THE SKIN CENTER

Dr. Alai’s medical background began with a Medical Doctorate Degree in 1994 from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile, Alabama. Her undergraduate work included 3 years at the University of South Alabama where she was a Presidential Scholar with High Honors and nominated to multiple scholastic honor societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Chi, Alpha Epsilon Delta, and Alpha Lambda Delta. She was subsequently the recipient of the College of Medicine’s Alumni Scholarship for international medicine to Russia in 1994.

Dr. Alai completed a full year of General Surgery training at the University of California, Irvine. Subsequently, she was involved in a combined research year at Beckman Laser Institute in Irvine and basic science work in treatment and mechanisms of Psoriasis. She was selected as the Clinical Research Fellow in 1996 where she was a lead investigator in the development of many new medications and novel dermatologic therapies. She finished her dermatology residency at UCI, where she was selected as Chief Resident in 1999. Dr. Alai was subsequently invited to join the prestigious faculty at the University of California where she has remained active since 2000.

Her extensive experience in medical, surgical, laser, and cosmetic dermatology has lead to many lectureships locally, and internationally. She has been an invited lecturer to over 50 certified continuing medical education (CME) lectures nationally and internationally. Her work has included seminars for physician groups, international medical conferences, hospital medical education foundations, and local senior citizen groups. She has been a requested speaker for the Medical Education Speakers Network (MESN) since 1999.

Dr. Alai was featured as the keynote speaker on dermatologic issues at the Annual Geriatric Congress in San Francisco. She has received multiple awards including the 2000 Award for Outstanding Slides and Lecture in Vancouver, Canada at the Pacific Dermatology Association’s annual session. In 2008, she received the first perfect score rating for outstanding continuing medical education lecture at South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach, California.

Dr. Alai has been a lead investigator for over 12 clinical trials for novel dermatology studies and preparations. Her clinical research work led to the development of the highly acclaimed, celebrity touted anti-aging rejuvenation cream labeled as Kinerase. She was a featured Allergan speaker and trainer for Botox cosmetic injections for Kaiser Foundation Dermatologists in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. She has published extensively in the medical textbook eMedicine, including three chapters on Keratosis Pilaris, Nitrous Oxide, and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers.

Dr. Alai’s cosmetic interests and specialty focuses on Botox, Varicose and spider vein therapy, cosmetic facial rejuvenation including injections with Restylane, Collagen, Juvederm, and Radiesse. She is the founder of the annual educational symposium "The Skin Care Conference" held in Laguna California each May.

As a fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery (ASMS), Dr. Alai has performed more than 800 cases of Mohs surgery. Her special areas of expertise involve surgical of skin cancer, primarily the treatment of head and neck basal and squamous cell skin cancers. She received extensive Mohs training during the Chief Residency year at the University of California, Irvine. She is an active participant in the annual Mohs peer review held by the American Society for Mohs Surgery. Most recently, she has been invited to author the chapter on Mohs Surgery for WebMD/MedicineNet.

Dr. Alai is a fellow of the American Society for Photodynamic Therapy (ASPDT). As a co-investigator for the early development of Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Levulan and Blue Light in 1996, she has some of the most longstanding clinical experiences with this state-of-the-art treatment. In her 12 year experience with PDT, Dr. Alai has performed more than 400 cases. Her particular areas of expertise include treatment of acne, actinic keratosis, warts, hidradenitis suppurativa, and skin rejuvenation using PDT. She has authored the chapter on Photodynamic Therapy for WebMD and MedicineNet. She received extensive PDT training during her fellowship year at the University of California, Irvine Department of Dermatology.

As a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, Dr. Alai has more than 12 years of extensive experience treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. She initially trained with Dr. Gerald Weinstein, a world renowned psoriasis expert at the University of California. She gained experience in novel treatments as co-investigator for multiple psoriasis clinical trials. She was most recently asked to author the comprehensive chapter on Psoriasis for WebMD and MedicineNet.

Dr. Alai is very active in UCI where she is active in educational lectures and training upcoming future physicians and dermatologists. She is a frequent invited lecturer in the departments of Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and Dermatology. She has been a highly requested preceptor and mentor for several Family Medicine Residencies including Downey Medical Center and University of California, Irvine. She has authored articles and published several textbook chapters in the current medical literature. She is a highly trained dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, and a respected specialty consultant in Orange County.

Dr. Alai has been in practice for 14 years in Southern California where she resides with her family. She actively practices dermatology at The Skin Center at Laguna in Orange County, California.


Dr. Alai is a member of the following professional organizations: