Showing posts with label skin resurfacing treatments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skin resurfacing treatments. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Acne scarring and Stretch Mark solutions with Affirm laser

The AFFIRM Multiplex laser is the only one of its' kind to treat acne scarring and stretch marks. It's a 2 for 1!

AFFIRM is a "next generation" laser, outperforming the Fraxel laser for laser skin treatments on many fronts.

The Fraxel and similar systems are generally 1540nm wavelength lasers that emit fractional energy at 800 microns to 1600 microns deep into the skin. The AFFIRM emits 2 wavelengths. The first is more shallow (about 300 microns) where most sun damage is found). The other wavelength goes deeper (2000-3000 microns) for deeper skin rejuvenation and tissue tightening.

The AFFIRM laser is called a "Multiplex" laser because it is two "fractionated" laser treatments in one. It has a 1320nm and a 1440nm wavelength combined in a single multiplexed treatment (both lasers fire almost simultaneously so that the pulse is felt only once).
The 1320nm is considered the "Gold Standard" for acne scar treatments.

The Affirm laser is considered a non-ablative fractional resurfacing laser since it does not remove a layer of the skin as the co2 Fractional laser does. This laser fires "columns" of energy down into the skin, leaving healthy untreated skin around these columns that can help the treated tissue heal more quickly. Although it doesn't ablate the skin, it "tricks the skin" into believing it is wounded -thereby incurring a "healing response".

With the use of anesthetic cream and a Zimmer Cooler we can keep our patients quite comfortable while this laser penetrates deep into the dermis to work its magic. The Affirm can diminish Scars, Stretch Marks, and Acne scars in a series of treatments with minimal downtime.

Our patients can get treated in approximately 30-45 minutes depending on the area. They'll have a sunburn look for about 24 hours and then can usually put their makeup on the next day and no one knows they've had anything done.

Patients who have come to us after having a previous Fraxel treatment have reported that the AFFIRM is far more comfortable than the Fraxel laser even when BOTH lasers fire at once. Some clients have told us that they couldn't even finish their Fraxel treatments because they were so painful.

We have gotten wonderful results with the Affirm and skin often regains good color and texture in just a few treatments. 3-6 treatments are recommended.

When more serious skin problems present themselves, such as a patient with severe skin texture problems or very deep acne scars, then I use my Fractional CO2 laser. I get incredible results but there is significantly longer down time (4-7 days) to achieve results.

Mild to moderate acne can be treated with chemical peels, microdermabrasion and acne medications and or skin care products. Moderate to severe acne may be treated with Acne LED Blue Light Therapy alone, or photodynamic therapy with Levulon. Each treatment has its merits and offers affordability to all clients. For more information visit our website www.SilkTouchMedspa.com

Friday, May 14, 2010

CO2 Fractional Resurfacing Laser erases wrinkles and sun damage!

CO2 Fractional Laser for skin resurfacing can take years off of one's face.

Here is a 59 year old client who has had just one treatment with the CO2 Fractional Laser.

Notice the appearance of the skin is brighter. The laser takes off the dead skin cells allowing newer skin to come to the surface and reflect light giving her a more youthful appearance.
Wrinkles have significantly diminished around the eyes and under the eye area down into the cheeks. The eyelids are smoother in appearance and sun damage of the skin has been reduced.

This client could have one more treatment about 6 months later, but her improvement after just one treatment is quite satisfying. Her overall appearance is much more youthful.

CO2 Fractional lasers stimulate collagen up to six months after the initial treatment, but we have seen improvement up to a year later. For more information click here.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

What is fractional C02 or “DOT C02”?



Laser skin care procedures often use the ability of the skin to heal itself in ways that restore a more youthful APPEARANCE TO THE SKIN. One example is the new SmartXide DOT Therapy using fractional C02 laser technology. Traditional C02 lasers work by burning off the complete superficial layer of the skin. While effective, this aggressive treatment can be very painful and require several weeks to months of downtime. SmartXide DOT Therapy can be relatively pain free when numbing cream is applied before treatment. SmartXide DOT is able to achieve a wide zone of thermal damage without removing the entire skin surface. Skin tightening and skin thickening occur following SmartXide DOT with improvement seen up to a year after the treatment.
Effectiveness is approximately 80% when compared to fully ablative CO2 and may require a second or third treatment, but the downtime is 3-5 days instead of several weeks to months