Frequently asked questions

Visits, skin checks, Mohs surgery, everyday skin conditions, sun protection and cosmetic care.

Written by Dr. Neera Nathan, MD, MSHS, board-certified dermatologist Last updated Sources cited Editorial policy

Appointments and visits

Email [email protected] and the office will reply with how to book. Please don't include detailed medical information in your email.

Dr. Nathan sees patients with Dermatology & Skin Health, an independent dermatology practice. The office address is listed on the About page.

Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, any biopsy or pathology reports, photos of a spot that has changed, and a list of products you've already tried for your skin.

If you can, come without makeup and nail polish. It's easier to see the skin around your eyes and lips and the nails, where some skin cancers can start.

Skin cancer and Mohs surgery

Use the ABCDEs: asymmetry, an irregular border, several colors, a diameter of about 6 mm or more, and evolving, meaning any change. Also look for an "ugly duckling," a spot that looks different from your other moles. Show a dermatologist any spot that is new, changing, itching or bleeding.

Not necessarily. In 2023 the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found too little evidence to recommend for or against routine screening in adolescents and adults without symptoms. That doesn't apply to people with a history of skin cancer, a suspicious spot or a high-risk condition, who should follow their dermatologist's advice.

Plan for most of a morning or day. Each layer is examined while you wait, and if more than one or two layers are needed, the process can take several hours.

Any surgery leaves a scar. Mohs aims to remove as little healthy tissue as possible, and the repair is planned to heal as neatly as it can. Scars usually fade and flatten over many months.

Having one skin cancer raises the chance of another, so regular skin checks are recommended after treatment. Your dermatologist will suggest how often.

Medical dermatology

The 2024 American Academy of Dermatology guideline strongly recommends benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics and oral doxycycline. Isotretinoin is recommended for severe or scarring acne, or acne that hasn't responded to other treatment. Spironolactone and combined oral contraceptives are options for some women.

Used as directed, topical steroids are a strongly recommended eczema treatment. Your dermatologist will match the strength to the body area and plan breaks or non-steroid creams for long-term control.

No. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease linked to psoriatic arthritis and other health conditions, including heart disease. Mention any joint pain or stiffness at your visit.

Sun protection

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Use about 1 ounce, roughly a shot glass, to cover the body, and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

Yes. Skin cancer can affect every skin tone. A tinted sunscreen containing iron oxide also helps protect against visible light, which can worsen dark spots.

The FDA advises against sunscreen for infants younger than 6 months. Keep them in the shade and dress them in protective clothing, and ask your pediatrician first.

Cosmetic treatments

This website doesn't show before-and-after photos, because results vary from person to person. At a consultation, you can talk through what a treatment can and can't do for your skin.

Many lasers can be used safely on darker skin, but the risk of long-term lightening or darkening is higher. That's why device choice, settings and test spots matter, and why some treatments aren't the right choice.

Bruising, swelling and tenderness are common and short-lived. Rarely, filler can be injected into a blood vessel, which can cause skin damage or vision problems. Seek immediate care for vision changes or skin that turns white, gray or blue. Choose a licensed provider with specific training.

Sources

  1. US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for skin cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2023;329(15):1290-1295. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.4342 (final recommendation, April 18, 2023) View source
  2. The Skin Cancer Foundation. Melanoma Warning Signs and Images (the ABCDEs and the "ugly duckling" sign). View source
  3. The Skin Cancer Foundation. Mohs Surgery. Updated October 2025. View source
  4. Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.12.017 View source
  5. Sidbury R, Alikhan A, Bercovitch L, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults with topical therapies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;89(1):e1-e20. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2022.12.029 View source
  6. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Psoriasis. View source
  7. American Academy of Dermatology. How to apply sunscreen. View source
  8. American Academy of Dermatology. Finding skin cancer in darker skin tones. View source
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. Updated September 10, 2026. View source
  10. Mayo Clinic. Laser resurfacing: about (tests and procedures). View source
  11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers). Content current as of July 6, 2023. View source

Something on your skin you'd like looked at?

Email the office and they'll reply with how to book with Dr. Nathan. Please keep medical details for your visit.

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