Dermatology in Esher, Jill Zander

Yes, verrucae are contagious and can easily spread in areas where people often have bare feet, such as public swimming pools.

All of our procedures are carried out in clinical, sterilised operating rooms by doctors with many years of experience both practising, and following strict medical protocols. This means you can rest assured that all of our procedures are very safe.

The level of comfort depends on the removal technique recommended. Laser removal is virtually pain-free. In more sensitive areas, it is described as feeling like the flick of an elastic band. If you’re having either excision removal or cryotherapy, the area will be numbed with a local anaesthetic to ensure you are comfortable. After treatment the skin left behind may be tender for a few days and will need to be covered. It’s also best to use a high-factor sunscreen on the area for six months, as it will be more sensitive to sunlight.

Verrucae are easily contracted through direct contact to a verruca with healthy skin. It is also possible to develop a verruca through contact with objects that have been touched by the infected skin, such as towels, shoes and socks. As verrucae are contagious, the best prevention is to treat them as soon as possible to avoid them spreading.

Some patients with sensitive skin worry that this will be a problem, but with the use of anaesthetic cream, almost anyone can comfortably have laser therapy to remove unwanted birthmarks.

In more sensitive areas, birthmark removal is described as feeling like the flick of an elastic band. You may experience some redness and bruising in the area following treatment, but once this subsides you will see a permanent fading of your birthmark.

Birthmark removal at sk:n is completely safe and is only carried out by medical doctors in clinical environments. We work to strict protocols and have access to some of the UK’s leading doctors and dermatologists.

The laser energy is selectively targeted to the faulty blood vessels or built-up pigment cells only, meaning that surrounding tissues are not affected and there is no lasting damage to the skin. Lasers have been used to remove birthmarks for years, and we will ensure that the laser settings we use are safe and effective for your skin.

A common mole is a coloured spot on the skin that develops when pigment cells (melanocytes) grow in clusters. The medical term for moles is melanocytic naevi and most adults usually have between 10 and 40 on their body. Although common moles may be present at birth, they usually appear later in childhood and increase during teenage years. During pregnancy moles often get darker and they can fade away completely from around the age of 50.

Most moles are harmless. However, sometimes they can develop into a form of skin cancer called malignant melanoma. If you notice new moles or existing moles that have changed shape, colour, size, height, or if they become irritated or start bleeding, then it’s important you go to your GP immediately to get them checked and the next steps for urgent removal are discussed if applicable.

Acne scars can be stubborn and seemingly permanent, but there are proven effective acne scar treatments that diminish the appearance of acne scarring. The best treatment for your skin will depend on the type of acne scarring you have. Before you have treatment, a sk:n dermatologist, nurse or acne practitioner should assess your acne scars and select the most appropriate treatment for you.

There will be a small white scar where the skin tag has been removed. Otherwise, complications are rare and you can go home as soon as your anaesthetic wears off.

The treatment will completely remove your skin tag; however there will be a small white scar where the removal took place.