to 9 months.

Excess unwanted Hair

Excess hair is dealt with sympathetically and is fortunately a soluble problem for men and women, using either IPL or laser treatment dependent on skin and hair type. A course of 6 treatments is usually required to achieve a significant permanent hair reduction.

Aging skin complaints

We assess the specific problems that contribute to aging and which are of concern to you. In conjunction with externally applied topical agents and sunblocks, photorejuvenation with intense pulsed light is used to treat pigmented patches (benign solar lentigines) and prominent facial vessels known as telangiectasia. A variety of treatment wavelengths are available including longer wavelengths to treat fine wrinkling. Expression lines are better treated with botulinum toxin and deeper permanent folds with dermal fillers. An overall fresher, less wrinkled complexion can be achieved with a course of dermaroller treatments.

Stretch marks

Collagen microstimulation treatment is available with the dermaroller, utilising the body’s reparative ability. This is performed under sterile conditions with the appropriate pre and post-procedure care.

Skin Cancer

We provide diagnosis and management of skin cancer including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. We work in conjunction with our surgical Consultant colleagues for the removal of larger tumours. Selected superficial skin cancers are more appropriately treated with licensed immunomodulatory agents and reassessed to ensure a satisfactory response.

Pre-malignant skin conditions

These lesions are diagnosed and treated to prevent progression to skin cancer. Appropriately diagnosed lesions can be effectively treated with cryotherapy or externally applied creams. Any worrisome lesions including atypical moles are removed and submitted to histological analysis for precise diagnosis. We provide mole checks, make a risk assessment and provide help with self examination.

Cosmetically-sensitive benign lesions

Unsightly skin tags, warts and moles can be carefully removed to minimise scarring and post-procedure pigmentation. These include seborrheic warts / keratoses, facial dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPNs), fleshy moles, milia etc. Appropriate lesions are subjected to histological examination. For viral warts we offer cryotherapy and topical treatments.

Thread veins

These can be addressed with the ND Yag laser. If prominent varicose veins are present, these must first be addressed and an experienced practitioner can be recommended.

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light

Laser and Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment is available for treatment of rosacea, vascular lesions such as prominent facial and leg veins, solar lentigines (liver spots) excess facial and body hair and photorejuvenation (a general textural improvement with clearance of vascular and pigmentary blemishes). If interested, we are happy to send you further information.