West Dermatology

Medical Dermatology

Brachytherapy

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About Brachytherapy

What is it?

Brachytherapy provides a faster skin cancer treatment with minimal side effects and exceptional cosmetic outcomes. The technology is unique because it uses a miniaturized x-ray source that can be turned on or off, instead of the traditional radioactive seeds that are always emitting radiation. This means that the shielding requirements are very minimal, and your radiation therapy team is able to remain in the treatment room with you. Because it is a short procedure with minimal side effects, eBxTM is an ideal skin cancer treatment alternative for patients not interested in surgery.

Brachytherapy benefits

  • Short, non‐invasive procedure with no hospital stay
  • Minimal side effects
  • Exceptional cosmetic outcomes in a relatively short timeframe
  • Ideal alternative for patients not interested in surgery or on a blood thinning medication (i.e. baby aspirin)

A different way to treat skin cancer

How Does HDR Brachytherapy Work?

With eBx™, a miniature x-ray source is temporarily placed on the skin using a surface applicator. This allows the radiation to be delivered directly to the skin lesion with impeccable accuracy. The treatment is non-invasive and painless, providing an ideal alternative for those not interested in surgery.

Treatment Process

The radiation treatment process will begin with a consultation where the Radiation Oncologist will evaluate your condition and determine if Brachytherapy is the right skin cancer treatment for you.
During treatment, your Radiation Oncologist and Radiation Therapist will place a miniature x-ray source temporarily on the skin using a surface applicator. This allows the radiation to be delivered directly to the skin lesion with impeccable accuracy.
It is a short procedure with minimal side effects and exceptional cosmetic outcomes in a short timeframe. At West Dermatology, we’re dedicated to providing expert care for all your dermatological concerns.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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About Sexually Transmitted Diseases

What are they?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) range from viral infections to bacterial infections. They’re most often caused by sexual intercourse, including vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Common STDs include bacterial STDs (such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea), viral STDs (including hepatitis, genital herpes, genital warts (HPV, and HIV), and parasitic STDs (such as trichomoniasis).

What causes them?

Although the most common way to get an STD is via some of form of sexual intercourse, some forms, such as trichomoniasis, can be contracted through skin contact with damp, moist objects like towels, clothing, and seats. In general, typical risk factors for STDs include the following: multiple sexual partners, intercourse with someone who’s had multiple partners, intercourse without a condom, and the sharing drug of needles.

Common treatments

Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases depends on the specific type of STD you have. In general, typical treatment plans are as follows: 1) Antibiotics, such as penicillin, for bacterial STDs, 2) Cryotherapy, topical medications, or even surgery for genital warts, and 3) Antiviral medications for viral STDs. Keep in mind that for viral STDs, there is no cure; any treatment you take is to manage the symptoms and keep the virus contained.

Our approach & expertise

We appreciate the delicate subject of sexually transmitted diseases. We realize both the physical and emotional toll they can take, and as your community skin experts, we’re sensitive to these conditions and have the expertise to help you overcome any that you may have. The knowledgeable practitioners at our dermatology center have the skill and experience to help you overcome or manage your condition. We’ll talk to you about your case and gauge your overall health before developing a treatment that fits your needs.
It’s this personalized attention and focuses on you as a person that sets us apart. We understand the delicate nature of STDs and are available to address concerns and to provide compassion throughout the process. Healthy skin is our passion, and so is your health. Contact us today if you have symptoms of an STD to learn more about your treatment options. Trust West Dermatology for expert care tailored to all your skin health needs.

Allergies

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About Allergies

What are they?

Allergies occur when the body overreacts to a foreign invader, or allergens, such as pet hair, pollen, pollutants, and more. Often, allergic reactions occur on the skin, but allergies are not just a cosmetic issue: they can be uncomfortable and even painful for certain individuals. Symptoms of allergies can vary, but some of the most common symptoms include the following: fatigue, sneezing or other sinus issues, headaches, itchy (or burning) eyes, shortness of breath, and coughing and/or wheezing. Skin conditions like eczema, rashes, and hives can also result due to allergies.

What causes them?

Some of the most common causes include pets or pet hair, pollutants and chemicals, pollen and other natural irritants, cigarette smoke, certain foods and drinks, powders, and fabrics and fibers. If you have allergies but aren’t aware of your risk factors, contact our dermatologists today, who will help you identify, manage, and treat your allergic symptoms.

Common treatments?

The best method for dealing with allergies is to avoid them in the first place, which means avoiding your risk factors – that’s why it’s important that you know them. Even then, allergies can cause problems. If you have allergy symptoms despite your best efforts to avoid them, various treatments can be effective. These treatments include topical medications, such as hydrocortisone cream, oral medications (such as antibiotics), antihistamines, and moisturizing creams and/or lotions. Depending on the severity of your allergies and their causes, these treatments can help you overcome your symptoms outright or at least make them manageable.

Our approach & expertise

We know how uncomfortable these can make you feel, especially when they manifest themselves on your skin as itchiness and/or inflammation. As your community skin specialists, we have the expertise to help you find relief. Allergies are unique to everyone, including you. Because of this, we customize your treatment to suit your lifestyle and health. This attention to you as an individual is what makes us different. Our neighborly staff is here to address concerns and provide compassionate support throughout the process.
Healthy skin is our passion. If you notice allergy symptoms, contact us so that we can help you overcome your systems. Count on West Dermatology for personalized, expert care for your skin.

Vbeam

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About Vbeam

What is it?

A pulsed dye laser, the Vbeam is designed to shoot an intense beam of light into your skin to get the effects you want. Although intense, the light beam is optimized at a frequency gentle enough to leave untargeted areas unharmed. What’s unique about the Vbeam laser is that the light isn’t absorbed by your skin, but by your blood vessels. Not only is this more efficient, but it’s also safer, as side effects are greatly minimized. Vbeam addresses several different conditions that otherwise would require more than one type of procedure. These conditions include fine lines and wrinkles, rosacea, troublesome veins, scars, cherry red birthmarks, and warts.

What to expect

The number of Vbeam treatment sessions needed will depend on both your aesthetic goals and the nature of the skin condition to be treated. For example, you could have as few as 2-3 treatments (for rosacea) or as many as 5-10 (for red birthmarks). Because Vbeam is non-ablative, your skin is not burned, cut, blistered, or harmed in any way. This means it is safe enough for your face, legs, and elsewhere on the body. Furthermore, Vbeam is a great treatment for individuals of all ages and can be combined with other procedures, including Botox and dermal fillers like Juvéderm, for better results.

After the procedure

The side effects of Vbeam depend on the severity of the condition being treated and your overall treatment goals. Generally, side effects are mild and temporary and could include swelling, redness, and bruising, all of which usually subside within a week.

Our approach & expertise

We understand the impact that a variety of facial skin conditions can have, not only on your appearance but also on your self-esteem. That’s why we offer the versatile Vbeam laser, a single solution for several different skin conditions. Our knowledgeable laser and skin experts have the training and skill to tailor Vbeam laser treatment to your unique needs, and we’re always here to answer questions, address concerns, and provide compassionate support. West Dermatology offers comprehensive support and expert care for all things skin-related.

Schedule your appointment today.

Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT)

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About Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT)

What is it?

Skin cancer is unpleasant anywhere, but it’s especially troublesome where aesthetics are concerned, such as the face, head, and neck. This includes non-life-threatening skin lesions like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis (AK). Superficial radiation therapy (SRT) is ideal for these types of lesions. Though the radiation used in this treatment penetrates only 5 mm below the skin (which preserves the healthy tissue surrounding the cancerous area while destroying the harmful cells), it’s strong enough to hinder the ability of cancer to spread by altering the DNA of the cell it inhabits. As a result, the cancerous tissues are starved to death.

What to expect

The superficial radiation therapy experts at our center have the experience and training necessary to perform this treatment skillfully, safely, and effectively. If you’re undergoing an SRT procedure with one of our specialists, you can expect a quick and virtually painless treatment.

After the procedure

Superficial radiation therapy has the same high success rates as other skin cancer treatments, including surgery. After the procedure, you can expect little to no scarring, little downtime, and quick healing and recovery.

Our approach & expertise

We know how traumatic and painful skin cancer can be, both mentally and physically. As your neighborhood skin cancer specialists, we’re here to provide encouragement and strength with answers to all your questions should you ever be diagnosed with skin cancer. What makes our skin cancer center special is our focus on you as a person. Our compassionate neighborhood staff is ready to answer your questions and address concerns during recovery, as even completely cancer-free patients can suffer from apprehension and emotional scars. You can lean on us as a crucial part of your support through this process. Trust West Dermatology for expert care tailored to all your skin health needs.

Schedule your appointment today.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

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About Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

What is it?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally-invasive skin cancer removal treatment for individuals with precancerous skin lesions (such as actinic keratoses) or non-melanoma skin cancers (like basal cell carcinoma). PDT eliminates cancer cells through the utilization of both drug and light therapy. First, a topical solution is applied for absorption by the cancerous cells. Later, the affected area is targeted with a very specific wavelength of light that uses an active form of oxygen to destroy the cancerous cells.

What to expect

As your community skin cancer experts, we are here to provide support and strength should you ever receive a diagnosis of skin cancer. You can be comfortable discussing everything you need to know about this disease with our neighborhood providers. We will be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to prognosis and from treatment to aftercare support. With photodynamic therapy, our specialists can eradicate specific types of skin cancer tumors, allowing you to live life to the fullest. This treatment is safe and effective at treating various types of cancer or precancerous cells, and since PDT is less invasive than other skin cancer treatments, you will be able to return to your normal life soon after the treatment is completed.

After the procedure

Photodynamic therapy precisely targets cancerous cells, allowing for quick recovery and little-to-no scarring after healing. Contact us today to learn if PDT is right for you.

Our approach & expertise

As your community skin cancer experts, we are here to provide support and strength should you ever receive a diagnosis of skin cancer. Our caring neighborhood staff is ready to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. You can lean on us as an integral pillar of support through this process, as even for completely cancer-free patients, apprehension and emotional scars can still persist.
Healthy skin is our passion, so contact and office today to find out if photodynamic therapy is the right skin cancer treatment for you. Trust West Dermatology for expert care tailored to all your skin health needs.