Dermatology in Sarasota & Bradenton
Dermatology covers the skin, hair, and nails — from the acne flare on a teenager’s face to a suspicious mole on a Florida retiree who has spent decades in the sun. At the Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery, our dermatology team is led by Dr. Ilya Lim, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, alongside Dr. Shauntell Solomon, DO.
Together they cover medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology for patients across Sarasota, Bradenton, and the broader Gulf Coast — one of the highest-UV regions in the country, where skin cancer screening is not optional.
What Is Dermatology?
Dermatology is the medical specialty focused on the skin — the body’s largest organ — along with the hair and nails. A dermatologist diagnoses and treats thousands of conditions, from common issues like acne, eczema, and rashes to serious ones like melanoma and other skin cancers. They also perform surgical procedures to remove growths and cosmetic procedures to refresh aging or sun-damaged skin.
A board-certified dermatologist has completed medical school, a one-year internship, and a three-year dermatology residency, then passed the board certification exam through the American Board of Dermatology (for MDs) or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (for DOs). The FAAD designation you see after Dr. Ilya Lim’s name stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and it signals active board certification and ongoing professional standards.
In Florida, dermatology carries a particular weight because our sun exposure is high year-round. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and Gulf Coast residents in Sarasota and Bradenton develop it at rates well above the national average. Regular skin exams are one of the most effective preventive services available.
When to See a Dermatologist
Common reasons patients book with our dermatology team:
- A new or changing mole, or a spot that bleeds, itches, or won’t heal
- Acne that is not responding to over-the-counter products
- Persistent redness, flushing, or visible blood vessels (possible rosacea)
- Dry, itchy, inflamed skin (possible eczema)
- Thick, scaly plaques (possible psoriasis)
- Warts, cysts, or other growths
- A rash that will not resolve
- Sun-damaged skin, brown spots, fine lines, or texture concerns
- Annual full-body skin cancer screening, especially with a personal or family history
- A referral from your primary care doctor for a suspicious lesion
If you are unsure whether your concern is medical or cosmetic, book a visit anyway — we sort that out at the appointment.
Meet Our Dermatologists
Dr. Ilya Lim, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist practicing the full scope of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. He performs skin cancer screenings and biopsies, treats chronic skin conditions, handles dermatologic surgery, and offers cosmetic services such as neurotoxins, fillers, and laser treatments. His FAAD designation reflects active membership in the American Academy of Dermatology and ongoing continuing education requirements.
Dr. Shauntell J. Solomon, DO is a board-certified osteopathic dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon who joined IDO from Skin and Cancer Associates in South Florida. She completed her dermatology residency at Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine’s program at Broward General Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale and a fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami. She also holds board certification in Family Medicine from earlier in her career, which shapes how she practices dermatology as whole-person care. She sees the full range of skin conditions and performs Mohs surgery for skin cancer alongside Dr. Lim.
Both physicians see patients at our Sarasota and Bradenton offices.
Medical Dermatology
Medical dermatology covers conditions that affect the skin’s health rather than its appearance. Most visits are covered by medical insurance.
Acne. Chronic inflammatory condition affecting the oil glands and pores. Treatment ranges from topical retinoids and antibiotics to oral medications and hormonal therapy for adults. We build a plan around your skin type and severity — no one-size-fits-all protocol.
Rosacea. Chronic redness and visible vessels, often with acne-like bumps, most common on the central face. Treated with topicals, oral medications, and sometimes IPL or laser to reduce redness. Skin care choices matter, and we cover those at the visit.
Eczema. Also called atopic dermatitis. Itchy, inflamed patches that come and go, often in the crooks of the arms and behind the knees. Treatments include emollients, topical steroids, non-steroidal creams, and newer biologics for stubborn cases.
Psoriasis. Autoimmune skin condition producing thick, scaly, red plaques, often on the elbows, knees, and scalp. Options range from topicals and phototherapy to systemic biologics for moderate-to-severe disease.
Warts. Caused by HPV, warts appear on hands, feet, and elsewhere. We treat with cryotherapy, cantharidin, and other office-based methods. Stubborn or plantar warts sometimes need combined approaches.
Rashes. A rash is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and there are hundreds of possible causes. A dermatologist can identify the pattern and either treat it or refer you if it turns out to be systemic.
Cysts. Benign fluid- or keratin-filled sacs under the skin. Small ones can be left alone; symptomatic or recurrent ones are removed in the office under local anesthesia.
Actinic Keratosis. Rough, scaly precancerous spots caused by long-term sun exposure — extremely common on the Gulf Coast. If left untreated, a small percentage can progress to squamous cell carcinoma, so we treat them with cryotherapy, topical medications, or field therapies like photodynamic therapy.
Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and Sarasota and Bradenton — with year-round sun and an older population — see it constantly. Our team handles the full pathway: screening, biopsy, treatment, and reconstruction.
Skin Cancer Care. Our hub for all skin cancer services. Covers basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and rarer types. We coordinate biopsy, definitive treatment, and follow-up in one practice.
Skin Cancer Screening. A full-body skin exam is one of the most valuable preventive services we offer. We recommend at least annual screenings for high-risk patients — anyone with a personal history, family history, or significant sun exposure. Early detection changes outcomes.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery. The gold-standard technique for treating many skin cancers on the face, ears, and other high-priority areas. The surgeon removes tissue in thin layers and examines each under the microscope in real time, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible while confirming clear margins. Both Dr. Ilya Lim (board-certified in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery) and Dr. Solomon (Mohs fellowship-trained at Larkin Community Hospital) perform Mohs at IDO.
Skin Cancer Removal. For skin cancers where Mohs is not the best fit, standard excision with pathology follow-up is used. We choose the technique that fits the cancer type, location, and patient.
Melanoma. The most serious form of skin cancer. Early-stage melanoma is highly treatable; advanced melanoma requires coordinated care. Any suspicious pigmented lesion — new, changing, asymmetric, or bleeding — deserves prompt biopsy.
Mole Removal. Moles are usually benign, but any that are new, changing, or bothersome can be evaluated and, if appropriate, removed. Cosmetic mole removal is also available for moles that are simply in an unwanted spot.
Dermatologic Surgery. In-office surgical removal of benign and malignant skin lesions with pathology confirmation. This is the workhorse category that covers everything from cysts and lipomas to excisional biopsies.
Cross-link note: When a skin cancer sits on or near the eyelid, our oculoplastic team handles the reconstruction after Mohs. Dr. Renelle Lim, our fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon, performs facial reconstruction near the eye.
Cosmetic Procedures
Laser Skin Resurfacing. Uses laser energy to remove damaged surface layers and stimulate new collagen. Treats sun damage, fine lines, scars, and uneven texture. Different lasers suit different concerns — we choose based on your skin type and goals.
UltraClear Laser. A cold-ablative fiber laser platform designed to resurface skin with less downtime than traditional CO2 or Erbium lasers. Works on tone, texture, fine lines, and acne scars.
IPL Moist Protocol. Intense pulsed light treatment for brown spots, redness, and sun damage using a technique that keeps the skin hydrated during treatment to improve comfort and results.
Microneedling. Creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production. Improves texture, fine lines, and acne scars. Can be combined with radiofrequency (Morpheus8) or platelet-rich plasma.
Morpheus8. Combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to tighten skin and remodel deeper tissue. Popular for jawline, neck, and body areas where standard microneedling alone would not reach.
Neurotoxin / Botox. Neuromodulator injections that temporarily relax targeted muscles, softening frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Results appear over a week and typically last three to four months.
Dermal Fillers. Hyaluronic acid and other injectables that restore volume and smooth folds around the mouth, cheeks, and tear troughs. Because Dr. Renelle Lim is oculoplastic-trained, we have specific expertise in tear trough fillers where the anatomy is unforgiving.
Biostimulator Treatments. Injectables such as Sculptra and Radiesse that stimulate the body’s own collagen production, giving a gradual, natural-looking lift over months rather than an immediate fill.
Skin Rejuvenation. Combination approach that layers multiple treatments — laser, IPL, microneedling, medical-grade skincare — to address overall skin quality. Especially popular with Florida patients who want to reverse years of sun exposure.
What to Expect at Your Dermatology Visit
Your visit runs about 20 to 45 minutes depending on what brings you in.
- Intake. We collect medical history, medications, sun exposure history, and family history of skin cancer.
- Examination. For a full-body screening, you change into a gown and the dermatologist inspects skin head to toe, including scalp and areas that don’t see the sun. For a focused visit, we examine the specific area of concern and any related regions.
- Diagnosis and plan. Your dermatologist explains what they see, whether biopsy is needed, and what treatment options exist. Simple procedures — biopsies, cryotherapy for a wart, an injection for an inflamed cyst — are often done the same visit.
- Follow-up. For biopsies, we contact you with pathology results within about a week and schedule any needed follow-up treatment.
Bring your insurance card, a list of medications, and a list of any spots you specifically want examined. If you are coming for a skin cancer screening, avoid heavy makeup and remove nail polish so we can see everything.
Insurance & Payment
Medical dermatology visits — anything diagnostic or treatment-focused — are typically covered by medical insurance. That includes skin cancer screening, biopsies, acne management, eczema, psoriasis, and surgical removal of medically indicated growths.
Cosmetic services — Botox, fillers, laser resurfacing, elective mole removal for appearance — are self-pay. Our team gives you a written estimate before any cosmetic procedure.
Some services live in both categories. For example, a growth that is diagnosed and removed for medical reasons is covered by insurance; an identical-looking mole removed purely because you don’t like it is self-pay. We tell you which category yours falls into at the visit.
We accept most major medical insurance plans across both our Sarasota and Bradenton offices. Verify your specific plan with our front desk when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get a full-body skin check?
Most Florida adults should have a full-body screening at least once a year. Anyone with a personal history of skin cancer, a strong family history, or many atypical moles may need more frequent visits. Your dermatologist will set the interval that fits your risk.
Is a mole biopsy painful?
The area is numbed with a small injection of local anesthetic. The sting of the injection is the worst part, and most patients describe it as a brief pinch. The biopsy itself is painless.
How long do biopsy results take?
Typically about a week. We contact you with results and, if further treatment is needed, we schedule it right away.
Do I need a referral to see a dermatologist?
That depends on your insurance plan. Most plans allow direct access to dermatology, but some HMOs require a primary care referral. Check with your insurer or call our office and we will help you find out.
Are cosmetic treatments safe on darker skin tones?
Many are, but the choice of device, setting, and technique matters. Some lasers work well on all skin tones; others carry higher risk of pigment change on richer skin tones. We select devices and protocols based on your specific skin type.
How is Mohs surgery different from a regular excision?
In Mohs, tissue is removed in thin layers and each layer is examined under the microscope immediately. If cancer remains at any edge, another layer is taken from that specific spot only. Standard excision removes a predetermined margin all at once, with pathology reviewed later. Mohs preserves more healthy tissue and offers very high cure rates, which is why it is preferred for skin cancers on the face.
Can you treat both my medical and cosmetic concerns in one visit?
Sometimes. If you have a covered medical visit and want to discuss a cosmetic concern, we can usually schedule the cosmetic consultation for the same day or a follow-up. The medical portion is billed to insurance; the cosmetic portion is self-pay.
What SPF do you recommend?
For daily Florida wear, a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, reapplied every two hours when outdoors. Mineral formulations (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are our default recommendation for sensitive skin. Ask us at your visit for specific product suggestions.
Book Your Dermatology Appointment at IDO
Whether you need an annual skin cancer screening, treatment for a chronic condition, or you are ready to address sun damage cosmetically, our dermatology team is here at both our Sarasota and Bradenton locations.
Sarasota: 1617 S. Tuttle Ave, 3rd Floor — (941) 559-8336 I Bradenton: 5266 Office Park, Suite 203 — (941) 499-0199