Surgery of the skin or dermasurgery deals with the diagnosis and treatment of medically necessary and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair, nails, veins, mucous membranes and adjacent tissues by various surgical, reconstructive, cosmetic and non-surgical methods. The purpose of skin surgery is to repair and/or improve the function and cosmetic appearance of skin tissue.

Examples of dermasurgery procedures include treatment of skin cancers, mole removal,  anti-aging treatments, injectable and implantable soft tissue fillers, botulinum toxin (Botox™) treatments, correction of acne scarring, chemical peeling, vein therapy, hair restoration, and laser surgery.

Dermatopathology  is a subspecialty of  dermatology. Dermatopathology is the study of skin disease at a microscopic level. It includes both the diagnosis of individual patients through the examination of skin biopsies, and the study of the causes of skin diseases.

Dermatologists recognize most skin diseases based on their appearance, distribution on the body, and behavior with time. Occasionally, these criteria are not enough and a skin sample (biopsy) is taken to be examined under the microscope to help clarify the diagnosis. 

Certification in dermatopathology requires the completion of four years of medical school, followed by residency training of three years in either dermatology. Following that, an additional one to two years of dermatopathology training are completed. The physician is first certified by the American Board of Dermatology then obtains subspecialty board certification in dermatopathology from the American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology.

Dermatopathology at Frederick Dermatology Associates

After his residency at the National Naval Medical Center, Dr. Hogan trained in dermatopathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC.  He then directed dermatopathology training both at Bethesda Naval and the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego.  After years of dermatology and dermatopathology practice in Columbia, MD, he most recently directed resident education and has been interim chief of dermatology at Georgetown University Hospital.  He is pleased to bring this expertise to the Frederick medical community and Frederick Dermatology Associates.

Dermatologists caution their patients about sun exposure and the damage it will cause.  But for almost a hundred years, dermatologists have also used ultraviolet therapy to treat skin diseases, including psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, and others.  Frederick Dermatology Associates uses the newest form of ultraviolet phototherapy, called narrow band Ultraviolet B (NB UVB).

Phototherapy is usually done several times/week in the office.  If you have questions about whether this therapy may be helpful for your skin condition, please schedule an appointment to discuss it.