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Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Dermatologic surgeon

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Recent answer posted by Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD

Q: IPL for precancerous spots?

A:

 Treating precancerous spots os actinic keratoses (AKs) requires a little more than just IPL.  A procedure called photodynamic therapy or PDT is really the way that it is performed.  PDT utilizes a light-activated chemical.  THis chemical ALA is painted over the skin in the area that is to be treated.  Next, an incubation period of between 1-4 hours is required while the medication absorbs into the skin.  Once this has occurred, the ALA is activated by a light source.  This can be IPL, a pulsed-dye laser, red light or blue light.  The light converts the ALA to a chemical that destroys the AKs.  

Afterward, the patient will experience varying degrees of redness and peeling for about 4 days.  Absolute sun avoidance in the first 48 hrs after application of the ALA is a must to prevent possible burns from activation of the medication by sunlight.  Generally, 2 treatments are performed 4-8 weeks apart.

THis is a great treatment for AKs and also for eliminating facial redness and brown spots if the right light source or combinations of lights is used.

Efudex (5-fluorouracil) is also an excellent treatment for AKs.  Consult your dermatologist for more information.

Board certification
EducationMedical School:
M.D., University of Tennessee, Memphis

Graduate School:
PhD, University of Tennessee, Memphis
Post-medical school training Internship:
General Surgery, Stanford University

Residency:
Dermatology Residency, Stanford University

Fellowship:
Mohs micrographic, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, Los Angeles, CA
Aesthetic medicine experience 5 years (post-medical training)
Professional membershipsAmerican Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
Medical or professional licenseCA
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LocationMoy-Fincher Medical Group
100 UCLA Medical Plaza
Suite 590
Los Angeles, CA View map
Additional Office Locations5400 Balboa Blvd, suite 220
Encino, CA 91436

3475 Torrance Blvd, suite B1
Torrance, CA 90503
Last modified 20 days ago