Message from the Chair
Sharon S. Raimer, M.D.
Welcome to the UTMB Dermatology Webpage. The Department of Dermatology at UTMB was the first department of Dermatology in the state of Texas. We, therefore, have a long history of excellence in patient care, in the training of medical and allied health students and residents, and in the generation of new medical knowledge.
The Department of Dermatology presently has eight faculty members who are actively involved in patient care, offering expertise in general dermatology, which involves treatment of all diseases of the skin, hair, and nails; dermatologic surgery including Moh’s surgery for skin cancer; pediatric dermatology; cosmetic dermatology and Dermatopathology. Members of our department have a special interest and expertise in the treatment of skin cancers, moles, acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis which is also known as eczema, collagen vascular diseases such as lupus and dermatomyositis and skin infections. Our department has pioneered the use of light treatments or phototherapy for the treatment of numerous skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and T-cell lymphomas. Narrow band UVB, PUVA, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are presently available.
Multiple cosmetic procedures are offered in our department including Fraxel laser used for improvement in the appearance of aging skin and for treatment of scars, and lasers for the treatment of dilated blood vessels, brown spots and for hair removal. Chemical peels to help skin look younger and healthier are also offered. Additional information on these and other procedures can be found on this website.
Faculty members have expertise in administering numerous injectables including Botox®, Restylane, Radiesse, Sculptra, Perlane and Juvederm. Injections to remove unsightly spider veins are also offered. Product lines including Skinceuticals, Obagi, Skin Medica, Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics are available for purchase in the department.
Our clinics are located on the main campus at UTMB, in the UHC 5th floor and on Stewart Road in Galveston, League City at Exit 20 off of IH 45 and in Angleton. Directions and maps can be found on this website.
We also invite you to visit our web pages to find information on our dermatology residency and Dermatopathology fellowship programs and for a description of dermatology elective courses offered to medical students.
Thank you for visiting the UTMB Dermatology website.
Dermatology News
When tanning turns into an addiction
The New York Times, June 22, 2010
Summer means more time and tissue exposed to the single biggest cause of skin damage and cancer: ultraviolet radiation. And despite sunscreen and a dermatologists’ campaign going back to 1983, millions of Americans continue to abuse the rays that in small doses help maintain health but in larger doses can destroy it. For some, sun worship is a year-round activity. Dr. Richard F. Wagner Jr., a UTMB dermatologist, reported five years ago that as many as half of local beachgoers met the psychiatric definition of a substance abuse disorder. This year, 3.5 million new cases of superficial but often disfiguring skin cancers, and an estimated 68,720 melanomas, will be diagnosed among Americans. “As we age, the number of mutations increase and our immunity wanes,” Dr. Wagner explained — a double whammy that greatly increases the likelihood of skin cancer. Read more here ...
American Academy of Dermatology
The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of over 16,000, it represents virtually all practicing dermatologists in the United States. The Academy is committed to excellence in patient care, medical and public education, research, professionalism and member service and support.