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Say Goodbye to Excess Hair with Laser Hair Removal

There are parts of the body where we are very happy to have hair. Both men and women appreciate having a thick head of hair. When it is properly styled and well-maintained, it can add it to the aesthetic appeal of a person’s face. Most men also appreciate the ability to grow a beard or a mustache. However, there are other parts of the body where having excessive hair can be considered a drawback. For example, having hair between the eyebrows in a way that forms a uni-brow is not considered to be attractive.

Most women do not want facial hair. Some men find excessive hair growth on their back or chest to be frustrating. For individuals who are tired of shaving, plucking and waxing unwanted hair off their body, laser hair removal may be the perfect option.

Laser hair removal is extremely popular. In fact, it counts among one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States today. Lasers are used to transmit concentrated light to a person’s hair follicles. The pigment in the follicle absorbs the light, which affects the hair.

Lasers can be used on different parts of the body. They are most commonly used to remove unwanted facial hair, arm hair, leg hair and hair along the bikini line. There are a lot of benefits to using laser hair removal as opposed to manual ways of removing hair. For example, lasers are extremely precise. A laser can be used to remove hair while at the same time not damaging the underlying skin. This cannot be said of razors. Razors not only remove hair, but often damage the skin underneath the hair.

Another benefit of using lasers is that they are fast. Within a fraction of a second, lasers can remove hair in an area that is approximately the size of a quarter. This means that a person can have a laser hair removal treatment on their upper lip in less than 60 seconds. The same procedure can be performed on a larger area, such as the back or on the legs, in less than one hour. Laser hair removal is also very predictable. After multiple sessions, a patient is guaranteed to have permanent hair reduction.

Having a full head of hair is great. However, for women, having a full face of hair is not so great. For men, having an overgrowth of back and/or chest hair can also be seen as a negative thing. Laser hair removal treatments can effectively address these problems.

To learn more about how laser hair removal can benefit you, set up a consultation at Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla. Our team of experts will be happy to address your questions and concerns as we determine if this treatment is right for you. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment!

Common Causes of Skin Cancer

One of the most common forms of cancer is skin cancer. It is caused when changes occur in the skin cell’s DNA. These mutations cause the cells to produce rapidly and then form masses of cancerous cells. There are quite a few types of skin cancer that can be prevented. The more a person learns about skin cancer, the more likely they are to protect themselves and those they love.

Sun Exposure

Most people enjoy feeling the warm sun on their face and body. It feels good, and the way it tans a person’s skin makes them look good. Unfortunately, this love affair with the sun can cause early aging. Ultraviolet light from the sun damages elastin.

When the elastin in the skin begins to break down, it weakens the skin and causes it to stretch and sag. It causes the skin to take longer to heal and bruise more easily. Exposure to the sun can cause precancerous and cancerous skin lesions. These mutations occur in the skin cells’ DNA.

Sun exposure also causes fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, benign tumors, discolored areas of the skin and the dilation of blood vessels under the skin.

There are three main types of skin cancer. These include squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. When non-melanoma skin cancers are treated early, they can be cured. Melanoma is the most serious form of cancer and even causes death. If it goes untreated, it can spread to other organs in the body.

Skin cancer is usually a result of ultraviolet radiation that comes from the sun. However, the UV light that is used in tanning beds is just as harmful to the skin.

Other Causes and Risk Factors

There are many factors that increase a person’s chances of getting skin cancer. Other causes include exposure to radiation and substances like arsenic.

It is important for individuals to be aware of risk factors. For example, individuals who have fair skin and sunburn easily are much more likely to develop skin cancer than individuals who have dark skin and hair. If a person has had blistering sunburns in the past, particularly when they were a child or teenager, their risk of developing skin cancer increases.

Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time in the sun or using tanning beds is at a higher risk. Having a lot of moles or abnormal moles increases a person’s chances since moles can become cancerous. It is important for individuals to monitor these moles for changes.

Learn All the Facts

When it comes to skin cancer, knowledge is power. This knowledge will enable you to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you have any concerns, would like a skin exam or have noticed changes in your skin, it is important to make an appointment as soon as possible with a medical professional at Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla. We can evaluate your skin and help you determine an effective treatment option if one is needed. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.

Am I a Good Candidate for Mohs Surgery?

Skin cancer is a dangerous disease causing abnormal growth of skin cells that affects millions of people in the United States each year. While there are several different treatment options for skin cancer, Mohs surgery is one of the most popular and effective options. There are a few limitations with Mohs surgery, so not everyone with skin cancer will be a good candidate to receive this treatment option.

Mohs surgery uses a precise surgical technique to remove thin layers of skin cells containing cancer. The surgeon uses the microscope to examine the issue and make a map of the cancer cells present in the specimen. This process is repeated until the cancer cells are completely removed. Mohs surgery is a very precise and delicate procedure which allows large sections of skin cancer cells to be removed without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.

Mohs surgery is primarily used to treat the two most common forms of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma as well as a variety of other skin cancer subtypes. If you are suffering from melanoma or another form of rare skin cancer, then you will need a consultation before determining if you are a good candidate for Mohs surgery. In addition to the type of skin cancer you have, there are also several other qualifying criteria that make you a good candidate for Mohs surgery.

Mohs surgery is the best option if your cancer has a high risk of returning or if it has already returned after getting treatment. The cancer cells must also be located in sensitive areas, such as the eyes, ears, mouth, head, feet, hands and nose. Skin cancer cells that are large, aggressive and contain borders that are hard to define are also best treated with Mohs surgery.

Despite being an extremely technical procedure, Mohs surgery is done on an outpatient basis. You will feel minimal discomfort. You will know your results immediately after the surgery is complete, so you will not have to stress for weeks to get the results. Since there are strict criteria for getting Mohs surgery, the procedure is almost always successful at removing all of the skin cancer cells in your body.

If you believe that you might be a good candidate for Mohs surgery, then you should schedule a consultation with Torrey Pines Dermatology in La Jolla as soon as possible. There is no reason to live with this when it can be so easily treated with this procedure. The sooner you schedule your Mohs surgery appointment, the sooner you will be able to get back to your normal life without cancer. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment to learn more about how Mohs surgery can benefit you.

Say Goodbye to Excess Hair with Laser Hair Removal

Common Causes of Skin Cancer

Am I a Good Candidate for Mohs Surgery?

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