Dr Lee is known for his skills in the early detection and management of pre-cancerous lesions and skin cancers. Dr Lee will inspect your skin using an instrument called a dermatoscope, which allows him to view the subtle features on your skin. During your skin check, Dr Lee will also take the time to educate you on what to look out for. At Laye Dermatology,  Dr Lee uses state of the art body mapping software that allows serial dermatoscopic monitoring of any skin lesions. This ensures that on subsequent skin examinations, any change in a lesion is detected early.  An annual skin check is advised, however patients who are at higher risk such as a personal history of skin cancers or have been diagnosed with a malignant melanoma may be seen more frequently. Dr Lee will guide you through your treatment options in the management of your skin cancers.

Actinic keratoses (sunspots) are precancerous lesions caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A proportion of actinic keratoses if left untreated may progress to skin cancer known as a squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic keratoses may appear as flat or thickened areas of red or pigmented scaly skin. They may sometimes be sensitive or tender. The presence of actinic keratoses is an indication of sun damage to your skin and so other signs of sun damage such as pigmentation, broken capillaries and fine lines may be present.

The type of treatment for your actinic keratoses will depend on the nature, number and location. Cryotherapy or liquid nitrogen therapy may be used to freeze the damaged cells.

If you have a number of sunspots, then “field treatment” may be  more appropriate. Field treatment involves treating a whole area such as the entire face to achieve a more uniform and improved result. Field treatment may be in the form of a cream called 5-Fluoruracil which is a chemotherapy medication. This is a chemical way of removing the sun damaged skin cells. Alternatively, a laser peel which physically removes the abnormal cells in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis may be used.  A laser peel is a more wholistic approach to photorejuvenation which aims to address all the facets of sun damage.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer worldwide. Basal cell carcinomas are caused by environmental factors including sunlight and genetic factors. There are different variants of BCCs, which reflects the biological behaviour of the cancer. If left untreated BCCs will grow and cause local structural damage and disfigurement. Sometimes a diagnosis of a BCC may require a biopsy. Basal cell carcinomas may be treated with topical creams,  standard surgical excision or Mohs micrographic surgery. Dr Lee will discuss with you your treatment options, which will depend on the variant you have, location, size and medical history.

Acne is a common inflammatory condition that affects up to 85% of the adolescent population, although it can be observed in patients of all ages. The cause of acne is multifactorial. Genetics, hormones, bacteria, psychological stress and diet all contribute to acne production. Acne may present as whiteheads and blackheads (comedonal acne), pustules or deep-seated cysts. It is important to treat acne early as this minimises discolouration and potential life-long scarring which can be detrimental to ones self-esteem. The treatment of acne includes anti-bacterial washes, prescriptive gels and lotions, hormonal therapy, prescriptive oral medications or broad band light therapy (BBL).

Broad band light therapy uses a combination of blue, yellow, and infrared light to eliminate bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote the body’s natural healing process to clear acne. During a BBL treatment, patients feel minimal discomfort as the BBL handpiece gently glides across the skin.  The treatment involves several passes of the device over the treatment area. The first pass uses blue light to eliminate acne-causing bacteria located deep within the skin’s pores. The second pass uses yellow light to reduce inflammation and acne-associated redness while preventing new breakouts. To maximize patients’ results, the skin receives a third pass using infra-red light in rapid, gentle pulses to initiate the body’s natural healing process, reduce the appearance of existing scars, and enhance the benefits of the first two steps. You should feel minimal to no discomfort during treatment as the BBL handpiece gently glides across the skin. A sapphire at the tip of the BBL applicator keeps the skin cool and comfortable throughout the treatment. Afterward, most patients will continue to feel warm for 30 to 60 minutes.

Dr Lee will customise your acne treatment plan tailored to meet your specific needs.

Rosacea is a common skin condition that presents as red bumps, pustules, broken capillaries, generalised facial redness or a combination thereof. Rosacea can also affect the eyelids and present as irritated eyes. Rosacea occurs mostly in fair skinned individuals and is a chronic relapsing, remitting disorder. There are several causes for rosacea, which includes hyperactive blood vessels in the skin or infestation with the demodex mite. There are several trigger factors including sunlight, heat, alcoholic beverages, spicy foods and caffeine.

The treatment of rosacea is dependent on the variant you have. The bumps and pustules respond better to prescriptive oral medications and creams. The facial redness may be treated with a series of broad band light (BBL) and vascular laser treatments.

The light that is released from the BBL which strikes the target tissue is more attracted to certain chromophores or skin pigments. There are basically three chromophores in the skin which are targets when treating with BBL light; haemoglobin (redness), melanin (brown) and water. The aim of BBL treatment is reduction and improvement of redness and/or pigmentation. The vascular laser selectively targets haemoglobin and deposits heat into blood vessels. This heat increases the temperature of the blood that is flowing through the blood vessel. This in turn will heat the blood vessel wall causing it to collapse. The heating of the small blood vessels can also induce an inflammatory response causing the release of mediators that stimulate fibroblast cell activity and the body’s natural repair process resulting in COLLAGEN production.

You should feel minimal to no discomfort during treatment as the BBL handpiece gently glides across the skin. A sapphire at the tip of the BBL applicator keeps the skin cool and comfortable throughout the treatment. Afterward, most patients will continue to feel warm for 30 to 60 minutes. Patients typically can return to normal activities immediately following treatment with BBL and vascular laser.

You will require multiple treatment sessions depending on how much redness  you have on your skin. Each treatment is generally performed every 4 weeks. Dr Lee will advise you on how many treatments are required.

Dr Lee will customise your rosacea treatment plan tailored to meet your specific needs.

Dermatitis is a term that describes inflamed, itchy, scaly skin. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing remitting condition that may occur at any age but usually presents early in life. The causes of atopic dermatitis are both genetic and environmental. Unfortunately there is no cure for atopic dermatitis and it is a condition that is managed with soap substitutes, emollients, prescriptive creams and ointments and in severe cases phototherapy or oral medication.

There are new medications called Small Molecules and Biologics which are a class of immune modulators that may also control atopic dermatitis and can only be prescribed by a specialist dermatologist.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition characterised by red, scaly plaques with well-defined edges and generally occurs symmetrically on the body. The usual sites include the knees and elbows, although any part of the body may be affected. The incidence of psoriasis is 2-4% and can occur early or later on in life. Genetics play an important role in the cause of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing remitting condition. Unfortunately there is no cure but it can be cleared and managed well with emollients, prescriptive creams and ointments and in severe cases phototherapy or oral medication. There are new medications called Small Molecules and Biologics which are a class of immune modulators that may also control psoriasis and can only be prescribed by a specialist dermatologist.

Lasers and light therapies may be used to treat a host of dermatological conditions. There are many different lasers and light devices, each of which specifically target different anatomical structures in the skin. During your consultation, Dr Lee will assess your concerns and advise on the best type of laser or light therapy. Dr Lee will discuss with you what is involved in your treatment, side effects, downtime and expected results.

HEROic BBL energy can be used to treat the following conditions:

• Rosacea
• Acne
• Solar lentigines (brown sun spots)
• Telangiectasia (small facial veins)
• Angiomas (proliferation of blood vessels) such as spider naevi or cherry angiomas.
• Poikiloderma of Civatte
• Redness in scars

How does HEROic BBL work?

HEROic BBL is the first energy based device where AI ensures your treatment is accurately performed. This leads to better results and patient safety than standard IPL machines. The light or heat that is released from the HEROic BBL which strikes the target tissue is more attracted to certain chromophores or skin pigments. There are basically three chromophores in the skin which are targets when treating with HEROic BBL light; hemoglobin (redness), melanin (brown) and water. The aim of HEROic BBL treatment is reduction and improvement of redness and/or pigmentation.

You will require multiple treatment sessions depending on how much redness and pigmentation you have in your skin. Your doctor will advise you on how many treatments is required.

Each HEROic BBL treatment is generally performed every 4-6 weeks.

The Hybrid Fractional Laser combines the best attributes of both non-ablative and ablative fractional lasers. It is used for the treatment of:

• UVR damage – actinic keratoses also known as sunspots
• Pigmentation
• Dull skin tone
• Enlarged pores
• Scars
• Fine lines

How does the Hybrid Fractional Laser work?

The Hybrid Fractional Laser laser creates columns of injury to the skin called microscopic thermal zones (MTZs). This causes ablation (peeling) of the outer layer of the skin called the epidermis and coagulates (heats) the collagen in the second layer of the skin called the dermis. This process has two effects:

• Expels the sun damaged cells in the epidermis.
• Activates a molecule called Activator Protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor which leads to upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) which stimulates collagen remodelling.

The Profractional laser is an ablative fractional laser. It is used for the treatment of:

• UVR damage – actinic keratoses also known as sunspots
• Scars
• Rhytides (lines)
• Enlarged pores

How does the Profractional laser work?

The Profractional laser creates columns of injury to the skin called microscopic treatment zones (MTZs) covering a fraction of the total surface area. This causes ablation (peeling) of the skin from the outer layer of the skin called the epidermis to the deeper layer of the skin called the dermis. The Profractional laser also has the ability to coagulate (heat) the collagen in the dermis. This process has two effects:

• Expels the sun damaged cells in the epidermis and dermis.
• Activates a molecule called Activator Protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor which leads to upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) which stimulates collagen remodelling.