sun damage
New Gel Used to Treat Precancerous Lesions
*Click on the image to view larger version.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with one in five Americans developing skin cancer through the course of a lifetime according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. In the past people did not know the risks of pre-mature aging and disease from sun damage. However, current data shows an absolute link between long term skin damage and sun exposure in the form of wrinkles, age spots and possibly cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation reported that over the past 31 years, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined.
Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s board certified dermatologists and providers know the importance of protecting your skin from and preventing sun damage. Actinic keratosis is the most common type of pre-cancerous lesion, affecting more than 58 million Americans. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, about 65 percent of all squamous cell carcinomas arise in lesions that were previously diagnosed as actinic keratosis.
Although actinic keratosis can be a frightening diagnosis, a newly FDA approved gel may be effective in treating the condition. We have discussed topical treatments in a previous blog used specifically for acne; this new topical gel is designed to treat precancerous skin lesions within several days. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, previous treatments took weeks, and sometimes months, to effectively address this condition. The new gel product, Picato®, is applied for one to three days rather than over a span of weeks or months.
The study researched more than 900 people with actinic keratosis on their face, scalp or body. The results showed that the gel cleared the lesions nearly 43 percent of the time when used on the face or scalp, compared to with nearly 4 percent for the placebo. This medicine has the potential to be very beneficial as patients are more likely to adhere to the treatment instructions’ short required application time.
Other treatments for pre-cancers include photodynamic therapy, cryosurgery, and laser treatments. Determining the best treatment for the patient is imperative in treating the condition before it can become skin cancer. The providers of Dermatology Associates of Atlanta stress to their patients the importance of getting a skin cancer body check annually to catch skin problems early because skin cancer .
If you would like more information on skin cancer treatment and prevention or to schedule a skin consultation, please contact our office today. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest skincare news and information.
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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Don’t Miss Our Special on Chemical Peels!
Now through January 31st, 2012, you can save $50 on some of your favorite Skin Medica® chemical peels from Skin Medics™ Medical Spa. Enjoy a Vitalize Peel® for only $100 to reduce the appearance of melasma, sun damage, and acne with one treatment and no downtime. For a deeper peel that will improve moderate to severe acne, acne scarring, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, try our Rejuvenize Peel™ for $200. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
Sun Myths Debunked: DAA Celebrates Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Dermatology Associates of Atlanta addresses some of the most common sun myths for skin cancer awareness month. Do tanning beds cause skin cancer? Does sun exposure get rid of acne? Pick up a copy of Atlanta’s Best Self Magazine to find out!
Drivers Beware: Left Sided Skin Cancer Rates Increasing Warn Dermatology Associates of Atlanta
You wear sunscreen at the beach to protect you from sunburn; you avoid tanning bed use; you wear protective clothing when you are outdoors for prolonged periods of time. But have you ever stopped to think about potential sun damage while you are behind the wheel of your car?
A recent study published in the Journal of the AmericanAcademy of Dermatology found that, for professional drivers that spend prolonged amounts of time in the car, more skin cancer appeared on the left side of their faces. At least for drivers in America, our left side (especially our face) is exposed to more sunlight because the driver’s seat and driver’s side window is located on the left side of the car. The sun that penetrates the window and hits our skin can be just as harmful as if we were outside, an aspect of sun safety that many people tend to overlook.
With almost 12,000 skin cancer deaths last year alone (according to the American Cancer Society), it is more important than ever to protect yourself from the sun no matter where you are – and that includes the car.
Make sure to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen (protecting against UVA and UVB rays) everyday, even if you do not plan on being outdoors. Wear protective clothing while in the car for prolonged periods of time. It is also a good idea to get your windows tinted or look into UV filters for your car windows, especially if you drive a lot for your profession.
For more information on sun safety, look at our previous blog. Or if you wish to schedule an annual skin cancer check with one of our board certified dermatologists, contact our office today.
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