Dr. Novikov Wellness and Skin Care

11/06/2025

We’re excited to introduce Briana Jackson, PA-C as our newest team member. She is hardworking, detailed oriented, and organized. She brings her experience and love of learning to the practice. Her patient approach is to act as if the patient is a family member.

Read more:
https://northborodoctor.com/2025/10/30/briana-jackson-pa-c/

We’re excited to introduce Briana Jackson, PA-C, the newest member of the Dr. Novikov Wellness & Skin Care provider team!

11/06/2025

It's time to read the November newsletter!!

Now is the perfect time to schedule your annual skin check. Most insurance deductibles reset on January 1, so taking …

10/31/2025

Don't let a skin lump scare you! Schedule your skin check with one of our skin specialists today. Turn your skin scares into skin care!

Happy Halloween.

10/30/2025

🎉 Happy 1-Year Workiversary, Whitney! 🎉

We’re celebrating one year with our incredible head scribe, Whitney!

She plays a huge role in supporting our providers and patients. Her hard work, dedication, and leadership make a difference every single day.

Thank you for all you do (and giving us a reason to have cupcakes too)!

10/29/2025

Wound care for loved ones in a nursing facility often happens at times when families aren't able to be there. So what should you be asking the wound care team? We came up with a list of questions for Dr Novikov.

Remember: Families who stay involved play a big part in the healing process. Don't hesitate to ask the care team questions.

https://youtu.be/Ilm2PBaH1g0?si=VlGBfKlsssooQsxl

Wound care for loved ones in a nursing facility often happens when families aren't able to be there. So what should you be asking the wound care team? We cam...

10/29/2025

We’re excited to welcome Physician Assistant Jennifer Hilgenberg to Dr. Novikov Wellness and Skin Care!

Jennifer chose medicine early in life, inspired by her brother’s severe asthma and a foster sibling’s grand mal seizures. “I always knew I wanted to be in medicine,” she says. “When I discovered how happy PAs are in their careers, I knew it was the perfect fit.”

Read more at the link below and then make your annual skin check appoint with Jennifer!

We’re excited to welcome our newest Physical Assistant Jennifer Hilgenberg to Dr. Novikov Wellness and Skin Care!

10/23/2025

Mole, cyst, or skin tag — should you remove them for cosmetic or medical reasons?

Mikhail Novikov, MD, explains that it depends on each patient’s case and requires an individual approach.

If a mole or skin tag is only a cosmetic concern and not causing irritation, bleeding, or pain, removal is optional. But if it’s getting caught on clothing, bleeding, or becoming painful, that makes removal medically necessary.

For moles, Dr. Novikov and providers use a dermatoscope to look for any atypical features that could indicate risk for skin cancer. If a mole appears abnormal or shows signs of change, we remove it surgically as a medical necessity.

10/22/2025

As we age, brown spots often appear on the hands, face, and shoulders — but how do you know when to have them checked by a skin specialist?

Mikhail Novikov, MD, explains:
Watch for changes in shape, color, size, or borders. If an age-related spot is changing quickly, it could be more than just aging—it may be cancerous.

Most brown spots are harmless signs of skin aging. However, if a spot becomes irritated, bleeds, or gets caught on clothing, it’s best to have it evaluated. Even non-cancerous spots can be removed for comfort or cosmetic reasons.

Connect with our office to make your skin check appointment.

10/16/2025

Summer is over - is fall a good time for a skin check?

Mikhail Novikov, MD, says it’s always a good time for a skin check. Summer sun exposure can be a ticking time bomb — it may take 10 to 20 years for sun damage to develop into skin cancer, depending on your immune system.

An annual full-body skin exam helps catch changes early. Photos are stored in your medical chart, allowing for side-by-side comparison at future visits. If a suspicious spot needs treatment, we can address it promptly — and if not, you’re set for another year.

Remember the ABCDEs of melanoma, especially E for Evolving — any mole or spot that’s changing is a red flag and an area that should be accessed by a skin specialist.

Call us today for an appointment and be seen as soon as next week!

10/15/2025

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day.

According to the World Health Organization and CDC, average hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers worldwide is only about 40%, with the highest compliance occurring after patient contact.

One common reason for poor compliance is “glove overconfidence”—the mistaken belief that gloves replace proper handwashing.

Mikhail Novikov MD discusses this data and emphasizes that at our practice, hand hygiene compliance is 100%.

For over 10 years, we’ve strictly followed handwashing protocols and hold our providers accountable for maintaining them. Sanitizers are placed throughout our office and carried to every facility visit.

Regarding glove use, Dr. Novikov explains:

You can never rely completely on gloves. In surgery, we sterilize our hands because gloves can break. The key is washing or sanitizing before and after every patient contact. If a glove tears, clean hands prevent patient exposure to infection.

10/09/2025

We celebrate our PAs all the time but especially during National Physician Assistant Week. Thank you for all you do Emily Phaneuf, Stephanie Matura and our newest PA Jennifer Hilgenberg

This week they and their colleagues across the country are celebrated for their contributions to medicine. The PA profession began in the 1960s as a solution to the national shortage of primary care physicians.

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants reported in the U.S.:

-The PA profession grew 27.9% between 2019-2023
-There were 178,708 PAs at the end of 2023!

PAs go through extensive training and thousands of clinical hours, and require continuing medical education. Our three PAs continue to go above and beyond for their patients and we appreciate them!

Come meet them at your next skin check appointment!

10/07/2025

What is an abscess—and how is it different from a cyst or pimple?

An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by an infection. Unlike a cyst or a simple pimple, an abscess usually comes with clear warning signs: redness, swelling, increased pain, and sometimes warmth in the area.

Because it’s a true infection, an abscess often needs more than just antibiotics. In many cases, surgical drainage is required to fully clear the infection. Our team frequently performs these procedures both in nursing homes and in our office setting.

📌 Key points about abscesses:

They are infections that form a cavity filled with pus.

Antibiotics may be needed, but drainage is often the most effective treatment.

Cultures help guide the right antibiotic if one is prescribed.

Prompt treatment prevents the infection from spreading or worsening.

💡 Why it matters:
While cysts are non-infectious sacs and pimples are minor blockages in the skin, abscesses are infections that demand proper medical attention. If you notice redness, pain, or swelling that’s getting worse instead of better, it’s time to get it checked.