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Laser Hair Reduction | Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) | Facial Viens
Microdermabrasion | Chemical Peels | Cellulite Reduction

Laser Hair Reduction

What is the Laser Hair Removal process?
Laser Hair Removal uses a low-energy laser to gently remove unwanted hair, putting an end to routine shaving and waxing. This advanced technology transcends older, painful hair removal treatments to deliver long-lasting results. Because the laser treats more than one hair at a time, it is possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. Laser treatments leave your skin looking and feeling smoother and silkier. Best of all, Laser Hair Removal treatments are a safe, fast, gentle, and effective alternative method for hair removal.

What are the benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
 
     •  Larger areas may be treated using lasers rather than with electrolysis, waxing or tweezing.
     •  Laser Hair Removal combines the speed of shaving with the lasting results promised by electrolysis.
     •  Laser Hair Removal is effective on almost any area of the body where smoother, younger looking,
         hair-free skin is desired.

How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments you may require for optimal long-term benefits depends on the area you wish to have treated, the hair density and your hair’s growth cycle. Your hair grows in cycles and many factors influence its growth. Age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, medication and metabolism all play a part in your hair’s location, thickness and resilience.

The laser slows the growing capacity of follicles in the growth cycle at the time of the treatment. Since some hair follicles may enter their growth cycle after your treatment, multiple treatments may be required to deliver optimal results. Treatment results will vary from patient to patient depending on skin and hair color.

Note: Removing hair does not make it grow back thicker, darker or quicker. The opposite is usually the case. The laser should cause hair to come back slower and thinner.

How is Laser Hair Removal different from electrolysis?
Electrolysis is a much slower process. With electrolysis a needle is actually inserted into each hair follicle, one at a time. Once inserted, an electric shock burns the follicle to retard hair growth. Laser Hair Removal uses the cool light of the laser to scan the treatment area and within minutes all of the hairs in the laser’s beam are treated. Most patients who have had both procedures say that Laser Hair Removal is less painful, faster and more convenient.

What are the laser treatments like?
Laser Hair Removal is a gentle three-step process. First, we gently cleanse the area to be treated. Next, we shave the area. Then the area is scanned with the laser. The laser energy passes through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. In a fraction of a second, all of the treated hair follicles are disabled. Treatments can last from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the size of the area being treated.
 
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

How does IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation treatments work?
Today’s new light technology delivers precise dosages of energy to the skin. During your treatment, light energy is gently delivered through a special hand piece to the targeted area. Levels if energy specific to your treatment are used to maximize improvement. Once delivered, the light energy us absorbed by the targeted damaged tissue.

How many treatments will I need?
Depending on the area treated, there will be a series of five to eight treatments. Treatments usually take from 15 to 30 minutes and are administered in the doctor’s office.

Does IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation hurt?
Most patients describe the sensation to be like the snap of a rubber band on the skin as the pulses of energy are delivered through the hand piece. Some patients opt to have a topical anesthesia. After treatment, the pain is minimal to non-existent.

Who are the best candidates for IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation?
The best candidates have:
     •  Red, flushed faces                      •  Sun-damaged skin
     •  Hyperpigmentation                   •  Enlarged pores

Are IPL Photo Facial Rejuvenation treatments safe?
Yes. Advanced light systems have been used safely for millions of treatments worldwide. These systems treat only the targeted tissues, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. However, some bruising or redness may occur

What results can I expect?
After only one treatment, you skin will have a more even tone with a smoother look and feel. Sunspots will fade. Pore sizes will shrink. Fine lines and wrinkles will gradually decrease in size. These improvements will steadily increase with each treatment. Patients with rosacea will see a progressive decrease in redness with every treatment.

What will recovery be like?
Post-operative discomfort is almost nonexistent. After treatment with most light systems, the treated skin may appear a little flushed and capillaries may seem to be more visible. The flushed look soon fades away, and the capillaries appear to vanish, leaving the skin looking younger. It’s that simple.
 
Facial Veins

What causes facial veins?
We do not know all of the causes, but they are often related to heredity, oral contraceptives, hormone therapy, sun exposure or the aging process. They may also be related to rosacea, another treatable skin condition.

How do the treatments work?
Today’s new light and laser technology delivers precise dosages of energy to each vein, with a minimal risk to the skin. During these treatments, light energy is delivered through a special hand piece to the targeted vein. The energy is then absorbed by the blood vessels. The heat/energy absorption causes a thermocoagulation (clogging) of the blood vessel. The clogged vessel is then slowly absorbed by the body.

Do facial vein treatments hurt?
Most patients describe the sensation to be like the snap of a rubber band on the skin as the pulses of energy are delivered through the hand piece. Some patients opt to have a topical anesthesia. After treatment, the pain is minimal to non-existent.

How many treatments will I need?
Typically, multiple treatments are necessary to achieve optimal results. Tiny pink and red vessels usually require two or three treatments to achieve acceptable results. Veins that are darker or purplish are usually more difficult to remove, and require more treatments. Treatments are spaced at four to six week intervals.

How long do treatments take?
Depending on the number of vessels treated and their location, treatments usually take several minutes.

Will the veins return after treatments?
Optimal results can be maintained only if you apply sunscreen on the treated area and avoid sun exposure. Over time it is possible for new veins to grow in but these too can be erased.

What will my recovery be like?
Post-operative discomfort is minimal. Your post-operative appearance will vary depending on what type of treatment your doctor selects for your condition.

After treatment with certain lasers or light systems some swelling, redness and on rare occasions, some minor blistering may occur. Following treatment with a pulsed-dye laser, some bruising may appear around the treated areas. This can be covered with makeup of desired and will fade away in about two weeks.
 
Microdermabrasion

What is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a comprehensive approach to skin care that is non-surgical, safe and effective. Practices in Europe have been using Microdermabrasion for years, and now men and women in the United States are experiencing the remarkable results of this exciting procedure. With Microdermabrasion, you can see improvements in skin texture regardless of skin color.

What results can you expect?
Regardless of you skin’s condition, most patients will notice an improvement in their skin’s appearance. Fine lines and age spots may be erased. Acne scars and stretch marks will be less obvious. Many patients report that their skin seems softer, smoother and younger-looking.

Microdermabrasion is ideal for:

     •  People who cannot afford to take time off for healing from chemicals or lasers.
     •  Active patients who do not want to put off outdoor or social activities like tennis, golf or skiing.
     •  Skin that is sensitive to chemicals or makeup.
     •  Acne-prone skin that has not responded well to acne remedies.
     •  Younger patients with early skin changes who wish for softer, smoother skin. The best candidates for      
         Microdermabrasion are women and men who have:
     •  Good skin tone
     •  Good health
     •  Realistic expectationsHow long do treatments take?

Microdermabrasion treatments usually last about 10 to 30 minutes. However, treatments for stretch marks can take as long as two hours. During your session we focus on your problem areas, but time can be given to other areas of concern.

What are the benefits of Microdermabrasion over other procedures?

     •  Recovery takes less time
     •  Treatments sessions take less time
     •  Discomfort is minimal
     •  Normal activities can be resumed immediately

What are Microdermabrasion treatments like?
We affect a superficial skin polishing with the aid of a delicate hand piece, through which micro-crystals are vacuumed. This technique delivers a gentle abrasion which efficiently produces satisfying results in as little as twenty minutes. Microdermabrasion treatments enhance your skin’s appearance through a course of weekly sessions. These treatments combat the signs of aging skin, thus achieving what no other available treatment can (without surgery). Most importantly, Microdermabrasion is safe to use on all skin colors and types.

How soon will I see results?
After your first treatment, your skin will have a fresh pink glow. Improvement continues throughout your treatment program. The number of treatments recommended for maximum results ranges from two to twelve.
 
Chemical Peels

What skin conditions can a chemical peel improve?
Chemical peels can effectively improve a wide variety of skin conditions including:
     •  Fine lines and wrinkles                 • Uneven pigmentation
     •  Shallow acne scars                         • Sun-damaged skin
     •  Age spots                                         • Freckling

A chemical peel is not a substitute for a facelift. It can not eliminate excessive or lax skin. But, in many cases a chemical peel is performed in conjunction with these procedures.

What is the treatment like?
Unlike laser peels, chemical peels can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands and even the arms and legs. Most chemical peels are performed as outpatient procedures in the doctor’s office or surgical suite. Depending on your skin type and the desired results, your physician may recommend a superficial, medium, or deep chemical peel. Your surgeon will select the proper chemical or mix of chemicals (glycolic acid, beta lift, Jessner, TCA or trichloroacetic acid) and apply the solution to various areas of the skin. Once applied, the chemical produces a separation and peeling of the outer layers of the skin. This stimulates the production of new skin from beneath.

Most patients experience a warm to hot sensation which may last as long as ten minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. For deeper peels, some patients require anesthesia.

What should you expect after treatment?
Reactions to chemical peels are similar to a sunburn and range from mild to more pronounced. Generally, the deeper the peel, the longer the recovery. A light peel usually results in some redness, and possibly some scaling for a few days. Medium and deep peels can result in swelling and blisters that break open forming a crust and turning brown, followed by peeling which can last up to two weeks. These peels may require dressings on some or all of the treated skin. Dressings are usually removed after a day or two. Ointments and creams will be applied to keep the skin moist. At first the new skin will have the color of a significant sunburn. This will gradually fade to pink over the next several weeks. Cosmetics can be applied after about two weeks. Following a chemical peel, your new skin will be tighter, smoother and may be slightly lighter than it was before surgery.
 
Cellulite Reduction

What causes cellulite?
It is proposed that cellulite has three major causes. The protrusion of fat into the dermis creating a “hill”; the tightening of fibrous bands of connective tissue that pull down on the skin creating a “valley” or dimple; and the crowding of blood vessels and the lymphatic system resulting in decrease circulation.

How does Acoustic Wave Therapy work?
Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT) is the latest technology available for cellulite that actually addresses the underlying causes. This therapy was originally developed in Europe where research demonstrated that acoustic waves are effective in disrupting the fibrous bands that dimple the skin. European researchers also demonstrated that acoustic waves will increase the thickness of the dermis by stimulating collagen production. This resulted in a decrease in the degree of protrusion of fat into the dermis and smoother, firmer appearance of the skin. This device has now been brought to the U.S. Researchers have recently completed the first U.S. study looking at AWT. They concluded that AWT was effective for improving the appearance of cellulite in the majority of patients treated.

How many treatments do I need?
A total of six treatments are done twice weekly for three weeks. An initial improvement in the appearance of cellulite is seen at the end of the three weeks. The body is stimulated to produce collagen and this process is ongoing even after the treatments are finished. Patients will notice an even greater improvement in the appearance of cellulite three weeks after the last treatment. This is likely due to secondary effects of collagen reinforcing the dermis and preventing fat from protruding into the skin. The overall effect is a substantial improvement in cellulite. AWT packages come with a Physician guided diet and exercise program to help you lose fat and gain muscle mass.

What are the side effects?
Acoustic Wave Therapy is very safe and effective. The only known side effect of this therapy is transient bruising that occurs in less than 5% of patients treated.