Laser Hair Removal (Intense pulsed light)
Procedure to remove unwanted body hair quickly and lasting. It is performed via a non-invasive apparatus that uses pulsed light.
Method
Consists in the application of the aforementioned light energy to the skin surface, specifically on areas that are to be waxed. This pulsed light passes through the skin surface without damaging it, to selectively destroy the cells that give rise to hair, where a great amount of melanin exists that selectively absorbs and transforms its energy in heat;
achieving, promptly and in in very short periods of time, temperatures around 70-80° and responsible for the cell destruction.
Treatment
The way of conducting the treatment varies among different equipment existing on the market. The light source is directly applied to the skin, in some cases through the interposition of a conductive gel.
There should not be any injury on the surface of the skin. A bandage is not necessary and the patient immediately rejoins his social and work activities.
Usually multiple treatment sessions are required in each body area, over a span of time of several weeks.
Duration of treatment
The duration of each treatment session depends on the size of the area being treated and the technical characteristics of the equipment used.
Disadvantages
Discomforts of the treatment are bearable and short-lived. Temporary swelling and redness are frequent. It is rare that crusts or superficial blisters occur, which would determine reactions to hypo-or hyperpigmentation that usually are transitional. It is essential to avoid sun exposure.
There are many conditions that determine variability in results, mainly the hair thickness in each body region, its color and the surrounding skin, and its growth phase at the time of treatment. As explained above due to the absorption of energy, the best results are obtained in cases of very dark hair in a very clear skin; for very light hairs and/or very dark skin, the neodymium laser YAG would be an acceptable alternative.
Finally, it is known that the laser works very well in the anagen phase of follicle development, while the bulbs located in the telogen or catagen phases will be very little affected by radiation, which is the main justification for the need for multiple sessions.
Commentary
Photo-depilation is a quick, safe, comfortable and durable hair removal system.
Benign vascular lesions (telangiectases, ruby points, Nd: YAG, IPL):
Red lesions and secondary vascular dilations may appear in the face, which may be unique in form of a spider’s web, multiple (couperosis) or even congenital malformations of varying size (angiomas). The Nd-YAG of long pulse and intense pulsed light can treat these entities on all skin types and work at different depths.
Couperosis
These are the expansion of the small capillaries in the skin called telangiectasia. Sometimes they have a spider-shape and may appear isolated or grouped in face or neck, then forming what is called “couperosis”. Couperosis appears in people genetically predisposed to redden with temperature changes, emotions or alcohol and some foods. These repeated flushes eventually damage the capillaries enlarging them and making them visible. Pregnancy and female hormones also favor the appearance of spiders or couperosis. In these cases they may be reversible. When couperosis is associated to pimples similar to acne, it is called rosacea and also requires relevant medical treatment.
Angiomas
Angiomas are accumulations of immature capillaries that usually appear at birth or shortly thereafter. They can reach several centimeters and even cover a limb. Hemangiomas are real benign tumors and can be reddish (capillary hemangioma), or more purple if located deeper (cavernous hemangiomas). The first ones tend to disappear in the first decade of life, but not in the second case and the patient complains of a purplish lump.
Ruby points
There are very common lesions in adults that appear sometimes in large numbers and are called ruby points or senile angiomas (Cherry angimas). They are small capillary malformations measuring millimeters and are usually located in the trunk. These small lesions are of increasing demand for treatment, due to patients associating these with aging.
Treatment
Laser technology is the best option to effectively remove these lesions, but it is necessary that the laser specifically heats the hemoglobin, which is the red pigment in blood. When the temperature increases the capillary wall swells and the vessel closes, reabsorbing after.
The Nd-YAG laser provides deeper penetration, making it more suitable for deep lesions such as capillary hemangiomas, cavernous, telangiectasia that are bluer, in which other systems may result insufficient.
On the other hand, the IPL technology (intense pulsed light) allows modification of the light beam to reach the desired depth and suit different skin types. It has the additional advantage that it can also remove pigmented lesions (spots) in the same patient.
These treatments are generally very well tolerated and performed without necessity of anesthesia; at most, cold is applied prior to the session.
The spider, lip hemangiomas and ruby points are removed in a single session. Cuperosis is usually split into 2 or 3 sessions, while angiomas could require 4 to 8 sessions depending on its thickness and on the patient’s age.
Disadvantages
Subsequently, the skin of the treated area may become inflamed or have some temporary bruising (purple), but the appearance of crusts is very rare. It is recommended to apply an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory cream during the first few days and the use of makeup is not prohibited. Of course, like with any other laser treatment, it is important that the patient is not tanned not exposed to the sun in the weeks following.
Benign skin lesions (solar lentigines, nevus, etc., CO2 laser, IPL)
Treatment of any skin blemish requires to previously discard the malignant tumor pathology.
Solar lentigines, freckles, milk-coffee stains, nevus, etc. are easily removed without requiring any anesthesia or special care, through the use of CO 2 laser or intense pulsed light IPL with high affinity for melanin-containing lesions. Normally these types of injuries are eliminated within one session.
Both, the CO2 laser as well as the intense pulsed light IPL, share the same characteristics and drawbacks of such treatments, when used in the treatment of pathologies of another lineage.
Facial Resurfacing (CO2 laser):
Indications:
Resurfacing is an English word meaning “to cover with a new surface”, and in Aesthetic Medicine it applies to all therapeutic procedures aimed at renewal, with greater or lesser intensity, of the skin surface. The essential purpose is removing imperfections (wrinkles, spots, scars, etc.); secondly, the skin repair that occurs also involves an overall improvement in appearance and skin tone, which in the case of the face, can determine a tightening effect.
Method
Consists in the use of the CO2 laser directly on the skin surface of the treated area. At a cellular level this energy is transformed into heat, ultimately responsible for the therapeutic effect: destruction-elimination and stimulation-repair.
There are different types of lasers that can be used for this therapeutic procedure (CO2, neo-dymium-YAG, Erbium-YAG, etc.). Some allow superficial treatments (skin color and appearance) with little apparent damage to the skin, due to their technical characteristics or mode of use. They can be used directly or with simple topical anesthesia (numbing cream).
Others allow deeper treatments (wrinkles, blemishes, scars); in this case, local anesthesia is required, with or without sedation, or even general anesthesia, if the treatment area is extensive. Here therapeutic efficacy happens by removing various skin layers, resulting in an apparent injury to the skin. This leads to a necessary healing process and healing that can last for days, weeks, or even months. This is the case of facial rejuvenation produced by the CO2 laser, which IS ABLATIVE.
Duration of treatment
Depends on the imperfection/s being treated, as well as the technology (equipment and/or method of use) that is being used, but rarely exceeds 60 minutes.
Disadvantages
In very superficial treatments, the postoperative period fully supports the immediate return to social and labor activities. It only requires the application of some specific dermocosmetic product and sunscreen.
In medium and deep treatments, the necessary skin aggression will be quite apparent, and postoperatively, may involve the use of masks or creams visible for a few days. In these cases the total restoration of the skin could require some weeks during which you can cover up with makeup.
Commentary
At present, the non-ablative facial rejuvenation represents one of the main facial skin aging treatments; being a procedure supported by a constantly evolving and leading technology, a nonsurgical method and comprehensive therapy with very significant results make it a compulsory reference when possible therapeutic alternatives are established.
A given treatment may require one or more sessions. In many cases, it results in the adequate and necessary addition to surgical techniques or filler implants.
In all cases it can be associated with customized dermocosmetic treatment in order to prepare the skin, prevent possible complications and, crucially, for lasting results.