Welcome to Elk Grove Dermatology! The practice offers state-of-the art dermatology in a very friendly setting. This has been accomplished by our exceptional staff and ongoing commitment to research, training and patient convenience. Dr. Polisky is board certified in dermatology and internal medicine.

The doctor is a microbiologist (Univ. of Illinois). This training is very helpful in structuring safe antibiotic and antibiotic free approaches to treating complexion disorders.  The doctor attends worthwhile, scientific meetings such as the American Academy of Dermatological Surgery. An early proponent of office based laser therapy, Dr. Polisky has obtained the latest generation of co 2 laser. "These new lasers emit a softer and more diffuse beam giving better results and faster healing times." 

Dr. Polisky has refined the use of glycolic products for the skin including the development of an innovative light skin peel. Newer methods of detecting and correcting varicose veins are underway using office doppler (sound waves) and non-irritating treatment solutions.  Unique simple approaches have been developed to improve acne scarring and skin contour problems (scar micro-excision, silk touch laser) as well.

Believing that medical care is as much art as it is science, Dr. Polisky has accepted invitations to train with national leaders in dermatology.  This has allowed him to gain an inside look at the most advanced procedures from those who helped develop them.  Recently, he studied with Dr. Gerald Bernstein, a Professor at the University of Washington and  founding instructor at The Scripps Clinic Skin Surgery Course.

The virtual visit-Derm in cyberspace

www.dermatologist-polisky.com

We are pleased to announce the development of a practice web site. The site covers an in depth look at the field of dermatology through the focused lens of our office. We present our practice philosophy and give you, the web surfer a look at in office pharmaceuticals, skin rejuvenation and the use of light to therapeutically improve skin problems. We go over sun protection , take you through a mole removal and an advanced skin peel. Along the way you will be clicking on and meeting some of our incredible staff.We end off with some valuable links to the cream ( a dozen or so)of the 1000's of derm related web sites.

We are fortunate to receive compliments about our staff on a very regular basis.  We frequently hear that our staff took a personal interest in getting a patient a prompt appointment, explaining a difficult problem or going to extra lengths to reasonably iron out even the most difficult problem.

The staff is seasoned.  Nancy(office manager) and Pat (psoriasis nurse exceed 10 years of service.  Our retired derm nurses and receptionists are an active alumni !  They fill in from time to time but they also attend office Get-together such as the upcoming

brunch and house tour at Cuneo Gardens in Libertyville.The staff meets with me regularly and we map out new areas of practice development such as our skin rejuvenation program, our skin cancer awareness project.  During these times we share ideas on continual improvements and fine tuning of the office.

The staff attends seminars most recently on the skin rejuvenation program(obagi) and a seminar on laser applications by Dr. Polisky, I know you will enjoy working with our talented and friendly staff.

Good Reading Makes Things Clear for Our Patients

Like a librarian we would like to recommend some very interesting literature for you.  Amy Tamul Physician Assistant at EGD has co produced a beautiful patient brochure on vein therapy.  This booklet prepared with Dr. Polisky details the treatments we use to treat unwanted spider vein and small varicose leg veins. Please ask to read one of our office copies.  It will help you understand our doppler exam and fill you in on the latest information about this very easy and well accepted procedure.

We can also suggest the new peels brochure. This fills you in on superficial skin peels.  Written in plain English with an absence of medicalese you will learn about the brief in office peels that can improve, fine wrinkling and minor skin problems.

A third must read for parents is" What to know about warts."  Now in its fifth printing this classic will explode many myths about pesky skin warts.
Finally, the world of severe as well as stubborn acne can be brightened by reading "What I tell my patients about Accutane."  This frank account of a sometimes misunderstood drug is written in a clear style that helps prospective patients and their families quickly grasp the amazingly effective treatment.
Please see any nurse or staff--they will direct you to these "classics".

Looking Younger-Avoiding the looking Older Blues

Looking older can be associated with a constellation of skin changes: wrinkling, fine lines, skin discoloration, and an enlarging of facial pores among other problems.  Although some materials weather beautifully, this is not usually the case with the skin.  One excellent rejuvenation technique performed by Dr. Polisky is the use of a medium level skin peel (Obagi Blue Peel). Using a pretreatment program with Retin-a followed by a peel session using modified neutralized TCA, patients are able to greatly improve the vitality of their skin. A blue application allows Dr. Polisky to evenly apply the peel.  This blue color washes off by bedtime.

Sophisticated Dermatologic Care offered in a Friendly Setting

Dr. Polisky learned  the newest treatments for skin cancer (micrographic methods) as well as the use of Gore Tex implants for filling skin defects and Botox for forehead wrinkle management.  Dr. Polisky also had the opportunity to spend time in the clinic of Dr. Zein Obagi(La Jolla, California) developer of the Obagi peel.  During this time, he developed an appreciation of the application of controlled skin peeling in correcting facial discoloration (melasma) as well as premature skin aging from sun or genetic causes.

Medicine and medical developments are occurring at an ever increasing pace.  We hope to keep pace with these changes by continued education and training. 

Dr. Polisky has been active (see "Keeping Up with Dr. P") in teaching residents, lecturing to dermatology residents(next up University of Chicago) and in providing interviews for magazines such as Prevention.

Making Skin Surgery -- Much Less Uncomfortable

We have found that using a cream, EMLA, at home 2 hours prior to your skin procedure renders it virtually painless!!

This is quite a remarkable finding. "I don't think the medical community is aware how valuable this is in reducing discomfort. "It has made office removal of everything from moles to warts all the easier."

Basically, it is a formulation of lidocaine in a suspension. By placing this on the treatment site and covering it with a saran wrap like patch the skin becomes anesthetic (numbed). And this is the key in doing superficial skin procedures. Emla is the name of the cream and it is available by prescription and at Elk Grove Dermatology pharmacy (Karen,director). 

I hope you will ask about EMLA-- it makes a big difference.

KEEPING UP WITH Dr. Polisky

Summer:
Featured in Pioneer Press, Adult Acne Conducted Skin Cancer Screening, United Airlines under the auspices of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Delivered lecture to Northwestern Material Science Engineer: The Skin as a material.

Fall:
Attended the International Conference of Leg vein and spider vein therapy(phlebology).

Winter:
Attended Chicago Dermatological Society--Skin Disease Under the Microscope, Presented 3 unusual cases at tumor board Alexian Brother s Hospital .

Interviewed by Prevention Magazine on Melanoma and The Chicago Tribune on warts in children. 

Spring:
Trained with  Dr. Gerald Bernstein in Seattle covering many new methods for rejuvenation of skin(see  "Moving Forward in Dermatology" P 1).

Planned Upcoming presentation at the Chicago Derm Society./U of  Chicago lecture.

Going on Vacation -- Beware of too much sun!

When you are golfing in Orlando, wintering in Texas or skiing in Colorado you are a target for sun damage.  The sun's effects include more than just the development of skin cancer.  Skin aging in the form of yellowing, discoloration (melasma) and wrinkling are just a few of the undesired effects of too much sun exposure.

Remember this acronym-TIP.

Timing -avoid the sun during the hour of 10-2 when the sun's rays are strongest.

Invest-In a sunscreen like Ombrelle, Presun, Elta and many other with spf of 15 on up; put it on 30 min before going outdoor and reapply it frequently.

Protect yourself and your family with sun protective clothing -- Solumbra has provided us with samples of their tightly woven yet lightweight clothing.   These clothing and hats are on display in our office.

Dr. Polisky meets patient who followed advice to a tee -- a day off with Dr. Polisky

Last summer on an unplanned day off, I bumped into one of my patients who had been diagnosed with melanoma.  We will call him Dan.  Arriving at Mt. Prospect Golf Course without reservations, I placed myself at the mercy of the starter.  "Get dressed you have 15 minutes" he barked.  Hustling onto the tee with only limited time to do my putting ritual, I recognized Dan as part of the foursome I had been assigned to play with.

Dan, who immediately recognized me despite my floppy hat 
and sunglasses, was himself covered with sun blocker, a 3' 
wide brimmed hat and long sleeves. Dan realized that his years

of sun had contributed to the development of melanoma and he commented that he has become a regular in applying sun protection. It was a great pleasure seeing a patient taking appropriate precautions,  I hope that if I ever meet up with you, that you will be doing the same.

Ask the doctor--patients want to know --Will I miss work?

Vein Therapy-You will not miss any work but you may be wearing a light dressing or support hosiery.

Superficial Skin Peel--no time off needed.

Blue Peel (Medium depth,Obagi)-You may want to be out of the public eye for a few days. Our staff who have been peeled, worked through the sunburn like peeling.

Warts (plantar) You may want to be off your feet a day or two depending on how extensive and where they are located on the foot.

Ask the Expert

New treatments for psoriasis,

Remedies for ringworm

Sept. 10 -- In this week's Q&A column, Dr. Robert Polisky, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, answers reader questions on psoriasis and ringworm.  Have a health question that you would like to have answered?   Send it to us at Health&MSNBC.com or post it on our BBS.

A: Actually, there are a couple of new prescription treatments, one topical and one oral.  Both are geared toward more stubborn cases of this skin disorder, so they're not for everybody.
The first drug is a once-a-day topical treatment called Tazorac that can be very effective when used alone or in combination with other drugs.  But because about 20 percent of patients experience itching, burning or redness, Tazorac is not recommended for the groin or face.  It's also not suggested for women who may become pregnant because of potential risks to a developing fetus.

A second drug is an oral medication known as Neoral, which is actually a reformulation of the existing drug Cyclosporin.  Psoriasis is believed to be an immune-related condition, and Neoral is thought to help by modulating the immune-system response.  Because of potential side effects, though, patients should be carefully monitored by their doctor.

Mild cases of psoriasis -- which is characterized by pinkish plaques on the skin that have a silvery scale -- are usually treated with tar preparations, anthralins and topical corticosteroids.  If these medications aren't effective, a doctor may recommend ultraviolet light treatments, which are believed to interfere with the process that produces the plaques.  Both Tazorac and Neoral would be considered after these other therapies had been tried.

This column is not intended as a substitute for regular professional health care.

Phone: 847 593 -6222
Email: elkderm1@aol.com
Please no junk e mail.

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