General Dermatology
The core skill of any dermatology service is a broad and deep knowledge of medical dermatology, namely the ability to diagnose and manage various skin diseases. Due to the specialist nature of Radien Dermatology, our dermatologists routinely manage complex skin conditions, whether it be difficult and scarring acne, severe eczema and psoriasis, pigmentary disease, hair loss or other rarer immune-related skin problems.
The benefit of a team of dermatologists in one practice is that our varied skills can be called upon to co-manage patients with complex problems. Also patients have the security of knowing, that should there be a problem with their skin, there is typically a dermatologist on duty on all working days of the week. All emergency and urgent cases are catered for; patients should have their general practitioner call to discuss cases requiring urgent review.
Cosmetic Dermatology
Whilst medical and surgical dermatology are the core of our practice, our dermatologists can also provide advice about ‘freshening up’ your appearance. Dynamic and static wrinkling, grooves and sun-induced changes can be reduced to make you look good though still age-appropriate. Various injectables, peels, intense pulsed light and lasers can be employed to suit your needs. Whether you’re tired of the sun-kissed freckling, the rosacea-induced redness, or grooves and creases that gives-away the years, feel free to discuss this with your dermatologist.
Surgical Dermatology
The typical fair-skinned Australian will have a lifestyle that may involve a significant lifetime exposure to the harsh Australian sun. This tends to predispose Caucasian to skin cancers. The most popular service provided by Radien Dermatology is the specialist-level skin cancer survey. Patients are referred by their general practitioner specifically for full skin examinations for the purpose of early detection of skin cancers. Most cancers are not dangerous if treated early.
Once cancers are identified, our dermatologists can typically treat most lesions within the practice. Surgery is the most common option used and all our dermatologists are able to perform local anaesthetic surgery, from simple excisions to complex flaps and skin grafting. In addition, other alternative non-surgical therapies also exist, and our dermatologists would be best to advise patients on these possibilities.
If extensive surgery or additional treatment is required, Radien Dermatology is linked in to a broad range of other practitioners such as plastic surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists in the area to provide a comprehensive service for our patients.
Laser and Intense Pulse Light Therapy
At Radien Dermatology we use the Sciton Multi-laser Wavelength Modular Platform – This most versatile of laser platforms incorporates several different modalities including intense-pulsed light, vascular and pigment lasers and fractionated, ablative laser technology.
A broad range of skin problems can be effectively treated, from sun-induced aging changes to spider veins, freckling and liver spots, as well as post-traumatic or surgical scars. The fractionated laser system is used for acne-scarring. Age-related wrinkling is dealt with using the ablative laser. Unwanted, excess hairs are also treatable, with greater efficiency than those found with cheaper commercial hair removal lasers.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy is an exciting and innovative non-surgical treatment for selected superficial skin cancers, avoiding the scar and potential problems of traditional surgery.
It involves the application of a photosensitising cream for three hours to the tumour site. A specialised light is then applied for about ten minutes, which activates the absorbed chemical to create reactions that destroys tumour cells. If used in the correct circumstances, the cure rate is high, without the scarring associated with surgery.
Please discuss the possibility of photodynamic therapy with your dermatologist to determine whether photodynamic therapy would be of benefit.
Phototherapy
At Radien Dermatology, we have a medical phototherapy unit used in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo. The device emits a highly specific wavelength of ultraviolet light that provides significant anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike commercial ultraviolet tanning booths, patients are not exposed to harmful broadband ultraviolet light, thus their skin cancer risk is minimsed. Patients are treated two to three times a week. Treatment needs to be monitored by a dermatologist, typically at every six to eight weeks. Please discuss with your doctor to see if phototherapy can be of benefit.
Unlike other dermatological practices, we do not charge a facility fee for phototherapy. Patients are charged only for the treatments they use, with Medicare rebating the majority of the fee.
