Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Richmond

Information may not be reliable

Practice Overview: Dr Fisher is Fellowship trained in Laser surgery and Mohs’ micrographic skin cancer surgery. Each year we treat approximately 1200 cases of skin cancer. In addition to skin cancer we have an excellence in facial rejuvenation and cosmetic dermatology. In addition to the usual fillers and Botox we have five (5) unique lasers and one non-laser light source; we are the most complete laser center in Richmond. Dr Fisher is fellowship trained and board certified.
Mohs’ Micrographical Surgery for removal of skin cancers
Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized technique of skin cancer treatment that offers the highest possible cure rate for most common types of skin cancer and is considered the gold standard for treatment of difficult tumors especially in sensitive areas such as the nose, lip, eye and face. Mohs surgery’s precision minimizes removal of normal tissue around the tumor, and thus optimizes reconstruction surgery. Mohs and reconstruction surgery are typically performed on the same day with local injection or tumescent anesthesia. This approach optimizes patients’ convenience and safety.
Skin Cancer Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Fisher trained with three of the most well respected Mohs and Reconstructive Surgeons in the country, including Dr. Pearon G. Lang MD, immediate past president of the Mohs College, Dr. Roy Geronemus past president of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and American Society of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, and Dr. Joel Cook, current editor of Dermatologic Surgery. Over the last three years, Dr. Fisher has personally reconstructed over 3000 Mohs defects, most of them on delicate areas such as the nose, lips, eyelids and ears. He has published several peer reviewed papers on Mohs and reconstructive surgery and is diligent with regards to final cosmesis. His expertise as a cosmetic dermatologist and laser surgeon also allow him to optimize the results of skin cancer reconstruction.
Excisional surgery of skin cancer
Dr. Fisher also does simple excisions when indicated for skin cancers which do not meet the criteria for Mohs surgery. These include well defined and non-facial carcinomas as well as invasive melanoma and melanoma in-situ.
Biopsy of suspicious lesions
Dr Fisher performs shave, punch and excisional biopsy as needed for suspicious lesions. We are also happy to do nail matrix biopsies if indicated clinically. The vast majority of lesions of concern for skin cancer can be readily sampled with a quick shave biopsy.
Cosmetic dermatology, Fractional Resurfacing:
We are the only Center in Central Virginia to offer both Fraxel re:pair and Fraxel re:new. Dr. Fisher is a published author and has spoken at the national meeting for the American Society of Medicine and Laser Surgery on his findings concerning the treatment of acne scars with Fractional resurfacing. In addition, he has published 2 peer reviewed papers in Dermatologic Surgery which describe his technique with the revolutionary new Fractional resurfacing.
NEW!! Fraxel re:pair laser – A revolution in rejuvination
This treatment is a revolutionary new way to correct aged and damaged skin – with minimal downtime and minimal risk of adverse reactions as seen with other resurfacing procedures. Fraxel re:pair treatment is the first and only system of its kind that has FDA clearances for:

How it works
With Fraxel re:pair treatment, you get dramatic rejuvenation with skin tightening, and wrinkles are reduced without going under the knife. Instead, Fraxel re:pair laser treatment uses points of light to precisely treat thousands of microscopic areas of your skin. The treatment penetrates deep into the skin to remove old, damaged skin cells, stimulates your body’s own natural healing process, and replaces the cells with fresh, glowing, healthy skin. Because the technology is so precise, Fraxel re:pair treatment works not only on the face, but also on delicate skin areas like the neck, chest and hands.
NEW!! The Fraxel re:store laser
The Fraxel re:store laser is the most advanced skin rejuvenation treatment available on the market today. This treatment represents new-generation laser resurfacing with predictable results. It rebuilds damaged skin like digital photo modification – spot by spot. With the revolutionary new Fraxel re:store laser treatments, patients receive:

Traditional Laser Services
Dr. Fisher has extensive training in treating facial redness, broken blood vessels, unwanted facial veins, unwanted hair, brown spots and sun damage. He has 5 different state of the art lasers and one light source in his office to allow him to tailor your treatment to your skin and your desires. Our extensive repertoire of lasers lets us give you a customized approach to maximize your safety and the efficacy of the treatment. We do not use Intense Pulsed Light, we use real lasers.
Facial redness – “Broken Capillaries”, “Red Nose, Cheeks, Chin”
Facial redness is treated using Candela’s pulsed dye V-beam laser. Mild to moderate swelling occurs following treatment, resolving over a few days. Most patients return to work immediately following treatment. Makeup can be applied after the procedure. More than one session is usually needed to achieve optimal results. This is one of our most popular treatments
Brown spots – “Liver Spots” face, hands, arms, chest, back
Most sun-induced brown spots can be lightened or eliminated using the Alexandrite or other laser during a quick in-office procedure. The laser destroys the brown spots. Over the course of seven to fourteen days, they simply come off. Makeup can be worn immediately after the treatment. Good candidates for this procedure have lighter skin and no tan. In some cases multiple treatment modalities, such as topical peels and bleaching creams will be combined with the laser to achieve optimal results.
Sun damage- how to get “silky” skin back
Our Pulsed Dye laser treatment is made even better with the addition of a naturally occurring compound called amino-levulan (found in everyone’s body). Amino Levulan synergizes with the laser to rejuvenate the skin. There is a moderate post treatment peel following this procedure.

We can provide hair removal for all skin types. To ensure the highest standard of safety and efficacy, different lasers are used depending on the skin color. The number of treatments required will vary based upon location and skin characteristics. In our experience, light skin patients need fewer treatments to achieve desired results, typically three to four treatments spaced out every six to eight weeks. Laser hair removal is recommended for women on the legs, underarms, bikini area, chin, lip and sideburns and for men on the neck (front and back), chest and back. One of the most rewarding and popular laser procedures!

Botox therapy is provided to help treat unwanted lines. An experienced and talented injector, Dr. Fisher trained with some of the top celebrity Botox and filler injectors in the country including Dr.
Fred Brandt, who is regularly featured on Live with Regis and Kelly.
Juvederm, Sculptra and other fillers
Fillers are used for the treatment of facial lines and contouring, including the restoration of cheek contour, chin contour and to improve mild to moderate “jowling”. To achieve optimal correction Dr. Fisher employs a variety of fillers customized to each patient’s needs. Treatments are fast, occasionally requiring topical anesthesia

Sculptra is an injectable treatment used to restore and correct the signs of facial fat loss that occurs with aging. It achieves excellent results in treating all parts of the face including areas around the eyes and lips, between the mouth and nose, cheeks and neck. It adds volume to the cheeks, to the folds around the chin, and to hollow areas around the eyes. Sculptra has been called the “liquid face lift” because it works by both filling in lines and wrinkles and by stimulating the body to produce new collagen and underlying tissue, thus creating a fuller, more youthful appearance. Sculptra results are natural-looking and appear gradually over a few weeks’ time. Because it causes the body to stimulate its own collagen, the results can last two or more years. It is also used in combination with chemical peels and Botox to optimize results.

Ageing hands can be rejuvenated by combining long lasting fillers to soften the appearance and a variety of laser treatments to minimize sun damage. On occasion, blue veins can also be removed if necessary.
Lip augmentation and Non-Surgical Nose Contouring
Dr. Fisher will work with you to obtain a more pleasing nose contour or fuller lips. We pride ourselves on achieving subtle, aesthetically pleasing results without the risks of surgery. For both procedures Dr Fisher uses temporary fillers that last between 6 -12 months (or longer).

Dr. Galen Fisher is a skin cancer, cosmetic dermatology and laser specialist. He is fellowship trained in Mohs’, reconstructive and laser surgery. Dr. Fisher received his M.D. from Duke University School of Medicine and studied molecular oncology for 3 years with Nobel Prize winner Dr. Harold Varmus. After completing a dermatology residency in Charleston, South Carolina with training by Mohs’ College Past President Dr. Pearon Lang, Dr. Fisher completed a Mohs’ Surgery and Laser fellowship with Dr. Roy Geronemus, the past president of the American Society of Lasers in Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Fisher has published numerous articles and lectured at national and regional meetings on skin cancer and cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Dr. Fisher is a member in good standing of the Mohs College, is board certified in dermatology and a member of ASLMS, ASDS and ASMS.
We are currently in the process of building an informative website that will allow you to see before and after pictures of many of our services and will also have useful links for even more information. We expect the site to be completed this spring or early summer. It is intended to be both fun and informative. It will feature before and after photos, product information and lots more!