Patient's shoulder is examined by dermatologists at Central Vermont Medical Center.

Dermatology

Expert Medical Dermatology

Dermatology specialists at University of Vermont Health provide medical consultation and treatment for all types of skin, hair and nail problems. We offer full-spectrum dermatology services, including general medical dermatology and Mohs surgery for skin cancer, at clinics throughout Vermont and northern New York. Anchored by our academic medical center, our committed and compassionate team ensures you have access to our comprehensive range of expertise.

Close-up of caregiver hands providing dermatology services.

Katelyn Shea, MD, examines a patient's skin at the University of Vermont Medical Center's Dermatology Clinic.

Why Choose UVM Health?

Optimizing your skin health, we offer:

Expert physicians: In addition to board-certified dermatologists, our team includes dermatology-certified physician assistants and fellowship-trained pediatric dermatologists specializing in the care of children and adolescents.
Advanced treatments: We use the latest medical and surgical techniques and drug therapies to treat skin conditions, from acne and psoriasis to moles (nevi) and melanoma. For your comfort and convenience, many dermatologic surgeries performed by our specialists are done in-office in our surgery suites.
Mohs expertise: Our nationally recognized, fellowship-trained dermatologic surgeons are exceptionally skilled in performing Mohs procedures, the highest standard of care available, which offer cure rates of close to 99% for non-melanoma skin cancers. This tissue-sparing approach works to improve wound healing, minimize scarring and enhance surgical reconstruction.
Evidenced-based care: Active researchers as well as leaders in professional societies, our physicians keep up to date on dermatological innovations to provide you with research-driven care.

Skin Conditions We Treat

Our dermatology team diagnoses and treats the full range of skin concerns, always focused on improving skin health, including:

Acne
Actinic keratosis (precancerous skin lesions)
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Autoimmune diseases in the skin
Nevi (moles) and other benign lesions
Malignant melanoma
Non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas)
Psoriasis
Skin infections

Dermatology Treatments

Our specialists provide full body skin exams, surgically remove (excise) moles and other lesions, perform laser treatments and do patch testing for allergies. Other common dermatology treatments provided at UVM Health include skin biopsies using a variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques (shave and punch), as well as dermatologic surgery and cryotherapy (for freezing away lesions).

We also offer UV phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis and other skin diseases, and photodynamic therapy for the treatment of common precancerous conditions caused by sun damage over time, such as actinic keratosis.

Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery, also called Mohs microscopically controlled excision, is a specialized form of surgery used to remove skin cancers from difficult and delicate anatomical locations like your face, ears and lips. This in-office procedure involves cutting away thin, precise layers of skin to remove cancer cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible and minimizing the potential for scarring. Each layer of skin is carefully examined under a microscope while you wait until we no longer see any cancer cells. You know your results before you leave our office.

What to Expect

Before you arrive at your full body scan appointment, look over your body for any new growths or changes (color and/or size) in your skin, such as to existing moles. Be sure to alert your dermatologist to any areas of concern before and during your examination.

Please avoid wearing makeup and remove any bandages, braces or other coverings that may make it difficult for your dermatologist to fully exam your skin. At your appointment, you will be asked to remove all of your clothing and put on a patient gown.

During your full body exam, your dermatologist will thoroughly look at your skin — from head to toe. If a suspicious spot is found, your dermatology team may want to take photos for your medical records to compare changes over time and/or perform a biopsy.

For this simple, in-office procedure, your dermatologist will numb the area with an injection of anesthesia and use a shave or punch biopsy device to collect a small sample of your skin tissue. The specimen is then sent to the pathology lab for testing to determine if the skin lesion is pre-cancerous, cancerous or benign.