Laser skin treatment - Anti Aging Treatment

Laser skin treatment
October 8, 2007
WHDH-TV - 7 Healthcast

Laser skin treatment
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The days are getting shorter and summer is fading away, but sun damage to your skin is not. But there is a way to spot and put an end to those skin problems.

Some doctors are combining a drug and a specific type of light to remove certain skin spots.

"We were either on the lake or in the pool, one or the other," said sun lover Debbee Poche. "That's how we spent our evenings and our weekends."

Poche's years in the sun turned into pre-cancerous lesions, which are more than just unattractive.

"Some were red and scaly," Poche said. "I thought I had dry skin. I did not realize that was pre-cancer."

Debbee had photodynamic therapy.

A topical, called Levulin, is applied to the skin after microdermabrasion.

"The chemical most commonly will target precancerous skin cells," said cosmetic physician Dr. Fiona Wright.

A Blu-U laser activates the chemical.

"Medically it will remove the skin cancers; cosmetically, you get a great re-texturing, it helps with fine lines, reduces pores and I use it very aggressively to treat acne," Dr. Wright said.

Many of Dr Wright's patients add a photo-facial to help reduce redness.

"It changes texture of your skin, gets rid of the pre-cancer and my insurance paid for it," Poche said.

The treatment runs about $850. The Food and Drug Administration has also approved photodynamic therapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer and lung cancer.

7Healthcast is sponsored by New England Dental

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