Laurel Dermatology

Hattiesburg Clinic Laurel Dermatology provides comprehensive skin care treatments for skin, hair and nail conditions.

(601) 428-8428

Why Choose Hattiesburg Clinic Laurel Dermatology?

Hattiesburg Clinic Laurel Dermatology is a full-service dermatology clinic that specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of adult and pediatric skin disorders. Dermatology involves the management of conditions that affect the skin, hair and nails.

Robert W. Walters, MD, PhD, FAAD, a medical dermatologist with Laurel Dermatology, and his team work to address a variety of skin-related conditions, including inflammatory diseases, actinic keratosis and skin cancer.

Dr. Walters and Lori B. Howell, FNP, are deeply committed to improving the health of Laurel and its neighboring communities through their work at Hattiesburg Clinic Laurel Dermatology. Walters specializes in managing patients at risk of skin cancer, those undergoing treatment and those in recovery. He focuses on empowering patients to understand their skin conditions and implementing tailored treatments for improvement. Ms. Howell, with extensive nursing experience, provides compassionate health care, specializing in general dermatology and the treatment of psoriasis. Together, they form a dedicated team at Laurel Dermatology, sharing a mission to serve the community with excellence and compassion.

“Dermatology has many tools to help improve the lives of our patients. I most enjoy helping patients understand their condition and seeing them improve with treatments we institute.” – Robert W. Walters, MD, PhD, FAAD

Call Us Today

(601) 428-8428

Acne & Scarring
Benign Skin Lesion Removal
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Moles & Melanoma
Psoriasis
Skin Cancer and Screenings
Dry Skin & Actinic Keratosis
Warts (Verruca) & Molluscum

Schedule an Early Hour Appointment

Worried about missing work or school? We have an appointment solution for you! We offer early-hour appointments beginning at 7 a.m., on select days in Laurel. These appointment times are for general and pediatric services.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

At Laurel Dermatology, one of the more common skin conditions we see is eczema. Also known as atopic dermatitis, this condition comes in the form of itchy, red and scaly rashes. Like many skin conditions, the severity of eczema varies from minor to severe and can involve any part of the body.

Treatment for eczema

The treatment for eczema will depend on its severity. The foundation of eczema care is the avoidance of irritation by using gentle soaps and moisturizers. A variety of topical and oral prescription medications is available to calm eczema flares.

Moles and Melanoma

At Laurel Dermatology, we see many patients who are concerned with moles that may suddenly appear or increase in size. Periodic screenings and inspections are very important for patients with risk factors, and we encourage all patients to make an appointment at any sight of irregularity such as changes in color or size.

Through a thorough inspection, we will evaluate all moles and concerns – and develop a treatment plan for those that may need removal.

How do I know if a mole is abnormal?

Moles may or may not be abnormal, and sometimes it takes a biopsy to confirm a suspected abnormality. If you have a history of melanoma in your family or if you have had an abnormal mole before, annual skin screenings should be performed. The following are additional signs or symptoms that should prompt inspection:

If a mole changes – this can include an increase in size, scaling, color changes, texture or firmness and bleeding.
If a mole is frequently irritated by clothing or accessories
For cosmetic reasons

Skin Cancer, Screenings and Treatment

We strive to educate patients with strategies and tips for skin cancer prevention. We believe prevention strategies and regular skin screenings are the first line of defense in the battle against skin cancer. We encourage all of our patients to schedule regular skin screenings to monitor any irregularities or spots that may occur.

What are the types of skin cancer?

There are several types of skin cancer. Below are the three most common forms of skin cancer we treat:

Basal Cell Carcinoma– this is the most common type and is often slow growing with rare metastasis. (Individual experiences may vary). Obstacles faced with this type of cancer comes with gradual enlargement, penetration into cartilage, bone, muscle and nerve tissue.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma– this is the second most common type of skin cancer and has a higher chance of spreading. It is likely to appear in burn scars and areas of repeated irritation.
Melanoma– this is a form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma) but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

What can I expect with skin cancer treatment?

If you have been diagnosed with a particular type of skin cancer or precancerous condition, we will discuss appropriate treatment options. If there is an area of concern, a biopsy will be performed to determine the diagnosis. Because types and severity of skin cancer differ from patient to patient, treatment will depend on type of tumor, location, size, depth of tissue invasion and any other additional factors. Possible treatment options can include:

Cryosurgery
Electrodessication and curettage
Photodynamic therapy
Topical chemotherapeutic or immunomodulating drugs
Surgical excision
Radiation therapy

Dry Skin and Actinic Keratosis

Dry skin and actinic keratosis are common dermatological concerns that can impact both comfort and appearance. Our team offers personalized treatment plans to address dryness and manage actinic keratosis effectively. We work with you to restore moisture, improve skin texture and reduce the risk of precancerous lesions.

What does actinic keratosis look like?

Actinic keratosis can present as rough, dry or scaly patches of skin. These are usually less than one inch in diameter and typically appear as a flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin. In some cases, they may look like a hard, wartlike surface.

Benign Skin Lesion Removal

Many patients deal with common benign growths like cysts, moles and keloids (raised areas of scar tissue) that are harmless but are removable.

Epidermal inclusion cysts are flesh-colored, firm bumps that are commonly found on the neck or back of adults.
Moles are common benign growths and are usually darker in color than surrounding skin. The development of these growths is attributed to age, race, genetic and environmental factors (such as sun exposure).
Keloids are raised areas of scar tissue that may develop at the site of an injury. They can form on any part of the body and may become itchy or painful.

Acne and Scarring

At Laurel Dermatology, we see many patients who suffer from cystic breakouts and acne vulgaris, a chronic, inflammatory disorder of the oil glands in the face, anterior and back. The severity of acne, the age at which the condition arises and the length of time a person may have this condition depend on genetic and environmental factors.

Acne Treatment Options

After a thorough examination, a customized acne treatment plan will be provided to you. The goal of treatment is to open the pores and treat (kill) the acne-causing bacteria.

Treatments like benzoyl peroxide kill bacteria and cleanse the follicle.
Retinol medications cause peeling of the skin and unplug the hair.
Antibiotics kill the bacteria in the hair follicle.

Wart (Verruca) and Molluscum Removal

Warts, also known as verruca, can be unsightly and inconvenient. Although usually small and painless, warts are a viral infection of the skin, which can lead to enhanced spread if not treated. Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection characterized by small, raised, pearl-like lesions. It is typically benign but can be contagious and may require treatment if symptoms persist or if the lesions become bothersome.

We treat warts in several ways including prescription therapy, liquid nitrogen and surgery. Because the severity of warts differs from patient to patient, treatment is situational and depends on several factors. We also like to work with the patient in the best way possible to avoid unnecessary aggressive procedures, which increase the risk of possible scarring.

When medical or noninvasive treatments for warts or molluscum contagiosum are not successful, we may recommend the surgical removal of warts. The most common types of surgical removal include electrosurgery, curettage and lasers. Electrosurgery involves burning the wart, and curettage is cutting the wart with a small spoon-shaped tool. Treatment via laser, which destroys the wart with an intense beam of light, is also an option.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition that causes scaling of the skin and potential discomfort. Most known for rashes on elbows and knees, this condition can progress over a lifetime. It is our goal to reduce the signs and symptoms for our patients who battle this skin condition.