A dermatologic surgeon is a physician who receives specialty training and experience in the use of a wide variety of surgical, reconstructive and cosmetic, and non-surgical procedures to treat the skin.  Upon completion of medical school, a dermatologic surgeon participates in a dermatology residency training program for a minimum of of three years, plus a one-year internship in medicine or surgery.  Some physicians also have additional fellowship training in specific types of skin surgery.

All dermatologic surgeons are board-certified dermatologists:  They must pass a test administered by the American Board of Dermatology (ABE).  Those who pass the board-certifying exam are then referred to as a Diplomat of the ABD.

What is the Ultraviolet Index?

Starting in the summer of 1994, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offered a new product, the UV Experimental Index.  It is issued daily on for use by meteorologists as part of their weather report.  The physicians at Advanced Dermatology want you to know how the UV index can effect your skin.  the Index is a next day forecast of the amount of ultraviolet radiation that will reach the earth's surface during the peak hour of sunlight around noon.  the Index is a number on a scale of 0-15.  there a five exposure category descriptors (e.g., minimal to very high) that are used to explain the intensity of each of the Index values.  

The EPA set the exposure categories based on sunburning of fair-skinned persons because it provides an easy-to-understand measure of immediate effects.  This is a conservative approach, which is meant to be protective of people who are less likely to sunburn but who are at risk of the other longer-term health effects from UV exposure that don't depend on skin type.   The physicians at Advanced Dermatology recommend always wearing sunscreen when you are outside.  

PUVA Treatment Center
509-455-8614
Spokane, WA 99204

Copyright (c) 1999 - 2006 Advanced Dermatology & Skin Surgery
Spokane, Washington
Revised: January 23, 2006