Dr. John D. Stover DDS, MD, PhD
TRIPLE BOARD CERTIFIED:
Diplomate, American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Diplomate, National Board of Dental Anesthesiology
Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii
Most comprehensive cosmetic surgical procedures in Hawaii
SKIN TREATMENTS
Photodynamic Therapy
Precancerous cells and certain types of cancer cells can be treated with PDT
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that uses a photosensitizing drug (a drug that becomes activated by light exposure) and a light source to activate the applied drug. The result is an activated oxygen molecule that can destroy nearby cells.
PDT essentially has three steps. First, a light-sensitizing liquid, cream, is applied. Second, there is an incubation period determined by your physician. The target tissue is then exposed to a specific wavelength of light that then activates the photosensitizing medication.
The light source needs to be directly applied to the target tissue for a specific amount of time. For surface skin treatments, the light is easily directly applied to the area of the skin where the photosensitizer drug has been applied (such as face, scalp, arms, etc.).
PDT works by direct injury to the target cells and tissues. This involves an activated oxygen molecule that can injure or destroy nearby cells. By preferentially attacking the active or abnormal cells, PDT combines a very high success rate with good preservation of normal skin without significant risks for scarring.
Once the areas have healed following PDT, the areas are reexamined to see if additional treatments or biopsies are needed.
Numerous skin care treatments are available in Hawaii through Dr. John D. Stover's Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii. Dr. Stover is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with offices in Kona, Hilo and Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. He is a fellow of both the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Stover continually updates his knowledge, skills and practice in the latest surgical and non-surgical procedures, which has made him one of Hawaii's top-performing cosmetic surgeons
