Skin Cancer Specialist in McKinney

Prepared to Identify,
Ready to Treat

Personalize My Treatment Plan

Winning Awards In McKinney

Best 

McKinney Magazine

2013

Best of 

McKinney & Allen
Living Magazine

2019 - 2020

Best 

McKinney Magazine

2013

Best 

McKinney Magazine

2013

Best of 

McKinney & Allen
Living Magazine

2019 - 2020

Best 

McKinney Magazine

2013

Skin cancer screenings •

Skin biopsy •

Cryosurgery •

Curettage and electrodesiccation •

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) •

GentleCure image-guided superficial radiation therapy (SRT) •

Next-Level Treatment

Patients are treated with the best skin cancer treatments available. Primed with years of experience, the team keeps patients informed during every step of the treatment process. Dr. Ralston specializes in many cutting-edge skin cancer identification and treatment methods, including GentleCure image-guided superficial radiation therapy (SRT):

Gold Standard Emblem

Elevated Care Above the Rest

Then & Now

View Results Gallery

Believe in the Team

Dermatology Center of McKinney is committed to continuous innovation and utilizing the best in dermatology. Skin cancer specialists are experienced, knowledgeable, and caring. The team takes skin health seriously and is dedicated to providing exceptional care in a friendly, compassionate, and modern atmosphere.

Meet Dr. RalstonMeet Our Team

Personalized Care Planner

Patients can design their personalized path to optimal health and wellness with the Dermatology Center of McKinney’s intuitive treatment planner.

Personalize My Treatment Plan

Skin Biopsy and Diagnosis

Dr. Ralston, our skin cancer specialist in McKinney combines experience and technology to detect skin cancer before it becomes a life-altering concern.

Symptoms

The “ABCDE” mnemonic is a helpful guideline for identifying the warning signs of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Each letter stands for a characteristic to watch for:

  • Asymmetry: One half of the mole or skin lesion does not match the other half;
  • Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred;
  • Color: The color is not uniform and may include shades of brown, black, tan, and sometimes patches of red, white, or blue;
  • Diameter: The mole or skin lesion is larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can be smaller; and,
  • Evolving: The mole or skin lesion changes in size, shape, color, or begins to bleed or itch.

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to contact us promptly for further evaluation. Early detection and treatment are crucial in managing melanoma effectively.

Our Approach to Diagnosis

Anyone who finds an irregular growth or spot on the skin should promptly schedule an appointment with our skin cancer specialist in McKinney. The suspicious area will be thoroughly evaluated and discussed with you.

How to Prepare for Screening

Patients should do the following to ensure an efficient and effective skin cancer screening:

  • Wear something comfortable
  • Remove fingernail polish, nails, and all jewelry
  • Refrain from tanning or spray tans
  • Refrain from smoking
  • Bring questions if needed

How to Care for Biopsies

There are several different types of biopsies, with skin shave and skin punch biopsies being among the most common. In a shave biopsy, the top layers of the skin are removed in a scoop-like fashion to obtain a sample of the lesion. A punch biopsy, on the other hand, uses a small, circular tool to extract a deeper sample of the skin. Punch biopsy tools vary in size, ranging from 2mm to 8mm in diameter.

To ensure quick healing, it is important to keep the biopsy site moist and clean. The aftercare for both types of biopsies is similar. The following recommendations will help optimize recovery:

  • Leave all bandages in place for 24 hours
  • Wash the wound 1 to 2 times per day, or as necessary with room temperature water & gentle cleanser such as CeraVe or Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser
  • Apply healing Aquaphor or CeraVe Healing Ointment to the treated area until healed.
  • Keep covered with bandages for at least the first 3 days.

Superficial Radiation Therapy

The team recommends GentleCure superficial radiation therapy (SRT) for the noninvasive treatment of detected nonmelanoma cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

GentleCure SRT is a gentle, surgery-free treatment that is safe and has a 99%+ cure rate in basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Treatment is done right in the dermatology office over the course of a few weeks using an advanced Image-Guided SRT machine. It is the only skin cancer treatment with ultrasound imaging that lets you see the cancer on the screen and review the progress made throughout the course of treatment until there are no visible signs of cancer. Each session runs about 10-15 minutes long, allowing you to get back to the business of life.