Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center’s mission is clear: “We provide patients with the most comprehensive skin care services available. Our practice continuously cares for people who have skin conditions or concerns about their appearance that can be treated through the most cutting-edge dermatologic techniques. Most importantly, our dedicated group of physicians and staff will work with you one‑on‑one to ensure you’ll have healthy skin for life.”
Dr. Gary Monheit began the solo practice in 1977, and since its inception 40+ years ago, Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center has evolved into a specialty, full-service comprehensive clinic for dermatologic medical, surgical and cosmetic care. The leadership of the practice continues to remain under its original physician group: Dr. Gary D. Monheit, Dr. James M. Krell, Dr. Melanie L. Appell and Dr. A. Michele Hill.
The facility also provides patients the following: a phototherapy clinic, an aesthetic center for cosmetic and laser procedures, a full research department which conducts clinical trials for a wide variety of medications, treatments and devices, as well as a superficial radiation area for non-invasive treatment of skin cancers.
A dedicated team of six board-certified dermatologists, three physician assistants, two nurse practitioners and a staff of 85+ employees are committed to delivering the ultimate level of patient care. Through working with each patient one-on-one, our team can prevent and provide early detection of any skin problems with effective treatment options, ultimately establishing healthy skin for lifetime.
The practice is divided into the following specialized areas:
The medical area of the practice regularly evaluates and treats 200+ patients of all ages and skin types, daily. Common skin conditions and diseases include: acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, melasma, rosacea, vitaligo and skin tags/warts. Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center also serves as a secondary and tertiary referral center by many fellow dermatologists within the area.
Well-credentialed physicians, state-of-the-art equipment and medically proven skin care treatments and products mean patients will receive the highest level of treatment and care at Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center. Armed with decades of advanced training, experience and research, these highly recommended physicians can detect and treat virtually any skin problems for all ages.
Over 2000 skin cancer patients are treated each year at the practice, with many requiring multiple procedures for cancer removal, reconstruction, and also preventive treatment for pre-malignancies. The surgical area of the facility also includes an on-site histopathology laboratory for rapid frozen section analysis of skin biopsies of surgical specimens.
Skin cancer is a key player in the practice, being a popular referral center for Mohs Micrographic Surgery and reconstruction. Dr. Gary Monheit and Dr. Gene Stancut are both highly skilled Mohs surgeons performing surgery daily in the surgical center and at the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital. Dr. Gary Monheit is a former Mohs College Fellow and also trained with Dr. Frederic Mohs, the originator of the procedure. He was the first physician who performed Mohs surgery for the treatment of skin cancer in Alabama. A fellowship training program under Dr. Monheit’s direction has been a part of the practice for 27 years with ongoing research projects involving the detection and treatment of skin cancer.
Dr. Gene Stancut has recently joined the Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology team as a highly-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon and board-certified dermatologist. His Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology fellowship, directed under Dr. Conway C. Huang at UAB (Birmingham, AL), is one of the largest and most reputable programs in the nation.
Our Phototherapy Center is operational 10 hours per day, 5 days a week with three light machines (UVA/narrow band UVB, and hand/foot unit) and an XTRAC laser used to treat psoriasis, vitiligo, mycosis fungoides, and other recalcitrant skin conditions. Phototherapy/PDT at our practice is administered by a Registered Nurse for safety purposes.
Since the beginning of chemical peels to the early development of laser treatments in removing blemishes and rejuvenating skin, the team at Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology has closely followed the evolution of cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Gary Monheit has been instrumental in the development and dispersion of many techniques and technology in cosmetic dermatologic surgery, including the Monheit Peel and various clinical studies for both fillers and toxins. Years of experience have positioned our practice at the forefront of cosmetic dermatology.
Our expertly-trained team of physicians and licensed aestheticians use the most up-to-date cosmetic techniques to help patients treat visible signs of aging and other skin imperfections. Every patient’s skin is unique, and our staff can customize a wide variety of cosmetic procedures, laser treatments, chemical peels, facials and skincare products to the specific needs of each patient.
The research area of the practice is dedicated in conducting clinical trials for a wide variety of dermatologic medications, treatments and devices. Ongoing Phase II, III, and IV clinical studies are underway on medications for acne, psoriasis, actinic keratoses and eczema. The research department also tests new forms of cosmetic fillers and injectables for various anti-aging purposes.
Treatment of certain skin cancers may lead to scarring. Some patients may qualify for a less invasive treatment known as superficial radiation therapy. Superficial radiation delivers radiation therapy using X-rays. The beam only penetrates the surface of the skin. This type of therapy avoids deep tissue damage and minimizes scarring, particularly around the face.
What to Expect
Superficial radiation therapy is painless. It is a nonsurgical outpatient procedure. Depending on the area of the body being treated, you may be asked to lie down on an exam table, stand or sit upright in a chair. Treatment lasts a few minutes. The area being treated may feel warm during treatment. Your physician may recommend multiple therapy sessions.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects of superficial radiation therapy are limited to the part of your body receiving the radiation. Side effects may include:
- Dryness
- Hair loss
- Itching
- Redness
Cancers Treated
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology is excited to announce plans to open a new medical aesthetic spa in downtown Birmingham, appropriately named “Total on 1st”. The spa will be occupying space on the first floor of the Woodward building (former PNC Bank building), located at the corner of 20th Street and 1st Avenue North.
The medical aesthetic spa concept will offer a full menu of medically-focused skin care services for all skin types within a soothing, spa-like environment. This will be an opportunity to offer new services to the downtown community including various facials, the latest skin rejuvenation and anti-aging treatments such as neurotoxins (Botox® and Dysport®), cosmetic dermal fillers, resurfacing treatments, laser therapy, medical-grade skincare products, massages, CoolSculpting, spa packages and more.
We are planning to open our space in May of 2021. Please stay tuned for more details as our plans unfold! Please see the official press release here.
