About Us
Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology Center began as a full-service clinic to treat skin disease and to practice cutaneous surgery. Dr. Monheit began the solo practice in 1977 and it has evolved into a comprehensive specialty service clinic for skin care referrals. The clinic is divided into the following:
- The Medical Center
- The Surgical Center
- The Phototherapy Center
- The Aesthetic Center for Cosmetic and Laser Surgery
- The Research Center
The medical portions of the practice are directed by Dr. James Krell and include evaluation and treatment of skin diseases. The clinical side of the practice sees over 200 patients per day for initial evaluation, and treatment with appropriate up to date care. The practice is a secondary and tertiary referral center administering to both common skin conditions as well as unusual and recurring skin problems referred by fellow dermatologists within the area. A Phototherapy Center is operational 10 hours per day, 5 days a week with three light machines (UVA/narrow band UVB, and hand/foot unit) and an XTRAC laser used to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, mycosis fungoides, and other recalcitrant skin conditions.
The surgical portion of the practice is under the direction of Dr. Gary Monheit. Skin cancer is a major portion of this practice with a tertiary referral center for Mohs micrographic surgery and plastic reconstruction. Dr. Monheit is a Mohs College Fellow performing surgery daily in our surgical center and at the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital. He is the first physician to perform Moh’s surgery for skin cancer in Alabama and his is the premier referral practice for over 30 years. Over 2000 skin cancer patients are treated each year requiring multiple procedures for cancer removal, reconstruction, and then preventive treatment for premalignancies, including skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, and peeling techniques. These resurfacing techniques have been performed in a therapeutic manner for diffuse keratoses, squamous cell carcinoma in-situ, basal cell nevus syndrome and other malignant and premalignant conditions. Patients with significant photoaging skin are followed over decades for cancer surveillance and ongoing therapy.
A fellowship training program under Dr. Monheit's direction has been a part of the practice for 15 years with ongoing research projects involving the detection and treatment of skin cancer. The Surgery Center includes a histopathology laboratory for rapid frozen section analysis of skin biopsies of surgical specimens.
Cosmetic skin care has been an interest in our practice since its inception in 1977. The 25 years of experience in cosmetic surgery techniques have evolved with new technologies. Dr. Monheit has been instrumental in the development and dispersion of many techniques and technology in cosmetic dermatologic surgery, including the Monheit Peel and various clinical studies for both fillers and toxins.
Our Research Center conducts clinical trials for a wide variety of medications and devices. We have conducted Phase II, III, and IV clinical studies on medications for acne, psoriasis, actinic keratoses and eczema. We test new forms of cosmetic fillers and injectables as one of many ways to keep you looking young.