Dermatology in Penang

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on health issues affecting the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membrane. It is a specialty with both surgical and medical aspects. A dermatologist can address cosmetic issues, which can help to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin, nails, and hair. Being a dermatologist requires a great depth of clinical knowledge, including the variety of internal health problems that may cause skin symptoms. Dermatologists can treat over 3,000 conditions. Some of the most common are acne, dermatitis and eczema, hair loss, nail problems, fungal infections, warts, vitiligo, and skin cancer.

Dermatology has a number of departments and specialties, including:

• Cosmetic Dermatology – dermatologists have been the leaders in cosmetic surgery. Many dermatologists are trained on the use of fillers, botulinum toxin, and laser surgery. Some dermatologists also perform blepharoplasty, liposuction, and facelifts. However, most dermatologists limit their cosmetic practice to minimally invasive procedures.
• Dermatopathology – this field is a joint specialty of dermatology and pathology. It focuses on the study of cutaneous diseases at molecular and microscopic levels. Dermatopathology can make a definitive diagnosis of various skin diseases, including melanoma.
• Trichology – this is the study of the hair and the scalp. This field of dermatology deals with diseases such as hair loss, scalp changes, hypertrichosis, and hair abnormalities.
• Immunodermatology – this filed specializes in immune-mediated skin diseases, such as bullous pemphigoid and lupus.
• Pediatric Dermatology – pediatric dermatologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases in children, which include newborns and infants.

What does the Procedure Involve?

A range of medical and cosmetic procedures are used to manage issues affecting the skin, nails, and hair. Many skin conditions can be treated by medications and noninvasive procedures, while others may require more invasive approaches. The following are several dermatologic procedures:

• Cosmetic injections – cosmetic injections can temporarily address scarring, wrinkles, and reduced facial fullness. A dermatologist can inject botulinum toxic (Botox) or fillers, such as fat and collagen. The results may last for a few months before you need another injection.
• Chemical peels – this procedure is used to treat some types of acne, as well as sun-damaged skin. It can also treat other cosmetic complaints, such as lines under the eyes and age spots. During chemical peels, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. This chemical solution causes a layer of skin to peel off, revealing regenerated skin beneath it that is typically a lot smoother.
• Dermabrasion – this type of procedure uses a high-speed rotating brush to remove the top layer of the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and tattoos, scar tissue, and potentially precancerous areas of the skin.
• Cryotherapy – cryotherapy involves freezing skin lesions, usually with liquid nitrogen, to destroy the affected cells. It can be a quick treatment for a number of benign skin issues, such as warts.
• Hair removal or restoration – various methods can be used to address hair loss, such as hair transplants. On the other hand, dermatologists can use lasers to remove unwanted hair from the body.
• Excision of lesions – skin lesions may be cut away to prevent a disease from spreading, to improve symptoms, for cosmetic reasons, or to prevent reoccurring infection. Excision of lesions may be done under a local or general anesthetic.
• Laser surgery –can be used to treat a number of cosmetic problems or skin issues, such as warts, tumors, moles, scars, birthmarks, wrinkles, and unwanted tattoos.
• Tumescent liposuction – this procedure is used by dermatologists to remove fat. Large volumes of local anesthetic are injected into fatty tissue, then it is sucked from the body. Note that tumescent liposuction is performed to contour the body, not to treat obesity.
• Vein procedures – people with superficial leg veins, called spider veins, may want them removed. Several procedures can be done to remove them, but sclerotherapy is the most popular treatment. It involves injecting a special solution or a foam into the vein. The special solution and foam irritate the lining, causing the vein to become less noticeable or, in some cases, disappear completely.
• Skin grafts and flaps – missing skin can be restored using skin from other areas on the body. Dermatologists can also repair skin loss by making a flap of skin from a nearby area of the body. The flap of skin is then used to cover the damaged patch.
• Biopsies – a skin biopsy is usually needed to diagnose or rule out certain conditions.
• Mohs surgery – this procedure is a treatment for skin cancer. It involves removing layers of skin in order to get rid of cancerous cells. The removed skin layers are then examined under a microscope. Then, successive layers are removed until there are no more cancerous cells found in the skin.
• PUVA – Psoralen combined with ultraviolet radiation (PUVA) is a procedure to treat several skin diseases, such as vitiligo, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Psoralen is a drug that can make the skin more sensitive to radiation treatment.

How Long Should I Stay in Penang?

Depending on the type of procedure you have, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or stay for several days. For noninvasive treatments, such as chemical peels and cosmetic injections, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day and fly home within a couple of days. For invasive procedures, particularly to treat serious medical conditions, such as cancer, you may need to stay in the hospital for several days, and stay in Penang for at least 10 to 14 days. Your surgeon and/or medical travel team will advise you on this matter.

What's the Recovery Time?

Recovery time will vary depending on the type of procedure you have, the reason why you have the procedure in the first place, and your general health. Your dermatologist will usually give you a detailed recovery timeline for each procedure. In general, recovery time for nonsurgical procedures is typically short and you should be able to resume your normal routine within a few days. For surgical procedures, it may take several weeks until you are allowed to return to your full daily activities.

What About Aftercare?

Your dermatologist will give you a set of instructions to care for yourself during the recovery period. The instructions will be different for each type of procedures, but they may include a diet plan, light exercises to follow, how to care for your surgical wounds or affected area, activities you can or cannot do, signs of complications to be aware of, and medication to take. It is important that you follow your dermatologist’s instructions closely in order to avoid complications and to obtain the best possible results.

Some cosmetic procedures may not be permanent, such as dermal fillers and Botox, so you will need to have regular treatments in order to maintain the results. For skin cancer treatment, you may need to attend follow-up checkups to ensure that cancer has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

Experienced and skilled dermatologists will be able to deliver a high success rate and satisfactory results. However, every type of procedure carries some risk, which may include infection, swelling, bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and unsatisfactory results.

Are there Alternatives to Dermatology?

If you have any problems with your skin, going to a dermatologist is the only way to treat it. However, if the skin problem is caused by an underlying condition, your doctor or dermatologist will recommend you to see relevant doctors to treat it.

What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?

Before seeing a dermatologist, you may have a problem with your skin. You may not like the wrinkles on your face, or you may have a lesion that needs to be removed. After receiving treatment from a dermatologist, your skin problems should be addressed. You may be able to achieve your dream appearance, any disease you had before may be treated.

Dermatology in and around Penang

About Penang

Penang is one of the most visited states in Malaysia and is located on the north-west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang consist of two parts: Penang Island and Seberang Perai. Widely known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient,’ Penang attracts millions of tourists every year with its mixture of multicultural heritage, natural charms, and wonderful food.

Penang is also a popular medical tourism destination, with around 60% of the tourists who visited the state in 2017 came for affordable, high-quality medical treatment. According to the former Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, Penang’s medical tourism contributed 42.3% in revenue to the health tourism market in Malaysia. Medical tourists get the best in terms of quality, options, and savings. The top medical procedures are cosmetic surgery, eye care, and dental surgery.

Penang is a preferred medical tourism destination for the following reason:

• World-class doctors and well-trained nurses.
• Offers a wide range of excellent healthcare services.
• Affordable medical procedures cost less than other medical countries.
• No queue for specialist consultations.
• Public and private hospitals with global accreditation to ensure quality care.
• The perfect environment for rejuvenation and recovery.

Popular Areas in Penang

Packed with diverse culture and beautiful scenery, Penang is a wonderful place for tourists to explore. There are plenty of places to enjoy the most incredible sites including the white sand of Batu Feringghi, the iconic architecture of Kho Kongsi, the beautiful landscape from the summit of Penang Hill, the Tropical Spice Garden, and the pit vipers in the altars of Snake Temple.

Penang’s capital, George Town, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. George Town is home to a great number of heritage and arts as well as the largest collection of pre-war buildings in Southeast Asia. This historical city is the best place for tourists who want to indulge in cultural sight.

Considered as one of the best places in the world to savor delicious food, the culinary in Penang is a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan, Thai, and European specialties. Tourists can try traditional cuisines such as Assam Laksa, Nasi Lemak, Lok Lok, and many more. Vegetarian versions of the famous local street dishes are also available in various Chinese and Indian outlets.

Weather and Climate in Penang

Just like any other parts of Malaysia, Penang enjoys a year-round tropical rainforest climate which means it is warm and humid throughout the year. However, the temperature of Penang Island is often higher than the mainland. The average temperatures range between 29–32°C during the day and 25–29°C during the night.

The weather is usually warm in January and February. The rainy season usually starts during the southwest monsoon from April to September and October to early November. The best time to visit Penang is from late November to February as the weather is mostly sunny but it’s not too hot or humid to do outdoor activities during the day.

Getting Around in Penang

Penang is easily accessible by air since Penang International Airport has daily flights to and from domestic destinations and has International connections with Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Taipei, Hanoi, and many more major cities in Asia. The airport mainly serves budget airlines such as AirAsia and Firefly, although larger airlines including MAS and Qatar Airways also operate less frequent flights.

To reach George Town, tourists can take a taxi, bus, an airport transfer, or hire a car. Note that airport taxis operate on a voucher system, tourists must buy a voucher beforehand from inside the terminal to avoid taxi cheats. The taxi fare to George Town should cost around RM38 (around 9.00 USD).

There are several different types of public transportation available in Penang. Walking or a trishaw ride is the best way to get around George Town. Free CAT Bus (Central Area Transit) is available for tourists to get to popular attractions in the capital city for free. To travel around surrounding suburban areas of George Town, tourists can opt for Grab (e-hailing apps like Uber).

For longer distance trips away from the capital city, Rapid Penang Bus, or renting a car/scooter are the best options. Taxis are widely available around the island but be sure to agree on a price first because taxis here do not use meters.

Tourist Visas in Penang

Nationals of most countries are granted visa-free entry to Malaysia for 30 or 90 days. Holders of passports issued by China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Serbia, and Montenegro are required to apply for a Malaysian tourist visa. The foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a visa in advance before entering the country.

All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into Malaysia. Do ensure to have a valid visa and obey all the rules because the Malaysian Government has a very strict visa regulation and will punish those who violate the terms.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is the local currency. It is made up of 100 Sen (cent). 1USD is equivalent to RM4.20. Formerly known as the Malaysian Dollar, older Malaysians sometimes refer to Ringgit as ‘Dollars.’
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are available across Penang. Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in most hotels and established restaurants. There are plenty of moneychangers in the region and most banks will exchange cash with a commission. Be sure to carry small bills since many street vendors only accept cash. Tipping is not necessary because service charges are already included in hotels and restaurants but tourists may tip as a gesture of appreciation.
3. Local Language: the official language is Malay but English is widely-spoken since many locals can speak English proficiently. Other major languages spoken in Penang are Hokkien (Penang Hokkien), Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, Mandarin, and Tamil.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Islam is the official religion of Penang but there are other religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Christianity. Tourists can see the diverse culture and faith of Penang in Pitt Street, known as ‘Street of Harmony,’ where four different major places of worship stand only meters away from each other.
5. Public Holidays: Penang celebrates all the major religious holidays such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Wesak Day, Deepavali, and Christmas. Many festivals are lined up throughout the year. Penang also hosts unique festivals like George Town World Heritage Day every year on July 7 to commemorate the inscription of the city as a World Heritage City by UNESCO.