History of "Dermatoloģijas klīnika"
Dermatologists have been working at “Veselības centrs 4” since its establishment in 1994. Initially, the clinic was located in Riga, on K. Barona Street, and "Veselības centrs 4" patients were seen by a few doctors who diagnosed and treated inflammatory and other skin diseases. On-site diagnosis of the disease was possible by means of skin biopsy, the only method of in-depth diagnosis of dermatological diseases at that time. Therefore in terms of the number of skin biopsies performed "Veselības centrs 4" was a leader not only in Riga, but also in Latvia that period. In the late 1990s, sexual health was a hot topic in Latvia, with the issue of sexually transmitted diseases also being publicised. Although, in order to draw patients' attention to treatment options, in 1997 “Veselības centrs 4” merged dermatologists' offices to create the Department of Skin and Sexual Health Care (ĀSVA). It initially had four staff members: two dermatovenerologists (Dr S. Zemvalde, Dr E. Zvagūzis), one immunologist (Dr L. Līcītis) and a nurse. In the period from 1997 to 2001, the team was joined by young dermatologists of the time - V. Priedīte, R. Karls, S. Žīgure, L. Kapteine, as well as giants of Latvian dermatology history - J. Ķīsis and R. Gūtmane.
In 1999 the dermatologists at “Veselības centrs 4” started using the first dermatoscope in their daily work - device that allowed them to study under magnification what was not visible on the skin. Under the leadership of Dr Raimonds Karls, the head of dermatoscopy training for Latvian dermatologists at the time, dermatoscopy became one of the priority areas of "Veselības centrs 4", a method that was routine in the centre's daily work at the time, but still unattainable in many parts of Latvia.
In October 1999 Dr. R. Karls was unanimously elected as the first head of the department at the staff meeting and later (until February 2011) also headed “Estētiskās dermatoloģijas klīnika”. In February 2011, Dr. K. Cīrule was appointed as the methodological head of the clinic. After February 2015, Dr. L. Jacēviča briefly performed the duties of the Methodological Head. Since August 2015, Dr. L. Kapteine shifted to this position and Z. Rēvalde became Administrative Head since the end of 2013.
In 1999 one of the first foot treatment rooms in Latvia began to operate in the department of ĀSVA at “Veselības centrs 4”, where patients with blisters, warts, cracked feet and other problems, as well as patients with "diabetic foot" were treated. It was the experience of the ĀSVA podiatry office at “Veselības centrs 4” that became the foundation of podiatry throughout Latvia, with the establishment of the School of Podiatry.
In 2000 under the leadership of Dr.Karls, digital dermatoscopy combined with a computerised patient database was introduced in Latvia, enabling precise digital processing and storage of data on skin formations, providing a high-quality guarantee for the doctor's work. Patients of that time can still view images of their formations today when consulting a doctor.
Analysing the possibilities offered by new technologies, the dermatologists at “Veselības centrs 4” began to investigate how to perform minor surgical manipulations on their own, without the help of surgeons - removing skin growths, lipomas, unwanted moles, treating ingrown toenails, etc. In 2000 “Veselības centrs 4” dermatologists started to use the first laser purchased for dermatology, which allowed them to deal with the need for surgery in an alternative way by removing the skin growth from the surface of the skin with a laser instead of cutting it out. This was the Derma K laser technology from Sharplan, the world's leading laser manufacturer at the time, which incorporated two types of lasers - carbon dioxide CO2 and Er-YAG - state-of-the-art in science and technology.
In 2001 dermatologists started to use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices with wavelengths designed to remove excess hair and unwanted blood capillaries to treat various medical and aesthetic skin problems.
The introduction of the above technologies into their daily work enabled doctors to offer patients a unique package of 'full-circle' dermatological services, i.e. from diagnosis of the problem to the implementation of treatment tactics or on-the-spot operative treatment. Only “Veselības centrs 4” offered such a package of services, which a patient could receive in one day, in one facility and in one department. Thanks to this approach, the ĀSVA department of “Veselības centrs 4” gained popularity, achieving high attendance rates.
In 2003 as the aesthetic dermatology services of the department gradually increased, "Veselības centrs 4" renamed the ĀSVA department to the “Estētiskās dermatoloģijas klīnika” (EDK).
In 2004 diode lasers were added to the clinic's treatment equipment for vascular problems, and "Veselības centrs 4" became the first clinic in Latvia that started to use DermaScanC, a high-frequency 20 MHz ultrasound device for skin examination, which allows the user to see and analyse the skin structure and choose the most appropriate method - surgery, laser or other therapies for the removal of skin neoplasms.
In 2004 there was a small staff turnover, J. Ķīsis retired and was replaced by Dr. L. Jacēviča.
In 2005 an advanced diagnostic method for moles, melanomas and other skin neoplasms - siascopy - was introduced, which allows to determine the depth localisation and three-dimensional (3 D) structure of skin growths.
In 2007 "Veselības centrs 4" was the first in the Baltics to introduce a unique method of skin examination - confocal laser microscopy, which replaces skin biopsy.
In 2007 the specialists started working with the Ruby laser, which made it possible to remove tattoos, unwanted pigmentation and hair.
In June 2008 the clinic moved to a much larger premises in Riga to Skanstes Street and was renamed the largest “Estētiskās dermatoloģijas un plastiskās ķirurģijas klīnika” in the Baltics. In 2009 this name was changed to „Dermatoloģijas un ķirurģijas klīnika”, afterwards followed the current name – "Dermatoloģijas klīnika".
In 2008 the range of laser technologies at EDK was significantly expanded and was joined by two CO2 lasers from Lasering, a KTP laser and other technologies that were initially the only ones anf unique in Latvia.
In 2010 the most modern structural unit of "Veselības centrs 4" in the Baltics was established - “Baltijas Vēnu klīnika” (BVK) and a part of the BVK was integrated into the premises of „Dermatoloģijas un ķirurģijas klīnika”. It includes a consultative and outpatient surgery department with a modern operating theatre and a day hospital.
Since 2011 „Dermatoloģijas un ķirurģijas klīnika” serves as a centre for scientific testing and training of technologies and a training base of Riga Stradiņš University.
At the end of 2011 the clinic was awarded the international quality management system certificate in accordance with ISO 9001:2008. This confirms the high level of services provided by the clinic in the certified field of activity, which covers the provision of primary and secondary healthcare services in outpatient and day hospitals with an operating theatre.
In 2012 the latest and most advanced MoleMax digital dermatoscopy equipment was introduced, which includes a unified mole mapping system.
In 2013 the A. R. C. Diodes Fox (1064 nm) laser was launched for the treatment of nail fungus.
In 2013 the clinic's medical technology fleet gains valuable additions: a CO2 fractionated laser, which can perform laser procedures equivalent to plastic surgery, and a multifunctional ELOS plus diode laser with radiofrequency energy.
In 2014 the Vbeam™Perfecta laser, which targets the cause of pigmentation, was launched for the removal of various vascular problems, congenital and acquired skin pigments.
In 2014 laser hair removal was performed with the CANDELA GentleLase Pro-U™ alexandrite (755nm) extended pulse laser with patented Dynamic Skin Cooling (DCD) system.
In 2016 EUFOTON's LASEmaR 2000-12W laser is used for endovenous treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
In 2016 the first DEKA Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser (1064 nm) in Latvia was used for the removal of black and coloured tattoos, permanent make-up and dark pigmented areas and skin.
In 2017 the Dublo HIFU high-intensity focused ultrasound device with cartridge starts to be used for skin lifting and rejuvenation of the face, neck and décolleté area, correction of the facial oval, reduction of perioblique wrinkles and nasolabial folds.
In 2018 "Dermatoloģijas klīnika" celebrated its 10th anniversary.
In 2018 the ATMB Bodystudio + additional trichocopy components/ Photo Finder dermatoscopy device was launched for the accurate diagnosis and automatic comparison of skin neoplasms.
In 2018 specialists start using EVRF® (radiofrequency) technology to treat haemorrhoids.
In 2018 specialists start using a completely new laser surgical technique, TOTAL EVLA (presented by Dr. Ints Ūdris), for the endovenous treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (HVM).
In 2018 the specialists of "Dermatoloģijas klīnika" were the first in the Baltics to have the opportunity to learn an innovative device - Freezpen, which is used to remove various neoplasms.
In 2019 Crisalix 3D technology is being introduced, allowing patients to "see" the outcome of their planned plastic surgery.
In 2019 the ultra-light B-lite breast implants are launched for breast plastic surgery.
In 2019 a procedure to isolate stem cells from a patient's adipose tissue for further use in medical and beauty treatment is introduced.
In 2020 the clinic performed the first-ever venous surgery in Latvia using the third-generation neoLaser neoV1940 laser combined with the innovative Infinite Ring Fiber laser fibre.
In 2020 the clinic participated in the testing of innovative products developed in Latvia to reduce the symptoms of ageing, rosacea, dermatitis and acne (from Labrains Ltd).
In 2020 Lutronic's INFINI 3D technology is introduced, which includes a high-intensity focused radiofrequency (RF) solution for multilevel skin therapy.
In 2020 Alma BeautyFill from Lipolife, a unique laser treatment solution in the Baltics, was introduced.
In 2020 the multi-technology platform Alma HarmonyXL was introduced for effective simultaneous treatment of multiple skin problems.
In 2021 a new, premium DermLite Photo X dermatoscope with a functional Nailio stand, especially suitable for onychoscopy, was introduced.
In 2022 the DEKA SmartXide Punto CO2 laser was introduced for the treatment of serious dermatological defects and skin rejuvenation procedures.
In 2022 “Dermatoloģijas klīnika” becomes the only clinic in the Baltic States to introduce the multifunctional Lutronic Derma V laser platform with 532nm green diode and 1064nm Nd:YAG laser wavelengths for complete treatment of vascular and pigmentation defects, skin rejuvenation and laser resurfacing.
Dermatology Clinic receives WhatClinic Patient Service Award 2022 in 2022