|
 |
LASER THERAPY
Laser therapy is a truly revolutionary medical technology that has helped millions of people improve how they look–and how they feel about themselves. Lasers produce an intense beam of bright light that treats wrinkles, blemishes, scars and other skin problems. New advances have made laser systems remarkably precise, and they are now a preferred method of treatment for many skin conditions.
What It Treats
Lasers treat a variety of skin conditions that previously required more extensive procedures. They are used to resurface sun–damaged skin, reducing or erasing fine lines and uneven pigmentation, including freckles and age spots. Lasers also enhance skin by treating scars, port–wine stains, tattoos and broken blood vessels (spider veins). In addition, lasers can remove unwanted body hair with results that last for months or even years.
How It Works
Lasers emit a powerful beam of light that gets absorbed by the skin. The light is converted to heat, which destroys cells in the targeted area of the skin without injuring surrounding tissue.
Lasers can be either ablative or non–ablative. Ablative lasers heat and treat the skin’s top layer, or epidermis. They vaporize (or ablate) targeted areas of the epidermis without affecting deeper layers of the skin. The heat produced during the laser treatment also stimulates the growth of new collagen fibers. As new cells form during the healing process, the skin appears smoother and younger–looking.
Non–ablative lasers work beneath the skin’s surface, in the dermis, while keeping the epidermis relatively unaffected and intact. This approach makes it possible for the lasers to heat and destroy blood vessels associated with spider veins or port–wine stains, for example, or overzealous sebaceous glands (thus reducing the risk of acne flare–ups). Non–ablative laser treatments also stimulate the growth of collagen–a process that helps “plump up” skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and scars.
To remove unwanted body hair, the light from the laser is used to destroy the tiny sacs (hair follicles) where hair growth begins.
What the Treatment Involves
Laser procedures can last from 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of skin condition and the area being treated. During the procedure, the laser’s small handpiece will gently touch your skin as it delivers brief, precisely controlled pulses of light to the targeted treatment areas. Your skin will receive a light spray of coolant before each laser pulse. You may be given a local anesthesia before the procedure to minimize discomfort.
After the procedure you may experience some sunburn–like redness and mild swelling. In addition, your skin tone may temporarily appear lighter or darker in the treated area. Recovery can range from a few hours to several days for a more extensive procedure. As with any medical procedure, laser treatments have their risks, including scarring, pigment changes and prolonged redness. You should avoid sun exposure for several weeks after the treatment
Most skin conditions require more than one laser treatment for best results. Maintenance treatments may also be needed.
No single laser device treats all skin types or conditions. At Zel, we have an exceptionally wide inventory of lasers (see below), so you can be assured of receiving the right treatment for your skin.
Candela: C–Beam, Vbeam Perfecta, GentleLASE, Smoothbeam
DUSA: BLU–U
Laserscope: Aura–I, Gemini, Venus–i
Reliant: Fraxel re:store, Fraxel re:pair
Lumenis: IPL QuantumƯ
Palomar: StarLux IPL, Lux 1540, Lux IR
Syneron: Galaxy, Polaris, VelaSmooth, VelaShape, ReLume
Light Bioscience: GentleWave
ConBio: Medlite
Coherent: VPC, Alexandrite
Cutera: Pearl
See also:
Acne
Birthmarks
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Hyperpigmentation/Melasma
Sun Damage/Age Spots
Tattoos
Unwanted Hair
Visible Blood Vessels
|
|
