We were all born with smooth, baby-soft skin. Over the years, the constant bombardment of ultraviolet light from the sun gradually breaks down the orderly arrangement of the skin's collagen and elastin fibers, which play important roles in the skin's structural support and elasticity. This so-called photoaging process is primarily responsible for the lines, wrinkles, and pigmentary changes we associate with facial aging. Prior to the introduction of lasers in cosmetic surgery, cutting and lifting the skin - the traditional face-lift, achieved facial rejuvenation. Obviously, this approach can temporarily stretch the skin tight, but it does nothing to address the loss of collagen and elastin fibers, therefore, the improvement in wrinkling is often short lived. Laser skin resurfacing has revolutionized the treatment of wrinkles caused by sun damage and other environmental factors by removing the sun damaged fibers and causing a renewal of collagen and elastin within the skin. This exciting technique can cause a long lasting correction of wrinkles without requiring any cutting, lifting, stitching, or scars.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Laser Resurfacing For Small Pox Scars
We were all born with smooth, baby-soft skin. Over the years, the constant bombardment of ultraviolet light from the sun gradually breaks down the orderly arrangement of the skin's collagen and elastin fibers, which play important roles in the skin's structural support and elasticity. This so-called photoaging process is primarily responsible for the lines, wrinkles, and pigmentary changes we associate with facial aging. Prior to the introduction of lasers in cosmetic surgery, cutting and lifting the skin - the traditional face-lift, achieved facial rejuvenation. Obviously, this approach can temporarily stretch the skin tight, but it does nothing to address the loss of collagen and elastin fibers, therefore, the improvement in wrinkling is often short lived. Laser skin resurfacing has revolutionized the treatment of wrinkles caused by sun damage and other environmental factors by removing the sun damaged fibers and causing a renewal of collagen and elastin within the skin. This exciting technique can cause a long lasting correction of wrinkles without requiring any cutting, lifting, stitching, or scars.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Laser Hair Removal
Hair removal options
Women have long tried to rid themselves of unwanted hair of the face, legs, underarms, bdomen, and groin. Waxing, plucking, and electrolysis have proven painful and must be repeated regularly. Laser hair removal is the newest treatment option.
What is Laser Hair Removal ?
The laser causes controlled damage to hair follicles, causing them to go into shock temporarily. While in shock, the follicles do not generate hair. At least 4 treatments at 2-3 month intervals are recommended for the best results. Hair will eventually return but will not do so for 2-4 months in most people (really lucky people will go for 6-12 months without re-growth).. When hair returns, it is usually thinner and lighter. Arrested hair growth following six treatments has been reported but should not be expected.
What are the treatments ?
Treatments are performed in your doctor's office by a nurse or a trained technician and last from 15 to 90 minutes depending on the size of area treated. Treatments are associated with mild discomfort, not unlike a small rubber band snapping against skin. The discomfort is well tolerated when small areas are treated, but if large areas are treated, discomfort may interfere with the procedure. Discomfort can be minimized by the use of ice immediately prior to the laser application. Treatments usually do not require sedatives, pain medications, or injections of local anesthetic. You may return to work immediately after treatment. Unlike waxing, you may shave immediately prior to your laser hair removal. Anticipate that your treated skin may turn pale purple, and this will persist for several days. Some areas may scab and blister temporarily.
Laser hair removal is not permanent
Laser hair removal has never been proven to be permanent. Advertising laws, however, allow the providers of laser hair removal to claim that it is permanent if it lasts for at least three months. More than likely, you have heard these claims before. Do not be deceived. Laser hair removal is not permanent.
Avoid the SUN !!!!!!
As with all laser therapies, you should avoid unprotected sun for three to six months afterward to prevent sunburn and dark discoloration. You may also develop light spots on your treated areas. Both problems usually normalize within a few weeks. Wearing sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher will help protect you from dark discoloration. If you like to tan, this can be a problem, as quarterly or biannual treatments will prohibit tanning year around.
Women have long tried to rid themselves of unwanted hair of the face, legs, underarms, bdomen, and groin. Waxing, plucking, and electrolysis have proven painful and must be repeated regularly. Laser hair removal is the newest treatment option.
What is Laser Hair Removal ?
The laser causes controlled damage to hair follicles, causing them to go into shock temporarily. While in shock, the follicles do not generate hair. At least 4 treatments at 2-3 month intervals are recommended for the best results. Hair will eventually return but will not do so for 2-4 months in most people (really lucky people will go for 6-12 months without re-growth).. When hair returns, it is usually thinner and lighter. Arrested hair growth following six treatments has been reported but should not be expected.
What are the treatments ?
Treatments are performed in your doctor's office by a nurse or a trained technician and last from 15 to 90 minutes depending on the size of area treated. Treatments are associated with mild discomfort, not unlike a small rubber band snapping against skin. The discomfort is well tolerated when small areas are treated, but if large areas are treated, discomfort may interfere with the procedure. Discomfort can be minimized by the use of ice immediately prior to the laser application. Treatments usually do not require sedatives, pain medications, or injections of local anesthetic. You may return to work immediately after treatment. Unlike waxing, you may shave immediately prior to your laser hair removal. Anticipate that your treated skin may turn pale purple, and this will persist for several days. Some areas may scab and blister temporarily.
Laser hair removal is not permanent
Laser hair removal has never been proven to be permanent. Advertising laws, however, allow the providers of laser hair removal to claim that it is permanent if it lasts for at least three months. More than likely, you have heard these claims before. Do not be deceived. Laser hair removal is not permanent.
Avoid the SUN !!!!!!
As with all laser therapies, you should avoid unprotected sun for three to six months afterward to prevent sunburn and dark discoloration. You may also develop light spots on your treated areas. Both problems usually normalize within a few weeks. Wearing sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher will help protect you from dark discoloration. If you like to tan, this can be a problem, as quarterly or biannual treatments will prohibit tanning year around.
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