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Here at the Laser Institute, we are committed to offer the most cutting edge treatment options available in the field of Dermatology. To this purpose, I'm thrilled to announce we will now offer MOHS Micrographic Surgery for the removal of skin cancers and liposuction for the treatment of unsightly bulges and fatty deposits.
As always, we are happy to answer any and all your questions regarding your treatment. Please don't hesitate to contact us to schedule your next appointment at (310) 828 - 2282. |
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Skin Cancer and MOHS Micrographic Surgery
Skin cancer is the most common form of all cancers. More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year alone. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and least dangerous form of cancer while melanoma is the least common, but most dangerous.
A cancer simply means that a cell is replicating faster than it normally should. Most cells that make up the body divide and reproduce in an orderly manner at a set slow pace. This allows the body to grow, replace worn-out tissue, and repair injuries. If one of these cells is injured in some way (for example, by the sun) and becomes cancerous, it begins to replicate and divide much more quickly. With the cell dividing more rapidly, the body is unable to process all of the new cells and a mass forms. This mass of new cells is called a tumor. In some tumors, cells may break away from the mass, travel to other parts of the body and continue growing (metastasizing). Metastasizing is very rare in basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas under two centimeters in width.
Treatment for skin cancers include removal by scraping, burning, freezing, radiation, traditional excisional surgery, and Mohs, or microscopically controlled surgery. Treatment of skin cancers depends on size and location of the cancer, patient's age, and whether or not one treatment has been tried, but failed. Mohs microscopically controlled surgery has the highest cure rate. Removal of the entire skin cancer without taking more skin than necessary is another advantage of Mohs over other removal techniques.
Mohs surgery is minor and performed under a local anesthetic injected into the area. Then, a small layer of tissue is removed and immediately processed into slides for viewing. When completed, your doctor will review the slides and make a map of any remaining tumor. This process allows your physician to remove all of the tumor and leave as much healthy tissue as possible. As the tissue is removed in very small, conservative layers, a successful procedure generally involves two to three stages of removal and slide creation.
This process of systematically finding and removing all the "roots" of the skin cancer, gives Mohs surgery its cure rate of 98-99%.
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IPL AND CYNOSURE LASER TREATMENTS
FOR RED LESIONS
Besides tightening wrinkles and stimulating collagen growth for younger-looking skin, the IPL and Cynosure lasers can treat unwanted vascular, red-pigmented lesions such as port wine stains, birthmarks, and rosacea.
Both pigmented (freckles and sun-spots) and vascular lesions are often treatable through a series of laser treatments. Vascular lesions are skin blemishes due to abnormal blood vessels located under your skin’s surface giving the skin a reddish color.
The number of recommended treatments will depend on the size, location, and depth of the lesion. Before and after pictures of successful treatments are available in our office. |
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ASK AVA
Q: Can I still get treatments if I'm pregnant?
A: Actually, I would discourage you from getting most treatments. Certainly, you should avoid all laser treatments and cosmetic injectables. If you are breast-feeding, some injectables are acceptable if you "pump and dump" following treatments. However, you should always ask your doctor if a treatment is safe while you are nursing. |
Q: At what age should you start getting a full body check by a dermatologist?
A: I would recommend annual skin body checks beginning at age 25. Of course, if you have a suspicious growth that has changed in size, color, or shape you should have it looked at immediately. |
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LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that sculpts the body by removing fat from certain areas, such as the abdomen, upper arms, knees, cheeks, neck, thighs, and hips. Although there is no substitution for diet and exercise, liposuction can remove fat from areas that aren't responding to traditional methods of weight loss.
During liposuction, a narrow tube, or cannula is inserted through a tiny incision. The cannula is used to remove the fat layer that lies beneath the skin.
After the procedure, some swelling will be present in the area, but you will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body immediately following surgery. Scars from liposuction are very small and strategically placed to be minimally visible.
A consultation is required to determine candidacy.
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