FYI Cosmetics

Intense Pulsed Light or IPL is one of the many non-invasive aesthetic laser devices available to practitioners and patients for skin and body rejuvenation. IPL technology is similar to true laser technology in that it emits a concentrated beam of laser light, but while true lasers target and treat at one specific wavelength depth, intense pulsed light reaches and treats many different skin depths by emitting multiple wavelengths of light. While this makes IPL less effective for some aesthetic treatments such as tattoo removal and cellulite reduction, it makes it more useful for aesthetic procedure such as skin tightening and skin rejuvenation. When considering any aesthetic treatment, speak with your practitioner beforehand about the laser devices being used; be sure you are undergoing treatment with the most precise laser technology available.

Skin Tightening/Skin Rejuvenation

Skin tightening and skin rejuvenation techniques with the IPL laser are always very effective for tightening loose and sagging skin, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, and giving the skin a smoother, more uniform appearance. When the intense pulsed light laser is passed over the treatment area it penetrates through the outer layers of skin and targets multiple depths in the dermis layers below. The laser energy transforms into heat and that heat causes localized damage to the lower tissue layers. The damage caused by the heat of the laser effectively stimulates the natural growth of collagen within the skin.

Collagen is one of the natural building blocks of our skin—it is what gives the skin its smooth, firm appearance. As men and women age, their collagen growth within the skin slowly decreases, it is this decrease that causes the formation of wrinkles, fine lines and loose and sagging skin. By stimulating collagen growth, the IPL treatments effectively fill in fine lines and wrinkles from the inside out. This is the most effective method for rejuvenating and tightening loose and lax skin.

Permanent Hair Reduction

When performing skin tightening procedures, many practitioners realized that one of the side effects of the IPL treatment was the reduction of hair in the treatment area. There are several lasers currently on the market for the reduction of unwanted hair, and all but the intense pulsed light laser are true lasers. True lasers utilize one continuous wavelength of light which can accurately reach and treat hair at specific depths. The IPL laser can also treat and remove unwanted hair, but because it penetrates the skin at multiple wavelengths, treatments are not as precise. Now this isn’t to say that patients can’t see hair reduction success with the IPL laser, it simply means that on average, patients will have to undergo several more treatments with IPL technology than with true laser technology.

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Whether undergoing skin rejuvenation or hair removal treatments, know that after a series of intense pulsed light treatments, you will experience safe, effective results that last. Consult with your practitioner today and discover if aesthetic treatments with IPL are right for you.

The Cynosure Affirm is an innovative piece of laser technology that is designed to provide patients with complete skin rejuvenation results, no matter the treatment they are undergoing. Not only is this laser innovative, but it is also versatile—the Affirm is capable of treating a multitude of skin conditions including wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, age spots, uneven pigmentation, stretch marks and other trauma caused scarring. This revolutionary technology not only rejuvenates the skin, but it also provides faster, safer, longer lasting results that are less painful and require less downtime. The Cynosure Affirm is a complete skin rejuvenation package—what more could you ask for?

So you may be wondering just how the Affirm is capable of treating such a wide range of skin ailments both safely and effectively; the answer is in its unique combination of three leading laser technologies which together create a total skin rejuvenation system designed to target all layers of damaged and aged skin. The three technologies utilized by the Cynosure Affirm are the1440-nm CAP technology, the XPL technology and the 1320-nm MultiPlex technology. The 1440-nm CAP technology effectively targets superficial layers of sun damaged tissue, the state-of-the-art XPL technology provides enhanced clinical treatments for both skin redness and uneven pigmentation, and the Affirm’s newest feature—the 1320-nm MultiPlex technology— works to effectively target deep layers of collagen structures to reverse skin laxity and enhance tightening.

The Cynosure Affirm is truly revolutionary because it works on multiple levels for skin rejuvenation. The three technologies that combine to create the Affirm work simultaneously to both correct skin ailments that are found on the skin’s surface as well as reach down into the deeper layers of the dermis to promote the natural growth of collagen. By targeting the skins surface, this laser technology effectively reduce sun spots, age spots, redness caused by rosacea and acne and acne scarring and by targeting the deeper layers of skin, the natural growth of collagen is promoted which helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The Affirm is capable of providing complete skin rejuvenation leaves patients with lasting results.

Instead of utilizing just one single heat intensity level, this fractional laser can penetrate through the outer layers of skin and deliver a multitude of intensity levels to the surrounding area depending on the severity of damage in need of repair. Because this laser uses fractional technology, only a portion of the skin is treated during the procedure, thus providing successful results with less pain and faster recovery time. The thermal injury caused by the heat of the laser does not penetrate into the deep layers of the dermis therefore the recovery period is lessened considerably. While repairing skin damage, the heat also works to stimulate collagen growth which further assists in the overall healing process. Following treatment, as healing takes place, scars will begin to soften in their appearance, pore size will be gradually reduced, skin texture will be significantly improved and pigmentation will start to even out.

Because this treatment is so mildly invasive, there is no need for patients to use a topical anesthesia; patients report only minimal discomfort (if any at all) while undergoing the procedure. Procedures with this treatment are also very quick, a treatment for the full face takes merely 10 to 30 minutes to complete. Side effects experienced with this treatment are also minimal; most patients report experiencing slight redness in the treatment area (similar to mild sunburn) but this dissipates after only a few hours. While patients will see results after just a single session, physicians most often recommend undergoing at least 3 to 6 treatments for best results. For fantastic skin rejuvenation results that last, don’t look any further than the Cynosure Affirm.

Acne is a skin condition that affects millions of Americans, and while acne removal is desired by most, finding the right Acne Treatment to achieve smooth, acne free skin can be a challenge for many. Acne can affect us at many different stages of our lives. This skin condition most often affects teenagers, but it can also creep up on us when we are adults as well. Beyond that, many men and women haven’t had active acne for years, but continue to live with the visible scarring that their acne left behind. There are many different acne treatments available today, but some will work better than others depending on the type, amount and severity of acne you suffer with. Acne can be very distressing for many, but don’t give up hope, learn more about the different acne treatments available and discover if one is right for you.

Dermal Fillers: One of the fastest and simplest acne scarring treatments can be found in dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are synthetic compounds such as Restylane® or Juvederm® that when utilized are injected into and under the surface of the skin in order to fill in visible acne scarring. These compounds are truly innovative because they are composed of all natural ingredients that are normally found within the body. Dermal fillers can be very beneficial to those with severe acne scarring because they provide immediate results with minimal to no downtime.

Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing treatment that works to remove the superficial layers of the epidermis which provides fantastic skin cleansing and rejuvenation. Through the use gentle mechanical abrasion combined with pressure and suction, microdermabrasion works to scrape away the surface layer of skin. Removing the outermost layers of skin removes dead skin cells and clears clogged pores which minimizes the formation of acne. A series of treatments can reduce pore size, minimize acne formation and soften acne scars for effective acne removal.

Chemical Peels: Chemicals peels are a great acne treatment that work to give individuals a smoother, clearer appearance. Chemical peels involve the use of a chemical solution which when applied to the skin works to smooth skin texture by eliminating the damaged weakened outer layer of the epidermis. There are varying degrees of chemical peels (light, medium and deep) so depending on the severity of your acne and acne scarring, different options are available for different levels of acne removal treatment.

Laser Acne Removal: Laser acne removal is a truly revolutionary acne treatment; there are several different lasers available to consumers that can safely and effectively remove unwanted acne with minimal risk to the patient and minimal downtime needed. Both fractional and resurfacing lasers are designed to partially ablate the epidermal layer of skin; this decreases the depth of acne scars while simultaneously stimulating the natural production of collagen below the surface of the skin in order to initiate healing in the damaged areas. Many levels of acne removal are possible with this method so matter the severity of your acne or acne scarring, this method can properly treat it.

Depending on the severity of your acne and acne scarring, one or several of these acne treatments may be beneficial for your complete acne removal. Learn more about all of your options today and see how easy it can be to eliminate your acne scars once and for all!

The Pixel CO2 by Alma Lasers is a fractional CO2 skin resurfacing laser. By combining technologies, Alma has designed this laser with the effectiveness of an ablative CO2 laser with the comfort and decreased downtime of a non-ablative laser. Fractional skin resurfacing refers to the non-ablative laser treatment used to treat wrinkles, scars, pigmentation and sun damaged skin. The Pixel CO2 fractional laser treatment works by removing small portions of skin, leaving a dot or “pixel” like pattern of healthy intact skin on the surface.

By treating only a portion of the skin, the intact areas of skin are left to assist in regenerating the damaged skin tissue, thereby supporting a faster healing process. The combined technology assists in alleviating sun damaged skin, smoothing out fine lines, wrinkles and rhytids and helps with uneven pigmentation. Fractional treatments have also been reported to shrink pores and reduce the appearance of acne scars. Downtime is minimal lasting around three to six days with redness, which is reported to feel like sunburn and some swelling. The treatment is generally more cost effective than the full CO2 laser treatments for skin resurfacing due to its minimal use of anesthesia and quicker recovery time.

Pixel CO2 functions by treating a “fraction” of the skin, using an objective lens and adjustable beam to determine the depth of the laser penetration within the dermis of the skin. Topical anesthesia and an air cooling system are used for patient comfort during sessions. Typically 2-5 passes of the laser will occur during each session. The Pixel CO2 can treat all areas of the body safely. The first few days after treatment, skin feels like sand paper, as it begins to remove the old dead skin from itself. Most patients require 2-4 treatments with the greatest improvement seen between 2-3 months after last treatment, giving the skin time for complete healing. Fractional laser treatments have the ability to treat photo-damaged skin, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, shrink the appearance of pores, reduce acne scars and even out uneven pigmentation.

Unfortunately the aging process cannot be stopped. While the results from the fractional CO2 treatments are long lasting, they are not permanent. Future treatments may be required to maintain the acquired results. Fractional laser resurfacing can be used in conjunction with injectables such as BOTOX® cosmetic and dermal fillers for very effective and satisfying results.

The Pixel CO2 Omnifit is the solution for those practices that have a CO2 laser system but would like to offer a fractional CO2 treatment without the downtime or discomfort. The Omnifit is a hand piece that can fit most traditional CO2 laser devices. It has the ability to utilize the ablative approach of skin resurfacing, delivering highly effective treatments with increased patient comfort as well as the convenience and minimal recovery time of a non ablative treatment. Now treating sun-damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and rhytids can be done with less than a week of recovery time verses weeks or even months with the traditional CO2 skin resurfacing treatments.

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.