Bruce P. Robinson, MD
Everyone has moles, sometimes 40 or more. Most people think of a mole as a dark brown spot, but moles have a wide range of appearance. At one time, a mole in a certain spot on the cheek of a woman was considered fashionable. These were called "beauty marks." Some were even painted on. However, not all moles are beautiful. They can be raised from the skin and very noticeable, they may contain dark hairs, or they may be dangerous.
Moles can appear anywhere on the skin. They are usually brown in color but can be skin colored and various sizes and shapes. The brown color is caused by melanocytes, special cells that produce the pigment melanin. Moles probably are determined before a person is born. Most appear during the first 20 years of life, although some may not appear until later. Sun exposure increases the number of moles, and they may darken. During the teen years and pregnancy, moles also get darker and larger and new ones may appear. Each mole has its own growth pattern. The typical life cycle of the common mole takes about 50 years. At first, moles are flat and tan like a freckle, or they can be pink, brown or black in color, Over time, they usually enlarge and some develop hairs. As the years pass, moles can change slowly, becoming more raised and lighter in color. Some will not change at all. Some moles will slowly disappear, seeming to fade away. Others will become raised far from the skin. They may develop a small "stalk" and eventually fall off or are rubbed off.
Recent studies have shown that certain types of moles have a higher-than-average risk of becoming cancerous. They may develop into a form of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma. Sunburns may increase the risk of melanoma. People with many more moles than average (greater than 100) are also more at risk for melanoma.
Moles are present at birth in about 1 in 100 people. They are called congenital nevi. These moles may be more likely to develop a melanoma than moles which appear after birth. Moles known as dysplastic nevi or atypical moles are larger than average (usually larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, sometimes reddish, uneven border or black dots at edge. These moles often run in families. People with dysplastic nevi may have a greater chance of developing malignant melanoma and should be seen regularly by a dermatologist to check for any changes that might indicate skin cancer. Those susceptible should also learn to do regular self-examinations, looking for changes in the color, size or shape of their moles or the appearance of new moles. Sunscreen and protective clothing should be used to shield moles from sun exposure. Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important. Remember the ABCDs of melanoma when examining your moles: Read more here for Dr. Robinson in the News on Moles.
Hemangiomas/Angiomas are growths of blood vessels and other red spots which can be dilated blood vessels that take the form of a birthmark (Nevus Flameus).
Hemangiomas is a bright red birthmark that shows up at birth or in the first or second week of life. It looks like a rubbery bump and is made up of extra blood vessels in the skin. A hemangioma can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly appears on the face, scalp, chest or back. It can grow out of proportion to the child for the first 8 months of life before the growth rate levels off. Therefore, it is important to evaluate these growths early especially if they are located around the eyes, mouth, genitals, scalp, neck or anus. Many hemangiomas disappear by age 5, and most are gone by age 10. The skin may be slightly discolored or raised after the hemangioma goes away.
Red bumps that we acquire with age or genetics are referred to as cherry angiomas. They often arise later in life and while not dangerous, can be considered unsightly. Their treatment can be simple and often requires no wound care enabling one to return to daily activities immediately.
A doctor can usually diagnose a hemangioma just by looking at it. Tests usually aren't needed.
A hemangioma is made up of extra blood vessels that group together into a dense clump. What causes the vessels to clump isn't known.
Hemangiomas occur more often in babies who are female, white and born prematurely.
Occasionally, a hemangioma can break down and develop a sore. This can lead to pain, bleeding, scarring or infection. Depending on where the hemangioma is situated, it may interfere with your child's vision, breathing, hearing or elimination, but this is rare.
Treating hemangiomas usually isn't necessary because they go away on their own with time. But if a hemangioma affects vision or causes other problems, treatments include medications or laser surgery:
If you're considering treatment for your child's hemangioma, weigh the pros and cons with your child's doctor. Consider that most infantile hemangiomas disappear on their own during childhood and that treatments have potential side effects.
Hand Eczema is dry skin of the hands. It is more common in the winter when the air holds less moisture and the cold wind increases water loss from the skin. It is worsened by frequent hand washing, using harsh soaps, not using moisturizer, and not using cotton-lined rubber gloves when doing work with detergents.
Genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. They can look like small, flesh-colored and be flat or bumpy or have a cauliflower-like appearance. Some genital warts are so small they cannot be seen. They can cause pain, discomfort or itching. Genital warts, also known as venereal warts, or condylomata acuminata, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 100 types of HPV are known to exist. Low risk types (HPV 1, 2, and 3) cause warts on the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. The low risk strains - Types (6 and 11) can cause warts on the genitals or anus (genital warts), and other high risk strains - Types (HPV 16 and 18) can cause cancer of the cervix, external genitalia, vulva, and anus.
Genital warts are sexually transmitted disease (STD) and all partners should be checked thoroughly. They can also be seen in infants who have been delivered vaginally to mothers with HPV in their genital tracts; therefore, alternate methods of delivery should be considered.
Only a small percentage of people infected with HPV will develop genital warts. Many people are carriers of HPV who may never develop warts, but may still be able to pass HPV to their sexual partners. The incubation period from contracting HPV until the development of warts may be several months although some people may not develop warts for years after contact with HPV. People who have lower immunity due to cancer, AIDS, organ transplantation, immune suppressive medications, or certain other medications are more susceptible.
To diagnose this condition, your doctor will do the following:
Although HPV isn't curable in all cases, genital warts are treatable. You can also go extended periods of time without an outbreak, but it may not be possible to get rid of the warts forever. That's because genital warts are only a symptom of HPV, which may become a chronic, lifelong infection for some.
If you've developed genital warts, your doctor has a few options for treatment. The fastest way to remove them is through surgery or to freeze them off with liquid nitrogen. Some doctors might use an electric current or laser treatment to burn off the warts.
Genital warts can go away with treatment from your healthcare provider or with prescription medicine. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number. Cervical precancer treatment is available.
Your doctor may apply a mild acidic solution, called an acetowhite test, to your skin to help make genital warts more visible. It may cause a slight burning sensation.
If you have a vulva, your doctor may also need to perform a pelvic examination, because genital warts can occur deep inside your body.
While visible genital warts often go away with time, HPV itself can linger in your skin cells. This means you may have several outbreaks over the course of your life.
So managing symptoms is important because you want to avoid transmitting the virus to others. That said, genital warts can be passed on to others even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms.
You may wish to treat genital warts to relieve painful symptoms or to minimize their appearance. However, you can’t treat genital warts with over-the-counter (OTC) wart removers or treatments.
Your doctor may prescribe topical wart treatments that might include:
If visible warts don’t go away with time, you may need minor surgery to remove them. Your doctor can also remove warts through these procedures:
To help prevent genital warts, HPV vaccines, condoms, and other barrier methods are available:
If you think you have genital warts, talk with your doctor. They can determine if you have warts and what your best treatment options are.
In addition, it’s important to talk with your sexual partner. This may sound difficult, but being open about your condition can help you protect your partner from also getting an HPV infection and genital warts.
Genital warts are a complication of a low risk HPV infection that’s common and treatable. They can disappear over time, but treatment is essential in preventing their return and possible complications.
Laser treatment can be utilized for small facial areas or for the entire face. Recently, full face treatments have become increasingly popular. Many people suffer from larger broken capillaries on their nose and cheeks and will have medium and smaller vessels on other facial areas. A full-face treatment will improve the overall facial appearance by creating a more uniform skin color, and by smoothing the texture of the skin.
Light emitted from the handpiece safely passes through the outermost layers of skin in search of the targeted vascular or pigmented lesions. Without damaging the surrounding skin, the lasers intense light is absorbed by the targeted lesion. The light energy is then converted to heat and this initiates the process of eliminating the lesion. The treated lesion will gradually fade or diminish. In many cases, smaller vessels or pigmentation spots are eliminated in 2 to 4 treatments. Medium or larger vessels may take additional treatments.
The hand piece quickly advances across the skin delivering pulses to the treatment site. A full-face treatment typically lasts anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. Smaller areas, such as the nose, can be treated in 15 minutes. In some cases a topical anesthetic cream is first applied to numb the treatment area. For a short period of time following treatment, a cold compress may be applied to soothe the possible appearance of slight swelling or redness of the skin. Treatments on the face, chest, neck, hands, legs, and abdomen are all done safely and quickly with laser technology.
During your consultation, your skin's condition will be evaluated and a customized treatment program will be suggested. In some cases only one or two treatments are required. However, in many cases three to five or more treatments will be required to achieve premium results. The number of treatment sessions will depend on the type of lesion to be treated, the location of the lesion on the body, and its size and color. In many cases, it is recommended that treatments applied to the face be repeated at 3 to 4 week intervals. The time intervals of your treatments will be determined during the consultation, where many of these issues and concerns may be addressed.
Does your torn or expanding earring hole(s) cause you to worry about loosing an earring? If you are feeling limited because the hole is too big to accommodate some of your favorite earrings then Earlobe repair may be a solution for you. It is an easy in office procedure that restores your earlobe in about 30 minutes.
The dermatology practice of Bruce Robinson, M.D., offers advanced procedures including earlobe repair to not only improve your profile but restore self-confidence. If you would like to learn more about this exciting procedure or any of our other services, contact us today to schedule your initial consultation!
All patients have very distinctive reasons for considering earlobe repair. Accidents can occur at any given time in one’s life that may result in traumatized tissue. An earring could get caught up in a piece of clothing and cause a tear. Heavy or large jewelry can lead to stretched or enlarged earlobes with consistant wear. Whatever your reason may be, earlobe repair surgery can be performed to either remedy the earlobes natural appearance or to correct a tear, stretch, scar, or damage from a previous piercing or accident.
Usually 6 - 8 weeks you can re-pierce your ear(s). We offer ear piercing in our office.
We use the Coren PS ear piercer which painlessly pierces your earlobes and inserts a sterile, hypoallergenic, 24k gold ear stud.
Link to ear piercing instruction sheet
Dry skin (eczema) and Keratosis Pilaris, are common disorders of the skin. Keratosis Pilaris (KP) is characterized by rough epidermal regions and patches of small acne-like bumps that typically appear on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and cheeks. Doctors typically identify KP in patients who complain of the appearance of “gooseflesh,” “goose bumps,” or “chicken skin” on various body parts. These bumps can be white, tan, or red in color. The condition is caused by the keratinization (or cellular “hardening”) of the skin’s hair follicles.Keratosis Pilaris often runs in families. Although its poses no serious medical threat, KP is often considered cosmetically displeasing. During particularly violent outbreaks, many KP sufferers report persistent itching in the affected area. The disorder can affect people of all ages, but most patients find that the major symptoms of KP disappear completely by age 30.
Because the general public is unaware of KP as a medical condition, many individuals are diagnosed with the condition when visiting dermatologists and other medical professionals for unrelated skin conditions. KP is often seen in patients with other epidermal disorders such as dry skin and eczema. If moisturizing doesn't help make an appointment as prescription strength treatment may be needed.
Age spots are small, flat dark areas on the skin. They vary in size and usually appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders and arms. Age spots are also called sunspots, liver spots and solar lentigines.
Age spots can look like cancerous growths. True age spots don't need treatment, but they are a sign the skin has received a lot of sun exposure and are an attempt by your skin to protect itself from more sun damage. You can help prevent age spots by regularly using sunscreen and avoiding the sun.
Age spots may affect people of all skin types, but they're more common in adults with light skin. Unlike freckles, which are common in children and fade with no sun exposure, age spots don't fade.
Age spots don't require medical care. Have your doctor look at spots that are black or have changed in appearance. These changes can be signs of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
It's best to have any new skin changes evaluated by a doctor, especially if a spot:
Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations. Also, the use of commercial tanning lamps and beds can cause age spots.
We offer a range of advanced laser therapies tailored to the type and depth of discoloration, whether you’re dealing with brown spots, melasma, sun damage, or red marks from acne or rosacea. Each treatment is selected based on your unique skin tone, condition, and goals.
Lasers for Brown Spots, Melasma & Sun Damage:
These lasers use ultra-short pulses to break up unwanted pigment while minimizing damage to surrounding skin, ideal for darker skin tones.
Q-switched Nd:YAG Laser: Targets deep pigmentation, including melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), with precision and safety for all skin tones.
Fractional Lasers: These versatile lasers treat pigmentation and improve overall skin quality by stimulating collagen production and resurfacing the skin. Great for: PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation), sun damage, acne scarring, uneven tone, and texture.
Vascular Lasers:
Specialized for redness and pink-toned PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation), especially from acne or rosacea.
Vbeam (Pulsed Dye Laser):
Targets blood vessels to reduce red marks, flushing, and inflammation. A gentle, effective option for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Each laser treatment is customized to your skin’s needs to ensure safe, effective results. During your consultation, we’ll determine the best approach—often combining laser therapy with topical treatments to maximize improvement and minimize recurrence.
For brown marks on deeper skin tones, we use a combination of hydroquinone, kojic acid, Vitamin C, and AHAs to gently and effectively lighten dark spots while brightening and smoothing the skin.
These clinically proven ingredients work synergistically to visibly brighten, lighten, and tighten the skin, revealing a more even, radiant complexion.
JAS Anti - Aging TRIO, expertly formulated to replenish, exfoliate, and restore your skin’s natural glow.
To help avoid age spots and new spots after treatment, follow these tips for limiting your sun exposure:
⚠️ Important
Always see a board-certified dermatologist or laser specialist, especially if you have darker skin.
Sun protection is non-negotiable—exposure after treatment can trigger new pigment.
If you are tired of looking older or want the spots removed, schedule a laser consultation and restore your skin to its natural beauty. Our Cosmetic Consultation Reimbursement policy is offered to all patients. Schedule an office visit to discuss your concerns and skincare goals with Dr. Robinson and the office visit cost will be applied to the future cost for the "consulted procedure". The "consulted procedure" must be completed within 30 days of your consult visit.
Birthmarks are abnormalities of the skin that are present when a baby is born.
A birthmark can be red or brown.
A red or vascular birthmark is made up of dilated blood vessels. Two types are hemangiomas and port-wine stains. Although they can resolve spontaneously on their own, some can cause deformities and become more purple in color. With the advent of laser treatment, the Nevus Flameus can be cleared and subsequent deformities prevented.
A Nevus of Ota, Nevus of Ito and Mongolian spot are brown to bluish birthmarks that usually occur around the eye, shoulder and trunk respectively. Given their size and location patients often consider them cosmetically unacceptable, using the Medlite Nd:Yag laser these birthmarks can be treated effectively with excellent results.
An atypical nevus or dysplastic nevus (mole) is a benign growth that may share some of the features of a melanoma, but is NOT a melanoma or any other form of cancer. The presence of an atypical nevus, however, may increase the risk of developing a melanoma, or be a marker for it. A single atypical nevus may indicate a small risk; this risk increases with the number of atypical nevi present.
An atypical nevus can vary in appearance. Since it has the ABCDE features of a melanoma, it is important ot have a dermatologist examine all moles.
Asymmetry - One half does not match the other half in size, shape, color, or thickness.
Border irregularity - The edges are ragged, scalloped, or poorly defined.
Color - The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance.
Diameter - While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller. If you notice a mole different from others, or one which changes, itches, or bleeds (even if it is small), you sould see a dermatologist.
The lifetime risk of a person in the United States developing melanoma is 1 in 75. A patient with one to four atypical nevi without a personal or family history of melanoma is at a slightly higher risk than the general population. The risk of developing melanoma is higher if a patient with atypical nevi has a personal or family history of melanoma. A patient who has multiple atypical and normal nevi (moles) may have Familial Atypical Nevus Syndrome, and is at an increased risk for developing a melanoma, especially if a relative had melanoma.
Where and when do atypical nevi occur?
Atypical nevi begin to appear at puberty and can occur anywhere on the body, but are more common in sun-exposed areas, the back, and the legs.
Since an atypical nevus is not the same as a melanoma, it does not need to be treated aggressively but should be observed for changes, biopsied, or conservatively excised.
Familial Atypical Nevus Syndrome
The National Institute of Health Consensus Conference defines the Familial Atypical Nevus Syndrome as those persons meeting the following criteria:
It is important for people with Familial Atypical Nevus Syndrome to have a full body screening from a dermatologist every three to twelve months beginning with the onset of puberty. The dermatologist might also recommend regular ophthalmologic examinations, baseline skin photography, or regular screenings of relatives to permit early detection and treatment of melanoma since detection in the early stages has a much higher cure rate.
People with Familial Atypical Nevus Syndrome should also examine their own skin every month. When performing self-examinations, be aware of any lesions that appear to change in size, color, and/or shape. If a change has occurred, bring this to the attention of a dermatologist immediately. Information on the early signs of melanoma is available from the dermatologist or the American Academy of Dermatology.
Prevention of Melanoma
