Screening for Cancer - Early Detection

Ms. Angelina Jolie’s recent decision to prophylactically have a double mastectomy reminds us of the high level of concern regarding breast cancer.

In part, implicit in her decision is the accurate understanding that screening mammograms may not be efficient at identifying the most virulent breast cancers when they are potentially curable.  Mammograms are best at identifying breast cancer tissue types where later diagnosis would only minimally affect prognosis.

Malignant melanomas are quite different from the above scenario; early diagnosis almost uniformly dictates long term cure.  In the case of melanomas (and also colonoscopy diagnoses which also save lives) we can identify early signs in pigmented growths which allows us to remove them in a curative stage. Yearly full cutaneous exams with your dermatologist are a smart thing to do.

What is cosmetic dermatology?

Cosmetic Dermatology is the non-invasive component of cosmetic treatments (no cutting involved). It includes some of the following treatments:

    - Fillers/Injectables (Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Juvederm, Artefill, etc.) for expression lines,

    - Lasers (Fraxel, C02, IPL photofacial) for wrinkles, broken capillaries and acne scars,

    - Chemical Peels (revitalize the skin, remove fine lines, age spots),

    - Sclerotherapy (spider or varicose vein treatment),

    - Thermage for skin tightening, and

    - Coolsculpting and Ultrasound for fat removal.

Surgery is required for only 2 issues:

    1. Removal of bulging low eyelid fat pads and excess upper lid tissue,

    2. Sagging neck & cheek skin.
All other problems are NOT treated by surgery.

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a skin-resurfacing treatment in which a chemical solution is applied to skin to peel away the top layers. The skin that grows back after a peel is smoother and younger looking. Peels are a safe, effective way to refresh the skin and remove fine lines, age spots, and other imperfections.

Chemical peels can be done at different depths — light, medium or deep — depending on the desired results. Each type of chemical peel uses a different chemical solution. Deeper chemical peels produce more dramatic results, but also involve longer recovery times.

We offer glycolic peels, SkinMedica’s Illuminize and Vitalize peels, the Vi peel and D'Luxe peels of various strengths. Side effects vary between peels with mild redness, shedding, and a sunburn-like effect resulting in the hours after a superficial peel and scabs and redness resulting from the medium peel. Patients who undergo a superficial peel can typically return to work the next day, while medium peel patients may need a week to recuperate.

We offer special packages in conjunction with microdermabrasion treatments as well!

Acne Scar Treatments

For those with a limited number of wide superficial scars, fillers, such as Artefill (permanent), can be used with improvement seen immediately.  Dr. Hamilton is the American pioneer in Artefill treatments, having treated the first patients in the U.S. in 1997.

More extensive and deeper scars are treated very successfully with the Fraxel laser in a 5 treatment series that does not require any downtime.  Improvement is visible in most patients within approximately 4 weeks.

We treat many patients with acne scars, many of whom are quite severe and whose lives are markedly improved by these treatments.

Screening for Cancer.

Doctors are trained in the art and science of treating symptoms.  Symptoms are our bodies ways of announcing disease.  In short, internally we are often a day late and a dollar short.

Dermatology is beautifully different: we can see evidence of early pathology by examining the organ (skin) directly.  The average dermatologist by recognizing and removing abnormal moles saves 2-3 patients' lives per month since these moles would evolve into uniformly fatal malignant melanomas ("mole cancers") with the patient dying within a few years.

Risk factors include fair skin, fair hair, blue eyes, and to a lesser degree excessive sun exposure.  Evolving tumors, when removed early, are 100% curable; 100% fatal when removed late.  

A yearly full cutaneous exam on all patients would essentially prevent this fatal disease (the fastest increasing cancer in the U.S) from exacting its toll.

Too long between posts!

It's been a long while since our last post, don't leave it that long to get your moles checked!

Now that Summer is over, here is a friendly reminder to visit us and have your moles examined. Call (818) 884-7150 or (310) 271-6663 to schedule your appointment.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING CANCERS WOULD YOU PICK TO HAVE (I.E. WHICH HAVE THE BETTER PROGNOSIS?): Breast cancer, prostate cancer, or malignant melanoma (mole cancer). Your answer should be either of the first two. Malignant melanoma, unlike the other two, is, untreated, a fast and sure killer, which, unlike breast and prostate cancer’s is not dependent upon tissue type for its prognosis.  

FOR WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING CANCERS IS EARLY TREATMENT THE ONLY FACTOR DETERMINING PROGNOSIS AND SURVIVAL? Breast cancer, prostate cancer, or malignant melanoma. Answer: malignant melanoma. Early diagnosis for the others is actually less important than the tissue type (which is often worse in younger individuals).  

CAN MELANOMA BE DIAGNOSED EARLY ENOUGH FOR COMPLETE CURE? Answer: Absolutely. Early characteristics of melanoma (color change – particularly a purplish hue in a mole; border irregularity) allow dermatologists to remove the tumor early enough to yield above a 95% success rate in achieving no recurrence or spread.  

WHAT IS THE FASTEST INCREASING CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES? Answer: Malignant melanoma. WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? Nothing – they are usually flat. Malignant melanoma must be diagnosed with the eye, not the finger.

Welcome!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to our new blog. Dr. Douglas Hamilton is a well-known dermatologist with offices in the Los Angeles area. He is also the co-author of the international best seller, “Beverly Hills Beauty Secrets” (John Wiley ’09). We are looking to use this as a forum for techniques & procedures going on in the dermatology world with articles, tips, and frequently asked questions, so send us anything you want to know about cosmetic and medical dermatology and look for an answer here!

In the meantime, check out our website at www.douglashamiltonmd.com.