Dr. Shirley L Van M.D.

People often assume that treatment options available for genital warts are 100% effective, but there is still a chance of resurgance after the warts are removed.  Both the topical applications and physical ablation techniques although can be quite helpful in removing the visible warts in the...

The stratum corneum is the outermost epidermal layer of the skin, which consists of dead cells called corneocytes. It is the major barrier of the skin when it comes to chemical transfers. The main purpose of the stratum corneum is to protect the underlying tissues by forming a barrier. The...

Acral lentiginous melanoma is a type of melanoma arising on the palms or soles of the feet. Acral lentiginous melanoma is not just a fancy name for melanoma on the fingers, toes, palm, soles of the feet, and under the nails, but it is also a type of melanoma that is the rarest among melanomas,...

Severe acne can have a significant impact on one’s life, as well as with social relationships. It can affect a person’s self confidence and self-esteem, which can lead to depression in time. This is particularly true of teenagers and young adults.Acne can cause social phobia, fear of being...

If skin care products cause irritations like itching, swelling and redness, your skin is sensitive. “As such, there is not a definition for sensitive skin”, says Rachel Herschenfeld, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist in Wellesley. All dermatologists can determine if the skin is sensitive. According to...

Melanoma is a type of lethal skin cancer. Often developing from a mole, it is caused by mutation of the skin cells due to damage in their DNA. These mutations result in a tumor formation within the cells that contain melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) in the epidermis. The color of a...