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Dermatology
Dr. Susan Goodlerner was the first dermatologist in the South Bay to use laser skin treatments. She is always a leader in the use of the latest technology, offering her patients the best possible treatments available.
Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Dr. Goodlerner is among the first in California to offer this new, FDA-approved treatment for both acne and photodamage.
For Acne
Blue light therapy is a safe and cost-effective alternative to oral antibiotics or Accutane® , both of which have potential side effects. The treatment causes a photodynamic effect that kills the bacteria that play an important role in the development of acne. There is no skin peeling, and a series of eight acne treatments may have equivalent benefits to months of oral antibiotics. What’s more, acne will often go into remission for three to six months. The blue light can be combined with a light-activated medicine for treatment of more severe acne, with remission after as few as two treatments. Blue light therapy can also be used in combination with superficial peels, before the peel to prepare the skin, or after to enhance tissue regeneration and reduce downtime.
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For Precancers and Photodamage
The blue light is also used successfully in combination with a light-activated medicine for the treatment of precancerous growths called actinic keratosis (AK), a common precancerous skin lesion caused by excessive sun exposure – especially in people with fair skin.
The area is treated with a topical clear gel, which is activated by the blue light. This is an alternative to liquid nitrogen freezing, which may cause white spots, or topical chemotherapy, which results in more than four weeks of redness. PDT provides the same benefit – smoother, healthier skin – with, at worst, a sunburn-like reaction with some redness and peeling for two or three days.
PDT can also be done primarily for cosmetic benefits. If you have facial redness, sun-induced broken blood vessels or rough, sun-damaged skin, your complexion should improve from the light-activated medicine used in combination with the pulsed dye laser. The result will be softer, smoother, more even-toned skin – younger looking and radiant.
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Dermoscopy
Dermoscopy, another new technology, allows Dr. Goodlerner to detect some cancers sooner and to reduce the number of biopsies performed. The dermoscope, a special magnifying instrument, enhances the color difference between cancerous and healthy tissue. In combination with her training and expertise, the dermoscope allows Dr. Goodlerner to more easily identify tissue that requires a biopsy and leave healthy tissue undisturbed. Dermoscopy is especially beneficial in the detection of melanoma.
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Aldara™ Cream
Dr. Goodlerner is among the first dermatologists in the South Bay to use Aldara™ (imiquinod) Cream for non-surgical treatments of some superficial skin lesions, including precancerous actinic keratosis (AK). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Aldara™ Cream last year for this treatment.
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Surgical skin cancer treatments
Mohs Surgery
Dr. Goodlerner often uses a version of Mohs surgery. This is especially useful in treating cancers of the nose, ears, and other hard-to-treat areas, because it allows the removal of cancerous tissue with a much smaller border of surrounding healthy tissue. Dr. Goodlerner uses microsurgical techniques to remove suspect tissue one skin layer at a time. Each layer is sent to a hospital pathologist for frozen section evaluation. As soon as an examination shows no more cancerous tissue, the procedure is ended. The treated area can then be reconstructed with good cosmetic results.
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Skin Surgery
Dr. Goodlerner performs surgery for skin cancers as well as for moles and other benign growths. For more information on skin surgery and skin cancer , visit the Web site of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery at www.asds-net.org. If you are scheduled for skin surgery in our office, click here to download pre-op and post-op instructions and Medication Precautions for Skin Surgery Patients instructions.
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Medical dermatology
Dr. Goodlerner treats all diseases of the skin, hair and nails in adults and children. For information on skin diseases and skin cancer , visit the Web site of the American Academy of Dermatology at www.aad.org and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery at www.asds-net.org.
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