Laser dermis resurfacing is not a brand new process. CO2 fractional laser laser ablation has existed for 25 years. Despite the fact that laser ablation had been fine for lines and wrinkles, acne scars, sun-damage or elastosis, there was clearly significant risk of bacterial infections, scarring damage and melanin modifications. The side-effects caused this kind of CO2 laser treatment to fall from with laser clinics and subjects as well.

The idea of fractionated laser technologies has been available since ‘04. Basically, Fraxel treatments is where a tiny part of your epidermis to be treated while the all of the intervening areas won’t be ablated. These untouched areas of dermis around the pinholes provides for rapid recuperation.

The minute Fraxel treatments ended up being combined with with a carbon dioxide laser, interest in the aesthetic marketplace catapulted. There are many explanations for this reaction:

1st, there is less recovery time.

Conventional CO2 laser ablation methods carried extended recovery times of around five weeks. Several clients can have erythema (redness) present for up to eight months.

With Fraxel CO2 solutions, your down time is anywhere from 3 to 6 days depending on the power applied. This kind of fast recovery delivers a superior degree of expediency for the ordinary client.

2. Less risk of secondary complications.

Utilizing old-school ablation laser procedures the risk of contamination, damage like hypertrophic scars and pigment variations of hypo or hyper pigmentation had been a lot more widespread even with veteran cosmetic dermatologists.

Due to the fact new fractional CO2 procedures leaves all of the surrounding skin in one piece, the dangers affiliated with this kind of procedure are significantly less.

3. Success.

Though much less of a impressive final result as compared to old-fashioned CO2 laser treatments, that lowered hazard and really good results help make fractionated laser treatments an attractive laser. In comparison to fraxel lasers, fraxel CO2 lasers deliver improved dermis tightening.

Fractional CO2 laser treatments could be repeated as well. For scarring damage, it generally calls for three procedures to decrease any the scar tissue.

There are various Fraxel CO2 lasers on the market:

1. Smart Skin by Cynosure. This unique laser runs to 30 W with a two millisecond period. There are numerous variables which can be picked so the procedure is customized for each and every person.

2. Active FX and Deep FX by Lumenis: This fractional skin is likewise common, yet there can be a couple different treatment sizes which need to be switched out during a treatment.

3. Fraxel Repair from Solta: This laser skin penetrates quite deeply. Make certain you look at an expert skin clinic, as the greatest rate of troubles are already associated using this laser because of the amount of penetration.

4. eCO by Lutronics. This laser skin will be attaining traction inside quite a number of medical offices and utilizes a disorder concept which can be good.

These might be the major fractional CO2 lasers that are typically though of as superior lasers which seem to be easy to use and demonstrate successes. Now there are additional lasers, even so, many can be lower powered and / or case studies tend to be lacking.

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Active FX laser skin resurfacing is gaining popularity at medical spas, laser centers and skin clinics. It’s main competitors are Thermage, Fraxel, and other skin tightening or laser skin resurfacing treatments.

Here’s an overview of Active FX and some links to more information.

The goal of laser skin resurfacing is simple: replace damaged skin with new, fresh skin. Techniques for skin resurfacing have made enormous advances, allowing nearly everyone to achieve close to flawless complexions. Many systems allow for light, moderate or deep laser resurfacing. The primary targets of laser skin resurfacing include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles of the face, especially around the upper lip, cheeks and forehead
• Loose eyelid skin
• Crow’s feet around the eyes
• Pucker marks (smoker’s lines) and frown lines
• Brown spots and splotchy, uneven skin tone
• Scars, especially acne scars
• Loose skin around the neck and jowls

How it Works

One of the standard laser resurfacing systems, the UltraPulse® CO2 laser delivers thousands of tiny laser pulses in a pattern over the skin. Each pulse heats a column of tissue eliminating pigment discolorations at the surface and creating a zone of heating deep in the tissue. Unique to the UltraPulse Encore, these zones of heating shrink collagen and tighten the skin immediately*. The CO2 laser also offers the benefits of heating deeper layers of skin tissue, thereby stimulating collagen remodeling, tightening* the skin further. Patients can select from a range of treatments depending on the needs of your skin and lifestyle.

What is ActiveFX “fractional” laser resurfacing?

ActiveFX is a fractional laser procedure performed in a single treatment with minimal patient downtime. During the procedure, a high-energy beam of laser light is used to smooth out lines, wrinkles and scars, remove brown spots and other irregularities, and tighten the skin. It also stimulates formation of new underlying collagen to continue improvement over time. With fractional laser treatment, only a fraction of the skin’s surface is treated by the laser, leaving small “bridges” of untouched skin. This technique makes the healing process much faster and enables you to get back to normal activities sooner.

Is ActiveFX right for you?

Treated areas should be washed twice a day with cool water and a mild soap. Use our lotion twice daily to treated areas for 3 to 5 days or until healing is complete. Treated areas should be protected from direct exposure to sunlight. Sunscreen with SPF greater than 15 should be used at all times on the treated areas.

ActiveFX is ideal for you if you:

• Have a busy lifestyle or cannot be away from work for a long time
• Want noticeable results with minimal downtime
• Want to treat dyschromia, fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity

What you can expect from ActiveFX

Most physicians perform the procedure in the office with a topical anesthetic cream that is applied 30-40 minutes before the ActiveFX procedure begins. There is little to no pain associated with the procedure – most patients say they feel warmth similar to sunburn. You can drive yourself home after the procedure. With a gentle washing and moisturizing regimen, your photodamaged skin will begin to flake off within 2 days. After about 3-5 days, your doctor will probably let you wear make-up. Pinkness should be gone in about a week.

ActiveFX benefits

ActiveFX treatment produces a dramatic effect on the skin:

• Causes immediate skin tightening
• Reduces wrinkles and fine lines, and softens deeper frown lines
• Noticeably improves skin tone and texture
• Stimulates new collagen formation and plumps the skin

The results of ActiveFX laser treatment are long-term and, with proper sun protection, can persist for many years. Most effects of treatment become visible right away, whereas others – such as new collagen formation, which leads to continued inner tightening – build up gradually and become more evident over time. Therefore, most people look even better 3-5 months after the procedure.

Additional Information on ActiveFX

http://www.aesthetic.lumenis.com/wt/page/activefx

http://www.lumenis.com/wt/page/pr_1170434066

Redness after IPL & Laser Treatments: DeepFX & ActiveFX

Reliant UltraPulse Fractional CO2 Laser

For Physicians using Active FX: Medical Spa MDs Physician user groups.

Active FX: Physician User Group ~ Medical Spa MD

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Within the last few years the technologies around cosmetic Fractional Skin Rejuvenation or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing has changed to eliminate many of the older technologies shortcomings. The erbium laser used in the Starlux is divided or ‘fractionated’ into many tiny micro-beams which treats only a portion of the skin (think tiny pin pricks) and leaves the surrounding skin intact and greatly improves the healing time.

These ‘fractionated’ treatment areas are referred to as micro-treatment zones and cause just enough injury to the layers of the dermis to trigger new collagen production and stimulate the replacement of collagen damaged by aging and sun exposure. This production of new collagen ‘fills in’ or ‘plumps’ the underlying dermal tissues and smoothes wrinkles. The surrounding, untreated skin speeds the healing process to a mere 3-4 days. Since most of the pigment cells remain intact, hypo pigmentation is effectively prevented.

Starlux 1540: Palomars New Fractional Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing Technology

The Fraxel and Starlux 1540 are non-ablative lasers that don’t actually vaporize or remove the skin. Instead, the laser instantly heats the skin, stimulating new collagen growth.

Results for skin laxity and wrinkle smoothing are less dramatic than with ablative lasers, but the benefit of reduced recovery time and reduced side effects are mean that non ablative laser treatments are often the patients first choice.

Starlux Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacing In The Near Future

Starlux 2940 fractional ablative lasers now provide the benefits of fractional treatments (less down time and reduced complications) with ablative skin resurfacings benefits (better wrinkle removal and facial rejuvenation) offering patients the best of both worlds.

These newer fractional ablative lasers remove tissue in the micro treatment zone instead of just heating the dermis like the old Fraxel or Starlux 1540.

The benefit of this new form of fractional laser ablation is that more wrinkled, sun damaged skin is removed than with the older laser technologies, and a better cosmetic result is attained. There is some increase in recovery time with redness and pink skin for around 5-6 days. The Starlux fractional ablative lasers still require much less recovery time than the old non fractional erbium and CO2 ablative lasers which actually burned off the top layers of the dermis.

Competing Fractional Laser Technologies

Reliant (the company that makes Fraxel) has launched a new CO2 fractional laser called Repair

Lumenis: CO2 fractional ablative lasers; ActiveFX & DeepFx

Palomar: Starlux 2940 Erbium fractional ablative skin resurfacing laser. Author Resource:- Medical Spa MD is a cosmetic medical community of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dermatologists, and Aesthetic Physicians with more than 3,500 physician members. Medical Spa MD offers wholesale Botox online and provides information on nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

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Laser Hair Removal Clinic Procedures

Generally, most IPL treatments technically operate the same way when performing a hair removal procedure. The parameters on the cosmetic laser or IPL (joules, milliseconds, pulse, etc.) should be set according to the skin analysis and history performed on the patient.

It is important to instruct clients not to wear dark clothing near the area to be treated as the pigment in the clothing could potentially be absorbed by the Intense Pulsed Light Device (IPL) or cosmetic laser light and can result in a burn. The patient should be instructed to refrain from using any body washes, lotions, cosmetics, or any skin medications the day of the treatment.

Some patients may prefer to have a topical anesthetic applied prior to the procedure. If any residue of the anesthetic remains, it should be wiped clean from the skin. Often a cooling gel or other cooling apparatus is applied to the skin.

A spot test should be performed on the intended treatment area. (Small white sheets of paper with perforated holes are often available for spot testing patients.) In the spot test procedure, the test paper is placed over the area to be treated and one firing of the laser or IPL device is applied over the hole in the paper. After waiting 10 to 15 minutes, the area is checked for unusual redness swelling, bruising, or any other undesirable responses. If the area emits a slight reddish hue with no other abnormalities, the device settings are optimal.

Some cosmetic lasers or IPLs require a second pass over the treatment area with different settings.

Hair Removal Clinic: Post Treatment

After a aesthetic laser or IPL hair removal treatment he patient may experience a mild burning sensation and redness following the hair removal procedure. This is can be expected and can be relieved by applying ice packs and an oral anti-inflammatory or pain medication if warranted by the physician. Exposure to ultraviolet light (sun, tanning beds/booths) should be avoided. A sunscreen with an SPF 20 UVA and UVB protection should be applied to the skin prior to leaving the office.

In the case of burning or blistering a topical antibiotic medication should be applied and the skin clinics physician should be consulted.

Unfortunately, some patients may experience temporary pigment changes such as lightening or darkening of the skin.

Laser hair removal clinic patient education: The patient should be made aware that an actively growing hair is the only follicle which will respond to IPL treatments. In the weeks following the procedure, the portion of the hair which remains under the skin (after shaving prior to the procedure) will be be expelled. The patient will begin to see these hairs protrude from the follicles which may be misinterpreted as hair regrowth. This is especially more noticeable in areas of the body which has thicker or more coarse hair such as the armpits and genitals.

Laser hair removal patients should also be informed that no laser or IPL device can destroy all of the hair follicles… especially after only one procedure. Some hairs are in their dormant state and can’t be treated, some have been placed into a prolonged dormant state due to the procedure effects, and others have been transformed into vellus hairs (light, fine hairs). Several treatments are required at monthly intervals for an optimal outcome. A maintenance procedure performed at yearly intervals is recommended for permanent hair removal.

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The true work horse of a medical spa, this Palomar Starlux was purchased in 2006 for $150,000, but you can save more than 70%!

This IPL Starlux Includes:

Palomar Starlux 300 Series II IPL
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Chlller Fluid
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4 HandPieces (Each of these retails for $7,000 – $10,000)

RED LuxR pulse count: 91,682
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Palomars Starlux 2940 vs. C02 Ablation Lasers

Plastic surgeons, cosmetic dermatologists, medical spas and patients will be hearing an increasing amount about fractional skin resurfacing treatments like ActiveFX, DeepFX, Starlux 1540, Starlux 2940, and Fraxel Repair. To grasp the significance of these new laser skin resurfacing devices some minor understanding of the technologies of cosmetic laser skin rejuvenation treatments as well as older cosmetic laser skin treatments is a good start.

Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacings Beginning Treatments

Fraxel was the first on the scene with a non-ablative fractional laser for the cosmetic medical market. Fraxel has been upgraded and has been improved on by a number of other competing fractional laser skin resurfacing technologies including the Lumenis DeepFX and ActiveFX, and Palomar Medicals Starlux 1540, and Starlux 2940.

Fractional laser skin resurfacing is new area of medicine that intersects cosmetic dermatology and traditional plastic surgery. Rapid advancements and new breakthroughs in these types of cosmetic medical technologies are occurring frequently and are fueled by an aging population of patients. The benefit for these patients is a rapid increase in the effectiveness of fractional laser treatments and less down time and potential side effects.

Fractional laser technologies new cosmetic applications are expanding into related areas like skin tightening treatments, where fractional treatments compete with radio frequency (RF) treatments like Thermage, and will eventually move into fat and cellulite treatments and removal.

What was a revolutionary advance in 1995, full face CO2 Laser Resurfacing for wrinkle removal using the Ultra pulse CO2 laser, fairs poorly when compared to new fractional laser treatments and although the wrinkle removal results were fantastic, the CO2 laser resurfacing created a very real “burn wound” that took many months of recovery and the need for general anesthesia. After a year, the skin would turn white or show hypo pigmentation. Because of the side effects, few patients today choose to have this very effective wrinkle removing procedure.

The Newest Fractional Skin Resurfacing & Rejuvenation Treatment Technologies

Now, cosmetic Fractional Skin Rejuvenation or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing has evolved and eliminated many of the previous technologies shortcomings. The new erbium lasers are ‘fractionated’ into tiny micro-lasers, treating only a small portion of the skin (think tiny pin pricks) and leaving surrounding skin completely intact, greatly improving healing times.

These ‘fractionated’ treatment areas are referred to as micro-treatment zones and cause just enough injury to the layers of the dermis to trigger new collagen production and stimulate the replacement of collagen damaged by aging and sun exposure. This production of new collagen ‘fills in’ or ‘plumps’ the underlying dermal tissues and soothes wrinkles. The surrounding, untreated skin speeds the healing process to a mere 3-4 days. Since most of the pigment cells remain intact, hypo pigmentation is effectively prevented.

New Fractional Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing Treatment Technology

The Fraxel and Starlux1540 are non ablative lasers (ablate means to “surgically remove) which means that the skin is not removed by the laser, rather the laser beam instantly heats the skin, causing inflammation and new collagen growth.

Results for wrinkle removal and skin tightening are less dramatic than with ablative lasers, but the benefit of reduced recovery time and fewer side effects are mean that non ablative laser treatments are often the patients first choice.

Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacing Treatments Future

New fractional ablative lasers have recently been developed that provide the benefits of fractional treatments (less down time and reduced complications) as well as the benefits of ablative skin resurfacing (better wrinkle removal and facial rejuvenation).

These newer fractional ablative lasers remove the tissue in the micro treatment zone rather than just heating it as is done with the old Fraxel and the Starlux 1540.

The benefit of this new fractional laser ablation is that a greater amount of wrinkled and sun damaged skin can be removed than with the older laser technologies, and a better medical result is achieved. There is some minor increase in recovery time with redness for around 5-6 days. Still, the Starlux fractional ablative lasers require much less recovery time than the old non fractional erbium and CO2 ablative lasers which actually burned off the top layers of the patients dermis.

Competing Fractional Laser Treatment Technologies

• Reliant: (the company that makes Fraxel) CO2 fractional laser called Repair
• Lumenis: CO2 fractional ablative lasers called ActiveFX & DeepFx
• Palomar: Starlux 2940 Erbium fractional ablative skin resurfacing laser.

Medical Spa MD is a medical community of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dermatologists, and Medical Spas with more than 2,000 physician members and provides the most current physician discussion forums on Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing and nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

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