Beverly Hills Laser Facial Rejuvenation Los Angeles


		Skin Resurfacing and Laser Procedures CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing Q: How do CO2 laser treatments work? With facial resurfacing, a high-energy beam of CO2 light is used to vaporize lines, wrinkles, scars, dark spots and other irregularities, layer by layer. This process also stimulates the formation over time of new, underlying collagen to provide better elasticity and support for the skin. Q: Can CO2 laser technology be used less invasively for treating milder indications? With Lumenis' CO2 laser technology, skin resurfacing is so precise that you can tailor treatment according to the nature and extent of skin damage, skin type and individual requirements for recovery time. For instance, CO2 LiteTM is a unique control on the UltraPulse® Encore^TM CO2 laser system that allows you to achieve a superficial laser peel with just one pass. CO2 Lite^TM utilizes fluences that are below the ablation threshold and with a single pass imparts intraepidermal coagulation that is confined to the epidermis with little to no thermal injury in the dermis. The epidermis is typically left intact and serves as a natural wound dressing. The coagulated epidermis sloughs off in 3-5 days. Healing times and aesthetic outcome are similar to treatment with 3-5 passes of ablative erbium. Q: What results can I expect, and how long will the benefits of treatment last? Laser resurfacing can restore a patient's skin to a healthy state, similar to that of skin that has not experienced sun damage or scarring. With proper sun protection, results can persist for more than five years. In areas where muscle activity is strong, lines may begin to reappear sooner. After laser eyelid surgery, the cosmetic improvement is usually sustained. In any event, with cosmetic laser surgery you will have definitively 'turned back the clock.' Q: What are the advantages of using authentic CO2 vs. erbium lasers that lengthen pulse width in an effort to achieve clinical results similar to CO2? A bilateral study comparing resurfacing with long pulse erbium:YAG followed by traditional short-pulse erbium ablation to UltraPulse® CO2 followed by short-pulse erbium ablation (Rostan E, Goldman M, Fitzpatrick R. Laser Resurfacing With a Dual-Mode, Long-Pulse Erbium:YAG Laser Compared to the 950-us Pulsed CO2 Laser. Am J Cosmetic Surg. 2000; 17(4):227-231.) found that there was no statistical difference in healing between the two sides and in 5 patients (26%), greater clinical improvement in periorbital lines, perioral lines, or both was noted on the UltraPulse® CO2 side. The value of utilizing authentic CO2: When addressing moderate to severe wrinkles, true high-energy short-pulsed CO2 technology has proven to be the superior modality. Patients report that continued, progressive improvement in sun damage is seen post UltraPulse® CO2 laser resurfacing. Courtesy of Lumenis, Inc. Photodynamic Therapy Sheds Light on Treatment of Acne, Rosacea and Sun Damage Acne, rosacea and sun damage are some of the most prevalent skin conditions treated by dermatologists. Fortunately, recent advances in laser therapies are providing new hope for millions of people who struggle with these conditions everyday. Lasers are typically thought of as cosmetic devices, but from their inception in the field of dermatology almost 30 years ago, lasers have been used for the treatment of clinical conditions, as well. In addition, photodynamic therapy has been used investigationally to treat various conditions such as retinal problems associated with the eyes and precancerous conditions of the esophagus or bladder. However, dermatologists have recently combined the use of lasers and light devices with elements of photodynamic therapy to make great strides in the treatment of prevalent facial skin conditions. Photodynamic therapy using a topical medication called aminolevulinic acid (Levulan®) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat actinic keratosis (AKs), an early potential sign of skin cancer. Unfortunately, initial treatment using this medication overnight, combined with laser therapy, was found to be both difficult and uncomfortable for the patient. However, recent developments using aminolevulinic acid with lasers and light sources for shorter treatment periods (i.e. one hour), called "short contact" photodynamic therapy, have yielded much more positive results. A typical short contact photodynamic therapy treatment begins with a light microdermabrasion or chemical peel. This technique is used to remove any dead skin cells on the surface of the face, which allows for better penetration of the aminolevulinic acid. The skin preparation is followed by a topical application of aminolevulinic acid, which is left in place for approximately 30 to 60 minutes. The medication is then removed using an alcohol swab, soap and water. Finally, the patient is treated with a laser, intense pulsed light source or blue light. Photodynamic therapy is an essentially painless procedure for the patient. While initial results may be seen as early as the first session, some patients require a series of three to five sessions to see significant results. It really depends on the patient and the severity of the skin condition being treated. Short contact photodynamic therapy, as well as intense pulse light photorejuvenation, have also been used to successfully treat patients with rosacea, a common skin condition that causes redness and swelling on the face, as well as thickening of the skin. Until now, the primary treatment for rosacea has been antibiotics (both oral and topical). Antibiotic treatment has had some success in reducing the blood vessels and redness associated with rosacea. However, dermatologists are finding that intense pulse light photorejuvenation and short contact photodynamic therapy, again using aminolevulinic acid, may also successfully improve the redness and thickening skin of patients with this condition. In addition to acne and rosacea, short contact photodynamic therapy treatments have made significant cosmetic improvements in patients with long-term sun damage. Symptoms of sun damage, such as rough skin, pigmentary problems, wrinkles, and certain early signs of skin cancer, have exploded in recent years due to the thinning ozone layer and various lifestyles associated with sun exposure. Therefore, sun damage is one of the most prevalent conditions treated by dermatologists. The latest photodynamic therapy techniques are giving patients another option for the treatment of sun damage and are improving their cosmetic appearance. Short contact photodynamic therapy appears to be an important step in the treatment of acne, rosacea and sun damage. Courtesy of The American Academy of Dermatology Home \| Plastic Surgery Procedures \| Plastic Surgery Photo Gallery Frequently Asked Questions \| Plastic Surgery 101 Sitemap \| Contact © 2006-2008 Plastic Surgery 101 Privacy Policy and Disclaimer www.PlasticSurgery101.net Plastic Surgery 101 provides information on Beverly Hills plastic surgery. It is based on current techniques of plastic surgery in Los Angeles California. Some of these procedures include Los Angeles tummy tuck and Beverly Hills breast augmentation and Beverly Hills liposuction. The California plastic surgeon who provided information for this site also offers you facts about facelift in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills rhinoplasty along with all California cosmetic surgery procedures.