This year I’m continuing to improve my skin cancer knowledge by completing certificates from the Australasian College of Dermatologists.
Skin cancer will affect 2 in 3 Australians at some point in their lives so it is important to have your skin checked regularly. If you notice any new or changing moles, for example a change in size, shape, colour or whether they are itchy or bleeding, be sure to book in for a full skin check.
Of course prevention is the best cure, so don’t forget the sun block for days when the UV index is 3 or higher.
With the ability to reduce the appearances of surgical scars, pigmentation, wrinkles, spider veins and acne scars, I take a closer look at this new laser device from what it feels like and just how good the results are.
The laser device uses two wavelengths; 532 and 1064nm with an ability to fully customise treatments according to the presentation. The laser machine has an adjustable spot size from 2-16mm allowing for faster treatments and efficacy and integrates a Sapphire contact cooling for added patient comfort. A number of conditions are are designed to be targeted, from facial telangiectasia, rosacea, sun spots, freckles, wrinkles and even warts.
I hope you have found this video useful and as always if you have any questions or comments please drop me a line below.
Take care and stay healthy 😘
Dr Nora 💉
Warning: Any procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Anti-wrinkle therapy is a quick and easy way to reduce the appearance of strong and deep lines. Treatment time is 15 minutes, optimal results are seen at 2 weeks and lasts up to 3-5 months.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more head over to drnora.com.
Take care and stay healthy 😘
Dr Nora 💉
Warning: any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
With alarming statistics that 1 out of 2 Australians will get a skin cancer at some point in their life, it’s important that as a general practitioner I can assess and diagnose these lesions. To do so I use a dermascope or a dermatoscope. This is a device that looks at the surface of the skin with a magnifying glass and light.
Inside the Dermlite DL4 box you will find:
With me here is the dermlite DL4
- A leather carry case
- A USB charging cable
- A lens wipe
- 5 Ice caps - these are essential to prevent cross contamination between patients.
The dermascope has a 30mm viewing lens, with 10 x magnification. It has both polarised and non polarised light capabilities.
Polarised light allows us to assess the depth of structures.
In the non polarised mode we can inspect superficial skin layers - such as the dermo-epidermal junction. In the polarised mode we can inspect deeper skin layers including the dermo-epidermal junction and superficial dermis. The polarised light allows for the identification of blood vessels and pink colour. This increases sensitivity for diagnosing amelanotic melanomas or BCCs.
The non polarised light increases the specificity to identify milia like cysts (which are white) or comedo-like openings seen in seborrhoeic keratosis.
So being able to toggle between the two has a far more superior diagnostic capability.
The dermoscope allows for both contact and non contact on the skin, you may also use immersion liquid in the non-polarised setting.
On the side you can see another button which allows for pigment boost, when used this makes the colour of lesions pop for easier identification.
Just a word of caution, if you’re thinking of having a skin check after watching this video please choose your practitioner carefully. Some physicians will just use their eyes for a skin check, however, I would suggest going to someone who has detailed equipment because unfortunately as humans we haven’t yet learnt how to magnify our vision!
I’ll usually use the dermascope with my magnifying loupes to assess the skin closely and ensure that every centimetre is investigated thoroughly for a comprehensive skin check.
If you’ve not booked in for a skin check in the past year or are concerned that a lesion has changed in size, colour, shape or is itchy or bleeding please seek medical advice or pop by and see me in clinic.
I hope you’ve found this video useful and if you have any questions please drop me a line below in the comments section.
Skin Cancer Checks | Dermatology Workshop by Australasian College of Dermatologists
Did you know that 1 in 2 Australian men and women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85?.. Well, roll up your sleeves and join me as we go to the Australasian College of Dermatologists’ GP Practical Dermoscopy Course.
FAST FACTS
Costs $1,500
4 Months online learning
8 Hour face to face workshop
2 hour exam
WORKSHOP
Learn all about skin examinations, getting patient history, skin lesions, using a dermoscope and suturing techniques for various skin cancer types.
OVERALL
I love Brisbane, and I love dermoscopy, the course is great for someone like me who has to work full-time, so e-learning is the way to go, and I am so pleased to be able to now be accredited to diagnose and manage skin cancer.
