You CAN Cure Acne With Lifestyle Changes

Author: Anonymousbr
Source: free-articlesbr
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New York, NY June 26, 2004 — (Advanced Dermatology PC) The medical community is always searching for a โ€œmagic bulletโ€ treatment that can cure any host of ills without delivering a laundry list of side effects. While dermatology experts are stopping short of using that term to describe Aminolevulinic Acid, they are finding that the drug can be highly effective in the treatment of numerous skin conditions, with only a few mild side effects.

Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA), an FDA approved treatment, in concert with Photodynamic (light) Therapy (PDT) is used to treat Actinic Keratoses which are skin lesions that can lead to skin cancer. Dermatologists and researchers across the country have been studying its effectiveness in resolving other skin conditions, with positive results. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, such investigational use of ALA with short-contact PDT can help to resolve moderate to severe cystic acne, rough and discolored sun-damaged skin, rosacea, severely oily skin, and some types of warts, achieving success rates between 25% and 90% in small-scale studies and single-practice surveys. (The AAD has recently called on the National Institutes of Health to engage full clinical trials of ALA-PDT therapy on these conditions.)

Joshua Fox, M.D., founder and director of Advanced Dermatology P.C. and a leading dermatological expert, believes that one of the most important benefits of ALA therapy is the absence of reported harsh or long-term side effects. He explains, โ€œMany patients with severe cystic acne, rosacea and other serious skin conditions are prescribed antibiotics or isotretinoin โ€ or both โ€ as primary long-term treatments. Antibiotics are often ineffective, though, and can lead to immune resistance problems in the long run, as well as the questioned association with breast cancer, while the use of isotretinoin has been linked to a variety of difficulties, from headaches and fatigue to dry skin and vision troubles, birth defects and rarely suicide.โ€

Patients undergoing ALA therapy with short-contact laser therapy, on the other hand, are likely to experience only slight tingling or burning at the therapy site, and some mild swelling for a few days after treatment is complete. According to a study published in the January/February 2004 issue of the Journal of Drugs for Dermatology, researchers at the University of Montreal Medical Centre found no long-term negative effects of ALA-PDT therapy, even when used on large surface areas of the skin.

According to Dr. Fox, ALA-PDT is a classic example of a combination therapy, because neither step alone is as effective as both steps are together. Heres how it works: a solution of the Aminolevulinic Acid is applied to the affected areas of pre-skin cancers of the skin for a period of 20-60 minutes and removed with a sterile swab. The skin is then exposed briefly to a special blue light or laser, which activates the drug. โ€œWhen the ALA is activated by the laser, it generates a toxic reaction within the diseased pre-cancerous cells, and they die off โ€ a process called necrosis,โ€ Dr. Fox explains. Because practitioners are able to pinpoint the therapy only to the affected areas of the skin, patients are free from the worries and discomforts often associated with systemic necrotic therapies like topical chemotherapy that may blister and crust much of the face. โ€œThere is much less โ€˜collateral damage โ€ healthy cell destruction โ€ and faster healing – with ALA-PDT therapy,โ€ Dr. Fox adds.

โ€œAminolevulinic Acid and Photodynamic Therapy offers patients with a variety of other dermatological issues hope,โ€ Dr. Fox concludes. โ€œSome of these conditions are both disfiguring and painful, and often the standard treatments for them can add even more discomfort. ALA-PDT therapy, on the other hand, offers an effective alternative that can be quickly and safely administered by a dermatologist, and is measurably gentler to the patient.โ€

Bio: Joshua L. Fox, M.D.

Joshua L. Fox, M.D. is a leading authority in the field of dermatology with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery, and laser procedures. As an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Fox has been an expert resource on dermatologic topics for numerous television networks including ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, Telemundo, talk shows, radio stations, newspapers and magazines. Dr. Fox has served on the board of the National Rosacea Foundation and has done clinical trials in both medical and laser therapy in Rosacea. He has received multiple research and clinical awards including recognition from Top Doctors, Whos Who, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology, Community Service Award from the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the prestigious Husic Award as well certificates of recognition for service from multiple hospitals, civic, educational and community organizations. Dr. Fox has authored and presented papers of his research on lasers, cosmetic procedures, stretch marks, scars, skin cancer, bug bites, photosensitivity and various rashes.

As founder and director of Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Fox and associates have expanded the practice to the one of largest in dermatology, laser cosmetic surgery with more lasers than any hospital or dermatology practice on the eastern coast. Dr. Fox is a graduate of the New York University Medical Center of Skin and Cancer and has been on the advisory board of the Psoriasis Foundation and National Rosacea Foundation among others. He has also been a fellow of many societies including the International Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. Dr. Fox is the founder of the AAD Melanoma/Skin Cancer Prevention Program in Queens, New York since 1987. Dr. Fox has been Chief of Dermatology of several major teaching hospitals including Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens and Jamaica Medical Center and is currently on the staff of ten NY area hospitals. Dr. Fox and Advanced Dermatology the Center for Laser Cosmetic Surgery have been used as a resource center educating dermatologists, laser surgeons, cosmetic surgeons and others about lasers, cancer and cosmetic surgery.br
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Author: William Nelsonbr
Source: articleage.combr
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Every year there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and
colon cancers combined. One in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime.
90% of skin cancers are caused by excessive sun exposure, yet fewer than 33
percent of adults, adolescents, and children routinely use sun protection.
Cancer prevention and early detection techniques could eliminate up to 100,000
cancer cases and 60,000 US cancer deaths each year. New technologies in the
evaluation and treatment of sun damaged skin could have a positive impact on
changing these statistics.
The same sunny weather that attracts so many tourists and new residents to the
sun-belt also increases the risk of skin cancer. The effects of chronic sun exposure
result in superficial sun spots that are visible and also invisible changes that occur
under the skins surface. Ultraviolet photography and photodynamic therapy (PDT)
are two recent developments that should help in the early detection and treatment
of both types of pre-cancerous skin lesions.
Early Detection with UV Photography
Ultraviolet (UV) photography offers a very useful screening tool to help the skilled
physician detect sun damaged skin that may not be visible upon a routine
examination.
Visual inspection can only detect changes on the skins surface, but damage due to
sun exposure occurs beneath the outer layer of skin,
The UV camera briefly shines ultraviolet light on the face. UV light is able to
penetrate 1.5-2.0 millimeters under the visible dead layer of skin and focus on the
actual living portion where sun damage originates. The advantage to the doctor and
the patient is that this technology allows for much earlier detection of skin problems
before they develop into pre-cancers that are visible on the skins surface. After
finishing the treatment plan, the doctor should take another UV photo to verify the
treatment efficacy. UV photography also helps evaluate other skin conditions
including acne, oil balance, hydration, inflammation, growths, fungi, pH, and thin
skin due to reduced collagen which makes it an ideal tool to evaluate all problem
skin.
After the damage to the deeper layers of skin, superficial signs of sun damage may
eventually appear on the surface. The most common surface lesion is known as
actinic keratoses (AK). AKs usually appear as rough or scaly patches. They may also
flake, crust, and may temporarily disappear and then return.
An AK is most likely to appear on the face, ears, scalp, neck, backs of the hands and
forearms, shoulders, and lips – the parts of the body most often exposed to
sunshine. The scaly patch may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, or a combination of
these…or the same color as your skin.
It is estimated that 10-20% of untreated AKs will develop into squamous cell
cancers. If treated early, almost all AKs can be eliminated without becoming skin
cancers. If you have AKs, it indicates that you have sustained sun damage and have
a higher risk for developing all types of skin cancer – not just squamous cell
carcinoma.
The more keratoses a person has, the greater the chance that one or more may turn
into skin cancer. People may also have up to 10 times as many subclinical (invisible)
lesions as visible, surface lesions. These invisible lesions were undetectable until
the development of the UV camera.
Treatment options
The most common treatment options for AKs have traditionally involved topical
ointment 5-FU (Effudex), laser resurfacing, or chemical peels. To avoid the
prolonged recovery period and possible scarring associated with these techniques,
photodynamic therapy has been developed.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the treatment of choice for the invisible deeper sun
damage as well as the visible pre-cancerous AK lesions. PDT involves a two step
process that has been proven effective in clinical testing. This treatment cleared
100% of the AKs in 2/3 of the patients after one treatment.
The first step is the application of a topical solution called Levulan. Abnormal cells
have a much greater affinity for the solution and absorb it while the healthy cells do
not. The solution is left on for an incubation period lasting anywhere from 15
minutes to 18 hours.
The second step of PDT is to apply a concentrated light source to activate the
chemical reaction which destroys the abnormal cells. Since the solution is absorbed
only in the damaged cells, the healthy cells are not affected. This process can cause
a mild burning sensation during the treatment. Usually, this improves immediately
after treatment and ends within 24 hours.
Following the treatment, most patients experience mild swelling, redness, and a
peeling of the AK lesions and the surrounding tissue. Patients choosing a more
aggressive treatment will experience more peeling and/or crusting of the damaged
skin that resolves within in one or two weeks. The doctor can easily control the
severity of these reactions by limiting the incubation period and the amount of
exposure to the light source.
Patients not willing to experience a prolonged recovery time after the procedure
may choose a more mild treatment and return to work after a day or two. The
tradeoff is that they will require more treatments to achieve the same clinical
results.
In addition to eliminating AKs and the subsurface skin damage, PDT has also been
effective in improving the appearance of the skin by greatly reducing moderate to
severe acne (including cystic acne), reducing color splotches, lessening the fine
lines, and decreasing pore size.
Anyone who currently has, has had, or wants to prevent AKs or pre-cancerous skin
lesions should be evaluated and treated using UV photography and photodynamic
therapy (PDT). Once a person has been successfully treated using this approach, it
is recommended they return for a yearly follow up to prevent future problems.
William Nelson, NMD is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor and a member of the
American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Dr. Nelson specializes in treating
problem skin, reducing cellulite, and obesity by combining the latest medical
advances with safe, non-invasive natural therapies to improve the looks and the
health of his clients. Dr. Nelson is accepting new patients in his Scottsdale. He can
be reached at (480) 612-5048. http://www.iclearacne.combr
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