Treatments
Expert Dermatology Services Surrey
Surgical Dermatology
Skin Cancer Treatment/Surgery & Cosmetic Reconstruction
Dr Jonathan Slater offers first class skin cancer treatment.
He regularly performs skin cancer surgery for all skin cancers such as melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. He is a recognised expert in skin cancer reconstructive surgery. This often involves the use of local skin flaps and skin grafts on the head and neck area.
Furthermore, Dr Slater is a member of the Specialist Skin Cancer Multidisciplinary Disciplinary Team. He regularly meets with specialist colleagues from other specialities such as oncology, pathology and radiology. This ensures that skin cancer patients are provided with the very best regional multidisciplinary care and skin cancer treatment.
Additionally, Dr Slater performs a wide range of surgical procedures with an emphasis on cosmetic reconstruction with a careful empathic patient centred approach.
Skin surgery is performed under a local anaesthetic in modern well equipped treatment rooms with procedures usually taking less than an hour. A protective dressing is applied with written wound care advice and follow-up provided. Included in skin surgery are procedures such as shave excision. This involves the removal of a skin lesion such as a benign moles or skin tags, for cosmetic purposes. This usually gives an aesthetically pleasing result and heals quickly. Dr Slater also regularly removes other benign lesions such as seborrheic keratosis by a process called curettage and cautery, as well as removing common lumps and bumps such as lipomas and cysts.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a simple and effective treatment used to treat a variety of lesions such as seborrheic keratosis, warts and sun damaged lesions like solar keratosis. The process involves liquid nitrogen being applied to the skin via a spray, or sometimes via a cotton bud. The liquid freezes the area and it turns white as it freezes. After a few minutes the liquid nitrogen dissolves and the area thaws. The treated area becomes inflamed and on occasion can form a blister. Minor pain and swelling/redness are common after treatment. Sometimes the pigment cells can be affected. This results in a pale or white mark on the skin.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is a highly effective way to treat a number of inflammatory skin conditions. This ranges from moderate to severe psoriasis and eczema, as well as pruritis (Itching). In general, it is used for conditions that are too severe/extensive to be effectively treated with creams and ointments. Phototherapy is particularly advantageous because it provides a treatment option with no need for blood test monitoring or risks of interactions with medications.
Treatments are usually given two or three times a week, with a course typically lasting 8-10 weeks. The dose of UV light is very carefully calculated and documented to reduce any future risks of light therapy. Most units use what is called Narrowband UVB therapy, which is considered to be the most effective for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Cosmetic Dermatology
Dr Slater has been treating people with anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers for more than 15 years. He is a big believer in creating very tailored treatment plans to give extremely natural, youthful aesthetic results. Treatments include anti-wrinkle injections which relax specific muscles in the face to prevent lines and wrinkles from forming. Commonly treated areas include forehead lines, crows feet around the eyes and frown lines. Dermal fillers are carefully injected into areas to create volume in the face. Common treatment areas include the cheek areas and tear troughs. Profhilo is a newer injectable hyaluronic acid treatment that is used to stimulate collagen and elastin production. It gives some excellent natural results by targeting specific injection points on the face and settles quickly with little downtime afterwards.
Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating is also termed hyperhidrosis. This can have a very significant impact on patients lifestyle and self esteem. Hyperhidrosis can affect patients in a number of different ways, and Dr Slater can tailor a treatment plan depending on the particular areas involved. If the sweating is more generalised then sometimes systemic medications can be prescribed. If the sweating is more localised to the armpits, then treatment with Botulinum Toxins can be an extremely effective treatment option.
The treatment works by blocking the transmission between the nerve and sweat glands. The treatment is injected into the skin with a very fine needle which most patients tolerate extremely well. Usually, very mild bruising is noted which settles quickly. A detailed aftercare sheet is provided to explain the general aftercare measures. The treatment usually lasts between 3 and 6 months but is very individual.