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Announcement
"Patients' Choice Award" by Vitals.com
Dr. Sam Naficy has been awarded the "Patients' Choice Award" by Vitals.com - a website dedicated to rating the quality of physicians across the country. Out of 720,000 physicians, only 5% received this honor.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a "magic bullet" treatment that uses a combination of a photosensitizing agent (Levulan), and a particular type of light (laser or intense pulse light device). The photosensitizing agent (Levulan) is applied to the skin in the form of a liquid and is selectively absorbed by target cells over a short span of time. When photosensitizers are exposed to a specific wavelength of light, they produce a form of oxygen that which selectively destroys the target cells.
Photodynamic therapy is a way to selectively target skin cancers, precancerous conditions, oil glands, and acne. Photodynamic therapy techniques have recently been FDA approved for the treatment of some skin cancers, and precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses. Aminolevulinic acid (ALA or Levulan) has gained popularity and FDA approval as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses. If untreated, these actinic keratoses may progress into squamous cell cancers.
Typical conditions treated with photodynamic therapy include:
- Acne
- Actinic keratoses
- Sebaceous hyperplasia
- Bowen's disease
- Squamous cell carcinoma in situ
- Superficial basal call carcinoma
One of the pleasant side effects of photodynamic therapy is that it also rejuvenates the aging skin, treating broken capillaries, rosacea, brown spots, and fine lines. After photodynamic therapy is completed, strict sun avoidance for 1-2 days is required.
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