Ultraviolet light increases 4% for every 1,000 feet in altitude. Therefore, in Denver, we have approximately 20% more ultraviolet, and at 10,000 feet, we have 40% more. Add that to the outdoor lifestyle, reflection from the snow, and sand, and 300 days of sunshine per year, and our skin cancer rates are among the highest in the nation!
Most sun damage originates in childhood and becomes manifest (either as wrinkles or cancer) years or decades later. Sunscreens are important now, but you may not have used them as a child.
What do you look for in a spot on the skin? Any change may indicate trouble: Itching, bleeding, crusting, color change, enlargement, irritation, or even a "sixth sense" that something may be going on with one of your moles. Please do not take chances - have us examine them! |
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What's Your Diagnosis: Benign or Malignant?? |
BASAL CELL CARCINOMAS
are often painless, pink bumps, sometimes with a shiny appearance and sometimes
scaling or crusted. They can erode deeply into the skin.
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SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMAS
are thicker, scaly or warty growths in sun exposed areas. These
can occasionally spread to other areas of the body.
ACTINIC KERATOSES(precancerous)
are the precursors to these tumors.
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MALIGNANT MELANOMAS
(malignant moles) can possess irregular borders or colors; only 20%
come from pre-existing moles. These can be deadly if they spread.
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Deep narrow fibrous scars ("large pores") are first removed. They are replaced by a tiny
"punch graft" or smooth skin, taken from behind the ear.
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Punch Grafting
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Before
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After
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Fibrous bands pulling down on sunken acne scars may be interrupted by SUBCISION, allowing
them to become less deep. Then, a "filler" of the patient's own tissue is inserted
underneath these scars to keep the bands from reattaching.
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Dermal Grafting
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After
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The patient's own collagen or tissue can be processed and injected under some softer acne scars.
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Autologous Collagen
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After
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The deepest soft scars can be raised with fat taken from the patient's body, and implanted
underneath the scar.
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Fat Injection
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After
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The skin surface can be smoothed with dermasanding, dermabrasion, or peeling. This area
heals in a few days.
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Dermabrasion/Dermasanding
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Before
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After
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Dry ice consists of the application of solid carbon dioxide mixed with acetone in order
to gradually reduce the scars. These treatments are performed every 2 to 3 weeks in the office.
There is no "recovery time" with this treatment.
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Dry Ice
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Microdermabrasion consists of a stream of aluminum oxide crystals that gradually
smooths the skin, cleans out the pores, treats acne, and helps to treat very fine
lines and dark spots on the skin. There also is no "down time" with this
procedure.
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Microdermabrasion
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If a genie could appear to any person (male or female) with thinning hair, perhaps one wish
for nearly all would be for more hair! You take pride in your appearance, dress well,
keep your house and car clean, and mow your lawn - so why make apologies about wanting
more hair? We still have no identified the hair loss gene. However, hair loss does not seem
to be from diet, stress, or wearing hats.
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Female in 30s with Ludwig Type 2 Female Pattern Hair Loss
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Results After 2 "Fill In" Micrograft Sessions
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MEDICAL TREATMENT
Finasteride (Propecia®) and Dutasteride (under research) both block 5-alpha reductase, an
enzyme that converts testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone seems to be
involved in increasing hair loss. These drugs, as well as Rogaine® (Minoxidil) must be taken
forever in order to maintain what you have gained.
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Female Patient With Severe Ludwig III Alopecia
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Results After 2 Extensive Follicular Unit Sessions
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FOLLICULAR UNIT TRANSPLANTATION
Hair follicles in the donor area (back of scalp) grow in little buddles of 1 to 4 hairs,
called Follicular Units. These bundles each possess their own "genetic program" to go
bald at a certain age (such as 40) or to live to be, say, 80 or 90. This genetic program
is transfered with the hair follicles when they are moved to a bald area. Bald scalp is not
"diseased skin" or "bad soil." These hair follicles will grow as long as they are destined
to, regardless of where they are placed.
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Male In 20's With Diffuse Alopecia
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Results After 1,500 Follicular Units (2 Sessions)
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WHAT IF I'M JUST STARTING TO THIN?
LUDWIG hair loss types I, II, and III in WOMEN, and thinning areas in MEN, can be
successfully treated with Follicular Unit Transplantation. Tiny follicular unit
micrografts are placed between the thinning hair, leaving the remaining hair
undisturbed. The hair gradually appears fuller and thicker from the transplants, which
grow for many years and can be permed, dyed, and styled. Also, unlike hairpieces or
wigs, you only have to worry about the next haircut!
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Male In 30's With Type 5 Male Pattern Baldness
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Results After 2 Scalp Reductions and 4 Anterior Follicular Unit Sessions
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HAIRLINES
New hairlines can be made nearly undetectable with hundreds of single hair grafts! Since
these are taken from your own scalp, nearly all will grow for decades. You may see
many sequential photographs at www.coloderm.com
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Type 4 MPB and Prominent Plugs Placed Years Ago Along His Left Hairline
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Repair Surgery and 4 Follicular Unit Sessions Giving Natural Hairline and
Dense Hair in Anterior Crown
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