Atlanta Dermatologists Use Non-Surgical Technology to Treat Sun Damage and Prevent Skin Cancer

Dermatology Associates of Atlanta offers non-surgical options to detect and prevent further sun damage, treat existing symptoms of photo damage, and minimize the risk of skin cancer.

Atlanta, Georgia  May 17, 2012

As the most prevalent type of cancer, with 3.5 million new cases diagnosed every year, skin cancer is a growing concern amongst men and women of all many ages in America. Photo damage accumulated over a lifetime is the number one cause of skin cancer. Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s board-certified dermatologists and providers have expanded their services to offer patients treatment for the effects of sun damage with Allumera® and photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Though prevention with broad spectrum sunscreen is the most effective way to avoid skin cancer, Dr. Ashley Curtis of Dermatology Associates of Atlanta stresses that detection is equally important to those who have been sun burned in the past and may have accrued dangerous photo damage, “Our UV damage detection imaging is an impactful way to see the effects of unprotected sun exposure before they become visible to the naked eye. This is especially important for younger patients; the fastest growing cohort of skin cancer suffers.”

Dermatology Associates of Atlanta uses the results of this skin scanning technology and 36 years of practice experience to devise the proper prescription of treatment. Dermatology Associate’s providers customize treatment for each patient. Dr. Stephen Kraus compiles custom topical compounds to treat pre-cancerous actinic keratosis before they progress.

The newest addition to the service menu, Allumera® skin treatment is a topical solution applied to the skin, allowed to absorb, rinsed, and activated with photodynamic (light) therapy to break up hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage and improve overall skin surface texture.

PDT is also used by Dermatology Associates of Atlanta to treat certain pre-cancers and remove some pre-cancerous moles. Dr. Joseph Payne, who has been with the practice since 2007, specializes in performing skin cancer removal surgery such as MOHS for those patients diagnosed with more invasive forms of the disease. He shares about PDT’s appeal to patients, “Light treatment for pre-skin cancer may seem counterintuitive, but applying the light sensitive drug to the treatment area and combining with the right wavelength of light can actually destroy questionable cells that could become cancerous without the surgery or side effects of treatments past.”

While these treatments aren’t suitable for all sun damage or skin cancer patients, these options promote the practice’s mission for life-long healthy skin in their patients—head to toe. Practice partner since 1986, Dr. Scott Karemeplis adds, “Proper skin care and cancer prevention is an ongoing commitment. It means an open relationship with your dermatologist and dedication to the care plan he or she prescribes. These treatments make following those instructions easier than ever, improving long term results and health.”

ABOUT DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF ATLANTA
Dermatology Associates of Atlanta (DAA) is an all-encompassing dermatological practice, founded by Dr. Edmond I Griffin in 1976, that has been serving the Atlanta, Georgia area for over 36 years. The medical providers at DAA have over 150 years of combined experience in their fields and all physicians are certified by the American Board of Dermatology. DAA has eight in-house specialty centers including The Atlanta Center for Veins, The Laser Institute of Georgia, Skin Medics™ Medical Spa, Psoriasis Treatment Center, The Griffin Center of Hair Restoration & Research, The Surgical Suite, Atlanta Cosmetic Surgery Center, and Dermatology/Skin Cancer Center.
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