Skin Rejuvenation with the Candela SmoothPeel
Another laser in the long line of the Candela family of lasers is the SmoothPeel. The SmoothPeel is a 2940nm Erbium: YAG (ER: YAG) laser FDA approved to treat minor skin variations. The erbium laser works to ablate (or remove) the top layer of skin giving results beyond the standard microdermabrasion treatments and faster and more controlled than a chemical peel. When treating for fine lines, photo-damage, wrinkles, solar lentigines and skin rejuvenation the results often reveal younger looking skin, smaller pores, more even complexions and minimal downtime.
SmoothPeel has reported superior ablative capabilities with its ER: YAG which delivers consistent and precise outcomes time after time. Results appear in far fewer sessions than with the standard microdermabrasions. A typical microdermabrasion will peel at a depth of 1-2 microns into the skin. The SmoothPeel laser provides tissue ablation with only very superficial injury into the skin at depths of up to 10 microns. Because this laser has only 2 parameter settings there is less risk of input and operator error. The two different spot sizes available on the laser also permit a more customized treatment which allows for either a mild, skin refreshing type peel or a medium to deep peel which requires up to a week of recovery time.
SmoothPeel provides the results of microdermabrasion and chemical peels, but with more control and less risks. Chemical peels are one of the most frequently performed aesthetic procedures done today. Often the amount and depth of tissue destruction as well as the ideal amount of time the chemical is left on the skin can be difficult to determine. This can lead to a variety of undesirable complications as well as inconsistent results. The benefits of the SmoothPeel are that the results can be reproduced time and again with minimal to no untoward side effects.
A typical treatment is performed on clean very dry skin. Since the ER: YAG is attracted to the water within the skin, it is important for the skin to be dry in the areas to be treated. Topical anesthetic can be applied if the medium to deep peel is to be done. An air cooling device is also used to maximize patient comfort. The skin is then treated with one or two passes of the laser depending on the depth of the peel chosen. The ablated or dead skin is wiped away using iced saline gauze. Immediately afterward the skin will appear like mild sunburn. This fades away over a period of 1-3 days with some residual peeling of the skin during that time. The deeper laser peel will have a 4-7 day recovery time with increased redness and peeling. Optimal results are experienced with 3 sessions at 3-4 week intervals. Each session builds upon itself for progressively better results.
Actual treatment times are quick, and a full face can be treated in approximately 20 minutes. These rapid and effective treatments assist in an increase patient satisfaction ratio. Because the Erbium: YAG laser is more technologically advanced than the standard microdermabrasion and chemical peels it offers a significant advantage over these conventional therapies. First the quicker treatment times allow the patient to come in on their lunch hour and return to work with minimal observable effects. Second, the quicker treatment times are designed to also increase general patient comfort during sessions. Thirdly the SmoothPeel laser has the ability to treat thinner skinned areas such as the neck and chest with minimal difficulties.
