Layne M. Fielder, M.D., FAAD

Dr. Layne Fielder, a native of Niceville, is a Board Certified Dermatologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Practicing primarily in the Bluewater Bay/Niceville office location, Dr. Fielder offers a variety of dermatological services including medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and surgical dermatology to patients of all ages.

Discover some of the most frequently asked questions by patients like you, provided by Dr. Layne Fielder of Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology.

Q. What is the best sunscreen and moisturizer for me?

A. This is a common question and the answer is rather simple.  The best sunscreen to use is the one that you will use consistently and therefore get the best protection.  I recommend sunscreens of at least SPF 30 and that are broad spectrum.  I discourage use of the spray sunscreens as, in my opinion, they are wasteful and there is some concern of inhaling the accelerants and chemicals, especially in very young children.

The Skin Cancer Foundation has a search tool (https://www.skincancer.org/products/categories) that is very effective in finding the right sunscreen for patients.  They ensure manufacturers are adhering to quality measures, ensuring what is on the label is what is actually in the product.  The will allow their Seal of Recommendation on products that meet their criteria.

Also, I recommend patient’s use the appropriate amount of sunscreen.  These are often used in inadequate amounts, much less than is used to determine the SPF of the product.  A simple rule is that the amount that will fit into a shot glass is enough to cover an adult.  Look for products that are water-resistant if planning to be at the beach or pool, and reapply frequently, every two hours if possible.

Q. What cosmetic procedures do I need?

A.  I approach this by giving the patient a mirror and asking that patient what bothers them. Once I know the concerns of the patient, we then discuss the treatment options and the risks and benefits of each.  There are times when a referral to a plastic surgeon is the best option because less invasive procedures such as Botox, fillers, and chemical peels are unlikely to achieve the desired results, and therefore the risks outweigh the benefits.  An initial cosmetic consultation is the first step in determining a treatment plan, as there are many treatment options available, and some patients may not be candidates for a variety of reasons. We always want to ensure the safety of our patients first!

Q. Is this serious?

A.  The majority of conditions seen in the dermatology practice are not serious and are treatable, so a very important first step is to put the patient’s mind at ease.  Almost all rashes are mediated by the immune system and most of them are self-limited, meaning they will resolve on their own with time.  The goal of a visit with your dermatologist is to determine the diagnosis and then determine treatment options to help clear the rash sooner than it would without treatment.  Some rashes are not serious but can stick around for years or a lifetime (e.g. psoriasis); therefore, our goal is to find safe treatments that clear the rash and free the patient of symptoms.

Skin cancers, including melanoma, are very common and their incidence is increasing.  In the vast majority of cases, simple procedures such as a surgical excision will clear the cancer.  Only rarely, even in the case of melanoma, do patient’s need to see an oncologist for potential chemotherapy or radiation.  An important caveat to this statement is that EARLY DETECTION IS KEY, which is why we advocate skin cancer screenings alongside the American Academy of Dermatology.  Early skin cancers are generally easily treatable.