Growth Removals and Scars in San Francisco, CA
Ready to get started?
Book NowOverview
People often think cosmetic dermatology is about erasing every perceived imperfection but the operative word here is 'perceived'. In fact, we love birthmarks, freckles, and beauty marks but when a patient feels as if a mark is taking away from their natural beauty rather than enhancing it, we have some wonderfully effective options.
At our clinic in San Francisco, we offer many types of growth removals and rash treatments including for moles, warts, skin tags, keloids, brown spots, rough patches such as actinic keratosis, eczema and psoriasis and dermatological conditions such as Rosacea and melasma.
We also routinely help patients to correct unwanted stretch marks and scars, including those that all too often accompany acne breakouts.
We always recommend first coming in to see one of our board-certified dermatologists so they may assess your skin in person, diagnose the area of concern and determine your most efficient path forward.
Growth Removals
Most lesions, including moles and skin tags can be removed with simple in-office methods such as hyphregation (a low-powered electrical surgical device), liquid nitrogen, laser treatment, or a snip/shave removal. Our team has performed thousands of removals and are well-versed in how to do so with precision, leaving the smallest if any scar.
If your provider determines that a biopsy rather than a removal is warranted, they will perform a shave of the mole in-office and coordinate with a laboratory for further evaluation. We recommend everyone schedule a yearly comprehensive skin cancer screening.
Actinic Keratosis (Pre Cancers)
Actinic Keratoses (AK). AKs tend to form on areas of skin that have been exposed to sun - such as the head, neck, hands, and forearms. AKs appear as dry, scaly patches and are commonly called “pre-cancers” because they have the potential to develop into Squamous Cell Carcinoma. If your provider believes the spot to be an AK, then cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen is typically sprayed on the lesion. In the week following the treatment, the spot may swell or blister, but ultimately the AK skin cells will shed.
Read more about our skin cancer screenings, biopsies and MOHS surgery referrals here.
WHAT IS A KELOID?
Keloids are your body's response to trauma including cuts or punctures, incisions from surgery, insect bites, acne, chickenpox, tattoos or piercings. Your body creates an excess of scar tissue around these areas resulting in a hard, smooth bump aka a keloid. They can be painful, itchy or have no sensation at all. We often treat keloids with a combination of injections and lasers.
Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology Reviews
I've been looking for an amazing dermatologist, and Dr. He is so him! Dr. He removed red spots from my face, and he also removed a really bad looking big growth on my back. Somehow this magician did it all in a flash and without leaving any scaring at all. I know a little bit about the industry--I managed Tenaya Med Spa for years. I sometimes have former clients ask me who I now recommend, and up until I visited Dr. He and Dr. Welsh, I didn't know what to say. But wow, I sure do now--to experience is to believe. Dr. He's no-rush kindness and skill level is the best of the best. Even better than the best! It's so comforting to know that such elite dermatology exists in San Francisco, and especially from such a nice person like Dr. He.
Dr. Austin has changed my life. My skin has significantly cleared up since I started seeing her, I RARELY get any pimples now and thanks to treatments like the Vbeam laser and TCA cross my scarring is very limited. All the staff and Dr. Austin are friendly and kind, it’s always a good experience going in. Dr. Austin remembers details about my life even when I don’t see her for months at a time. I recommend her to any of my friends who ask for skincare advice. My only complaint is that I didn’t start coming here sooner; I didn’t realize what a big difference having a dermatologist approved skincare routine would make!!
Dr. Austin and team have worked with me on my rosacea and severe keloid scarring for several years. These are skin and body issues that other doctors cannot and will not treat. This clinic specializes in full service patient care. Meaning your medical issue will be addressed as well as the problem that may be causing it. And they work towards restorative care after the treatment. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for my skin needs. If you need basic, cosmetic, or restorative skin care - this is where you need to be! I am leaving this review because people suffering from severe skin issues will need guidance on where to go. And we need this kind of expertise and medical care in the Bay Area.
I have been seeing Dr. Austin for almost 3 years now for acne scars treatment and my skin is totally transformed. People think I look at least 10 years younger than my age. I would say that my acne scars have been improved by 80% after multiple sessions of tca cross and laser genesis. Most of my ice pick scars have filled in. Recently I also had Fraxel laser to improve the shallow scars , black spots, and overall skin texture. Dr. Austin is amazing and she cares about her patient. She would call me after the procedure to make sure that I was doing fine. She also responded very quickly on all my questions related to post-procedure. Now my skin has been improved further after fraxel laser. I will continue to see Dr. Austin for other treatments to keep my skin young and heathy so I don’t age. Thank you Dr. Austin and her team. I also wanted to express my appreciation for Mary Krempa who has been doing my laser hair removal for. Now that my skin is so soft. I am happy with the results.
Todays visit was very efficient - I had a scar worked on by a nurse and got Botox with the doctor.
729
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating
Get In Touch
Easily book a consultation with one of our experts today!
SCAR & STRETCH MARK TREATMENTS
Scars and stretch marks are part of life but if you are feeling as if they are detracting from your confidence rather than boosting it, we have very effective options for either fading or completely removing including laser treatments and science-backed topical products.
There are many different types of scarring including ‘ice pick scars’ which often presents as little round dots or small, sharp indentations that are wider at the skin's surface and narrow into a point. These are very common for those who’ve also experienced acne.
TCA CROSS, SUBCISCION and MICROPEN
For some types of scars including ice pick and rolling scars, our board-certified dermatologists will recommend TCA Cross, subcision and/or micropen. These types of treatments are often performed as a series.
TCA CROSS uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to chemically reconstruct a scar. During a quick in-office treatment, one of our providers will deposit a very small amount of concentrated TCA to the scar. We always recommend performing TCA Cross under the supervision of a board-certified dermatologist and never as an at-home treatment.
Read more about our MicroNeedling (aka MicroPen) treatments here.
ECZEMA & PSORIASIS
Eczema and psoriasis are both uncomfortable skin conditions that can cause red, itchy patches that can feel dry or even crack. Although they can present on the skin similarly, they are very different types of atopic dermatitis and require specific approaches to help treat. Our providers will assess your skin to help determine the underlying cause and design a treatment plan to effectively address.
Learn More About Bay Area Cosmetic Dermatology
About UsROSACEA
Rosacea is a recurring skin disease that commonly appears on the face but can manifest itself in other places on the body. The tell-tale sign of rosacea is facial redness. If our providers determine you are experiencing rosacea, they will design a custom plan that may include prescription skincare products, laser treatments as well as help you to identify triggers to keep your rosacea in remission.
MELASMA
Melasma is the reason that many of our patients book their first appointment with us. Hormonal changes and sun exposure can cause patches of pigment to seemingly show up overnight and stubbornly refuse to leave. Often people have tried various treatments or products with little to no success. Our team of dermatologists, nurses, and estheticians have the expertise, experience, treatments, products, and prescriptions to effectively treat melasma for beautiful results.
Read more about our approach to Melasma here.
MORE RARE DIAGNOSIS
Our providers are committed to constantly learning, researching and conferring with other dermatology professionals to expand their knowledge base.
We have been on the cutting edge for developing treatments for more rare skin disorders. As of 2018, Dr. Andrea Hui Austin has been using a ground-breaking method to treat a condition known as DSAP (Disseminated Superficial Actinic Porokeratosis). This precancerous condition leads to reddish-brown, scaly spots most commonly seen on the arms and legs but sometimes will show up on other sun-damaged skin. It is due to an abnormal sun sensitivity and in most cases is inherited, although it has also been seen in patients with compromised immune systems
Learn More
If you’re in the Bay Area, reach out for a consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists. We are confident if you are experiencing a skin issue, we can help. We know everyone can have better skin.