The Summit Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Blog

Whether your schedule is too tight, or you live far away, we can walk you through a private, virtual consultation with Dr. Ricciardelli our board-certified plastic surgeon. This is a great way to help you decide if a procedure is right for you. We always prefer to see...

Welcome to Telehealth at Summit How does telehealth work: It’s easier than you think! With your Apple device, iPhone or Android mobile device or patient portal, your Summit provider will call you to review your condition. Instructions for downloading the required app...

A good way to manage any kind of fear is to become educated about it. The more we know about the real dangers, the more we can take effective steps to avoid or minimize them, thereby putting some fears to rest. Accurate information is an effective antidote to...

On May 6th, 2019 news headlines around the country heavily implied that sunscreens were dangerous. CNN’s headline said, “Sunscreen enters bloodstream after just one day of use, study says”. The first sentence of that article read: “It took just one day of use for...

Often during a skin check appointment, I get asked about taking vitamin supplements to improve skin, hair and nails. Here are some tips when considering making a financial investment in over the counter purchases. First, my best advice is do some research… are there...

Hives can be a vexing condition. They can show up in the morning and be gone the same day. Or they can move from one place on your skin to another. What are they and what can be done about it? Hives are red, itchy weals that are elevated from the surrounding skin and...

When it comes to skin cancer, the primary risk factor for both melanoma and non-melanoma cancers is exposure to ultraviolet light. This includes both tanning bed and sunlight. The more exposure to UV, the higher the risk of developing skin cancer. Childhood sunburns...

Skin cancer diagnoses are more common than you might think. An estimated 4.3 million cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year resulting in more than 3,000 deaths. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer with more...

Patient Safety: First Do No Harm “First, do no harm” is the oft quoted oath taken by physicians and it is therefore the responsibility of every surgeon to insure that every step of a patient’s treatment be as risk free and safe as possible. In plastic surgery, that...

Spring has arrived. Each spring I see an increased number of teens with acne. Acne is a multi-factor disease process and can be chronic in nature. If you have been suffering from acne and not seen improvement with over the counter products, it might be time to make an...

Most people will visit their dentist twice a year for a teeth cleaning. Visits to your dermatologist should be a normal part of your routine health and wellness similar to this bi-annual teeth cleaning. Most people living in sunny climates start to see changes in...

A diagnosis of skin cancer can be frightening. It is important to know your options. Not all treatments for skin cancer are the same. Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery is a process that will remove all the cancer, minimize the risk of recurrence, and leave the...

As a doctor, I see many patients every day. A common concern I hear from patients is whether they came in too soon or waited too long for treatment. So let's talk about it. I recommend that you make an appointment in these cases: Call if you notice a suspicious...

The recent warm weather has been a nice awakening from the start of the cold icy winter. We are lucky to live in a naturally beautiful area with unlimited out door activities. As we are shedding more of our clothing layers and spending more time out in the sun, it is...

You may be familiar with the phrase that somebody is loved “warts and all” but have you ever stopped and wondered what warts are? Sure, we know they’re skin growths. But are they contagious? And how are they different from moles? Let’s find out. What are warts? Warts...

In today’s article, we’re going to be talking about the common mole. Almost all of us have them but what are they? And are they harmful? Let’s find out. What are moles? Moles are growths on the skin that are the result of melanocytes (pigment cells) that grow in...