Acne can occur anywhere across your body, though it’s most common on the face, back, neck, and shoulders. Many times acne can be controlled with at-home treatments without the need for medical care. However, when acne gets out of control, it is time to see our dermatology team. Every situation is different and your treatment plan will be customized to your needs and preferences. We commonly treat acne with prescription medications (including Accutane and/or antibiotics), chemical peels, acne surgery, and customized at-home skincare regimens.
Central Iowa’s Best Dermatology Clinic
Welcome to Ducharme Dermatology, our award-winning medical and surgical dermatology clinic.
Erin Ducharme, MD, FAAD has been caring for patients from our Clive-based clinic since 2018. An Ivy-league educated physician, Dr Ducharme is a board-certified dermatologist, board-certified Mohs surgeon, certified women’s hormone therapy specialist and President-Emeritus of the Iowa Dermatological Society. Over her years in practice, Dr Ducharme has developed a reputation for tackling the most challenging dermatologic cases in the Des Moines area, evidenced by the large volume of care requests received by peer physicians.
For any medical conditions related to the skin, hair or nails, you will be in the very best hands at Ducharme Dermatology, winner of multiple awards for the best dermatology practice in the Des Moines area.
Need to pay online?
If you received a statement in the mail and would like to pay online, please check out our payment portal here!
About Dermatology
Dermatology refers to the practice of medicine dealing with the skin, hair and nails. Some of the most common issues we see include skin cancer, suspicious lesions, rashes, eczema, acne, warts, hair loss, psoriasis, and many more.
Always see a board-certified dermatologist
Many times skin, hair, or nail issues are manifestations of complicated underlying medical conditions which is why it is critical to visit a board-certified dermatologist to address your condition. Board-certified dermatologists receive at least 8 years of post-graduate medical and specialty training. Unfortunately there are many ‘clinics’ in the Des Moines area claiming to offer dermatology services, but do not have the training or expertise to properly diagnose complicated skin conditions. If you are looking to get solutions for your skin ailments, check the credentials of your provider and be sure to visit a board-certified dermatologist.
The best dermatological care, putting patients first.
Dermatology Excellence
Board-certified dermatologist Erin Ducharme, MD, FAAD is a leading local expert in medical conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails and takes great pride in providing the very best in dermatological care for all patients. You will be in the best hands with our seasoned team of advanced providers who have decades of combined experience.
Responsive and Compassionate Care
Our nursing and front office teams provide compassionate and discrete care for all your medical skincare needs. Our experienced nursing team is second-to-none in patient accessibility and ensuring your concerns are understood and addressed. Our front office team has a 90% call answer rate, ensuring that your inquiries are handled promptly.
We Share Your Urgency
Our front office excels at managing our waitlist and working with our providers to get you in for an appointment as soon as possible for urgent skin care needs.
Our Dermatology Services
Eczema is a chronic condition characterized by itchy, dry, and inflamed skin. Sometimes eczema can resolve over time, but it can also unfortunately be a life-long condition. Since eczema can worsen over time, it is important to see a dermatologist when you notice symptoms. Proper medical treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. At Ducharme Dermatology, we have a number of treatment options including prescribed topical creams, systemic therapies, and UVB light therapy.
Hair loss can manifest in a number of ways – shedding, pattern baldness, etc – and can be caused by a number of different factors. With an accurate diagnosis from a board-certified dermatologist, many people can achieve hair regrowth. The earlier you start treatment, the better likelihood for success. As hair loss can be very complicated and stubborn, sometimes several treatment options will be pursued before seeing improvement. If you notice sudden and significant hair loss, this may be a sign of a serious medical condition and you should seek medical care immediately.
Psoriasis occurs when the body makes skin cells too quickly, causing skin cells to pile up and form visible patches or spots on the skin. Most people who get psoriasis have it for life. Although the condition often appears contagious, thankfully it is not. Untreated psoriasis can result in an increased risk for other diseases as well as itching and pain. At Ducharme Dermatology, we have a number of treatment options including prescribed topical creams, systemic therapies, and UVB light therapy.
Rashes can be caused by allergies, infections, diseases, medications, nutritional deficiencies, and more. If you notice a fast-spreading, painful, persistent, or widespread rash, you should seek out dermatological care to diagnose the underlying cause and get appropriate treatment.
The three most common forms of skin cancer we see are basal cell carcinomas (BCC), squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and melanoma. If you have a history of skin cancer, it is very important to have your skin routinely evaluated. Common treatments for skin cancer include excision, electrodesiccation, and curettage (EDC), and Mohs surgery. With proper diagnosis, our medical team will be able to recommend a treatment plan. We perform Mohs surgeries on-site, with all surgeries performed by board-certified Mohs surgeon, Erin Ducharme, MD, FAAD.
If you are uncertain about new or unusual growths on your skin, we strongly recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist. Many times growths are benign, but sometimes these can be skin cancers or symptoms of underlying medical conditions. If you are very concerned about a spot, we do offer urgent work-ins and spot checks.
Warts are contagious raised bumps on the skin caused by some forms of the human papillomavirus (HPV). While warts can sometimes go away on their own, medical intervention can help with avoiding the spread of the disease to other body areas or other people. Before seeing a dermatologist, you may want to try at-home remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call or text or office at (515) 987-0333 to make an appointment. If you are looking to have a specific spot (mole, wart, etc) removed, you will need a consultation prior to the excision. You will receive an appointment reminder via text & email 3 days prior to your appointment. To avoid no-show fees, it is important that you let us know if you will be missing your appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment to complete intake forms. Please also remember to bring a copy of your insurance card and drivers license.
When you are booking your appointment with our front office professionals, please provide as much information as possible so they can appropriately schedule your appointment. We are typically booked out several weeks or months; if you have an urgent need, please communicate this as we may be able to work you in sooner.
Dermatologists address medical concerns relating to the skin, hair and nails. Sometimes these problems can be addressed by your primary care physician, but since these issues are often complicated, you may need to see a dermatologist. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
While sun exposure provides many health benefits, including raising Vitamin D, it also carries the risk of causing cellular mutations resulting in skin cancer. If you have light or sensitive skin, we recommend broad-brimmed hats and SPF protection to mitigate risks of developing skin cancer.
Our team is trained to provide specific recommendations for your skin health based on your individual needs and condition.
Comprehensive Dermatology Services
For your medical dermatology needs, our clinic provides routine clinical exams, minor removal procedures, out-patient surgical care (including Mohs surgery), UVB light therapy, and more. We rarely refer patients out from our clinic and are typically able to effectively address your needs at our office. All surgical procedures are performed in-office with local anesthetics.
If you are seeking aesthetic care, our sister clinic, Brightside Aesthetics, provides a full range of non-invasive aesthetic services to address aging, acne, scarring, body composition and more. All services and aesthetic providers are overseen by Dr Erin Ducharme.
Medical
We provide board-certified physician care for medical concerns such as suspicious lesions, skin cancer, moles, warts, acne, rashes, psoriasis, rosacea, and other skin conditions that impact your quality of life. We accept most commercial insurances and Medicare.
Surgical
If your skin condition requires surgical removal, we perform the vast majority of procedures in-office. Our surgical specialties include Mohs surgery, excisions and destructions..
Aesthetic
At our sister clinic, Brightside Aesthetics, we provide a full suite of aesthetic services, including advanced facials, microneedling, Intense Pulse Light (IPL), laser treatments, peels and much more.
Meet Your Provider
Our founder, Dr Erin Ducharme, is a skilled dermatologist in Des Moines with years of medical experience. Dr Ducharme’s credentials include being a board-certified dermatologist, board-certified Mohs surgeon, Certified Women’s Hormone Therapy Specialist, and President-Emeritus of the Iowa Dermatological Society. A graduate of Columbia Medical School in New York city, Dr Ducharme is an Iowa native and is committed to serving the Des Moines community’s medical and aesthetic needs.
Financing at Ducharme Dermatology & Brightside Aesthetics
At our medical clinic, we do accept most forms of commercial insurance and Medicare. For out-of-pocket expenses, for both medical and aesthetic care, we offer financing through our partner Cherry. Cherry provides quick and simple access to financing for your medical and aesthetic out-of-pocket expenses, often with zero-interest options available.