Dermatologist offers free laser treatment for stabbing victims
“The treatment improves the functioning of the limbs and eases psychological problems due to disfigurement,” Dr. David Friedman said.
By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICHKnife [Illustrative](photo credit: INGIMAGE)
Dr. David Friedman, a leading dermatologist in Israel and the US who is an expert in the use of lasers for cosmetic and functional purposes, has offered to provide free treatment to recent victims of stabbing attacks.“The earlier wounds are treated with the fractionated CO2 laser, whose healing I combine with a pulse dye laser, the better the result,” said Friedman.Friedman heads the Friedman Skin and Laser Center in Jerusalem and a second clinic in Ramat Aviv, which together constitute an international center for professional medical skin care and treatment.“Not only is the treatment to eliminate or lighten scars aesthetic, but the treatment also improves the functioning of the limbs and eases psychological problems due to disfigurement,” he said.Friedman told The Jerusalem Post that he had previously offered the IDF free care for any soldier who needed treatment.But, after being in touch with the army’s chief dermatologist, Friedman said they gave him “the runaround,” insisting that he “bring” two large laser machines to them even though they couldn’t be moved.He is ready to devote one day a month at his clinics to stab victims who have papers documenting the fact that they were victims of terrorist attacks, but he doesn’t have a list of such people.The Post contacted Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, director-general of the National Insurance Institute, which has documentation on all terrorism victims and offers them its services.Mor-Yosef said he would look into helping Friedman receive a list of relevant and authenticated victims.About two years ago, Friedman helped a soldier from the elite Duvdevan unit who was assaulted by terrorists near the Western Wall. After undergoing an operation, he was unable to open his hand and was instructed to come back for another surgery. Friedman provided him free treatment with his fractionated CO2 laser, thus completely restoring his hand function. The soldier didn’t need a second operation.“The laser improves all kinds of scars from surgery, stabbing, burns and others,” he said.Friedman, a graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and of Brown University’s dermatology department, is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the dermatological use of lasers. He also travels extensively as a lecturer invited to instruct foreign doctors in laser treatment techniques.He has two CO2 machines, which very few hospitals – not even private ones – have. He combines treatment using the CO2 machine – for one to 10 minutes, once every two months for an average of three or four sessions – with the pulse dye machine to get the best results, Friedman said. In addition to the many stabbing victims, he is still eager to treat wounded soldiers who need laser treatment, at no cost.Eligible people may reach Dr. Friedman at (03) 612-2322 or (02) 563-5673.