Laser Skin Cancer Prevention
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), both types of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), are the most common types of nonmelanoma skin cancer. In white populations, the lifetime risk of developing BCC is 30%, much higher than any other form of cancer. Once you have been diagnosed with KC, your risk of developing another skin cancer within 3 years is 35%, and within 5 years, it’s 50%.
Traditionally, ablative lasers have been found to be helpful in reducing and treating actinic keratoses, which are considered “pre-cancerous” lesions. However, in more recent years, nonablative fractional lasers like Fraxel FTX and pulsed dye laser like VBeam have been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of developing keratinocyte-derived carcinomas (KCs) on treated areas of skin.
- Nonablative fractional lasers (NAFL): in patients with a history of facial KC, those treated with NAFL had about half the risk of developing another facial KC compared to those who did not receive laser
- Pulsed dye laser (PDL): in patients with a history of facial KC, those treated with PDL had about half the risk of developing another facial KC compared to those who did not receive laser
- Nonablative fractional lasers like Fraxel FTX can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture, help fade brown spots and sun damage, treat scars and stimulate collagen remodeling
- PDL or VBeam treats and reduces redness, broken blood vessels and vascular birthmarks and is often used to treat scars
Fraxel FTX is the newest generation of the Fraxel nonablative fractional laser system. With fractional lasers, microscopic columns of skin are treated while the surrounding normal skin is left intact. This allows the skin to heal more quickly than if the entire portion of tissue was treated. This laser system has two laser wavelengths within it:
- 1550nm: penetrates deeper into the skin and is helpful for fine lines, collagen remodeling, scars and texture
- 1927nm: more shallow than 1550nm and is therefore helpful for sun damage, pigmentation, brown spots and freckles
While lasers are playing an important role in skin cancer prevention, they are not a substitute for UV protection (sunscreen and sun protective clothing), dermatologic surveillance, or appropriate biopsy and treatment of suspected skin cancer.
Even if you’re undergoing laser treatments, we still recommend:
- Using abroad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
- Reapplying sunscreen regularlywhen outdoors
- Wearing protective clothing, awide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses
- Seeking shade, particularlyaround midday
- Avoidingtanning beds
- Regularly checking yourskin for new or changing lesions
Board-certified dermatologist and double board-certified Mohs surgeon Dr. Patricia Richey specializes in skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, including laser treatments designed to address sun-damaged skin and certain precancerous lesions. She is widely regarded as a leading dermatologist in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and the surrounding communities. Dr. Richey sees patients at her Chevy Chase office, serving individuals from Bethesda, Potomac, Washington, DC, and the surrounding areas.
At a Glance
Dr. Patricia Richey
- Board-certified dermatologist
- Fellowship-trained and board-certified Mohs surgeon
- Harvard fellowship-trained in lasers and cosmetics
- Author of innovative dermatology research and publications
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