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Acne Phototherapy

What is ALA?
ALA is short for Aminolevulinic acid and it is a clear solution that is applied to the skin during the treatment. ALA occurs naturally in the body and it is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin. ALA is preferentially absorbed by abnormal skin cells and therefore causes no damage to normal tissue.

How does PDT work?
When the skin absorbs the ALA it coverts it to a natural photosensitizer called Protoporphyrin IX (Pp IX). The skin is then illuminated with the light source and this begins the Photodynamic process of singlet oxygen production. The release of the singlet oxygen from Pp IX destroys acne causing bacteria and shrinks the sebaceous glands for long lasting results.

What can I expect?

  • The technician will do an aggressive acetone scrub, using cotton squares, on the area to be treated. Then ALA will be applied. The ALA will incubate for 30-60 minutes. After the incubation period, you will wash off the ALA and the SpaTouch machine will be used to administer light and heat, over about 15-20 minutes.
  • Subsequent treatment sessions may need longer incubation times depending on the patient's response and tolerance to redness and peeling.
  • After the treatment is completed you must remain completely out of the sun for 24 hours because sunlight can further activate porphyrin.
  • You may get a sunburn like reaction and experience some mild discomfort. Red, chapped and/or peeling skin may continue for a few days after the treatment.
  • Shortly after the first few treatments you may have a substantial breakout. The treatment is bringing out the acne forming deep below the surface of the skin. It's important to note that no new acne is being created.
  • You will be given more details in the Consent Form and Aftercare Instructions at the time of your first appointment.

    How many treatments will I need?
    To achieve maximum improvement in your acne, 4 PDT treatments are recommended. It is important to note that you will continue to see improvement in your acne long after the fourth treatment is completed.

    How effective is Photodynamic Therapy at treating acne?
    In worldwide clinical experience, phototherapy with SpaTouch LHE has been shown to successfully treat moderate to severe acne vulgaris with all skin types, in males and females of all ages, and with results lasting on average 6-12 months, often longer.

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Precancerous Phototherapy

What is an Actinic Keratosis?

Actinic Keratoses (AKs) are rough, scaly patches on the skin, caused by excessive exposure to the sun, that can sometimes progress into dangerous skin cancers. Many doctors believe that AKs and squamous cell carcinomas (skin cancer) are really the same condition at different stages of a continuing process.

How long has Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) been around?
ALA/PDT technology has been around for more than 20 years. It was approved
by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Actinic Keratoses in 1999.

What is ALA?
ALA is short for Aminolevulinic acid and it is a clear solution that is applied to the skin during the treatment. ALA occurs naturally in the body and it is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin. ALA is preferentially absorbed by abnormal skin cells and therefore causes no damage to normal tissue.

How does PDT work?
When the skin absorbs the ALA it coverts it to a natural photosensitizer called Protoporphyrin IX (Pp IX). The skin is then illuminated with the light source and this begins the Photodynamic process of singlet oxygen production. The release of the singlet oxygen from Pp IX destroys the cell membrane of the targeted cells.

What can I expect?

  • You will be given a series of three treatments, about two weeks apart.
  • The technician will do an aggressive acetone scrub, using cotton squares, on the area to be treated. Then ALA will be applied. The ALA will incubate for 30-60 minutes. After the incubation period, you will wash off the ALA and the light source will be used to administer light and heat, over about 15-20 minutes.
  • Subsequent treatment sessions may need longer incubation times depending on the patient's response and tolerance to redness and peeling.
  • After the treatment is completed you must remain completely out of the sun for 24 hours because sunlight can further activate porphyrin.
  • You may get a sunburn-like reaction and experience some mild discomfort. Red, chapped and/or peeling skin may continue for a few days after the treatment.
  • You will be given more details in the Consent Form and Aftercare Instructions at the time of your first appointment

 

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General Dermatology

  • Acne
  • Dermatitis
  • Eczema
  • Pigmented lesions
  • Pre-cancerous lesions
  • Psoriasis
  • Rosacea
  • Skin cancer
  • Warts
  • Any process involving skin/hair/nails

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Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in a layer of the skin. It attacks one out of every five Americans, making it the most prevalent form of cancer. However, the majority of all skin cancers can be cured if detected and treated in time.

There are several different kinds of skin cancers, distinguished by the types of cells affected. The three most common forms of skin cancer are:

Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as raised translucent lumps. This cancer develops in 300,000 to 400,000 persons each year. Although the disease does not usually spread to other parts of the body through the blood stream, it may cause considerable damage by direct growth and invasion.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is usually distinguished by raised, scaly reddish lumps or growths. This form of cancer develops in 80,000 to 100,000 persons per year. The disease can spread to other parts of the body. Approximately 2,000 deaths occur each year from this form of cancer.

Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma typically first appears as a light brown to black irregularly shaped blemish. This serious form of cancer results in death if undetected and untreated. It can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and the lymph drainage system.

Treating Skin Cancer
The dermatologic surgeon will select the most appropriate treatment for a particular skin cancer or precancerous condition from among the following procedures and techniques:

  • Curettage
    Malignant tissue is scraped away with a sharp instrument. This method is most effective for small, superficial cancers that were not treated previously. It is often followed by destruction of the cancerous tissue with an electric needle.

  • Surgical Excision
    Surgical excision, or cutting into the skin and removing the growth. The skin is then closed with stitches.

  • Cryosurgery
    Liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the skin to freeze cancerous tissue, in a more aggressive fashion than treating pre-cancerous growths

  • MOHS Micrographic Surgery
    Excision of a tumor and its surrounding skin with the aid of a microscope. This method allows the dermatologic surgeon to trace the outline of a cancerous growth, layer by layer, with exceptional accuracy. For more information please visit the website for the American Society for MOHS Surgery.

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COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY - Botox, Fillers, Juvederm & Radiesse

BOTOX Treatments:
BOTOX Cosmetic is a purified protein injected directly into the target muscle to trea
t vertical lines between the eyebrows, the squint lines or “crow’s feet” at the corners of the eyes and the forehead horizontal lines.  It may also be used for eyebrow positioning. This is a non-surgical procedure that weakens and relaxes facial muscles. Since there is no way to make the undesirable facial expression, the lines gradually smooth out from disuse, and new creases are prevented from forming. Other muscles like those needed to raise the eyebrows are not affected so a natural expression is maintained.

Other Applications
Excessive sweating can be alleviated with injections directly into the underarm skin. Botox paralyzes the sweat glands of the skin which are responsible for excessive perspiration. A single treatment session can provide months of relief, and experts believe that injections can be repeated indefinitely once or twice a year to maintain dryness.

Side Effects
Side effects are minimal and typically relate to the local injection. Soreness or mild bruising, while uncommon, may occur around the injection site. Makeup may be worn after treatment, but care should be taken to avoid pressing or massaging the area for several hours. In rare instances, patients may develop temporary weakness of the neighboring muscles, a temporary droopy brow or eyelid, or a headache.

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Juvéderm™ injectable gel is a nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment. Tiffany Serell, PA-C, MS eases Juvéderm™ under the skin using a fine needle to augment, or fill, the soft tissue of the dermis—the dense inner layer of skin beneath the epidermis—to add volume and diminish wrinkles and folds. Juvéderm™ injectable gel is used most effectively for those wrinkles and folds in the lower third of your face, like your "laugh lines," "smile lines" or "parentheses" (nasolabial folds), or "marionette lines" (oral commissures).

Juvéderm™ is a "next-generation" filler. It is made from hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to hydrate and add volume. Natural hyaluronic acid in your skin may diminish with age, contributing to the formation of wrinkles and folds. Juvéderm™ injectable gel works to correct this by restoring hyaluronic acid in your skin, helping to smooth wrinkles and folds.

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Content ©2005 American Society of Dermatologic Surgery


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