What is laser and photo therapy and how does it work?

The aging process and the cumulative effects of sun, gravity, genetics, and other factors cause brown spots, red patches and broken capillaries, as well as a loss of skin elasticity, which leads to sagging, lipoatrophy, and other loosening of the skin and facial structure. The procedures below are designed to recapture your skin’s youthful glow by utilizing IPL Therapy (Intense Pulse Light Laser) or infrared light.

Skin Tightening
Laser skin tightening is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical process that uses an infrared light source to tighten skin by heating the collagen under the skin’s surface, causing the skin to contract or tighten. Facial skin tightening is noticeable immediately after the treatment, and there is no downtime, making this an increasingly popular procedure. Additional skin tightening occurs over the next few months, but optimal results usually require two or three treatments about a month apart.

Photo Resurfacing
Harnessing the healing and corrective properties of light, a series of photo resurfacing skin rejuvenation treatments can reduce discoloration, age spots, sun damage and fine lines by boosting collagen production. This innovative “lunchtime” treatment can show impressive results in treating excessive flushing, broken blood vessels and enlarged pores and is quickly become a must have for those suffering from rosacea.

Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a relatively new treatment for reducing facial wrinkles and skin irregularities, such as blemishes or acne scars. The technique directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin. Laser skin resurfacing removes skin very precisely, layer by layer, to leave lasting results. This popular procedure is known by several names, including lasabrasion, laser peel or laser vaporization

Microlaser Peel
Utilizing a Sciton laser, this skin rejuvenating treatment precisely removes the outer most layer of skin. This removal of the dead layer and the thin layers of the epidermis helps smooth the skin’s surface while blending irregular pigmented age spots at the same time. This state-of-the-art laser treatment is designed for individuals with active lifestyles who are seeking significant improvement in skin texture, color and tone.

Hyper pigmentation correction
In IPL therapy, (IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light). It is not a laser, but a light-based device that uses filters to isolate specific wavelengths of light that can help to improve unwanted brown spots and redness as well as perform hair reduction. It is used to even out complexion and improve the look of sun damaged skin — typically known as “photofacial.” It can also be used in combination with photosensitzers such as Levulan (amino levulinic acid) to improve acne and given an enhanced treatment of sun damaged skin. Usually, save for dark isolated sun spots, 3 to 6 treatments are generally needed to get desired results

What does it treat?
Laser and photo therapy treatments are typically performed on the face, neck, chest, back or hands.

What is the procedure like?
With some treatments, you may feel a mild, brief pinching sensation when a pulse of light is delivered. In others, you may feel alternating cool and warm sensations. Most patients are comfortable without any medication although some opt to take a mild, over-the-counter pain reliever beforehand.

What is the recovery time?
The most common side effect is a slight redness or mild swelling in the treated area that should disappear within a few hours.

How permanent is the result?
Immediate results are seen by some patients although the best results are seen in two to four weeks. For the most thorough results four or more treatments may be needed. Results can last several years, but because the aging process continues, you may want to have additional treatments.