What is enhanced skin rejuvenation?
Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation is a gentle laser treatment for wrinkles and sun damage utilizing dual laser wave lengths. This no-downtime procedure is appropriate for the face but also for the chest, neck and hands–anywhere the sun damage shows.
Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation is a non-ablative, non-invasive procedure–the epidermal layer of the skin is not removed. The laser light treats the surface of the skin and penetrates beneath the skin by using dual wave lengths. The shorter wave length treats surface skin pigmentation irregularities such as age spots, freckles, or rosacea, and the longer wave lenghth penetrates beneath the surface of the skin to get rid of broken blood vessels, and encourage new collagen growth, smoothing out existing facial wrinkles.
Who is an appropriate candidate for skin rejuvenation?
The Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation process uses dual wave lengths. This treatment is safe and effective for most skin types. You will be assessed in your consultation with a laser professional as to your skin type, and your health history reviewed, to confirm that you are an appropriate candidate, and to determine the appropriate settings for your treatments.
So if you have skin discoloration you would like corrected, small broken blood vessels (telengectasia), birth marks, rosacea, or even just freckles you would like to eliminate, we can help. And if you have fine lines and wrinkles you want to minimize, the laser light will target the fibroblasts beneath the surface of the skin, stimulating collagen regrowth. The laser treatments take about the same amount of time as a facial, but with real, visible results.
What can I expect during a treatment?
Prior to treatment we will apply a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort. While not necessary, this topical anesthetic makes the treatment as comfortable as possible.
Before treatment, a thin layer of aloe vera gel will be applied. The cooled window of the laser wand is then placed on the skin. The chilled window provides cooling throughout the procedure, before, during and after, to minimize discomfort and improve safety. When the laser pulse is applied, it feels a bit like a warm pulse against the skin. Dual laser wavelengths will be used over the treated area, one with the the shorter wavelength to treat the surface of the skin, and the other with the longer wave length to treat beneath the surface.
Is the treatment painful?
Most patients feel minimal discomfort during the procedure with the application of the topical anesthetic. Some patients choose to forgo the application of the numbing lotion, but we recommend it at least for the first treatment until you know your comfort level better. Moreover, the cooling window that is built into the laser prevents the discomfort that may occur with other lasers because it is applied before, during and after the treatment, unlike sprays.
What can I expect after my treatment?
You should wear a sun block if you will be in the sun. Make-up can be applied immediately after treatment and you can resume normal activities. Many patients schedule their treatments over a lunch break and return to work right after. There may be some slight redness or swelling for few hours, and on occasion, a few days.
Darker pigments and freckles may get darker after the initial treatment and flake off in a few days.
Because the lasers reduce wrinkles by encouraging new collagen growth, wrinkle improvement is gradual. At the time of your third treatment, about 12 weeks after your initial treatment, you may begin to note wrinkle improvement. Your friends may tell you that you look more rested as the fine lines and wrinkles relax and smooth.
How long do treatments take?
The treatment involves 2 laser wave lengths. Plan to allow about an hour with application of the topical anesthetic lotion, depending on the are of treatment.
How many treatments do I need?
Results are cumulative. We recommend that you start with 3 treatments. Depending on your skin type and condition, additional treatments may be preferred.
How long do the effects last?
Aging is progressive. The wrinkles and sun damage that are visible today were often caused years before. Care should be taken to wear sun block to minimize new damage. New wrinkles cannot be stopped from appearing, however, the lasers encouragement of new collagen growth should help slow the appearance of new wrinkles.