Subspeciality Clinics
- Dermatologic Surgery/Mohs Micrographic Surgery
The University of Virginia Department of Dermatology includes a unit dedicated to outpatient dermatologic surgery. Procedures performed include:
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Biopsy and Excision of Benign and Malignant Skin Lesions
Superficial and Medium Depth Chemical Peels
Rhinophyma Repair
Nail Surgery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) for non-melanoma skin cancer is performed by fellowship-trained, board certified dermatologists. This highly specialized outpatient surgical procedure, performed under local anesthesia, is used to treat skin cancers at high risk for recurrence and skin cancers that have recurred after previous treatment. The advantages of MMS include a low recurrence rate and maximal preservation of normal skin. Various methods of post-surgical wound management are available.
- Phototherapy
The University of Virginia Department of Dermatology has a phototherapy unit that offers both UVB and PUVA therapy (light therapy) to treat a variety of skin diseases. Some of the more common diseases to be treated with phototherapy include psoriasis, eczema, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma , vitiligo and pruritus. Many other diseases, however, may respond to light treatments. A hand and foot PUVA unit is also available for the treatment of dermatoses involving the hands and feet only. Treatments are typically given 2 to 3 times per week in the Dermatology Department located in the Primary Care Building.
- Pulse Dye Laser Clinic for Vascular Lesions
The University of Virginia has a V Beam laser, the newest version of the pulsed dye laser (595 nm), which is used to treat benign vascular lesions of the skin. The laser is located in the Department of Dermatology and is used by both Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. With the V Beam laser technology, one can eradicate or greatly reduce unwanted blood vessels in the skin, usually without causing a scar. The V Beam laser is safe to use in patients of all ages, including infants. The types of lesions that are treated with this laser include vascular birthmarks, telangiectasias, spider angiomas, redness caused by rosacea, red scars and tiny red leg veins. This laser can also be used to treat recalcitrant warts. For some lesions, multiple treatments may be required. |