Specialist diagnosis & treatment

Medical and Surgical Dermatology

Expert diagnosis and treatment for conditions affecting the skin, hair and nails. Dermatologists are Fellows of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD) with training in medical, surgical and paediatric dermatology.

Conditions We Treat

Frontier Dermatology provides referral-based care for a broad range of skin, hair and nail conditions. Your dermatologist will assess your condition, discuss treatment options and develop a plan tailored to you.

Inflammatory & Immune
Eczema (dermatitis)
Psoriasis
Acne
Rosacea
Allergic skin conditions
Autoimmune skin conditions
Cutaneous medication reactions
Pigmentation, Hair & Nails
Vitiligo
Hyperpigmentation including melasma
Alopecia (hair loss)
Pigmentation disorders
Nail disorders
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Infections & Specialised
Skin infections
Rashes of all types
Genital skin conditions
Pregnancy-related skin conditions
Genetic skin conditions
Children
Birthmarks and vascular lesions
Paediatric eczema
Childhood rashes
Genetic skin conditions
See Paediatric Dermatology

Skin Cancer & Surgical Dermatology

Skin cancer is common in Australia. Your dermatologist is trained to identify and manage all types of skin cancer using surgical and non-surgical techniques.

Conditions managed

Actinic keratosis
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Melanoma
Merkel cell carcinoma
Benign & malignant tumours

Surgical procedures

Biopsy

Punch biopsy removes a small circle of skin, closed with a stitch. Incisional biopsy takes an elliptical sample for larger lesions, requiring more than one stitch.

Excision

The entire lesion is removed and the wound closed with stitches.

Flaps & Grafts

A flap moves nearby healthy skin to close a surgical wound. A graft uses skin from another body site when the wound is too large for direct closure. Both involve multiple healing sites.

Shave Excision

A shallow lesion is removed with a blade. No stitches. The wound heals like a graze over 2–6 weeks depending on the body site.

Curettage & Cautery

The lesion is scraped away and the base treated. No stitches required. Heals over 2–6 weeks depending on the body site.

Incision & Drainage

For cysts and abscesses. A small slit releases contents for pain relief and infection control.

Nail Biopsy

Removal of the nail plate or a small window in the nail to visualise and biopsy an underlying condition.

Intralesional Injection

Direct delivery of medication into a lesion to treat certain skin conditions.
Specialist procedure

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

For complex or high-risk skin cancers, Frontier offers referred access to pre-Mohs surgery consultations with Dr Thom Barrett, one of two accredited practitioners in Newcastle, offering Mohs surgery procedures - a specialised technique that confirms cancer removal at the time of the procedure.
Learn more about Mohs Surgery

Allergy (Patch) Testing

Patch testing is used to identify products responsible for allergic contact dermatitis. Multiple test chambers are taped to your back and removed after 48 hours by our nursing team. A second assessment takes place 24–48 hours later.

Repeat visits are required:

Day 1 (application), Day 3 (first reading, chambers removed), Day 4–5 (second reading and final results). Your dermatologist will interpret the results and advise on products and substances to avoid.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy uses controlled ultraviolet light to treat inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo. It works by modifying the immune response in the skin.

Treatment involves standing briefly in a UV light chamber. The affected area is exposed to the light while protective goggles are worn. A typical course runs 3 sessions per week for 6–10 weeks, with UV exposure carefully monitored by your dermatologist. Clinical review is usually required at the end of a treatment course.

Phototherapy is covered by Medicare.

Specialist Services

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Led by Dr Thomas Barrett (FACD)

For difficult or high-risk skin cancers. Confirms cancer removal at the time of surgery while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Pre-Mohs surgery consultations are held at Frontier, surgeries are performed at Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown.

Explore Mohs Surgery

Paediatric Dermatology

Special interest: Dr Alicia Thornton (FACD)

Specialist skin care for newborns, children and adolescents. Eczema, birthmarks, psoriasis, acne, genetic skin conditions and more. All three dermatologists at Frontier treat paediatric patients.

Explore Paediatric Dermatology
Book a consultation

Frontier Dermatology is a referral-based practice. Ask your GP for a referral to one of the dermatologists, then contact us to book your appointment.

Book Appointment