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The appearance of one’s skin can tell many tales — age, health and the effects of prolonged sun exposure. No one can completely escape the signs of aging. And, unfortunately, diligence in the prevention of skin cancer is not always a top priority. But with the help of a qualified dermatologist, a vibrant complexion and healthy skin is well within reach. Ideally located in a spacious twostory facility, Central Florida Dermatology Associates first opened its doors in 2000. Under the leadership of Kathleen W. Judge, M.D., the practice welcomes patients from babies to seniors. Dr. Judge earned her medical degree
from Louisiana State University and subsequently
became board-certified in dermatology.
Her desire to provide the highest
standards of comprehensive dermatological
care with efficiency and compassion
has resulted in a thriving practice that
boasts more than 60,000 patients. “What I envision for the practice is one that cares for the whole family,” Dr. Judge said. “I see the baby when he has a rash; I see the child or adolescent with warts and acne; I see Mom when she starts noticing those fine lines, brown spots or dark circles; I see parents and grandparents for overall skin care, including cancer screenings, lesion removals and treatments. I literally see families.” Also trained in pediatric dermatology,
Dr. Judge is able to calm an anxious or
fussy child. “We have a whole team that
jumps into action to make sure the kids
are distracted and feel at ease during a
procedure.”
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation,
more than 1 million new cases of skin
cancer are diagnosed in the United States
each year. Dr. Judge preaches the importance
of preventive measures to guard
against skin cancer and states
that everyone, especially Floridians,
should
have a full body check annually. Those with a history of cancer
or precancerous lesions need to
be checked more often. Patients
may be
concerned about a particular
spot that turns out to be harmless.
However, a deadly lesion
may be lurking elsewhere that
only a trained
eye can detect. Dr. Judge routinely
performs biopsies and
surgical procedures to remove
malignant skin cells. Dermatological
conditions like acne,
rosacea, psoriasis, eczema,
rashes, warts, uneven pigmentation
and spider veins can be successfully
treated by Dr. Judge and her staff.
As time marches on, the effects of aging become more evident, especially on the skin. “I wanted to add a line of cosmetic procedures to our practice,” Dr. Judge said. “As a female dermatologist, I understand the issues women face and their desire to have the best looking skin possible.” Complementing its medical and surgical dermatology care, the practice offers laser treatments, Thermage, chemical peels, Botox Cosmetic, fillers such as Juvéderm and Restylane, and a number of other services designed to address specific problem areas. Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure or skin-care regimen, each patient receives an in-depth evaluation using the VISIA Complexion Analysis System. This leading-edge technology is able to detect skin damage using both normal and ultraviolet light modes. Displayed on a computer screen, Dr. Judge, her staff and patients are able to see surface and subsurface skin imperfections that might not be visible to the naked eye. Based on the results, a personalized treatment plan is formulated to address issues such as wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, brown spots and sun damage. As treatments progress, subsequent VISIA analyses are initiated to track improvement. Committed to providing her patients with state-of-the-art technology, Dr. Judge added a revolutionary fractional CO2 laser to her practice. “When I got this laser, I thought I would use it primarily for wrinkles, resurfacing and sun damage,” Dr. Judge said. “But I am finding that I use it almost as much for acne scars.” Other lasers can address skin problems, such as birthmarks, freckles and broken blood vessels. Central Florida Dermatology Associates’
interactive Web site gives detailed information
on what conditions the lasers treat.
Dr. Judge has found that more than just
women are interested in healthy-looking
skin. “We have a number of men who come
in for cosmetic treatments.”
“I think it is very important for people
to seek out a board-certified dermatologist
when having any treatment
or procedure involving
the skin,” Dr. Judge
said. “Dermatologists
have extensive training
and practical experience,”
added Dr. Judge,
who understands the
structure and function of
the skin on a molecular
level, as well as what
treatments and products are most effective. Some people are blessed with a beautiful complexion that requires little work to maintain. But no matter what condition skin is in, everyone likes to be pampered. The VitaliaMed Spa is located on the second floor of Central Florida Dermatology Associates’ stand-alone facility. As soon as clients ascend the stairs to the spa, the subdued lighting, pleasant fragrance of botanicals, and beautiful surroundings create a calming, tranquil atmosphere. VitaliaMed Spa offers various treatments
designed to refresh and rejuvenate the skin.
Certified aesthetician Christy Giovannini
performs spa treatments, including signature
facials that target specific problems,
therapeutic eye treatments designed for
the delicate skin of the eye area, superficial
chemical peels and body treatments, backclarifying
treatments, and ClearLight treatments
for acne. Since the spa is located
in the same facility as the medical office,
patients and staff have easy access to Dr.
Judge for consultations. Walk into any dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon’s office and, chances are, an array of skin-care products are prominently displayed. The cosmeceutical industry is saturated with gels, creams and cleansers claiming to fix any skin issue. Based on requests from patients and her own desire to offer a line of skin-care products, Dr. Judge began the search for suitable products. She soon realized that many lines were either financially out of reach for most people or contained ingredients she believed were ineffective. After four years of
research, she discovered a
line that uses natural botanical
extracts with proven
therapeutic results. She
worked with the company
to develop VitaliaDerma,
a line she knew would
benefit the many needs of
her patients. In addition to the individual
products suited for all types of skin, she
created signature kits for acne, rosacea
and mature skin. Ivani Alves, C.M.A., has
worked with Dr. Judge since August 2000
and serves as the spa’s cosmetic coordinator.
After an initial consultation, she is able
to develop a customized home skin-care
routine for each patient.
Dr. Judge resides in Keene’s Pointe. She enjoys sewing, painting and, on occasion, a round of golf with her husband (her handicap is 24). “Golf is not a game for perfectionists,” explains Dr. Judge. Many of her patients may be surprised that Dr. Judge plays the electric bass guitar in a local band that performs at family parties. The eclectic interests and hobbies enjoyed by Dr. Judge serve to enhance her practice, as she brings an artistic eye to cosmetic procedures and possesses an approachable demeanor her patients appreciate. Join Dr. Judge at the
Southern Women’s Show
at the Orange County
Convention Center Central Florida Dermatology
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Florida Golf Central magazine |
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From Diaper Rash to Age Spots
Dr. Judge has assembled a staff of
medical professionals who all share her
commitment to optimal patient care. The
two physician assistants, Alexandra Shigo
and Caridad Lopez, received intensive
dermatological training from Dr. Judge
before seeing patients on their own. Dr.
Judge requires all medical staff to shadow
her for a number of months to ensure they
are able to provide the high quality of care
both she and her patients expect.
On a Personal Note