| Laser skin resurfacing: Pixel laser
Treats problems like:
The Pixel laser represents the latest generation of laser skin resurfacing devices capable of improving a variety of skin conditions without the downtime and discomfort associated with the other resurfacing lasers. The FDA approved treatment represents the best of both worlds for skin resurfacing. It combines the proven effectiveness of an ablative approach ( aggresive lasers that remove the outer layers of skin) with the client comfort level of a non-ablative approach. Resurfacing technology allows for a smoother, tighter and more improved skin texture in just several sessions, if not visible in the first session. How does Pixel skin resurfacing work? The technology is known as ablative fractional technology. The skin is treated by removing tissue via a dot Pixel hand piece. The laser pulse creates tiny ablative zones, removing the epidermis and upper dermis. The treatment triggers the body’s natural healing process, stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin tissue. The procedure treats small zones of the skin per treatment, leaving 65% of the skin untouched around the treated areas. These surrounding unaffected areas act as a reservoir for more effective and rapid tissue healing and collagen production reducing the down time significantly. Pixel technology is performed as “scattered” ablation vs. total ablation seen in other technologies that requires an extensive recovery time. Pixel skin resurfacing improves skin texture and tone, smoothes the skin and diminishes pigmentation. In short, this procedure erases those factors that add years to your appearance, restoring youthful vitality The Pixel laser is the latest and the most effective technology to remove acne scars, surgical scars and other blemishes that involves the texture of the skin. What can patients expect following treatment? The procedure itself is not painful at all. After treatment you can experience a sunburn type of “ pain” for about one night. Redness may be seen for a few hours or till the next day. Any swelling, which should be minimal, disappears in 1-3 days. You can relieve the feeling by lying down with something cold on your face. You also have the option of using a topical anesthetic cream like Emla or Anethaine to make you feel more comfortable. For a day or two after treatment you can expect your skin to take on a rough patchy, darkened appearance. This is normal and expected. The skin will then start “flaking”, a sign that healing is underway. The “flaking” will resolve itself within 4-5 days and your skin will start to look better immediately. From there on it will steadily improve over the next few months as new skin and collagen are being formed. Does it hurt? Far more comfortable than conventional laser skin resurfacing, Pixel laser skin resurfacing is generally not experienced by patients as an painful or uncomfortable sensation. Who can be treated and on what parts of the body? Pixel skin resurfacing can be used on patients of most skin types anywhere on the body. This procedure can be performed anywhere on the body like the face, neck, chest and hands. Wrinkles on the upper lip and around the eyes usually do no respond well to a face lift, but respond well to laser resurfacing. In some cases both procedures are necessary to achieve the best results. How long does the treatment take and how safe is it? Depending on the size of the area the treatment can take anything from a few minutes to about 45 minutes for a full face. Healing is quick with minimal or no downtime. How does pixel differ from other ablative lasers? The Pixel laser works on the principle of fractional skin resurfacing. The results with the Pixel laser delivers results similar to conventional ablative lasers (lasers that resurface the skin) , but without the side effects. While results can be very good, conventional ablative laser resurfacing can be very painful and have extended down time. In the past people have been housebound and unable to return to work for weeks and months at a time. All this changed recently with the introduction of the fractional ablative laser, the Pixel. This has made the laser skin resurfacing much more effective with minimal side effects or discomfort and minimal downtime. How many treatments are required? Since this is an Erbium laser, patients with more moisture in their skin experience more sensation in their skin and faster results which will result in fewer treatments. Therefore a patient with a dry skin may require more treatments.Depending on what the reason for the treatment is, anything between 2 to 5 sessions will be needed. Usually at three to four week intervals. Who is not suitable to be treated with Pixel Laser skin resurfacing? Clients who are pregnant should not have the treatment because of the hormonal en pigmentary changes that can occur during pregnancy. If you have a history of poor skin healing or have used isotretinoin (Roacutanne/ Orratane) in the last six months you may also not be suitable for treatment with the Pixel laser. |
Before and after photos(click on photo to enlarge)
|
