FYI Cosmetics

The newest laser to join the Candela family of lasers is the QuadraLASE. QuadraLASE is a fractional CO2 laser that brings laser skin resurfacing to a new level, by incorporating an innovative scanning technology called the QuadraSCAN. This scanning technology assists in minimizing the thermal buildup within the skin and increases comfort during the procedure. The beauty of the QuadraLASE is it combines the effectiveness of the carbon dioxide lasers of the past with the new fractional technology and requires no disposables. Years ago CO2 laser skin resurfacing was the Gold Standard as a powerful wrinkle remover and over all skin rejuvenator and skin firmer. However the recovery time and side effects were long and harsh. This new version of fractional CO2 laser treatment has the ability to deliver powerful results with less downtime and fewer side effects and complications.

As the skin goes through the natural aging process the main protein within the skin that keeps it wrinkle free, collagen, begins to break down. This break down is assisted by exposure to the sun and other environmental factors. Laser skin resurfacing is the process of removing the upper surface layers of skin to decrease lines, even out pigmentation, reduce acne scars, reduce pore size and assist in the rebuilding of the body’s own collagen. The heat from the laser as well as the skin injury stimulates the natural collagen into production. The results produce softer, smoother, more even toned, youthful looking skin. The ablative forms of skin resurfacing generally penetrate deep into the skin layers to remove or vaporize heavy wrinkles, acne scars and some forms of pigmentation. Significant down time, usually associated with severe redness, swelling and oozing are the typical reactions. Healing takes place as the skin begins to regenerate itself, revealing fresh new revitalized, tighter skin.

Fractional CO2 skin resurfacing will ablate a portion of the skin to treat photo-damage, wrinkles, scars, and pigmentation. The treatment works by treating a “fraction” of the skin. This means the laser will create areas of treated tissue that is surrounded by untreated healthy tissue. The QuadraLASE targets a pattern into the skin leaving micro portions of the skin intact, generally in a dot or pixel like pattern. The laser creates narrow deep columns that extend into the epidermis and in some cases into the dermis with an intense micro-beam of light. The intact areas maintain the tissue’s stability as the treated areas begin to heal, assisting in faster healing. Topical anesthesia and an air cooling system are used for patient comfort during the treatment. Patients are required to remain out of the sun as well as use a sunscreen of at least 30spf during the healing phase as well to optimize results.

While some will see some immediate improvements, the greatest progress is seen between 3-6 months after last treatment, giving the skin time for complete healing and collagen rebuilding. To further enhance the powerful results the fractional CO2 laser dermal fillers and injectables such as BOTOX cosmetic can be used. The results provide for very effective and satisfying results.
Determining if the QuadraLASE is right for you should be made with your cosmetic physician.

In the realm of non ablative lasers, Candela offers the VBeam series. Known for being the industry’s Gold Standard, the VBeam is a pulse dye laser that can be used to treat a variety of vascular and pigmentation issues. The pulse dye laser delivers an intense but gentle burst of light into selective colors of the skin for safe and effective treatments. The light energy produced targets the chromophore oxyhemoglobin, the predominant protein in red blood cells. The heat energy is then absorbed by the specific blood vessels or pigmentation that has been targeted within the dermis and is then destroyed. The VBeam treats skin anomalies while saving the surrounding tissues. The vascular and skin issues that can successfully be treated with the VBeam series include port wine stains, rosacea, hemangiomas, Poikilderma of Civatte, dyschromia and small veins on the face and legs less than 3mm in diameter. Added benefits of this laser include photorejuvenation and treatment of fine lines and wrinkles.

The VBeam series offers three versions of this laser to fit individual practice needs. The Aesthetica performs skin rejuvenation by improving skin tone. It effectively removes red veins and discoloration. Because it has limited itself to just aesthetic treatments, this model in the series can also be upgraded to include additional parameters of treatment. The Platinum VBeam can treat a broad range of vascular lesions, rosacea, acne, port wine stains and both facial and leg veins. Uniform and consistent heating time after time provides consistently excellent results with minimal to no bruising of the treated areas. And finally, the VBeam Perfecta. The Perfecta is a combination of the first two lasers. The Perfecta does it all from skin rejuvenation for fine lines, wrinkles and skin tone, to rosacea and red veins, to pigmented areas and much more. With the patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) along with micro-pulse technology, the Perfecta offers practically no down time and no bruising or purpura to the skin.

All of the VBeam lasers utilize an easy access touch screen to provide guidelines for safe starting energies for patient treatment parameters, making the operative of the laser easy to use. The micropulse technology allows gentle vessel healing to eliminate downtime and provide effective and consistent results. With the VBeam anesthesia needs are minimal to non existent because of the DCD.

Determining factors as to whether or not lesions can be treated will depend on the color, age, location and type of lesion. Ideal treatments should result in elimination of the target with no hypo-pigmentation, hyper-pigmentation, scarring or change in skin texture. Wrinkles and broken capillaries from sun damage can be lessened and even eliminated with a series of treatments. Stretch marks and scars can also be treated effectively as the light energy removes the redness and stimulates collagen production to decrease the look of the scar.

For most 2-5 treatments as 6 week intervals are required for maximum benefits. Side effects can include redness or mild swelling in the treated area immediately following treatment, usually resolving within a few hours to a few days. Occasionally a laser bruise (purpura) may occur. Purpura is short lived and will often disappear in less than a week. It is recommended to avoid the sun before and throughout treatments for the most effective results. Many patients report seeing a difference immediately with a feeling of firming or tightening to the treated area. Results vary depending on the area being treated and multiple treatments may be needed for clearance of vascular lesions.

For those men and women who find that they have started to experience the common signs of aging such as dull, unevenly textured and wrinkled skin, then treatments with the Candela VBeam Perfecta may be just what you need. Continual exposure to the harsh elements can do much damage to the exposed skin of the face and neck. Aged and damaged facial skin can cause many individuals to appear older than their chronological age; this is almost always attributed to unprotected skin being exposed to sun and environmental elements for extended periods of time. Skin rejuvenation treatments with the Candela VBeam are a fantastic way to rejuvenate tired, damaged skin.

Over the years there have been many skin rejuvenation techniques have been developed which were designed to help individuals in reducing the visible signs of aging and skin damage, however the advent of the aesthetic laser has brought about a whole new level of treatment. Laser skin rejuvenation treatments with the Candela VBeam provide excellent results without requiring a significant amount of recovery time or downtime. In addition, these treatments never produce the side effects that are commonly associated with other skin rejuvenation procedures such as invasive surgery, ablative treatments, chemical peels and injections.

The Candela VBeam Perfecta pulsed dye laser is known across the board as the gold standard in laser skin rejuvenation. Specifically designed to treat underlying vascular and epidermal pigmented lesions, facial and nasal veins, sun spots and freckles, facial redness and rosacea, psoriasis, wrinkles and fine lines and even unsightly scars and warts can all be treated safely and effectively with the VBeam without causing localized damage to the surface of the skin. The Perfecta’s enhanced micro-pulse technology provides visibly effective treatments without causing any open wounds, facial crusting, “purpura,” or laser bruising; men and women who undergo treatment with this laser can walk out the door without embarrassing side effects commonly associated with other skin rejuvenation treatments.

During treatment, as the laser is passed over the treatment area it penetrates through the outer layers of skin and is attracted to the micro vessels located below. The laser light works to heat and cauterize these vessels which effectively cuts off the blood supply and renders them inactive. Once treated, the vessels are then naturally absorbed and expelled by the body’s lymphatic system. The specific wavelength of the VBeam laser as well as the patented DCD (Dynamic Cooling Device) epidermal cooling and protection system provide both practitioners and patients with simple and complete rejuvenation system. No anesthetics are needed and no skin irritating “topical” ointments or gels are applied for VBeam Perfecta treatment. The DCD is all that patients will ever need for lasting comfort and protection.

Candela VBeam treatments are highly sought after by both patients and laser technicians because they produce an immediately visible results without the need for recovery time. With this treatment, patients have the opportunity come in for their session and then resume normal activities when their treatment is complete. Unlike chemical peels or other more invasive skin rejuvenation procedures that require downtime at home to heal and let bruising subside, patients can treat with the VBeam and then get right back to their daily lives; the VBeam Perfecta is an all in one device that allows patients to be treated quickly and comfortably, with no side effects and no hassles. After a series of treatments patients will see significant wrinkle reduction, and will notice a smoother, more even looking complexion; the best part—results are long lasting

The Candela SmoothPeel is an innovative laser device that offers patients a revolutionary new way to experience true skin exfoliation. The SmoothPeel is a technologically advanced skin rejuvenation treatment that has many advantages over more traditional peel methods. Chemical peels are one of the most widely performed aesthetic procedures for skin rejuvenation; however successful outcomes of this treatment depend largely on the skill and experience of the practitioner. The Candela SmoothPeel offers reliable treatments that provide consistent results that are less invasive and require less downtime; no other skin exfoliation treatment can compare.

Approved by the FDA for lasting skin rejuvenation, the SmoothPeel by Candela is a low power 2940nm Er: YAG (Erbium YAG) laser that provides relief from a variety of aesthetic needs including fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, age spots, uneven pigmentation and overall skin rejuvenation; a large range of patients can see effective results with this versatile machine. When undergoing traditional skin rejuvenation methods such as chemical peels, practitioners found it difficult to determine the amount and depth of tissue destruction needed; this is what ultimately distinguishes the ideal contact time for the chemical agent. Due to this inconsistency, many patients experienced varying results in addition to a host of undesirable complications. The SmoothPeel treatment has introduced a way to achieve the beneficial effects of a chemical peel without the chemicals.

The main reason why the SmoothPeel is ideal for effective skin exfoliation is because it is specifically designed to cater to patients specific needs. Overall treatment time as well as energy levels utilized will be determined by the level of rejuvenation needed. For lighter peels, practitioners will use a larger spot size and will perform less passes at a higher energy level. For a deeper peel (medium depth) the smaller spot size can be used for higher precision and more passes will be made at a medium to high setting.

When the treatment is performed the laser device will be passed over the targeted area. While traditional chemical peel treatments are limited to the face, the Candela SmoothPeel can be used on the face, neck, chest and even hands. As the laser is passed over the area being treated, the laser delivers precise tissue ablation with only very superficial thermal injury. This means that the outer layers of skin are lightly ablated so that the dead skin and other facial ailments can be targeted and removed. Simultaneously, the thermal injury promotes the natural growth of collagen which effectively smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles for a tighter, younger appearance.

Candela’s new SmoothPeel treatment enables practitioners to perform a light, refreshing no downtime peel or a deeper treatment similar to a mid-level chemical peel without traditional downtime or side effects that are commonly associated. For the very best skin rejuvenation results, patients should undergo at least three treatments that are spaced every two to four weeks apart. Patients who undergo SmoothPeel treatments routinely see improvement after the first procedure and experience continuing results after each successive treatment. Once treated, men and women report smoother, more vibrant skin and a more evenly toned complexion. If you are searching for a skin rejuvenation treatment that is mildly invasive and involves little to no downtime, consider the SmoothPeel treatment by Candela. Once you complete your series of treatments, you won’t believe the difference.

The Candela Smoothbeam is one of the most versatile diode laser technologies available for the treatment of acne, acne scarring and wrinkles and fine lines. Anyone who has ever suffered with acne knows it is one of the most commonly diagnosed skin conditions in the U.S. today, but sometimes it is difficult to know what to do about it. There more acne remedies currently available than you can count, but how many of those remedies can offer safe, effective, long lasting results? The Smoothbeam by Candela is one of the newest non-ablative laser treatments to offer patients the ability to rejuvenate the skin in more ways than one. The Smoothbeam can minimize acne scars, reduce acne breakouts and reduce the most common sign of aging—wrinkles and fine lines.

Acne is a very serious condition; as a matter of fact, four out of five adolescents and adults are currently affected by acne in one way or another. Whether an individual is currently suffering with acne, or had acne in the past and is now left with its constant reminder, it is one of the most common skin conditions human beings experience. Because acne is so prevalent in today’s society, many acne treatments have been developed, but none have provided individuals with such successful results before the introduction of laser acne treatments. The Candela Smoothbeam is unique in that this singular laser is capable of successfully accomplishing two completely different objectives where acne is concerned. On one side of the spectrum, these laser treatments encourage the production of collagen beneath the skin, which plumps up the surface and fills in gaps to smooth out acne scarring. On the other end of the spectrum, these laser treatments can literally shrink the follicles of the sebaceous glands, which, when overactive, lead to the formation of acne. Shrinking these glands reduces the amount of oil the sebaceous gland secretes, less oil production equals less acne outbreaks.

This acne treatment is truly innovative because instead of targeting acne at the skin’s surface, the laser penetrates beneath the outer layers of skin to target the cause of acne in the glands below. The Candela Smoothbeam laser targets the sebaceous glands within the deepest layers of skin without affecting the skins surface, through its patented laser assisted skin renewal (LASR) process. This process is designed to encourage the natural growth of collagen while shrinking the sebaceous glands for smoother, healthier looking skin. While most other acne treatments can be very harsh on the skins surface, the Smoothbeam works to protect the outer layers of skin for safe, effective results.

With its 6mm spot size and 1450nm wavelength, the Smoothbeam is currently the fastest and most effective diode laser for the reduction of acne, acne scarring and fine lines and wrinkles. The reasoning behind this is that the Smoothbeam was designed specifically to target and treat the root cause of acne—the sebaceous gland. With its precise heating of the upper epidermis and controlled cooling of the outer skin layers with the patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD), this treatment is perfectly designed for laser acne removal treatments. For those patients looking for a safe effective way to remove acne and acne scarring, don’t think twice about any of the other alternatives. For acne and acne scar removal results that last, find out more about Candela’s Smoothbeam today.