The Summit Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Blog
Award Winning Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in Wilmington NC
Wilmington NC's Favorite Plastic Surgery Center in 2023 The Wilmington NC community has chosen Summit Plastic Surgery & Dermatology as Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Center in Wilmington in 2023 Dr. Ricciardelli is a Top 10 Plastic Surgeons in NC The American...
Summit Patients Guidelines for Prescreening and Telehealth
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY HEALTHY DURING YOUR IN-OFFICE APPOINTMENT Last Updated: May 9, 2022 If you have had Covid-19 symptoms in the past 2 weeks, we ask that you reschedule your appointment. We are offering telehealth visits to all patients with existing appointments...
Virtual Plastic Surgery Consultations
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...
Instructions for a Telehealth Visit
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...
Managing Your Fears During the Pandemic
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...
Yes You Should Use Sunscreen Despite Recent News Reports
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...
Will Taking Vitamins Improve My Skin, Hair and Nails?
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...
What Are Hives and Should You Be Concerned?
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...
Know These Key Risk Factors for Skin Cancer
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...
Know These Key Risk Factors for Skin Cancer
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...
Dr. Ed Ricciardelli on Patient Safety
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...
Let’s Talk Treatment Options to Keep Acne In Check
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...
How Often Should I See My Dermatologist?
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...
What is Mohs Surgery and Why Would I Need It?
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...
When Should I See the Dermatologist Right Away?
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...
Stay Sun Safe With These Protective Care Tips
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...
Skin Care University: Warts 101
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...
Skin Care University: Moles 101
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...