Dr. Purnima Sau, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist Dr. Purnima Sau, who serves patients in Silver Spring, Maryland.

A well respected dermatologist & Dermatopathologist, Dr. Sau is the Founder of Silver Spring Dermatology in Silver Spring, Maryland. To recapture the confidence that comes with beautiful, glowing skin, she offers the following services: laser hair removal, laser genesis skin therapy, laser vein therapy, microdermabrasion, as well as treatment for acne, melasma, psoriasis, eczema, and more.

Since 1993, she has served as an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Sau received her medical degree from Calcutta National Medical Institute in Calcutta, India in 1966. She trained in pathology at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore (1970-1971), Kings County Medical Center in New York (1972-1973) and the Mallory Institute of Pathology in Boston (1974-1975). She then did a year of fellowship training in gynecologic pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital from 1975 to 1976. 

That same year, Dr. Sau joined the US Air Force as a pathologist and later as the Chief of Pathology at USAF Regional Hospital in Eglin, Florida. She trained in dermatopathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C. where she served as consultant dermatopathologist in the Department of Dermatopathology from 1979 to 1984. She then served as the Chief of Anatomic Pathology at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas from 1984 to 1985, and trained in dermatology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. from 1985 to 1988. 

From 1988 to 1995, she was appointed as the Assistant Chief of Dermatology and Chief Dermatopathologist in the Dermatology Service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She then became Chief of Dermatology Service and Director of the Dermatology Residency Training Program at the said institution in 1995. She retired from the US Army in 1998 and is currently in private practice. 

With a focus on better skin today, Dr. Sau is affiliated with Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Holy Cross Hospital-Silver Spring, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. In addition to her regular practice, she conducts skin cancer screenings at community hospitals as well as occasional guest lectures for academic institutions.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, she is board-certified in dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology (ABD). The ABD is a voluntary, non-profit, private, autonomous organization formed for the primary purpose of protecting the public interest by establishing and maintaining high standards of training, education, and qualifications of physicians rendering care in dermatology.

Furthermore, she is board-certified in dermatopathology & anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology (ABPath). The mission of the ABPath is to promote the health of the public and advance the practice and science of pathology by establishing voluntary certification standards and assessing the qualifications of those seeking to practice the specialty of pathology.

Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin, nails, hair and its diseases. It is a specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. Dermatopathology, on the other hand, is a joint subspecialty of dermatology and pathology or surgical pathology that focuses on the study of cutaneous diseases at a microscopic and molecular level. As a dermatologist and dermatopathologist, Dr. Sau specializes in studying skin samples and diagnosing skin conditions. 

In her years as an academic physician, Dr. Sau has produced over 50 publications, including a book chapter in Pathology of the Skin, 2nd Edition by Farmer and Hood and a Dermatopathology Interactive Atlas, CD-ROM.

On a more personal note, she speaks both English and Bengali.

Recommended Articles

• What are the Benefits of a Facial Serum?

  We have heard of adding facial serum to our daily routine to make skin glowing and to keep aging at bay.What are face serums and what are their benefits? Facial serums are fast-absorbing liquids meant to provide nutrients deeper into the skin than normal creams and lotions. It is used either in...

• Purpura

  PurpuraPurpura refers to purple-colored spots that are usually seen on the skin, including mucous membranes and other organs. It is also called skin hemorrhages or blood spots.Purpura is usually recognized when there is pooling of blood under the skin due to ruptured small blood vessels. The size of...

• Don't Be a Flake: Tips for Dry Skin

  What is dry skin?Dry skin is one of the most common skin problems, and can cause discomfort and embarrassment. Dry skin may look red and flaky and feel tight or painful. It can also cause intense itching, which can disrupt sleep. Often, dry skin is a symptom of some underlying medical issue that...

• Using Sunscreen Does Not Guarantee Full Protection

  According to a new study, people who apply sunscreen regularly and vigilantly may have more painful and damaging sunburns. In this study, the researchers collected data regarding the different methods of shielding the sun, and the effectiveness of each of these methods. Data was collected from more...

• Is Skin Cancer Fatal?

  Unlike what most people think, skin cancer, like most other cancers, is fatal. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in many countries, including the United States. More than 5 million skin cancer cases come up each year. Over 3 million of these cases are found in the United States. In fact,...

• What is Chicken Pox: Get the Facts

  Chicken pox, also known as varicella, is a very contagious disease that is caused by presence of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The most typical and characteristic sign of chicken pox is itchy bright red blisters all over the body. The varicella vaccine protects about 70-90% of the people who get...