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As we age, changes in the small blood vessels
of the skin may cause red broken capillaries to appear on the surface.
Other vascular changes may appear as a generalized redness in one area,
or even the entire face, known as rosacea. This can be quite severe, and
may be accompanied by episodes of flushing that are very difficult to
control. In fact, many rosacea patients are desperate for a solution to
this annoying and embarrassing problem, as topical creams and other
treatments are rarely effective. Other symptoms of vascular changes may
appear as a red blotchy complexion that may not be related to aging at
all. The
second major category of skin changes is photo-aging, the source of the
changes in pigment and color brought about by exposure to the sun. Even
in regions not thought of as sunny, our faces are always exposed to
damaging ultraviolet rays. Almost everyone eventually begins to show
freckles of brown pigment and other types of sun-damage spots - on the
face, and often on the chest and the hands, as well. For
extreme cases of any of the above problems, medical procedures have been
developed with good success, including laser skin resurfacing and
surgical facelifts. But many people do not need an invasive procedure
requiring considerable healing time. They can now be treated with
non-invasive, non-laser Intense Pulsed Light. The program usually consists of four to six treatments, at three-week
intervals. The program gives you a gradual, not sudden, improvement that
is remarkable. A treatment takes
between twenty and forty minutes. The light is transmitted through the
small, smooth, flat glass surface. The
hand piece is held gently against
your skin by the operator. The treatment is administered to the whole face each time, for a much
more aesthetically pleasing look than can be obtained by treating just
one problem area, as with certain lasers that deliver a tiny spot of
light. Skin Treatment is very effective for use on the neck, the chest, or the
hands, as well as the face. There
is no downtime. Is an excellent choice for both women and men.
Treats redness of a vascular origin (including the symptoms of rosacea),
the brown-toned pigment of sun damage, while the therapeutic light
energy reaches down to the deeper layers of the skin. Skin improves with
an even-colored tone, and a natural look. As
with all medical procedures, there is a risk of adverse reaction, such
as a temporary burn or blister.
About FotoFacial Treatments:
FotoFacial Treatments are full face, neck and/or chest
treatments using pulses of visible light that effectively improve facial
redness and flushing as well as the visible signs of sun damage and
aging.
FotoFacial Treatments were developed and first introduced
by Board-certified dermatologist, Patrick Bitter Jr. MD as a non
invasive method of photorejuvenation to improve the appearance of the
skin with no downtime. A non-laser medical device (Multi Light and Vasculight from ESC medical) are used to deliver a
series of gentle pulses of light to the skin. Specific settings are
selected for each treatment for optimal results. A series of five
or more treatments are performed at three week intervals. The benefits
of FotoFacial Treatments are consistent, visible
improvement in the skin with no downtime, little discomfort and minimal
risk. With FotoFacial Treatments the embarrassing redness
and flushing of rosacea can be greatly reduced and sun damaged, aging
skin can be dramatically improved.
What are the indications for FotoFacial Treatments?
FotoFacial Treatments are beneficial in the treatment of
the following
Treatments effectively reduce redness and flushing.
Sun damage (Photo-aging). Treatments reduce fine wrinkling,
freckling and irregular pigmentation.
Treatments smooth skin and reduce pores.
Treatments reduce irregular pigment and even skin tone.
Rosacea - FotoFacial Treatments reduce the overall
redness, flushing and dilated capillaries and may improve the breakouts
of this common chronic facial condition.
What areas can be treated?
FotoFacial Treatments can be used on any part of the skin.
They are especially effective for improving the appearance of the face,
neck and chest.
What results can I expect?
You can expect to see a gradual decrease in overall redness,
flushing and dilated capillaries. People with visible aging from
the sun can expect to see their skin become smoother with a
decrease in fine wrinkles, reduction in pore size and fading of
sun spots. Many people with rosacea see an improvement in
breakouts and are able to decrease or discontinue their medications.
What is a Foto Facial Treatment like?
Each treatment takes approximately 20 to 40 minutes. A mild amount
of discomfort can be expected. Many patients prefer to use a
topical anesthetic cream available at our office. Immediately
following a treatment, the skin may appear red and flushed and tiny
capillaries may appear more visible. Brown spots generally appear
darker. All of these changes gradually fade over a period of a few
hours to a few days.
How soon will I see results?
After your first treatment, your skin will feel smoother and will have a
more even tone. These improvements are gradual and will be more
visible after each treatment. Five treatments are performed for optimal
results. Some patients will benefit from an additional treatments.
Who are the best candidates for a FotoFacial Treatments?
The best candidates for FotoFacial Treatments are:
People who suffer from rosacea and experience flushing and redness of
their skin.
People with early aging changes and sun damage who desire healthier more
youthfulappearing skin.
People who dont want to take the time off to heal from laser
resurfacing or chemical peels.
If you're considering Laser Resurfacing:
In
laser resurfacing, sometimes called "laser peel," a We use
variable pulse width Erbium:YAG laser
( Erbium:YAG laser resurfacing is a safe and effective resurfacing tool ) that
is more precise than the old CO2 units and have a quicker recovery and is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled
skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to
minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth
and the eyes. However, it is also effective in treating facial scars,
acne or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be performed
on the whole face or in specific regions. Often, the procedure is
done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a
facelift or eyelid surgery. Laser
resurfacing is still a very new procedure. However, it has been
shown that in some cases, this surgical method produces less
bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort than is typically
seen with other resurfacing methods. This will give you a basic understanding of the laser
resurfacing procedure, when it can help, how it's performed and
what results you can expect. It cannot, however, provide all the
details which may be relevant to your particular needs. Please ask
your cosmetic surgeon if there is anything about the procedure you
don't understand.
A word about Laser Resurfacing:
Laser
resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy which
vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and
controlled levels of penetration. It's
clear that laser resurfacing may offer a number of advantages over
other resurfacing methods: precision, little (if any) bleeding and
less post-operative discomfort. However, laser resurfacing isn't for
everyone. In some cases, an alternative skin resurfacing treatment,
such as dermabrasion or chemical peel, may still be a better choice.
All
resurfacing treatments work essentially the same way. First, the
outer layers of damaged skin are stripped away. Then, as new cells
form during the healing process, a smoother, tighter,
younger-looking skin surface appears. Laser resurfacing is a new
method being used by cosmetic
surgeons to remove damaged skin.
Because it is new, there are no long-term data on this technique.
However, a number of studies using microscopic examination have
shown that the physical changes that occur to laser-treated skin are
essentially identical to those that occur with either dermabrasion
or chemical peel. Ask your cosmetic
surgeon about the latest facts
concerning long-term follow-up. For
superficial or medium resurfacing, the laser can be limited to the
epidermis and papillary dermis. For deeper resurfacing, the upper
levels of the reticular dermis can also be removed. Varied
penetration allows treatment of specific spots or wrinkles. It's
also important to consider the length of recovery when choosing
among the skin-resurfacing alternatives. In general, the more
aggressive the resurfacing procedure is, the more prolonged the
recovery is likely to be. "Light" resurfacing procedures,
such as superficial chemical peels or superficial laser resurfacing,
offer shorter recovery times. However, these lighter procedures may
need to be repeated multiple times to achieve results comparable to
those achieved with more aggressive techniques.
The Best Candidates:
In
many cases, facial wrinkles form in localized areas, such as near
the eyes or around the mouth. The laser can be precisely controlled
so that only these specific areas are targeted. Patients
with olive skin, brown skin or black skin may be at increased risk
for pigmentation changes no matter what type of resurfacing method
is recommended. Your cosmetic
surgeon will evaluate your skin
characteristics and make recommendations accordingly. Also,
individuals who have taken accutane ( "powerful drug used in
the treatment of acne" ) in the past 12-18 months or are
prone to abnormal keloid-like scarring ( "scars that don't know
when to stop.") or those with active skin
infections on the treatment area may not be appropriate candidates
for this procedure. Remember,
having laser resurfacing can help enhance your appearance and your
self-confidence, but it won't completely remove all facial flaws or
prevent you from aging. Lines that occur as a result of natural
movements of the face smiling, squinting, blinking, talking,
chewing - will inevitably recur. Your cosmetic
surgeon can suggest
ways to help you preserve your results by protecting yourself from
sun exposure or using maintenance treatments, such as light chemical
peels or medicated facial creams. Before you decide to have laser
resurfacing, think carefully about your expectations and discuss
them with your surgeon.
All Surgeries Carries Some
Uncertainty and Risks:
When
laser resurfacing is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon,
complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, because
individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions
and their healing abilities, the outcome is never completely
predictable. Risks
associated with laser resurfacing include: burns or other injuries
from the heat of the laser energy, scarring, and obvious lightening
or darkening of the treated skin. Also, laser resurfacing can
activate herpes virus infections ("cold sores") and,
rarely, other types of infection. Additional
corrective measures and treatment may be required if healing seems
abnormal or delayed or if there is any evidence of abnormal
pigmentation or scarring. You
can reduce your risks by choosing a qualified cosmetic
surgeon who
has received special training in laser surgery.
Planning Your Surgery:
Not
every practitioner who offers laser surgery has the same level of
experience and skill with laser use. That is why it is especially
important that you find a cosmetic
surgeon who is adequately trained
in the procedure. One
safety measure is to find out whether your surgeon has privileges to
perform laser resurfacing with a CO2 laser at an accredited
hospital. Even if the operation is to be conducted in your doctor's
private facility, the fact that he or she has privileges to use that
same laser in a hospital ensures that the doctor has been reviewed
by the institution's experts. In
your initial consultation, be frank in discussing your expectations
with the surgeon and don't hesitate to ask any questions you may
have. Your surgeon should be equally frank with you, explaining the
factors that could influence the procedure and the results - such as
any abnormal skin condition which has been diagnosed or previously
treated, medications you are taking or have taken in the past,
previous skin injuries or previous operations. Your
surgeon will discuss your medical history, perform a routine
examination and photograph the area to be treated. He or she should
explain the procedure in detail, along with its risks and benefits,
the recovery period and the costs. Remember,
cosmetic laser treatments can be expensive and are usually not
covered by medical insurance. On rare occasions, the procedure can
be used for modification of scars or the removal of pre-cancerous
skin growths. These conditions could meet the criteria for
"medical necessity," usually required by insurance
companies before coverage will be provided. Your cosmetic
surgeon can
advise you how to contact your insurance carrier to determine
whether benefits will be allowed in such instances.
Preparing For The Laser Procedure:
Depending
on your individual needs, your surgeon may recommend that you begin
a pre-treatment plan to prepare the skin for resurfacing. At
the time of the procedure, you will be given specific instructions
on how to care for your skin immediately following your laser
treatment. Your surgeon may also instruct you to follow a specific
maintenance regimen for long-term care of the skin to maximize the
benefits of the procedure. While
you are making plans, be sure to make arrangements for someone to
drive you home if you will be given tranquilizers or sedation for
your laser treatment.
WHERE CAN YOUR LASER TREATMENT WILL BE PERFORMED
Laser
resurfacing may be performed in a hospital, an outpatient surgery
center or a surgeon's office-based facility. For cost containment
and convenience, laser resurfacing is usually done on an outpatient
basis. For the more extensive resurfacing procedures or for
resurfacing combined with other surgical procedures, you may be
admitted to a hospital or a recovery center.
TYPES
OF ANESTHESIA:
Laser
resurfacing is most commonly performed under local anesthesia with
sedation, especially when it's used to treat localized areas of the
face. You'll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal discomfort.
For more extensive resurfacing, your surgeon may prefer to use
general anesthesia, in which case you'll sleep through the
procedure.
THE PROCEDURE:
Laser
resurfacing is a relatively quick procedure. It usually takes
anywhere from a few minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending on how large
of an area is involved.
When
the imperfections are especially deep, your surgeon may recommend
that the resurfacing be performed in two or more stages.
During
the procedure, the activated laser is carefully passed back and
forth over the skin until the surgeon reaches the level that will
make the wrinkle or scar less visible.
When
the procedure is over, your surgeon may choose to treat the
resurfaced skin with applications of protective creams or ointments
until healing is complete. Some surgeons choose to apply a bandage
over the treated areas which will cover and protect the healing skin
for the first five to ten days.
AFTER YOUR TREATMENT:
You
are likely to experience some mild swelling and discomfort after
laser resurfacing. However, this can be controlled with ice packs
and medications prescribed by your surgeon. If
a bandage was applied after your procedure, it may be replaced with
a fresh one after a day or two. After about a week or so, your
bandage will be removed and a thin layer of ointment may be applied
to the skin. Once this stage is reached, your surgeon will provide
instructions on how to gently wash and care for your healing skin.
During
this phase of healing, it is very important that you not pick the
crusts off the treated area or scarring may result. Most patients
are free of crusts by about 10 days post-operatively. Redness may
persist for several weeks.
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL:
Your
new skin will usually remain bright pink to red in the weeks
following the procedure. Your surgeon may prescribe medications to
make this color subside more rapidly. After about two weeks or so,
most patients can safely apply makeup to conceal this temporary
color change. However, some pinkness may remain for up to six
months. It
is rare, some patients may find that their healing skin is unusually
sensitive to the makeup that was regularly used prior to treatment.
In such instances, makeup should be avoided until a substitute can
be found or until the healing progresses to a point at which the
makeup no longer causes a reaction.
Above
all, in the months following treatment, it's important to protect
the treated area from the sun until all the color has returned to
normal. Using sun protection regularly will help to maintain your
results and reduce the chance of any new sun damage to your skin.
If
you must be in the sun, use sunglasses, apply a strong sun block with an SPF of
35 or higher for sunblock and shade your face with a hat or visor. If resurfacing
was performed around the eyes, it's best to also wear good quality
sunglasses with UVA and UVB 100 percent filters.
YOUR NEW LOOK:
The
final result from laser resurfacing may take several months to fully
appear. However, once the pinkness fades, patients usually notice a
significant improvement in the quality of their skin and a fresher,
smoother appearance. It's
important to understand that your results will be long-lasting, but
not permanent. Remember, your new skin is not immune to the effects
of aging. In the months and years following your laser treatment,
your natural facial movements will eventually cause any
"expression" lines to recur. As
with other methods of skin rejuvenation, laser treatments can
usually be repeated. However, by protecting yourself from the sun
and following a skin-care regimen recommended by your cosmetic surgeon, you can help maintain your rejuvenated look.
Call our office today: 1-702-360-6686 to schedule your FREE
CONSULTATION! Our staff will be glad to assist you.
Your satisfaction
is important to us. Your referrals and confidence are greatly
appreciated.
We look forward to sharing the art and magic of
our practice with you, your family and friends.
We
are here to answer your most important questions.
Contact Information Address:
Edward M. Zimmerman M.D., P.C.
8660 West Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89117-4132
Phone: 1-702-360-6686
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