FYI Cosmetics

The Thermage treatment has been around for years and has provided a way for men and women to smooth wrinkled and aging facial skin, but Body Thermage has taken this treatment to a whole new level. Thermage is an innovative new cosmetic procedure that provides individuals with a safe, non-surgical method for tightening loose skin and wrinkles through use of radiofrequency energy. Although originally used just on the face, recently Thermage has been successfully used on the body to treat the thighs, buttocks, lax abdominal skin and loose and sagging arm skin. For those men and women looking for a simply procedure that is designed to reduce the appearance of aging skin, then Body Thermage may be exactly what you need.

Skin is supported by collagen, which is a naturally occurring protein in the body that can slowly deplete due to several factors such as age, environment, diet, smoking, and sun damage. Collagen is what plumps the skin for a smooth, taught look, so as it depletes, the skin starts to loosen and sag. The Body Thermage treatment is designed to stimulate new collagen growth in areas of loose, sagging skin in order to provide men and women with a tighter more contoured shape. This non-invasive treatment accomplishes that through the use of radiofrequency (RF) technology.

The Thermage procedure uses a radiofrequency laser device called the ThermaCool TC which is specifically designed to create a controlled section of heat which penetrates into the dermis and the deeper tissue of the treatment area. Heating the collagen to specific temperatures creates a natural biological reaction that causes the collagen to contract and thicken; it is this thickening that results in the beginning of tighter, smoother skin. What makes this treatment truly fantastic is that in addition to the initial thickening of collagen, the treatment also triggers another body response. Whenever trauma or damage comes to the skin, the body’s natural reaction is to stimulate collagen growth in order to heal the skin. The heat from the radiofrequency is also designed to cause localized damage to the dermis layers of skin. This damage promotes the natural growth of collagen which in turn, adds long term effects to this skin tightening treatment.

The Body Thermage treatment is completely safe for all individuals to undergo. The low level frequency of the RF technology is designed to stimulate collagen growth without doing damage to the surrounding area or to the outer layers of skin. The heat of the treatment can cause a mild discomfort to patients, but the epidermis is constantly cooled by a cryogen spray during the procedure which is designed to cool and protect the outer layers of skin. Some patients may experience mild redness in the treatment area immediately following the procedure, but this skin redness will only last for a few hours. Patients can immediately return to their normal daily activities following treatment, and will continue to experience tighter, smoother results as the weeks pass by. One Body Thermage treatment can do wonders for any man or woman, but a series of treatments can provide successful skin tightening results that last. Learn more about Body Thermage treatments today.

Non-invasive skin tightening techniques are becoming more and more popular as individuals continue to see the lasting benefits that these treatments provide. No matter how strict our diet and exercise regiments may be, once you reach a certain age, it seems that some facial and body areas just fail to respond. Because of this, various skin tightening techniques have been developed that can smooth and tone the body in localized areas thus giving men and women a tighter more contoured look and feel. Skin tightening is a fantastic way to reduce loose and flabby facial and body skin for a smoother, tighter, more contoured shape.

As skin tightening technology has progressed, several different treatments have been developed to help men and women smooth and tighten their skin. These include Thermage, photo rejuvenation and laser skin tightening.

Thermage: The Thermage procedure was the first skin tightening treatment to become available to consumers and it is performed using a device called the ThermaCool TC. This device utilizes radiofrequency waves in order to create a controlled section of heating within the dermis and the deeper tissue of the skin, while at the same time constantly cooling and protecting the outer layers of the epidermis via a cryogen spray. By effectively heating the collagen within the dermis to a specific temperature, the heat works to create a natural biological reaction that causes the existing collagen to contract and thicken; this reaction results in the formation of tighter, smoother skin.

Photo Rejuvenation: Photo Rejuvenation, also known as PhotoFacial, is a skin tightening procedure that utilizes pulsed light technology, which is similar to laser technology but differs slightly. Pulsed Light technology involves the use of multiple wavelengths of light that reach varying penetration depths simultaneously. By concentrating the wavelengths of energy at a variety of different tissue levels, the pulsed light can stimulate collagen growth at a variety of depths. This allows for more even skin tightening results in those patients that have varying degrees of skin laxticity.

Laser Skin Tightening: Laser skin tightening treatments are innovative because they combine the technologies of both Thermage and photo rejuvenation for complete skin rejuvenation. By combining RF frequency with true laser technology, this treatment cause’s localized damage to the dermal layers of skin with promotes the natural growth of collagen. There are several different skin tightening lasers on the market today, each one is designed to target and treat varying levels of skin laxticity. Because this treatment is more intense, the results are more long lasting. After a single treatment patients experience visible results and after a series, they enjoy a smooth, contoured look that lasts.

Depending on the level of skin tightening patients are trying to achieve, one of these treatments may be better suited because different skin depths will need to be targeted and reached. We never want to think about that fact that one day we’ll wake up and realize our skin no longer has the firm, youthful look it once did, but now there are a variety of skin tightening treatments that can help to restore that smooth, wrinkle free look we all want. Find out more today about these skin tightening treatments and discover if one may be right for you.

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.

The GentleMax laser from Candela combines the best of both worlds, the gold standard GentleLase alexandrite laser for hair removal and the multipurpose GentleYAG laser in one convenient package. The two lasers in one package allow for smoother transitions between treatment types as well as conserve space for the practitioner. Candela continues to use the dynamic cooling device as a means of skin coolant and protection during treatments and with the Gentle Max this is no exception. This two in one laser can provide treatment for hair removal on all skin types, facial and leg veins, pseudo follicular barbae (beard bumps), pigmented lesions, age or sun spots, freckles, vascular lesions, wrinkle reduction and skin tightening.

The Alexandrite laser portion of the GentleMax is a 755 nm wavelength of light that is excellent for hair removal, as well as some vascular treatments and pigmentation spots. While it does have the ability to treat all skin types, it is best slated for the lighter skin colors known as the Fitzpatrick’s I- IV. The vascular lesions such as hemangiomas, venous lakes and blue facial veins can also be effectively eliminated as well as the reduction of some facial wrinkles. Typical hair removal treatments initiate the use of the dynamic cooling device or DCD to cool and protect the skin during the session. The rapid evaporative cooling also assists in maximizing comfort as well the providing epidermal protection which aides in faster recovery.

The YAG laser portion of the GentleMax utilizes the 1064nm wavelength of light. YAG wavelengths are excellent and safe for their ability to provide permanent hair reduction on tanned or very dark skin, as well as effectively eliminate spider veins, reduce wrinkles and tighten skin. With its use of long pulse high energy laser light technology, the beam of light that is emitted passes through the skin where it is absorbed by the targets without risk or damage to the surrounding skin. The GentleYAG provides superior non invasive non ablative methods to reduce wrinkles and tighten the skin on the face, neck and larger areas of the body. Laser facials with the YAG treat superficially to reduce wrinkles virtually painlessly with almost immediate results. YAG skin tightening treats the deeper dermis causing a thermal reaction to stimulate collagen beneath the surface of the skin causing skin to be firmer and tighter. Results can be seen in 4 to 6 weeks with 4 treatments needed to achieve optimal results.

The GentleMax provides several spot sizes to be able to customize the many cosmetic procedures this system can provide. A major benefit with the use of the Candela lasers is that it provides for the largest treatment spot size in industry. In regards to laser hair removal for example the 18 mm spot size can treat a man’s back in 30 minutes, as opposed to smaller spot sizes that can take an hour or more to treat. The varieties of treatment target sizes are available to maximize the effectiveness of each pulse for both the alexandrite and YAG lasers. The flexible pulse duration and adjustable epidermal cooling technology also allow for maximum patient safety and comfort. With the highly innovated computer controls and touch screen, deciding on treatment parameters are made easy when the proper treatment and skin types are put in the system. Not only is the GentleMax easy to use, but it will also provide consistent and reproducible results time and again.

The GentleYAG by Candela is a safe effective laser that can be used for a variety of cosmetic skin issues that previously may not have been able to be treated successfully. While YAG lasers are known for their ability to provide permanent hair reduction on tanned or very dark skinned patients, this laser is also effective for eliminating spider veins as well as reducing wrinkles and tightening loose skin on the face and other areas of the body. Using long pulse high energy laser light technology, the emitting beam of light from the GentleYAG passes through the skin where it is absorbed by the target without risk to the surrounding skin.

Candela lasers have the ability to utilize non toxic cryogen as part of a skin cooling system. Called the Dynamic cooling Device or DCD, cryogen, which has a very fast evaporation rate, is sprayed onto the skin milliseconds before the beam of high intensity laser light hits the skin. The rapid evaporation provides a cooling effect that assists in decreasing discomfort while maximizing protection to the outer layer of the skin. The DCD also assists in speeding treatment times by eliminating the need for cooling gels that are often applied prior to treatment as well as some costly topical numbing agents. Healing is also rapid, as hair follicles are targeted, but the surrounding skin and tissues are left intact making for an all around more pleasant procedure. The GentleYAG is optimal for darker pigmented skin such as the Fitzpatrick Skin types V-VI for laser hair removal. The GentleYAG targets the pigment inside the hair follicle during the growth phase of the hair cycle, leaving the surround tissue undisturbed. A minimum of 3-5 treatments 6-8 weeks apart are required to achieve desired results.

This laser is also an excellent non invasive, non ablative method to tighten skin on the face, neck and other areas of the body. The “Laser facial” is a rapid virtually painless way for the YAG laser to lessen or even eliminate wrinkles. No downtime or topical anesthetic is needed for this procedure that can achieve almost immediate results. Treatments require a series of rapid high intensity laser light pulses to be passes quickly over the skin to heat the targeted areas superficially. Most patients leave the office that day with a smile and less wrinkles.

Skin tightening is achieved by transferring heat into the deepest layers of the dermis. The effect is a thermal injury below the skin that encourages a healing response stimulating the collagen to “restart” itself. When enough of the body’s own collagen is reactivated wrinkles and sagging skin begin to reduce giving a smoother more youthful appearance. For some, results can be seen within a few days; however most will see improvement for at least 4-6 weeks. Generally 4 treatments are needed for optimal results. For this procedure a topical numbing cream is applied 30-60 minutes prior to the treatment. With GentleYAG skin tightening the skin appears to have the look of mild sunburn immediately after the treatment. Once the redness subsides there is minimal to no downtime reported after the treatment.

An additional benefit of this Candela laser is how it effectively treats spider veins, and other small vascular anomalies. Again treatments are fast, effective and safe with only one to two treatments needed to achieve desired results.