Laser skin resurfacing, sometimes also called lasabrasion or laser peel is one of the leading skin rejuvenation methods on the market today. In addition to treating age related problems such as wrinkles and fine lines laser resurfacing is also often used to reduce the appearance of other skin irregularities, including acne scars, sun spots at other.
Laser resurfacing uses precise laser beam to target damaged skin cells. Depending on the intensity the lasers used in the resurfacing procedure are either ablative or non-ablative lasers.
Ablative laser is more invasive and uses carbon dioxide to remove thin layers of skin. Ultrapulse (short pulsed light energy) or continuous light beams scan the surface for damaged areas and simply peel them off. Vaporizing the outer skin layer stimulates collagen production. The skin reconstructs itself as it heals. Post procedure swelling and redness are expected. It can take up to two weeks for your skin to repair itself.
Erbium laser does not remove any skin. It’s more effective when treating impurities on the surface level. Non ablative laser focuses mainly on tightening the skin and stimulating collagen production, it’s less invasive as well as less risky. Erbium option has been proved to cause fewer side effects (swelling, bruising, and redness) as well and has shorter recovery time.
Laser skin resurfacing is one of the more “serious” beauty procedures.
Start by consulting a specialist to determine if you are a candidate and which laser resurfacing treatment is best suited for you.
Other than that, if you have any of the following skin problems, you qualify as a candidate for laser skin resurfacing:
Once your doctor is positive about laser skin resurfacing and has a treatment plan,
you’ll most probably be asked to follow some general pre procedure guidelines:
Refrain from taking medications that can affect clotting.
Stop smoking at least two weeks prior to surgery.
Avoid spending time in sun. Getting too much sun exposure before the procedure can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in the treated areas. You can still spent short amounts of time in the sun using the right protection.
Stay well hydrated before as wella s after the procedure.
You will most certainly asked to apply special creams, lotions or gels to your skin for a few weeks prior the treatment to ease your skin into the procedure. You also might be asked to refrain from using your everyday skin produced to avoid any additional risks of skin irritation.
Recovery time depends on the size of treated area and the intensity of treatment. In case of ablative lasers the recovery takes usually between . In case of non-ablative treatments recovery time is slightly shorter.
]]>Over the course of life our bodies go through changes that affect the way our skin looks, be it acne at puberty, post-pregnancy stretch marks, sun damage or discoloration, or so-called age spots. .
With new technologies emerging every other month, finding the right treatment for your skin can be especially tricky, . To keep you informed and help you make the best possible choices, here we review the two most popular skin treatment methods on the market today: microdermabrasion and IPL photofacial.
Microdermabrasion is the “older” procedure of the two. Having been around since the 1980s, it is proudly among the most popular time-tested treatments worldwide. It rejuvenates and repairs damaged skin using tiny crystals (mostly diamond) and a vacuum system.
During the procedure, a machine directs a flow of crystals across the skin to exfoliate the top layer (about 5 -10 microns) of cells and stimulate collagen production.
Microdermabrasion treats a wide array of skin-related problems, including stretch marks, acne scars, sun spots, clogged pores, and rosacea, as well as wrinkles and fine lines. It can be used as a remedy for a specific skin condition or a way to refresh your appearance every once in a while. It’s non-invasive, safe, and leaves the treated area smooth and clear.
Intense pulse light therapy, or IPL, is somewhat more cutting edge than microdermabrasion. It’s computer-controlled and uses non-laser, high-intensity multi-wavelength light. This not only allows the dermatologist better control while skin resurfacing, but also penetrates more deeply.
During the photofacial procedure, light impulses from a lamp touch the targeted skin cells (stretch marks, sun spots, age marks) and the light turns into heat, destroying those cells.
IPL photofacial treats many of the same skin-related problems as microdermabrasion: sun spots and skin discoloration in general, rosacea, acne, spider veins, etc. IPL works great if you are looking for a way to refresh your appearance rather than treat a specific skin condition.
It’s non-invasive, painless, and has no major side effects (mild pigment irregularities, stinging, or temporary redness can occur, but no bruising). However, it’s important to know that ethnic or darker skin can be more challenging to treat.
Because darker skin is prone to absorbing more light energy, more severe side effects, such as blistering, are more common. If you still wish to have IPL treatments, make sure you choose a dermatologist experienced in this technique, and ask to have the IPL tested on a small area of your skin first.This will insure that you are making a safe choice and and optimal setting for you.
The main difference between Microdermabrasion and IPL Treatment is the depth on which both technologies work. Microdermabrasion offers a “from outside in” approach. The crystals peel off dead cells from the surface layer of the skin and the vacuum sucks it all up. IPL Photofacial is more advanced technology that can destroy damaged cells deep within the skin layer without any harm coming to the surrounding tissue. To sum it all up, IPL Photofacial is a more complex procedure than Microdermabrasion but the effects are more visible and last longer.
]]>Ultherapy defies the effects of time and gravity on the skin using ultrasonic waves, which battle the aging process from inside the skin. To better understand the science behind ultherapy, we need to know what leads to sagging skin in the first place.
Human skin is made up of different layers and proteins. In the dermis, the fibrous protein collagen keeps skin flexible and smooth. But unfortunately, once we hit 30, our body’s ability to produce collagen starts to decrease, and we lose 1 percent of this valuable substance every year. As a result the skin becomes less resilient, and wrinkles form on a daily basis.
The Ulthera system was developed specifically with this process of collagen loss in mind, which is why it’s such a powerful tool against aging.
Waves of ultrasound, generated by the ultherapy machine, directly affect the collagen bands deep within the skin, triggering the body’s natural regenerative process. Focused energy from these ultrasonic waves heats tissues, putting the body into self-healing mode. Within a short time (usually up to 2 or 3 months), collagen production rises—and saggy skin becomes history!
But is ultherapy the only way to turn back the clock for your skin?
It’s not—but we are ready to argue that it’s the most effective one!
Laser skin resurfacing is another popular method used to make skin look younger. It’s similar to ultherapy, but because it uses light energy instead, it’s impossible to reach the deeper layers of the skin; so the treatment occurs only on the surface. Consequently, the result is often less effective and shorter-lived than ultherapy. Unlike light waves, ultrasound has no problem passing through multiple layers of skin tissue, thereby stimulating healthy collagen production deep beneath the surface without damaging the layers above.
What makes ultherapy unique is that ultrasound serves merely as the trigger for the skin to start rejuvenating. It’s absolutely noninvasive, yet it acts at the same level as cosmetic surgeons when they perform a face-lift, delivering the same quality of results without the nasty needles and surgical wounds. In short, it’s great for people who want a face-lift—without actually having one!
]]>How does microdermabrasion work?
Microdermabrasion is today’s updated version of dermabrasion, which was originally developed to treat acne scars, pockmarks, and minor scars from injuries or various diseases. It works by exposing a healthier, younger layer of skin through the removal of dead cells on the skin’s surface.There are two types of microdermabrasion machines. One utilizes a diamond tip to exfoliate the skin; the other polishes problematic areas by spraying tiny crystals on the skin’s surface.
Diamond-tip microdermabrasion systems such as PRISTINE are generally favored for their safety, since there is no risk of the patient inhaling any crystal particles. This also means that dermatologists can use it freely around the nose and mouth.Utilizing a vacuum head, the instrument sucks the skin up to its diamond-coated tip, which gently abrades the surface and takes off dead skin cells, treating any problematic area in its entirety.
What to expect from microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion works best on acne scars, discolorations, and coarse texture caused by sun damage. It even works on wrinkles.
The result is evident in an instant. The skin’s surface is smoother, its freshness and glow immediately visible.
Because microdermabrasion is a physical process that uses a certain amount of pressure, temporary redness is a possible occurrence, but not for long—it usually subsides in less than 24 hours.
Microdermabrasion or chemical peel?
Microdermabrasion is a physical exfoliation method. Peels do a similar job but use chemicals instead—mostly glycolic acid, which is derived from sugarcane. A liquid of a specific strength, which can vary depending on intended use, is evenly applied to the problem area and then neutralized after 5 minutes. The patient will most likely experience a tingling sensation.
Microdermabrasion and chemical peel are both exfoliating treatments, and they have very similar outcomes. A glycolic peel has the additional effect of penetrating the pores, thereby allowing your skin-care products to reach deeper into the skin. On the other hand, microdermabrasion positively affects the production of collagen and elastin, giving the skin an even more vibrant look.
The choice is up to you, but don’t forget that your skin is the largest organ of the body and should be treated carefully. This is why we advise a consultation with a professional before you make your decision.
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