Patient Center

To Our Valued New Patient:

Thank you for choosing Atlantic Shore Dermatology. We look forward to helping you with your dermatologic needs. For your convenience, we use an automated telephone reminder system, which will notify you of the date and time of your appointment two days beforehand. However, we do ask our patients to arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time. This allows you time to complete new patient information (if not completed prior to your visit) and us time to prepare your chart. If you arrive late for your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule. If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your appointment, please notify us 24 hours in advance. Minors (under 18 years of age) are required to bring a parent or legal guardian to the first appointment.

Please view and download the forms that are required for your first visit:

Patient Information
Patient Medical History
New Patient Forms

If Applicable:

Minor Patient Consent
Incapacitated Patient Consent

Bring the completed forms, your insurance card(s), and a method of payment for your co-pay. If you are not insured, you will be required to pay for your visit in full before you leave the office, unless other arrangements have been made with the Practice Manager. If you need to verify your insurance availability, click here to download an accepted insurance list.

We look forward to getting to know you and thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office.

Sincerely,
The Staff of Atlantic Shore Dermatology

Dear Valued Patient:

Every year we are required to have our patients fill out new Patient Information forms. This helps our office keep your records current as well as submit claims to the correct insurance. Please view, download, and fill out these forms completely prior to your scheduled appointment. Although your information may not have changed at all, we still need a new completed form on file each calendar year.

Please view and download the forms that are required at your first visit of the new calendar year:

We do ask our patients to arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time. This allows you time to update your patient information (if not completed prior to your visit) and us time to prepare your chart. If you arrive late for your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule. If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your appointment, please notify us 24 hours in advance. Minors (under 18 years of age) are required to bring a parent or legal guardian to the appointment, unless a Parental Consent is on file.

Keep in mind that new insurance cards are typically distributed at the beginning of the calendar year. Giving us the most current information and insurance card(s) will help us file your claim correctly and avoid having to ask for additional information later.

The staff of Atlantic Shore Dermatology always appreciates the understanding of our patients.

Sincerely,
The Staff of Atlantic Shore Dermatology

Remain vertical (i.e., sitting or standing) and refrain from touching treated areas for 6 hours to avoid spread of Botox/Dysport to adjacent muscle groups. It is permissible to dab makeup lightly on treated area after one hour. Do not exercise for 24 hours. You may contract treated muscles repeatedly for several hours. This leads to more active uptake of the toxin into the muscles so that they become inactivated more quickly.

Successful therapy is signaled by the weakening of muscles, which begins 24-48 hours after injection and peaks at approximately 7-10 days. Ninety percent or more of patients will respond to Botox/Dysport injections.

An ice pack can be applied lightly after injection to decrease the formation of bruises. However, do not massage area.

Transient ptosis (lid lagging) is the most significant complication of injection in the brow area and occurs in 1-2% of injections. If it occurs it is usually short-lived, approximately 2 weeks, and is minimal, 1-2mm. Please call the office if this or any other concerning complications occurs.

Laser care for sun spots:

1. Wash area while in shower with soap and water.
2. Apply antiobiotic ointment to treated area until it heals.

Laser care for vessels:

1. Wash area while in shower with soap and water.
2. Some swelling is normal, especially if vessels on cheeks were treated.

Laser care for angiomas:

1. Wash area while in shower with soap and water.
2. Apply antiobiotic ointment to treated area until it heals.

Laser care for hair:

1. Wash area while in shower with soap and water.
2. Apply antiobiotic ointment to treated area until it heals.

Laser care for tattoo:

1. Wash area while in shower with soap and water.
2. Apply antiobiotic ointment or vaseline to treated area until it heals.

Biopsy Care, after 24 hours:

1. Wash area two times daily with soap and water.
2. Apply antibiotic ointment to area two times daily.
3. Apply band-aid to area two times daily.

Liquid Nitrogen care:

1. Wash area while in shower with soap and water.
2. If a blister is to form, you may sterilize needle with alcohol and puncture side of blister with sterile needle and press gently on top to express fluid.
3. Apply antibiotic ointment to areas morning and night.

Canthacur Care:

1. After 1-2 hours gently wash area with soap and warm water.
2. If a blister is to form, you may sterilize needle with alcohol and puncture side of blister with sterile needle and press gently on top to express fluid.
3. Apply antibiotic ointment to areas morning and night.

ED&C Care:

1. Wash are two times daily with soap and water.
2. Apply antibiotic ointment to area two times daily.
3. Apply bandage to area two times daily.

Excision Care:

1. The first 48 hours the pressure bandage we applied should be left on the site, after the 48 hours, remove bandage at end of shower, gently wash with soap and water. Then begin regular wound care.
2. Wash area two times daily with soap and water.
3. Apply antibiotic ointment to area two times daily.
4. Apply bandage to area two times daily.

• If you should have any bleeding after a procedure you should apply firm pressure for 15 continuous minutes. If still bleeding after 3 intervals, then call the office.
• Biopsy results – We will call you with any abnormal results. If your biopsy is normal we will not contact you. No news is GOOD news. However, if you are not comfortable with that, you are more than welcome to call the office in 12-15 days for your results.
• If you have any questions or concerns please contact the office.

We are contracted with the following insurances:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of GA (PPO and Open Access HMO/POS)
• Cigna
• Covenant Administrators
• Evolutions
• First Health
• Great West
• Group Resources
• Healthgram
• Humana
• Mail Handlers
• Medicare
• NovaNet PPO Network
• Tricare Prime with current referral
• Tricare Standard
• UMR (2nd tier)
• United Healthcare

We are not contracted or “in-network” with HMO insurances. We can see these patients but there may be a higher out of pocket expense for the patient.

We do not accept the following insurances:

• Medicaid
• Amerigroup
• Peachcare
• Wellcare

Patients with above insurance must pay our discounted self-pay rate in full at the time of service.

If you have questions regarding your billing statement, please call us at 912-634-4966 or email us. Please have the account number and patient name available.

PLEASE NOTE – If your bill is from Atlantic Dermatopathology, an outside lab used for some biopsies, please contact them directly at the phone number listed on your statement, as they are not associated with Atlantic Shore Dermatology.

If you would like a copy of your records from our office, please complete an Authorization to Release Medical Information and return to us via mail, fax, or email. Please allow two (2) business days to process your request.

If you would like a copy of your records from another provider’s office sent to our office, please complete an Authorization to Release Medical Information and send to the other provider’s office.

A Physician Assistant (PA) is a highly trained professional specialized in dermatology. Our PAs, Rachel Hawkins Duncan, Hannah Davis, NP and Lindsey Gross Jones, are very well trained and experienced licensed/accredited PAs. They were selected by Dr. Cavalier based on their knowledge and clinical competence and abilities in taking care of patients and are very qualified to evaluate and treat dermatologic conditions, including skin cancer, rashes, and autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis and lupus. They are also well versed in various cosmetic procedures, including chemical peels, laser treatments, and injections. Dr. Cavalier has the highest level of confidence and trust in all of them.

Our specialty trained Physician Assistants both have Bachelor Degrees as well as Masters Degrees in Medical Science. They both graduated from an accredited Physician Assistant Program.

Results can take up to 14 days to be processed and received. This schedule depends on the day of the week the biopsy was taken and also if a holiday falls in the week of or the week after the biopsy is taken.

We say “No news is good news.” We will call if there are any abnormalities that need further treatment. Please feel free to call the office to obtain your pathology report result if you are not contacted and want your biopsy result.

Please contact your pharmacy and have them fax us a refill authorization request at 912-634-6542 or use our online prescription refill request form to the right. Please allow 24 hours for prescription refills. We will not refill prescriptions on weekends or holidays.

Typically, we need to evaluate the medication and its effectiveness for each patient. Some medications need monitoring and require lab work. Also, conditions can change, requiring new treatment plans.

Prior Authorizations (PA) can take up to two days to receive. There are many lines of communication that have to be cleared before the PA is denied or accepted. Please know that we will work hard to ensure you receive your medication or a substitute in a timely fashion.

Patients will start seeing results in as little as three days, but both can take up to 14 days before it takes full effect. We do not like adding extra before that point in case the full effect has not been achieved.

Do I shave before my laser hair removal appointment? What about waxing?

You should shave the area 1-2 days prior to your appointment. Laser works by destroying the hair bulb deep below the skin and side effects are minimized by having the hairs clean shaven or short. Please also avoid plucking or waxing any areas you wish to be treated for at least 4 weeks.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

The laser does deliver a pulse of energy that can sting so we recommend use of a topical numbing cream prior to your appointment to minimize discomfort. This cream can be prescribed to you prior to your appointment.

Does laser hair removal have any side effects?

Your safety is our first concern at Atlantic Shore Dermatology. Laser hair removal is a procedure that should only be performed at a reputable medical facility by a trained provider like the medical team at Atlantic Shore Dermatology. Common side effects include redness, swelling and discomfort. Protective eyewear is used to ensure safety.

It depends on the laser and what is being treated. Some side effects include redness, swelling, and peeling. All of these side effects are temporary.

Following Blu light treatment, skin may redden. Swelling and scaling are also common side effects to the treatment. Some patients report stinging and burning of the skin.

Blu light may be repeated after close evaluation by one of our providers. Contraindications include patients with cutaneous photosensitivity and any sensitivity to any of the components of the Levulan Kerastick. You should also notify your provider if you are using any topical prescription products on the face and scalp. Tell you provider if you are pregnant or nursing.

We carry a wide variety of fantastic products which allow us to customize a treatment regimen specific to your skin care needs. In addition to our Rx grade private label products, we carry skin care products from Obagi, Revision, Skin Ceuticals, MD Solar Sciences, La Fontaine, Latisse and more!

Patients may schedule a cosmetic consultation to discuss what products are best for them. Please also visit our online store for our extensive product offering.

Dry, scaly spots commonly found on the face, chest, ears, and hands; considered the earliest stage in the development of squamous cell carcinoma.

This is a benign growth that may share some features of a melanoma but is NOT melanoma. The presence of an atypical nevus, however, may increase the risk of developing melanoma and can also be a marker for it. Atypical Nevi are common in sun exposed areas. Yearly skin exams are recommended to assess for atypia.

This common skin cancer presents as a flesh-colored, pearl-like bump on areas of frequent sun exposure such as the head, neck and arms. BCC does not grow quickly but early treatment is recommended.

This can be caused by irritants or allergens that contact the skin. These lesions can present as red, scaly patches, vesicles, or small blisters. Patch testing can help determine if there is an allergic cause.

Granuloma Annulare may appear as skin-colored, red or violaceous spots or bumps occurring alone or in a ring-shaped lesion. GA can develop anywhere on the skin but commonly occurs on the tops of hands and feet, and on the elbows and knees.

Chronic disease of the skin characterized by white, slightly wrinkled, smoothed areas of the skin. These patches are usually found on the upper back, chests, and breasts. Lesions can also be found in the groin.

It is a common, chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by nummular, red, dry, scaly patches covered by white scales. Lesions are commonly found on the scalp, nails, knees, and elbows but can be found anywhere on the body.

This skin cancer presents as a firm red bump, scaly patch, or non-healing ulcer on areas that get frequent sun exposure such as the face, neck, ears, arms, and legs. Early treatment is very successful in stopping SCC’s from spreading to other areas of the body.