Dermatology & Skin Health - Newington

"I'm so grateful for my dermatologist's expertise and dedication to my comfort. They not only provided excellent care, but they also go the extra mile to ensure I am comfortable during my appointment. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and caring dermatologist."

"11/14/2023: updated. ***** 11/11/2023: Updated: Spoke with Brandon (business mgr.) who seemed to understand my experience and accepting responsibility for my visits with Heather Bigos. The firm is going through practice and policy changes. ***** 11/14/2023: Edited for updates (below); due to character limitations, revisions required removal and revisions from original post. Some context removed due to character limitations. ****** Appointment scheduled for persistent skin lesions and symptoms that indicated staphylococcus aureus. The first visit lasted 15 minutes (no more) with the physician assistant, Heather Bigos. At the initial visit it was communicated that what was appearing to be facial lesions was squamous cell carcinoma, and extensive actinic keratoses. Two most prominent squamous cell carcinoma lesions were treated with liquid nitrogen to freeze (burn). ***** The use of liquid nitrogen as a treatment would NOT prevent the development of squamous cell carcinoma, for the **depth** and for the extensive nature (broad area) of the precancerous growths (cost factor - see below). The extensive growth of actinic keratoses (severe), therefore requiring a much more thorough and aggressive diagnosis & treatment. Before the second visit I contacted the practice to voice some concern for the rapid processing of the patients concerns, whereas in the first visit the concern for staphylococcus aureus was completely passed over (ignored due to practitioner time limitation), as the "physician assistants assistant" acknowledged at the first visit. The second visit required a second spot treatment of liquid nitrogen for one of the first two lesions and one new lesion. Neither nitrogen treatments were affective. After the second visit and subsequent spot treatments, nothing changed, as the squamous cell carcinoma is persistent (due to depth and area - see below). Given the use of liquid nitrogen for “spot” treatment, and given the extensive nature of the skin cell damage (actinic keratoses), it would be months (years) and thousands of dollars to resolve the growth of actinic keratoses, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma (based on this firms billing @ ~$150.+/ 2 second spray of liquid nitrogen). During the second visit I was also charged for an additional office O/P EST MOD (visit) $$$$$. Essentially $534.00 for 15 minutes and no real practical results. Other treatment options had NOT been discussed with this practitioner, though other treatments should have been recommended as a first option, such as fluorouracil cream (Brandon knew this as we discussed - see note above) for the treatment of actinic keratoses; more importantly a biopsy *should have been performed* of the most severe area for squamous cell carcinoma; then surgically removal. When the PA says; "I've been doing this for years", it's a clear flag one is over confident, all while other dermatologist confirmed surgical removal and Topical 5-FU treatment is necessary. Follow-up with the other local leading practices (two) for dermatology *delivered* treatments that aggressively resolve squamous cell carcinoma removal; remedies for severe actinic keratoses growths. Both practices agree(d) that surgical removal, then fuoroufacil treatment is *the* only method of ensuring complete and rapid resolution, at a reduced cost. DSH had been scheduling me for short tightly packed schedules which resulted in poor diagnosis and/or strategies to resolve dermatology concerns for squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratoses, and other beneficial treatments for staphylococcus aureus. The experience has been significant cost ($$$$) for little (no) progress, whereas improved remedies elsewhere are proving significant progress at a lower cost (less expensive with better results). There are other dermatology specialists in the Northeastern region and Seacoast region promoting Optima dermatology care, giving sufficient time to evaluate, recommending best options for treatment, addressing all concerns in one visit, then executing with an effective plan for results."

"I had a great experience seeing Heather Bigos for the first time! She made me feel comfortable with her caring demeanor. Seeing immediate results after numerous bad experiences elsewhere."

"Dr. Ryder is awesome. She's personable, down-to-earth, thorough and takes her time catching up with me. She is kind, listens, and gives me more than just answers; she advises me on what treatments will work best based on my previous experiences. I am grateful to have found the help I was looking for."

"Drive 40 minutes to get to this location, arrived a few minutes late (happens to the best of us) called several times and no one answered the phone. When I arrived Kayla was extremely rude to me, telling me I arrived extremely late (again 10 minutes after trying to call several times and standing in line). She started arguing with me in the lobby about how the doctor had more important things to do then wait for me and belittled me in regards to not having my own vehicle, almost refusing me another appointment because"well you rely on other people for rides so I don't think I can book you another appointment". So incredibly embarrassing and rude."