Within the past 18-24 months, there have been some exciting new developments in the use of intense pulsed light. It has been used to treat individuals with deep nodulo-cystic acne of the face, chest, back, for removal of enlarged oil glands (sebaceous hyperplasia) and simultaneous significant reduction in pore size. Lastly, it has been used in the treatment of multiple actinic keratoses. These treatments have been done by applying Levulan™ (aminolevluinic acid), ALA.

WHAT IS THIS COMBINED TYPE OF PHOTOREJUVENATION CALLED ?

Photodynamic photorejuvenation.

HOW IS THIS ENHANCED FORM OF PHOTOREJUVENATION PERFORMED ?

The ALA absorbs the intense pulsed light selectively into the epidermis and the pilo-sebaceous apparatus. The precancerous lesions are confined to the epidermis. The pilo-sebaceous unit is the target for both acne, pore size, and for sebaceous hyperplasia (enlarged oil glands)

HOW DOES IT WORK ?

Levulan® (ALA) concentrates the intense pulsed light into the epidermis and oil glands. Thus, actinic keratoses can be effectively removed and sebaceous hyperplasia cleared with marked reduction in pore size. The combination treatment seems to more effectively aide in all facets of photorejuvenation. Precancerous change of the lower lip and perioral acne and acne rosacea can often effectively be treated with a few of these treatments.

HOW DOES PHOTODYNAMIC PHOTOREJUVENATION FEEL ?

With the prior application of a topical anesthetic cream, and simultaneous application of cool air on the skin, the treatment is virtually painless.

WHEN CAN I RETURN TO MY NORMAL ACTIVITIES ?

Immediately. Minimal redness and slight peeling often follow photorejuvenation lasting about three days. This is so mild, that most patients can immediately return to their normal activities. To minimize the slight redness and peeling, it is necessary to avoid sunlight for 48 hours after the treatment.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS ?

Most patients see improvement within 2-3 weeks.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED ?

For actinic keratoses or precancerous change of lip (actinic cheilitis), 1-3 treatments are ordinarily needed. For nodulo-cystic acne and oil gland enlargements, 3-4 treatments are ordinarily needed.

What is Intense Pulsed Light?

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology is a treatment breakthrough that can correct a variety of benign skin conditions, such as facial skin imperfections, the signs of photo-aging, birthmarks, unwanted hair, unsightly small veins and other blemishes. It offers a safe, non-invasive solution that can be tailored to your individual condition and skin type, providing superior cosmetic results and outstanding satisfaction through a new process called photorejuvenation.

How is Photorejuvenation performed?

A cold gel is usually applied to the area to be treated, and you may be given dark glasses to protect your eyes from the bright light. The smooth glass surface of the IPL handpiece is gently applied to your skin and pulses of light are applied. You may feel a slight sting, like the snapping of a small rubber band. An anesthetic cream may be used, but seldom required. Treatment is generally administered in a series to 4 to 6 sessions that provide excellent long-term results, minimal adverse effects and high satisfaction. Each treatment takes about twenty minutes.

Why are multiple treatments necessary?

Depending on the number of conditions are treated, and the severity of the individual problem, a series of four to six treatment sessions may be recommended. You can return to work the same day and resume all your regular activities. By dividing the full program into several treatments, the procedure provides gradual improvement with very low risk- and, it preserves the wonderful "no down time" feature that people appreciate so much.

How do other treatments compare to Photorejuvenation?

While there are lasers that treat telangiectasia and broken capillaries, other lasers that treat benign brown pigments and others yet that are used for resurfacing facial skin, no technology provides the long-term improvement complexion and texture of the IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation program - all without the slight interruption in your busy lifestyle.

What conditions can Photorejuvenation treat?

Imperfections from Sun Damage and Photo-aging

Facial imperfections or abnormalities can detract from our well-being and appearance, no matter how healthy young you feel. IPL technology helps create smoother-looking skin. After a series of treatments, you can see significant reduction or unwanted pigmentation. The same treatment can be used effectively on the neck, chest arms and hands.

Benign Vascular Lesions

Broken Veins and Capillaries

The face has an extensive network of veins and tiny blood vessels call capillaries. Over time, aging, trauma, and sun exposure, and certain lifestyle factors cause a number of them to break appearing as red streaks or blotches on the face. IPL therapy can eliminate damaged veins and capillaries by removing virtually all traces of these unsightly blemishes.

Redness Caused by Broken Capillaries

Many people suffer from broken capillaries and diffuse erythema, that causes them social embarrassment. For both women and men, IPL can successfully treat dilated blood vessels without injuring the surrounding health skins.

Both the pleasures and stresses of life, along with the simple passage of time, tend to cause our skin to appear older. And the signs of photoaging and sun damage are typically most visible on a person's face and body. While numerous treatments, from simple creams to major surgeries exist to improve various facial flaws, skin specialists have always sought dramatic improvement with low risk and no "down time." Additionally, many conventional treatment options can only address one condition at a time, while they entail a prolonged recovery time, consderable pain, and potential side effects.

Imagine reducing the effects of sun damage.

Photorejuvenation using IPL is a non-invasive treatment that treats skin damage without disruption of the skin's surface, hence, no "down time." Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) can simultaneously treat a wide range of facial concerns safely and effectively, such as broken capillaries, benign brown pigments, age spots (sun-induced freckles), mottled pigmentation and poikiloderma.

We have been doing laser resurfacing procedures since 1995 for the treatment of textural changes of skin. Usually this procedure is done for wrinkles and also for the treatment of certain types of acne scars. For superficial textural changes, we use the Erbium YAG laser. For deeper wrinkles and scars, we use a carbon dioxide laser. This procedure is done in the office with oral tranquilizers, sometimes with a pain pill, and with nerve blocks and local tumescent anesthesia. This is an extremely safe procedure, and does not require the use of any intravenous drugs nor any monitoring. Erbium YAG procedures can often be done with topical anesthetic cream alone.

The actual surgical procedure takes about 30 minutes. The procedure is sometimes combined with other procedures done at the same time such as punch excision or excision and closure of certain acne scars. We have learned that doing the procedures at the same time helps the overall outcome regarding quality of results.

With the Erbium laser, healing is usually complete in five days. With the carbon dioxide laser, healing requires between 6 and 10 days depending on the depth of the wrinkles or scars. The procedure requires staying home or in a clean office environment during the healing time. It is also necessary to stay out of the sun for 1-3 months after each of these procedures.

We carry a wide variety of skin care products.

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