Hypnosis: A therapeutic alternative

Tampa, Fla. -- Dermatologists can use hypnosis as an adjunctive or monotherapy for helping patients relax for in-office procedures, feel less pain, or even change habits such as skin picking. What dermatologists might not know about medical hypnosis is it usually takes only one to three minutes to induce hypnosis, using a brief hypnotic technique, according to Philip D. Shenefelt, M.D., associate professor of medicine, Division of Dermatology in the Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa.