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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Top Fractional Resurfacing Treatments

If you’re noticing the signs of premature aging, want to reduce the effects of sun damage, or your skin is healing after acne, you may be a good candidate for a fractional resurfacing treatment.

Laser skin resurfacing technologies Brooklyn work at a deeper level than microdermabrasion and chemical peels to alter the makeup of the skin tissues deep within the dermal layer and increase collagen production. These treatments trigger the skin renewal process and help the skin heal and rebuild itself rapidly so that the effects of skin damage become obsolete.

Fractional resurfacing treatment Brooklyn are often a good match for those who have not been able to achieve significant results from skin rejuvenation treatments such as medical facials, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments and microdermabrasion. Here’s a close look at some of the leading fractional resurfacing treatments available for aging skin:

ActiveFx by Lumenis
As one of the few fractional laser resurfacing procedures that can deliver results with just a single treatment, the ActiveFX laser works by delivering high-energy laser light deep into the skin’s surface to smooth out wrinkles, reduce the appearance of brown spots and also tightens the skin. After the treatment, the skin begins to grow back at a rapid rate and also triggers the production of collagen and elastin, creating a smooth and contoured appearance.

Fraxel
Fraxel is the most popular fractional resurfacing procedure available in the United States and offers three levels of resurfacing. The laser produces tiny “zones” on the treatment area to stimulate the skin at a deep level and promote collagen and elastin production. Approximately 20 percent of the skin is resurfaced with each session, and only damaged cells are affected by the treatment. Fraxel has been cleared by the FDA for treating melasma, acne scars, pigmented lesions and certain types of wrinkles.

Pixel Laser by Alma
The Pixel Laser by Alma Brooklyn is an ablative laser that helps to resurface the skin over a course of three to five sessions. The “laser peel” works to clear up photo-damaged skin, fills in acne scars and can also shrink the appearance of pores. Healing time is approximately three days, and the treatment can be administered on the face, chest, hands and other parts of the body.

Skin Benefits of Laser Rosacea Treatments

Skin Benefits of Laser Rosacea Treatments Brooklyn
Laser rosacea treatments offer a number of benefits for patients who are suffering from the effects of rosacea and want to get their skin under control. Some of the key skin benefits of laser rosacea treatments include:

Reduces redness around the cheeks and forehead
Eliminates or reduces visibility of blood vessels
Improves texture and tone of the skin
Reduces the effects of skin thickening
Helps to clear up scars and any breakouts
Can increase collagen production to produce healthier skin

Laser therapy Brooklyn is not suitable for all patients, and those who have a medical condition such as insulin-dependent diabetes, a clotting disorder, or those with a suntan are not good candidates for laser or light skin treatments.

Learn more about skin rejuvenation treatments Brooklyn in our information guide, or consult with a dermatologist in your area to find out if you are a good candidate for laser rosacea treatments.


Laser Rosacea Treatments

Dermatologists around the world have been using lasers to treat rosacea since the 1980s, but many of the original laser devices used for rosacea treatment Brooklyn ran a high risk of scarring and were not recommended for patients of certain skin types.

Today, there are more options for using laser therapy Brooklyn to manage and control rosacea, and more doctors are turning to intense pulsed light (IPL) to achieve better results. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set some very specific guidelines about what types of lasers can be used to treat skin problems such as rosacea, but there are more options available now than ever before. Here’s a close look at how laser rosacea treatments work, and what their key benefits are.

How Laser Rosacea Treatments Brooklyn Work

Laser rosacea treatments are designed to treat the persistent redness, dilated blood vessels and thickening of the skin on the nose and cheeks that are commonly associated with rosacea. Some lasers are effective for treating only the flushing and dilation of the blood vessels, while others are more effective at reducing the thickening of the skin.

The most effective lasers that can be used to treat rosacea include:

Pulsed Dye Laser
KTP Laser
Diode Laser
Nd:YAG Laser
CO2 Laser
Erbium: YAG Laser

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Laser treatment involves the application of a certain type of medication or serum over the skin, and then passing the laser beam over the treated. The heat or light energy from the laser helps to break down the damaged skin cells and can eradicate visible blood vessels. Lasers such as the diode laser, KTP laser and Nd:YAG laser are especially effective for breaking down blood vessels and are less likely to cause any type of bruising. The CO2 laser and erbium: YAG laser are more effective at reducing skin thickness on the nose and cheek area, and can also be used to improve the contours of the nose.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) lasers, the newest and sometimes most effective type of treatment for rosacea, uses a non-laser light source to treat blood vessels on the face and reduce rosacea’s flushing effects. IPL devices have received FDA approval for treating fine dilated blood vessels on the face.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Basics of Laser Hair Removal

Unsightly hair can make both men and women uncomfortable about their appearance, and constant shaving and waxing can be a burden, not to mention the constant irritation. For this reason, Americans seek permanent laser assisted removal at a rate of more than half a million treatments per year.

How It's Done
Laser hair removal works when light energy penetrates the skin, converts into heat during penetration, and causes thermal injury to the hair follicle. The high temperature reaches and disables the follicle, effectively inhibiting re-growth. This process can be accomplished only during the growth stage of hair. Because hair grows in cycles and not all follicles are at the same stage at the same time, laser removal is done in sessions in order to achieve the best results.

In some instances a topical anesthesia or numbing cream can be used, but this often not necessary, as pain is minimal. Total surgery can be as short as ten minutes or as long as an hour depending on the size of the area to be treated.

Technology
There are many different lasers that have been approved for hair removal. When the FDA grants approval for such lasers, they are approved to permanently reduce hair growth, not permanently remove. This is because hair can re-grow in some cases when it is not treated during the appropriate stage. You can check the approval of a specific laser on the FDA Web site.

Recovery / Post Op
After the procedure the treated area may appear slightly red or swollen. This can be remedied with cream or ointment. Return to normal activities can take place immediately, however sun exposure should be avoided. Within the first few weeks, hair will appear in the treated area, this is dead hair that is falling out. The hair can be shaved, but bleaching or waxing should be avoided.

Taking Care of Your Skin After Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal treatments are a proven method of getting rid of facial or body hair permanently, and can help you skip the cumbersome shaving and waxing routine. However, these high-powered lasers can leave your skin more sensitive than usual, and you may even leave the doctor’s office with small bumps or redness in the treatment area.

Soothing the skin with topical treatments or even a cold compress will help the skin heal restore itself naturally; here are some simple ways to take care of your skin after laser hair removal treatments:

1. Reach for a milk-based lotion. Doctors encourage soothing the skin with products that contain milk, rosemary and green tea. These skincare products can help reduce irritation and discomfort, and can also be applied to inflamed skin that’s endured sunburn. (Source: NewBeauty.com)

2. Enjoy a nourishing body wrap. Body wraps that infuse the skin with moisture, emollients and other key ingredients can help to repair sensitive skin after treatment and leave it silky and smooth for the long-term. While you still need to use a quality moisturizer immediately after a treatment, a body wrap can give your skin a boost and make it more resilient and responsive to an at-home moisture infusion.

3. Load up on chocolate. Dermatologist Dr. Bernabio explains that chocolate-based skin products contain several anti-inflammatory agents and skin softeners, and these may help soothe the skin instantly (Source: TheDermBlog). Adding chocolate to your skincare menu may be a valuable way to give your skin a boost.

4. Stay out of the sun. Skin that has undergone a laser treatment can be more sensitive to heat and sunlight for up to a week after treatment. Avoid excessive sun exposure (including tanning beds) so that skin can heal and generate a layer of fresh new cells.

5. Avoid heavy makeup. If you’ve received a facial laser hair removal treatment, the delicate areas of the face may be more prone to breakouts and irritation from even non-comedogenic makeup. Avoid using liquid based makeup to keep skin clear and fresh; mineral makeup offers an alternative solution for skin if you have to wear makeup for a special occasion or event.

6. Use a loofah to exfoliate once per week. Even though the skin will be sensitive immediately after treatment, you’ll still want to exfoliate the skin thoroughly to remove dead skin cells and promote healthy circulation. A loofah or dry-brushing technique can help buff away dead skin cells and make it easier for skin to heal over time.

IPL Hair Removal

Waxing, shaving and electrolysis are often tedious and time-consuming ways to get rid of unwanted body hair, but there is a permanent hair removal option available. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy has been used for several decades as a skin rejuvenation treatment, but the same technology can be used for laser hair removal procedures, offering a permanent and painless solution for getting rid of unwanted hair on the face or body.

The treatments work on most skin types and the total cost of treatment may be far lower than standard hair removal methods. Here’s what you need to know about the IPL laser hair removal procedure:

The IPL Laser Procedure
IPL can be used on any part of the body, including sensitive areas such as the bikini line, stomach, underarms and upper lip. The treatments can be administered on both men and women who want to achieve smoother and sleeker skin without waxing or electrolysis.

The IPL laser hair removal device works by emitting a spectrum of light and heat energy directly into the hair follicle, effectively breaking down the hair and slowing down hair growth. The light is powerful enough to heat up darker skin tissues but leaves lighter skin completely unaffected.

As the hair follicle becomes weaker, the hair grows back at a very slow rate and eventually, does not grow back at all. Most people require a series of 6-8 treatments to completely break down the hair and disable the cells. The treatments are spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, but more stubborn areas such as the underarms, chest and back may require more treatments at 6-week intervals.

Benefits of IPL Laser Hair Removal
IPL laser hair removal treatments are virtually painless and do not have any major side effects. No anesthesia is required to perform the procedure, but some skincare specialists may use a light anesthetic on very sensitive areas. Any redness or swelling that occurs after the treatment will disappear within a few hours. Other benefits of the IPL laser hair removal procedure include:

Lower overall cost than a lifetime of waxing, shaving or electrolysis
Little or no downtime
Quick and painless procedure
Few side effects