The DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG was founded in September 1997 in the former Alten Oberpostdirektion building at Stephansplatz by Professor Dr. Volker Steinkraus. The goal was to establish a modern practice and day clinic for the diagnosis and therapy of skin disorders.

Its name pays homage to the significant Hamburg dermatologist Professor Paul Gerson Unna (1850 – 1929), who founded an institute for the diagnosis and therapy of skin disorders with the same name in the previous century.

At the beginning, there was a mission: every patient should be diagnosed, treated and cared for as one would like to be diagnosed, treated and cared for if one were a patient oneself. The patient with all its needs is at the centre of the mission, and is treated with state-of-the-art technology in accordance with the applicable guidelines.

In 1997, Prof. Volker Steinkraus started with four employees: a secretary, two nurses and a biologist. Now, 12 years later, 150 staff work at the DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG, and on average 300 patients are treated every day. The team of 30 doctors (including 20 specialists) covers the entire spectrum of treatments with specialists: traditional dermatology, operative dermatology, allergology, vascular surgery, laser medicine and dermatological lab diagnostics.

Along with founding the DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG he also founded a laboratory for histology, mycology and bacteriology. This meant that patients' diagnoses could be available within 24 hours.  Today this laboratory has grown to a 12-person operation (including five biologists) where analyses are sent. Over 100 dermatologists send their samples here. In addition, a lab for molecular biology was established.

Despite its success and its associated growth, the mission of its founder year is still at the forefront: the patient is still the focus of all the actions of the DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG. The great solidarity in the team has made it possible to build up a special team spirit in the past 12 years, which governs communication with the patients, the cooperation, the medical consultations and all aspects of life at the DERMATOLOGIKUM.

1997

  • The DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG is founded by Prof. Volker Steinkraus M.D.
  • The skin research institute SIT (Skin Investigation and Technology) is founded

1998

  • A phototherapy department is established

1999

  • A department for laser medicine and aesthetic dermatology is set up
  • A department for clinical cosmetics is established
  • The Skin Biology Center, Hamburg (SBC) is founded

2001

  • Dr. Welf Prager, Dr. Blödorn-Schlicht and Dr. Désirée Hölscher become partners at the DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG
    The DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG FOUNDATION is founded

2004

  • The practice is certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2000

2005

  • Prof. Kristian Reich becomes a partner and together with Prof. Volker Steinkraus he assumes the management of the DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG
  • Dr. Jens Alm sets up a department for vascular surgery
  • SCIderm Hamburg (Scientific Research, Clinical Studies and Innovative Consulting) is established to perform clinical studies at the DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG

2007

  • Dr. Jens Alm becomes a partner at the DERMATOLOGIKUM HAMBURG

2008

  • A special consultation in occupational dermatology is set up