LASERS TREATMENTS

LASER is Acronym of

Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.”

How does CO2 laser resurfacing work?

C02 laser resurfacing uses pulses of laser light. These beams penetrate the skin’s surface, where water in the skin cells absorbs them.

When this happens, the epidermis, or superficial layer of your skin, is vaporized. The dermis, or middle layer, heats up, stimulating the growth of new collagen fibers. As the area heals, new firmer, smoother skin replaces the old layers.

During CO2 laser resurfacing, a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist can target specific areas of your skin with precision, so the treatment won’t affect the rest of the skin nearby.

The procedure

Here’s an idea of what to expect on the day of your CO2 laser treatment:

1. This outpatient procedure generally takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the issue being addressed and the area of skin receiving treatment.
2. CO2 laser resurfacing does involve some pain. The level of pain you experience will depend on the depth and extent of resurfacing, the skill of the dermatologist or surgeon, and your own pain tolerance.
3. You’ll receive a combination of local anesthetic and a sedative to prevent pain and help you relax. For extensive resurfacing, you may receive general anesthesia so you sleep through the treatment.
4. Before the treatment begins, your skin will be thoroughly cleaned and you’ll receive special eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser.
5. During the treatment, the dermatologist or surgeon will move the laser wand slowly over the area of skin being treated.
6. You may receive an ice pack to apply to the treated area for 15 minutes to prevent swelling.
7. Finally, an antibacterial ointment and nonstick dressing will be applied to the treated skin. Leave this on as instructed, usually for 24 hours.

You may need more than one treatment session, depending on the treatment required and intensity of the laser used.

What are the benefits?

CO2 laser resurfacing can treat numerous cosmetic and medical skin issues, from visible signs of aging and sun damage to scars and skin cancer.

What’s the recovery like?

It typically takes 1-2 weeks to recover from CO2 laser resurfacing. Following your dermatologist or surgeon’s aftercare instructions will help with healing and lower your risk of complications. These tips can help you during the healing process:

• Avoid rubbing, scratching, or picking at your skin.
• Cleanse the treated skin as instructed by your doctor, usually 2-5 times a day with saline or a vinegar solution.
• Apply a thin layer of moisturizer or antibacterial ointment twice a day, as recommended by your doctor.
• Apply an ice pack wrapped in a clean, soft towel to the area as needed during the first 24-48 hours.
• Sleep with your head elevated to help with swelling.
• Once your skin heals, wear clothing that covers the area or apply sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin every time you go outdoors.

Ablative laser resurfacing

Ablative resurfacing uses an erbium YAG or carbon dioxide CO2 laser. This kind of laser treatment aims to remove the entire top layer of your skin in the area where you have scarring. It can take 3 to 10 days before the redness from ablative lasers begins to subside.

Non-ablative laser resurfacing

This type of laser treatment for acne scars uses infrared lasers. The heat from these types of lasers is meant to stimulate collagen production and encourage new cell growth to replace damaged, scarred tissue.

Fractionated laser treatment

Fractional lasers (Fraxel) aim to stimulate the tissue underneath your scar to remove cells that are darkly pigmented underneath the top layer of skin. Boxcar and icepick scars sometimes respond well to this kind of laser.

Laser therapy is classified as a noninvasive treatment, which means that no surgical incisions are used. This makes the recovery time much quicker compared with traditional surgery. Still, you should plan to take time off on the day of your treatment at the very least.

Depending on the type of laser used, the total procedure time can last between 30 and 90 minutes. This doesn’t include time spent on filling out paperwork, as well as prep time before the procedure.

You might notice that your skin is slightly pink or red after each treatment. This is normal and should subside within a few weeks. Ablative lasers are the most effective in treating striae, but they also have the most side effects because of their aggressive nature. Such effects include raw skin and mild discomfort. Your skin will also scab over before revealing new tissues around the stretch marks.

Depending on the area being treated and the type of laser used, some people elect to take several days off work following the procedure.

It can also take several months to see the full results, especially with non-ablative laser

Q SWITCH LASER

What are Q-Switched nd YAG lasers?

Q-switched nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) lasers are a special type of laser which is used to deliver high amounts of energy in very short bursts. The resulting photo acoustic effect makes this type of laser very effective for pigment-related skin issues such as tattoo removal, as well as skin rejuvenation, and wrinkle removal.

What are Q-Switched nd:YAG lasers used for?

Building on our previous point, Q-switched nd:YAG lasers can improve the skin by stimulating aquaporins, collagen, procollagen and elastin. This makes them a great anti-aging treatment, as they can address many age-related imperfections like fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

Furthermore, this versatile technology can also be used for more than just cosmetic treatments. It is also indicated for pigmented and vascular lesions, laser tattoo removal, and nail fungus treatment. Additionally, it is good for laser carbon peel treatments to help exfoliate the skin and reduce clogged pores.

The benefits of Q-Switched nd:YAG lasers Non-ablative

Ablative treatments, such as laser skin resurfacing treatments, are used in various scenarios. However, they aren’t always suitable. Ablative treatments increase sensitivity and patients will need to stay away from the sun after treatment. However, with non-ablative laser treatments from the Q-switched 1064 nm laser, patients can resume normal activity almost immediately after treatment. They won’t have to stay indoors away from the sun, and they can also put on face masks after treatment without significant sensitivity.

Quick treatment with no downtime

One of the most innovative and advantageous features of Q-switched nd:YAG technology is that it is a comfortable treatment that only takes about 20 minutes. It requires no numbing beforehand, and does not leave lingering redness and sensitivity.

As previously mentioned, there is also no need for patients to change their routines and stay strictly away from the sun after treatment. All patients will have to do is to use high-SPF sunscreen for a few days following treatment.

Safe for delicate areas

The skin around the eyes, mouth, neck and décolleté is usually too delicate for laser treatments. However, the Q-switch nd:YAG laser is gentle and safe for these areas. Like other laser treatments, a Q-switched laser does create microscopic “wounds,” but it does so while also keeping the top layer of the skin intact. This makes it ideal for even the most delicate parts of the face and body.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Pain-Free, Hair-Free™ is for everyone. It’s safe for all skin types, hair types and most hair colours. It can even be used on tanned skin. The bottom line is - if you have hair where you wish you didn't, Pain-Free, Hair-Free is for you.

The body hair reduction process is permanent, predictable, and virtually pain-free. You'll go through a series of office visits to see the full benefits.

Where It's For

Patients seek hair removal treatments for almost any body part, from facial or bikini line treatments to leg, arm, neck or back hair removal. Hear what patients say about Pain-Free, Hair-Free, and then see their results!

What you can expect

You can expect results from a series of relatively short sessions. (The actual time depends mainly on the size of the area you are having treated.) A trained doctor, nurse or laser technician performs each treatment and you are free to return to normal activities immediately after each session.

Because of Pain-Free, Hair-Free's unique technology, treatment sessions can be virtually pain-free. Other benefits include:

• Complete coverage with no missed spots
• Fast treatment times
• Few side effects
• Return to normal activities immediately (no recovery or "down time")
• Safe for all skin types, including tanned skin

Pain-Free, Hair-Free uses the most successful photoepilation wavelength (810 nm), which makes it the gold standard for laser hair removal. In addition, a patented DualChill™ mechanism ensures the surface of your skin stays cool and even more comfortable throughout your treatment.

EXCIMER LASER:

308nm xenon-chloride excimer laser, a novel mode of phototherapy, is an ultraviolet B radiation system consisting of a noble gas and halide.

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the literature and summarize all the experiments, clinical trials and case reports on 308-nm excimer laser in dermatological disorders.

308-nm excimer laser has currently a verified efficacy in treating skin conditions such as vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, allergic rhinitis, folliculitis, granuloma annulare, lichen planus, mycosis fungoides, palmoplantar pustulosis, pityriasis alba, CD30+ lympho proliferative disorder, leukoderma, prurigo nodularis, localized scleroderma and genital lichen sclerosus.

Although the 308-nm excimer laser appears to act as a promising treatment modality in dermatology, further large-scale studies should be undertaken in order to fully affirm its safety profile considering the potential risk, however minimal, of malignancy, it may impose.