LASER
THESE ARE DIVIDED INTO 5 GROUPS :
Ablative lasers
Pigment lasers
Vascular lasers
Photo rejuvenation lasers
Depilation lasers
ABLATIVE LASERS:
C02, Erbium and Fraxel lasers are commonly used as ablative for epidermis and superficial dermis. They induce a deep dermis regeneration and are ideal for wrinkles, brown spots and secondary UV damage treatment. Depending on the particular laser, the treatment is carried out in one or several sessions. The recovery time is generally 4 to 10 days.
PIGMENT LASERS:
Characterised by very a short impulse, to "break" the pigment accumulated in the epidermis, these lasers provide (like the IPL, "intense pulsed light" devices) a very safe treatment for brown spots on the face or hands. The skin will form a scab or crusting lasting up to 8 days following the treatment. These lasers are also used to treat tattoos but may need in this case as many as 20 sessions.
VASCULAR LASERS:
These allow treatment, in one or several sessions, of broken veins on the face. They are less effective on the legs. Generally IPL (Intense Pulse Light) devices are used for these areas.
BROKEN VEINS TREATMENT:
BEFORE AFTER
PHOTO REJUVENATION LASERS (AURORA, POLARIS):
These produce a light energy (laser of IPL) associated to a radiofrequency (electric energy), and are aimed at warming up the deep dermis, where the fibroblasts are located, thus having a long lasting tonifying effect on the cheeks. They also improve dark spots and broken veins. At least 4 to 6 sessions are needed and, at the beginning of the treatment, it may leave fine crusts which last 4-5 days (see also "Thermage" pamphlet for the face rejuvenation)
DEPILATION LASERS:
These achieve definitive depilation in 4-8 sessions, depending on the area to be treated. Some hair may remain following treatment.
HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE NEEDED?
It depends on the zone and the individual response. In general, 4 to 6 sessions for armpits, bikini or legs, 6 to 8 sessions for upper lips or face, 8 to 10 sessions for torso or back.
IS THE DEPILATION DEFINITIVE?
Due to the hair cycle, at the end of the treatment a few remaining hairs may be plugged or waxed! These remaining hairs are fewer, thinner and paler than the original ones and rarely need more depilation sessions. The thin hairs of the cheeks, in front of the ears and on the lateral side of the neck are not suitable for laser depilation, as well as blond, white or decoloured hair.
On rare occasions some patients may respond poorly to the treatment due to excessive deepness of hair follicle.
HOW IS THE SKIN AFTER THE SESSION?
A slight redness and a dark spot at each follicle are normal reactions. On rare occasions this reaction may last for a few days and need local treatment. If the skin is pale then there is in general no reaction but if the skin is tanned or dark, then small crusts or scars may exceptionally occur. Bathing, showering, and application of make up are allowed. Swimming pools should be avoided for at least 4-5 days.
DOES TREATMENT BURN THE SKIN?
The efficiency of the treatment depends on the setting of the machine. Too low setting may decrease the quality of the results. Too high settings or too dark or tanned skin may produce superficial (first degree) burn. The little crusts will disappear after 1-2- weeks and leave a paler skin. A further 3 to 6 months may be needed to regain normal skin colour but this complication is rare, reversible and may be avoided if one does not suntan during the depilation period.
CAN I GO IN THE SUN BEFORE AND AFTER THE TREATMENT?
Sun tanning may lead to complications. Following the procedure the patient should avoid direct exposure to the sun for at least 2 weeks and use a sun block (factor 30 +) when going out in such conditions.
THERMAGE
WHAT IS A THERMAGE TREATMENT?
This is generally considered the best non-invasive, firming treatment for the face and body, Thermage works by stimulating the deep dermis with a radio frequency impulse. This electric current is delivered to the surface of the skin and heats the deep structures, provoking a stimulation of the fibroblasts, the cells producing collagen and elastin.
This treatment is similar to Simonin or Polaris treatments, but needs only one session and has the effect of lasting up to two years, by stimulating natural collagen.
AT WHAT AGE AND FOR WHICH CONDITIONS IS THERMAGE APPROPRIATE?
Depending on the ability of the body to respond to a heat stimulation, 35 to 60 years of age is shown as the period in which our fibroblasts will have the best response. Of course this response varies from person to person. Some have the effect like a actual surgical lift, whilst others have improvement of the wrinkles and skin condition. If the skin is so loose that surgical lifting is obviously needed, then Thermage® should not be undertaken. It is possible to increase the firmness of forehead, cheeks and neck, and studies are being undertaken to evaluate the suitability of other zones such as like inner part of the arms, legs and belly.
HOW IS THE SKIN FOLLOWING THE TREATMENT?
A sophisticated cryogenic gas cooling system (ThermaCool®) protects the superficial layers of the skin, just before and after the electric stimulation. All skin types can benefit from this treatment. At the end of the treatment, the skin is slightly red but allows the patient to undertake any normal activity. Of 300'000 treatment done worldwide, only 0,4 % were with side effects such as: mild oedema, redness, superficial burns, but all disappeared within a few days. This treatment therefore has no need for medical recovery time (aftercare) and can be performed at any time of the year.
HOW QUICKLY DO RESULTS SHOW AND HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
Firming of the skin, by tightening of the collagen starts to be visible a couple of months after the treatment and increases for 4 to 6 months. The result can last up to 2 years or more.
IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?
To get the best result the temperature of the deep dermis must reach a certain level, depending on the patient. The skilled technician fixes the appropriate setting of the machine according to the comfort of the patient, thus ensuring the pain level is kept to a minimum.
For more sensitive patients, a mild sedation with temazepam, as well as gas analgesia, using mixture of oxygen and gas (MEOPA) may be used. This induces a slight euphoria, but does not cause drowsiness and therefore allows driving after the treatment.
WHAT ARE THE CONTRA-INDICATION FOR THE THE TREATMENT?
Too much loose skin may not react to the stimulation. Any permanent filler treatment such as Dermalive, Artecoll or Silicone, may react to the radio frequencies, as well as any metal implant in the skin (gold thread) or devices such as pace makers for the heart. Dental amalgames do not react to the radio frequency.
CAN THIS TREATMENT BE COMBINED WITH OTHERS?
Botox® for the upper face and Thermage® for the lower face are ideal combinations. Another perfect combination is fibroblast grafting (Esthegen) to regenerate the skin by grafting 90 million of the patients own fibroblasts, (cultivated in a laboratory), then 6 months later Thermage® to stimulate these young cells and boost the collagen production.
HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE AND WHEN SHOULD IT BE REPEATED?
The treatment time is around two hours, needing no repetition for a further period of up to two years.