Dermatologist Dr. Will Richardson
By John Hayden
Living in the Sunshine State means pool parties, outdoor activities all year, and increased sun exposure. Dr. Will Richardson, founder of Natura Dermatology & Cosmetics in Fort Lauderdale, expects the number of skin cancer cases to rise over the next couple of years and is sharing important advice.
During a chat with OutClique, he gave useful insights into why. During the pandemic, the number of skin cancer cases dropped, but that’s not a good thing. The reason behind the drop is because people skipped regular dermatology checkups and ignored warning signs.
Now that people are getting what they may consider ‘elective’ checkups, Dr. Richardson expects the number of cases to rise. Skin cancer kills 144 Americans a day, and being in sunny Florida, we see more than our share. He has some advice for patients. “We need to create awareness around the A, B, C, D, and Es of melanoma.”
Asymmetry: Do you see a mole where one half looks different from the other
Border: Does a mole or beauty mark have fingerlike projections or a star shaped pattern
Color Variation: The darker the color the more urgency to have it looked at
Diameter: If it’s bigger than a pencil eraser
Evolving Lesions: Take selfies and compare size of moles six months later
Dr. Richardson also suggests applying SPF 30 or higher to your body and SPF 100 to your face every two hours you’re in the sun.
Feeling Like Home
Dr. Richardson has been a dermatologist for more than 20 years and since opening Natura he’s worked to make his office feel like home for his patients. “They’re coming to a person who’s going to treat them like family, and also in a position that’s going to take care of their skin.”
His interest in dermatology began as a child watching his mother deal with a severely itchy skin condition. That longtime interest is evident after just one visit. “What sets us apart from other practices is passion. When you are passionate about what you’re doing, it’s naturally attractive to people that are drawn to it.”
That passion has made him one of the top doctors in the country for injectables. “There’s almost zero pain with my technique and you’re out having lunch on Las Olas that day.” One popular treatment is fillers for men. “Bellafill is the go-to filler for men. It is a five to ten year filler and the only filler on the market that lasts that long.”
Sagging and collagen loss begins in men around 35, and getting just the right proportions is key. Dr. Richardson says all you have to do is look at the red carpet events in LA. “Men want something that looks more natural. Bellafill doesn’t cause any sharp, defining features as we’ve seen in recent Hollywood stars that shall remain nameless.”
Even if you don’t need specific treatments like fillers or have any signs of skin cancer, Dr. Richardson says it’s still important to get an annual dermatology checkup, just like when you see your family doctor.
