Fall 2007
Now that fall is here it is time to crank up the lasers!
The summer rays are too intense for proper healing after skin resurfacing or regeneration procedures. Even the most potent sunblockers are not sufficient to prevent the most common complication, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (transient darkening of the skin.) My advice during consultations in the spring and fall has been ‘wait until fall.’
Laser skin resurfacing is appropriate for patients seeking treatment for discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, acne marks, or other types of imperfections in skin appearance. During laser skin resurfacing, the laser is used to remove damaged and wrinkled skin so that new, smoother, and more vibrant looking skin can form. Depending on the type of laser, the depth of treatment and amount of surface skin removed, you may also see a significant improvement in the tightness and firmness of the skin. The two primary resurfacing lasers include the Erbium and Fraxel lasers.
The Sciton Erbium laser is able to remove thinner layers of skin than the more powerful, but less precise CO2 laser. This Erbium laser is a better choice for patients with dark skin because there is less risk of permanent changes to skin pigmentation. With a shorter healing time and much less redness in the first few weeks, it is also better for patients who do not have the availability of prolonged downtime. This treatment can be accomplished in one session and healing usually takes place in 5 to 7 days.
The Fraxel® laser skin resurfacing treatment is distinct from other laser rejuvenation treatments that use either the erbium or the CO2 laser. Because the Fraxel® laser procedure is non-invasive, there are few post-treatment side effects. There is virtually no skin tenderness or pain after undergoing treatment and no downtime is required after the procedure. It should be noted, however, that this is not a single session treatment. Treatments are done every 2 to 4 weeks over 2 to 4 sessions. Improvements to the skin’s appearance will be apparent with each treatment with final results at the end of six months.
The newest procedure, which was FDA approved in 2005, is Portrait® plasma skin regeneration. This technology produces its resurfacing and rejuvenating effects by harnessing thermal energy, which is generated by the sun and naturally present around us all the time. Because the thermal energy released into the skin during a Portrait® Plasma treatment is uniformly absorbed, the treated area experiences incredible collagen and elastin regeneration. The new, healthy tissue eventually replaces the wrinkled, damaged tissue. The results of Portrait® Plasma Skin Regeneration are stunning, and actually get better over time. Immediately after the treatment, skin appears tighter and more toned. As more and more regeneration takes place, Portrait® Plasma patients notice the resurfacing effects: scars and sunspots diminishing, wrinkles and fine lines filling in, and saggy skin regaining its supple tone. This procedure can be done in one session using higher energy or in three sessions with less energy per treatment with very similar results. Of course, the more energy used per treatment the more downtime. The deeper treatments heal in approximately 5 days and the lighter treatments don’t have any downtime.
I recently found a sun visor from Solis that blocks 99.9% of UV rays and have started using it with all resurfacing laser treatments. It can cover the full face or be partially lifted. The other day a tennis pro told me that she found that she could actually see the tennis balls better with the visor on!
One more item to discuss is the preparation of the skin before laser treatments. I feel that proper skin preparation before these procedures combined with long-term maintenance can not only improve short-term healing but can actually result in longer lasting improvements thus fewer procedures down the line. Recently, Stacy Crabtree, RN, joined our team. She has considerable expertise in Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Artefill and skin care, both before and after laser treatments. We are both available for consultations and treatments.
Enjoy this beautiful fall weather! See you soon.
Marcia V Byrd MD
The summer rays are too intense for proper healing after skin resurfacing or regeneration procedures. Even the most potent sunblockers are not sufficient to prevent the most common complication, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (transient darkening of the skin.) My advice during consultations in the spring and fall has been ‘wait until fall.’
Laser skin resurfacing is appropriate for patients seeking treatment for discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, acne marks, or other types of imperfections in skin appearance. During laser skin resurfacing, the laser is used to remove damaged and wrinkled skin so that new, smoother, and more vibrant looking skin can form. Depending on the type of laser, the depth of treatment and amount of surface skin removed, you may also see a significant improvement in the tightness and firmness of the skin. The two primary resurfacing lasers include the Erbium and Fraxel lasers.
The Sciton Erbium laser is able to remove thinner layers of skin than the more powerful, but less precise CO2 laser. This Erbium laser is a better choice for patients with dark skin because there is less risk of permanent changes to skin pigmentation. With a shorter healing time and much less redness in the first few weeks, it is also better for patients who do not have the availability of prolonged downtime. This treatment can be accomplished in one session and healing usually takes place in 5 to 7 days.
The Fraxel® laser skin resurfacing treatment is distinct from other laser rejuvenation treatments that use either the erbium or the CO2 laser. Because the Fraxel® laser procedure is non-invasive, there are few post-treatment side effects. There is virtually no skin tenderness or pain after undergoing treatment and no downtime is required after the procedure. It should be noted, however, that this is not a single session treatment. Treatments are done every 2 to 4 weeks over 2 to 4 sessions. Improvements to the skin’s appearance will be apparent with each treatment with final results at the end of six months.
The newest procedure, which was FDA approved in 2005, is Portrait® plasma skin regeneration. This technology produces its resurfacing and rejuvenating effects by harnessing thermal energy, which is generated by the sun and naturally present around us all the time. Because the thermal energy released into the skin during a Portrait® Plasma treatment is uniformly absorbed, the treated area experiences incredible collagen and elastin regeneration. The new, healthy tissue eventually replaces the wrinkled, damaged tissue. The results of Portrait® Plasma Skin Regeneration are stunning, and actually get better over time. Immediately after the treatment, skin appears tighter and more toned. As more and more regeneration takes place, Portrait® Plasma patients notice the resurfacing effects: scars and sunspots diminishing, wrinkles and fine lines filling in, and saggy skin regaining its supple tone. This procedure can be done in one session using higher energy or in three sessions with less energy per treatment with very similar results. Of course, the more energy used per treatment the more downtime. The deeper treatments heal in approximately 5 days and the lighter treatments don’t have any downtime.
I recently found a sun visor from Solis that blocks 99.9% of UV rays and have started using it with all resurfacing laser treatments. It can cover the full face or be partially lifted. The other day a tennis pro told me that she found that she could actually see the tennis balls better with the visor on!
One more item to discuss is the preparation of the skin before laser treatments. I feel that proper skin preparation before these procedures combined with long-term maintenance can not only improve short-term healing but can actually result in longer lasting improvements thus fewer procedures down the line. Recently, Stacy Crabtree, RN, joined our team. She has considerable expertise in Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Artefill and skin care, both before and after laser treatments. We are both available for consultations and treatments.
Enjoy this beautiful fall weather! See you soon.
Marcia V Byrd MD
posted by Dr. Marcia Byrd at
10:22 AM
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