 |
|
Acne
Q&A's
Vascular
Lesions (Leg veins and broken capillaries) Q&A's
Wrinkles
Q&A
Hair
Removal Q&A's
Pseudofolliculitis
(shaving bumps) Q&A's
Lyra
Laser System Q&A's
Acne
Q&A's
- Why
does acne occur?
 Acne
occurs for a variety of reasons including an inability
of skin cells to shed properly, causing the pores to
plug, forcing the oil and bacteria that would naturally
escape to be trapped inside. As the oil and bacteria
accumulates, the skin becomes inflamed and swells outward
forming the familiar whiteheads, blackheads and pimples.
Acne is seen in many age groups, but is most common
in teens and frequently appears on the face, neck,
shoulders, back, and chest. Back
to Top
- What
systems treat acne?
The Aura and Gemini. Back to Top
- What
kind of acne does the Aura/Gemini lasers treat?
The lasers are FDA cleared for facial acne, though they can be used anywhere
acne is normally present. Back to Top
- How
does the laser help clear acne?
Light pulses are delivered through the skin's surface, targeting an organic
compound generated by the Propionibacterium acnes (p. acne) bacteria called
porphyrin. These porphyrins are photosensitive and when targeted by light,
generate singlet oxygen, which kill the p. acne bacteria that cause inflammation. Back
to Top
- How
long should the treatment take?
Treatment times will vary depending on the size of the treatment area, though
a full face will frequently take about 20 minutes. Back
to Top
- How
many treatments should I need?
Physicians who have conducted acne laser treatments frequently start with
a four treatment course, two per week for two weeks. More treatments may
be needed for those with more severe acne. Back
to Top
- How
long do the effects last?
Clinical data suggests that most patients find their acne improves after
two weeks of twice weekly treatments. While many patients continue to improve
over the months following treatment, some patients experience a plateau in
their improvement. Repeated treatments may be necessary to maintain results. Back
to Top
- How
effective is the laser?
In studies conducted at Wellman Labs in Massachusetts and at a private facility
in California, 91% of patients saw their acne improve by an average of 66%.
In the most recent clinical study patients saw their acne become 81% less
severe.Back to Top
- What
will happen in the procedures?
After discussing your medical history, including any drugs you are currently
taking, with your medical practitioner, the treatment area will be cleaned
and a thin layer of clear gel will be applied. Your practitioner will glide
the laser handpiece over the treatment area in a brushing motion as the laser
light is pulsed safely through the skin. Back
to Top
- Is
it painful?
Many patients describe the laser pulses as feeling like the snap of a rubber
band against the skin, however treatments done over active lesions may be
more uncomfortable. Your medical practitioner may recommend a topical anesthetic
in order to make treatments more comfortable. Back
to Top
- When
should I see results?
Patients frequently see results within the first week following treatment. Back
to Top
- Are
there side effects?
Immediately following the procedure patients may experience mild to moderate
redness and swelling that will fade in as little as a couple hours to as
much as a few days. Back to Top
- Can
I apply make up right afterwards?
Yes. Back to Top
Vascular
Lesions Q&A's
(Leg veins and broken capillaries)
- How
does the treatment work?
 The
Lyra-i and Gemini both produce a 1064nm wavelength.
While the rest of the skin is almost completely transparent
for this wavelength, it is highly absorbed in blood.
Thus, the laser beam passes through the skin and penetrates
the targeted vessel. The laser energy heats up and
coagulates blood inside the vessel. Unsupported, vessel
walls collapse and seal. These vessels later dissolve
within the body.
The
laser energy is delivered through a hand-held device with
a cooling tip. The cooling tip provides additional safety
and comfort during the treatment by lowering the thermal
effect on your skin surface.Back
to Top
- What
can I expect during the treatment?
You may experience a stinging sensation during the treatment, which
resolves immediately after the treatment is over. In some cases, you may be
offered topical anesthetic cream, which may eliminate much of the discomfort
associated with the treatment. Back
to Top
- What
should I expect after the procedure?
The appearance of the treated vessels will dramatically change turning from
blue and purple into light red. Some of the vessels may bulge, however, any
inflammation will disappear within a couple of hours. The redness of the
treated vessels will be gradually disappearing as the healing process occurs,
which may take anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks depending on the severity of
the veins.
The post-operative treatment regime may include wearing pressure hose, avoiding
medication containing aspirin and wearing sunscreen. Make sure to discuss
these options with your laser practitioner prior to the treatment. Back
to Top
- How
many treatments will I need?
 Depending
on the severity of the veins, you may require anywhere
between one and three treatments six weeks apart. The
treatment is performed on the existing vessels, diminishing
or completely eliminating their appearance. However,
the development of new veins cannot be prevented. If
your body tends to develop vascular problems you will
most likely come back for additional treatments. Back
to Top
Wrinkles
Q&A
- What
lasers treat wrinkles?
The Venus, Lyra and Gemini. The Venus Laser is ablative and improves wrinkles
by removing the top most layer of skin. A new layer of skin then grows over
the treated area forming a new, smoother layer of skin. In contrast the Lyra
and Gemini are non-ablative and work by stimulating collagen production from
inside the skin. As a general statement the Venus works from the outside
in while the Lyra and Gemini work from the inside out. Back
to Top
- How
many treatments are needed for reduction of facial wrinkles
using the Lyra or Gemini?
The treatment of facial wrinkles is progressive with very little down time,
results will begin to be apparent after the 3rd treatment. Generally five
to eight treatments are required, spaced two to four weeks apart. Back
to Top
 How
many treatments are needed for reduction of facial wrinkles
using the Venus?
The number of treatments vary directly with the amount of work, the desired
recovery time. (i.e. if you wish to have a very light peel with minimal downtime
you will likely need more treatments in order to achieve the desired effect.) Back
to Top
- What
skin conditions can be treated?
Many facial conditions such as fine wrinkling around the eyelids, forehead,
nose and mouth can be smoothened by laser skin resurfacing. Deep laugh and
frown lines can be minimized. Even the lingering effects of scars, irregular
surgical scars, and other surface abnormalities can be successfully treated. Back
to Top
Hair
Removal Q&A's
- How
does the process work?
Through a process called Selective Photothermolysis laser light is passed
through the skin and is absorbed by pigment in the hair follicle. The heat
generated by the laser light both injures the follicle and inhibits future
growth, while leaving the skin unharmed.Back
to Top
- What
may I be asked before treatment?
 A
treatment specialist will likely run through your medical
history to see if you have had any issues that may
impact the procedures safety. For example: have you
had keloid scarring, used Accutane in the last 6 months,
etc.) In addition the specialist will request that
you not wax, pluck, or tweeze for four weeks preceding
the treatments as doing so may reduce the effectiveness
of the treatments. Note: shaving should not affect
results. Back
to Top
- What
can I expect during treatment?
Laser light will be delivered through a hand held wand attached to a laser
console. You may experience a stinging sensation as the laser pulse is delivered.
To reduce discomfort, the cooling system automatically removes heat from
the surface of your skin before, during and after the laser exposure. You
should not need general anesthesia or pain medication, but a topical anesthetic
cream may be applied to sensitive areas. The process can take from just a
few minutes for an upper lip to several hours for a full back and legs.
Back
to Top
- How
many treatments will the patient need for hair removal?
Hair growth involves several cycles and, thus, some hairs may be affected
during a single treatment and some may not. We have seen that after several
treatments most terminal (mature) hairs are replaced with finer hairs of
lighter color. Some hairs are completely eliminated. Although complete hair
removal may not be achieved, the hairs become less visible and, thus, less
bothersome. The number of treatments needed to obtain optimal results varies
with hair density, color and growth cycle as well as skin type, though it
is common to have 3-4, and possibly as many as 8, treatments; one every 4-8
weeks. Results will improve with each subsequent treatment.
Back
to Top
- What
can I expect after treatment?
The treated area is cleansed and you are free to return to your normal routine.
Some patients may experience a slight reddening around hair follicles, though
this will typically disappear within a few minutes. It is always recommended
that you avoid sun exposure or use sunscreen following treatment.
 Several
days after treatment injured hair follicles will begin
to fall out, a process that can be sped up by lightly
rubbing the skin with a towel. It may seem that some
hair continues to grow for several weeks after the
procedure, but many of these will also fall out. What
hair that is not eliminated will likely be replaced
by thinner, lighter, significantly less noticeable
hair. Back
to Top
- How "permanent" is "permanent" following
the course of epilation treatment?
Since the procedure is very new and people go through so many stages in their
lives it is impossible to completely determine at this time. However, we
have seen up to 2 years with no hair re-growth following several treatments. Back to Top
Pseudofolliculitis (shaving
bumps) Q&As
- What
is Pseudo-Folliculitis?
 Pseudo-folliculitis
(PF), commonly known as shaving bumps, is an inflammatory
condition, widespread among individuals with thick
curly hair. As the hair grows out of the skin, it curls
and re-enters the skin. The skin reacts to it as a
foreign object and becomes inflamed and irritated,
creating bumps and discoloration. Often hairs start
curling even before growing out of the skin, creating
in-grown hairs. These bumps become quite large, causing
discomfort to the patient.
Sometimes relief can be achieved with the use of topical steroids and exfoliating
agents. Growing hair is sometimes curative as well. More commonly, the ingrown
hair is pulled out after each shaving session. Although this is a solution,
it is, however, painful and time consuming. Back
to Top
- How
does the treatment work?
The laser beam passes through the skin and is absorbed in the hair follicle
residing underneath the skin surface. The laser energy destroys the follicle
with the heat that it generates. Destroyed hairs are then either dissolved
within the skin or extruded by the body. Because the laser beam is larger
in diameter than the hair follicle, a large number of hairs can be treated
simultaneously.Back to Top
- What
should I expect during treatment?
Most patients experience a stinging or burning sensation when a laser pulse
is delivered. While general anesthesia will not be required, a topical anesthetic
may be applied to sensitive skin. To further reduce discomfort, Lyra and
Gemini both utilize a special cooling system that lowers the temperature
of the skin at the treatment site before, during and after laser exposure.Back
to Top
- What
should I expect after treatment?
After treatment, you may return to your regular routine immediately. Some
patients may experience a slight reddening around the hair follicles immediately
following treatment which typically disappears within a few minutes.
It will seem that the hair continues to grow for a period of one to two weeks
after laser treatment, but in fact, these hairs are actually lifeless and
are simply being cast out by your body.
Back to Top
- How
many treatments will be needed?
Laser treatment impairs the growth of hair follicles when they are in the
growth cycle at the time of treatment. All hair follicles are not active
at the same time. Depending upon the growth cycle of the follicles when the
treatment is applied, multiple treatments, spaced a few weeks apart, may
be required to obtain the overall desired effect.Back
to Top
- Here's
what patients are saying about the treatment?
 "After
only a couple treatments I have noticed dramatic reductions
in the facial hair areas. Shaving is much easier now
and faster. The constant itching and scratching is
totally gone and I have a renewed sense of confidence
about my appearance".
Rick., Houston, TX
"I noticed a difference
after the first treatment. But it was after the second treatment that
I noticed an amazing difference. ……I used to shave everyday.
It has now been 6 months since the last time I shaved. Now when I stop
to look in the mirror I smile… it saved my life."
Barbara, Dallas, TX Back
to Top
Lyra
Laser System Q&A
- How
does the Lyra-i from Laserscope differ from other
lasers?
The Laserscope Lyra-i 1064 nm laser produces a deeply penetrating,
consistently therapeutic wavelength. This combination of the wavelength,
long pulses and safe therapeutic energies makes the Lyra laser unique when
compared
with most other laser systems. The principal reason for this design was to
produce a system that would be safe and effective on all skin types, including
very dark and tanned patients. Before Lyra systems became available, no other
laser could be used on all skin tones. Back
to Top
- How
long has it been around?
Lyra-i is the newest generation of a laser series introduced in 1999,
and has been cleared by the FDA for the safe and effective treatment of all
skin types, including those who wish to be treated while tanning. Back
to Top
- Is
it widely recognized?
Hundreds of Lyra laser systems are in use around the world by many prominent
physicians in aesthetic medicine. In fact many of the famous faces in the
world are kept youthful by Lyra's unique ability to treat facial wrinkles. Back
to Top
- Under
what circumstances would a physician use the Laserscope
Lyra-i as opposed to other lasers?
Many lasers can not safely be used on tanning patients or on all skin types.
A physician would select the Lyra laser to safely and effectively treat facial
wrinkles, leg veins, and unwanted hair. Back
to Top
- Who
is a perfect candidate for laser treatment with the Laserscope
Lyra-i?
For facial wrinkles, any patient with fine lines and/or moderate wrinkles
are ideal candidates. For hair removal, patients with any skin color with
brown or black hairs. For patients with leg veins, those with blue, red or
purple vessels up to 4mm in diameter. Additionally, any skin type patients
that have deep vascular malformations, such as hemangiomas or resistant port
wine stains, are good candidates for Lyra-i. Back
to Top
- How
does it work?
The laser light penetrates the skin keeping it intact until it reaches its
target - either a hair follicle (for hair removal) or a vessel (for leg vein
treatment). Once the laser energy reaches the target, it is immediately absorbed.
At this point, the energy turns into heat and destroys the target without
harming any surrounding tissue. It then takes a short while for the hair
or vessel to dissipate into the body. The laser energy is delivered through
a chilled window to protect the patient's skin and provide comfort. Back
to Top
Caution: Federal
(US) law restricts Laserscope devices to sale by or on the
order of a licensed practitioner.
|
|
 |
