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The latest and most exciting rejuvenation
procedure available in our office is a new Laser PhotoFacial.
Unlike other practices providing PhotoFacial treatments, we use up
to four lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to safely and
effectively treat sun damage, age spots, brown spots, freckles,
rosacea, and wrinkles in one comprehensive facial rejuvenation
treatment.
Currently our
Laser PhotoFacial facial rejuvenation treatment utilizes the
following lasers:
- used to treat sun damaged skin, age
spots, brown spots, rosacea, café au lait spots, port wine stains
and freckles.
- used to stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles.
Sciton BBL® -
used to stimulate collagen and reduce fine lines.
How many Laser
PhotoFacial Rejuvenation Treatments are needed?
Although you will notice an improvement
with just one treatment, Dr. Gutman recommends a minimum of three
Rejuvenation treatments for more significant results. The number
of treatments loosely follows the general rule of one treatment
for every decade of life.
How long will
each Laser Photo Facial treatment take?
Each Laser PhotoFacial session will last
approximately 45 minutes. Patients should allow additional time to
apply their topical anesthetic prior to the procedure.
How will my
skin look right after a Laser PhotoFacial?
Immediately after treatment, the patients'
skin will be red and in some cases tighter than usual for
approximately two days. Mild swelling is also normal right after
the treatment. After the first two days, patient's can expect
light peeling and mild lip dryness. Most patients can apply makeup
later that day or the following day. The downtime is very minimal
when compared to two weeks recovery for a TCA peel, Obagi Blue
Peel, or Coblation treatment!
Is the Laser
PhotoFacial Painful?
The VersaPulse
laser has a special VersaSpot Chilled Tip to cool the skin during
the treatment to help and reduce the heat sensation that patients
may feel during the application of the VersaPulse laser. In
addition, patients will be given a prescription for a topical
anesthetic to apply 1 hour before the treatment to keep the pain
away. The Sciton laser treatment for collagen stimulation is
virtually pain free.
How does the
Laser PhotoFacial compare with other PhotoRejuvenation treatments?
The multiple laser approach to
PhotoRejuvenation offers a more comprehensive treatment than
comparative "PhotoFacial" treatments. Many offices provide a "PhotoFacial"
treatment using the IPL laser alone, but the IPL laser has shown
weaker results in wrinkle reduction than these lasers that we
utilize. Additionally, with the IPL there are risks involved such
as burns if the laser is not floated properly on the skin. With
the VersaPulse laser the risks involved with floating are not an
issue.
 
How should I
take care of my skin after the treatment?
Patients are advised to use a mild cleanser
and mild moisturizer after the treatment for a few days following
their procedure before resuming their normal skin routine.
Dr.Gutman recommends a Dermatique® Cleanser and Serum.
When will I
notice an improvement in my skin after the treatment?
Once the redness subsides, patients will
notice an immediate result of decreased brown spots, age spots,
and sun damage. Collagen production in wrinkles will not increase
as quickly. Patients should expect to wait approximately six
months before final results for wrinkle reduction.
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Treatment
Improves Sun Spots, Age Spots, Dull Complexions, Uneven
Pigmentation, Large Pores, Sun Damaged Skin, and Early
Signs of Aging. |
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Treatment
Improves Red Flushing Skin, Rosacea, and Broken Capillaries.
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Enjoy Smoother
Skin with a More Even Tone. |
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Minimal Discomfort During Treatment. |
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Resume Regular Activities Immediately |
 
PhotoFacial Rejuvenation
What is a
PhotoFacial Rejuvenation Treatment?
A PhotoFacial
Treatment is a series of full face, gentle treatments intended to
improve the appearance of sun damaged and aged skin, as well as
reduce facial and neck redness and flushing. PhotoFacial
treatments result in a more youthful-appearing skin. PhotoFacial
treatments were developed to consistently and predictably improve
the visible appearance of the skin with little or no down time.
What if I
don’t have visible vessels only general skin redness. Can I still
be treated?
Yes! The laser
and intense light because of its unique nature of emission, can
find even the tiniest of vessels, some of which are packed so
densely as to defy individual identity.
How much
improvement will I see?
Improvement is
seen in most patients.
Are there any
other conditions that can be treated with the PhotoFacial
Rejuvenation?
Yes,
PhotoFacial treatments will also help patients who suffer from
photo-aging of the skin, pigmentation from sun exposure (Age
Spots), irregularities of skin texture, improves some mild acne
scars, reduces large pores and dark circles around the eyes and
helps reduce fine lines, especially around the eyes and mouth.
Will I need
additional treatments?
After your
initial series of 3-5 treatments it is possible to require a
follow-up treatment in 2 or more years. We will educate you in
ways of caring for your skin to help diminish the likelihood of
future treatments.
Are there any
conditions that this treatment won’t help?
It won’t treat
frown lines, sometimes known as lines of expression on the face,
especially the forehead and between the brows. It is not a
substitute for a face-lift and will not help baggy or sagging
skin. It won’t cure the puffiness around the eyes for which
blepharoplasty surgery is needed. It is not a treatment for skin
cancer, but can treat pre-cancers called actinic keratosis. It
won’t remove bumpy moles, but can remove their pigment. It will
remove, however, acquired freckling. Genetic freckles usually
return after treatment. It won’t remove those strands of deep
parallel blood vessels occasionally seen on the lower cheeks,
which can be removed in other ways. It will not remove seborrrheic
keratosis including the tiny genetic ones on the upper cheeks and
around the eyes sometimes called dermatosis papulosa nigra. It
also won’t remove sebaceous hyperplasia, a benign growth of some
oil glands in mid life.
Are there any
contraindications to this procedure?
Yes, it is not
indicated in patients with connective tissue disease or
auto-immune disorders. It cannot be done during pregnancy, nor can
it be done on recently sun-tanned skin or in those who may receive
excess sun exposure for a few weeks following treatment. It cannot
be used on patients taking Accutane or for six months after
stopping Accutane. The procedure is not usually done on patients
with active acne cysts and large pustules. The same is true for
highly active rosacea. Most photosensitive medications such as
antibiotics, anti-anxiety or sulfa drugs, birth control pills and
anti-hypertensive medications are not a contraindication. Care
must be taken in patients who get fever blister attacks on the
face. An anti-herpes medication can be taken, thus avoiding the
problem.
Are there any
side effects?
Yes. Most side
effects are mild and of short duration. These can consist of
short-term discomfort during the actual treatment. There is
usually additional redness immediately following treatment,
lasting less than 24 hours in most people. On rare occasions, it
may last up to three days. Mild blistering and bruising is
possible, but in our experience occur in less than 1% and usually
clear very quickly. Post-treatment pigmentation has been noted on
occasion, but is highly treatable and fortunately very rare. Even
rarer is a decrease in pigmentation of the skin after treatments.
This also clears in time as well. We have never seen a scar or an
infection of the skin after treatment, but it can occur. Swelling
of the face for 3-5 days occasionally occurs and is most common in
severely sun-damaged skin due to reduced quality of connective
tissue around the blood vessels.
What are the
requirements to having this procedure?
All patients
must have a consultation prior to the procedure. They must
complete a general medical questionnaire on the nature of their
skin. At the time of the first treatment, each patient will be
tested to properly evaluate the correct settings for the patient’s
skin condition and skin type. These parameters will then be stored
in a database and in the patient's chart for future reference.
Pre-treatment, mid-treatment and post-treatment photos will be
taken. An informed consent sheet and photographic permit form must
be signed. All questions must be asked and answered by the
patient prior to treatment.
What
if I have a low pain threshold or sensitive skin – can I still be
treated?
Yes, most
patients need no pre-treatment anesthesia, but a topical cream can
be applied 30-60 minutes prior to the treatment eliminating most
discomfort. We have extensive experience with patients who have
sensitive skin , always listen to their concerns, and treat
accordingly so that the most sensitive skin type is treated
safely.
How long does
each treatment last?
Each treatment
lasts approximately thirty minutes. During this time, any
additional questions will be answered. Prior to your appointment,
all make-up or creams must be removed. Men will be asked to
shave on the day of treatment, prior to their arrival
at the office. If any herpetic lesions or bacterial infections are
noted on the day of the procedure, the treatment will be cancelled
until the condition has been treated and completely healed. Eye
shields/goggles will be applied to protect the eyes. A soothing
gel will be placed on the skin prior to treatment, which will help
reduce discomfort. The operator will coach you by counting to
three prior to each pulse. The machine also has a gentle beep,
which can help prepare you for the next pulse. We do this to
prepare you because the machine flashes quickly in milliseconds
and you may be startled. After the procedure you may be asked to
ice the area, and will be given any additional post-treatment
instructions as necessary.
Can I
accomplish this result with
laser resurfacing?
No. Laser
Resurfacing may very well help fine lines and pigmentation, but it
does not affect or remove blood vessels or flushing. In fact, it
can worsen this condition. It further leaves you unsightly and
usually requires time away from work and your usual every day
activities. Downtime is at least two weeks, and up to a few months
of redness in the treated areas can occur. Laser resurfacing
continuously has a valuable place in the treatment of certain
conditions of the face, but it is not a substitute for PhotoFacial
.
What are the
advantages of PhotoFacial?
You can have
glowing, smooth, blush-free skin with finer lines and more
youthful-looking skin with NO DOWNTIME from work or play. You can
usually go to work the same day or the following day without the
stares of friends and strangers. No procedure has ever been
developed that can accomplish so much with such low risk and no
downtime. We now see and treat patients from around the world
seeking the newest and most exciting cosmetic procedure.
PhotoFacial™ treatments were developed for the active, busy
patient for whom time and appearance are important.
Can I
accomplish the same results with chemical peels, Microdermabrasion
Power Peel™, Parisian Peels™ or Derma Peel™ ?
No, although
PhotoFacial treatment can be used in conjunction with
certain types of Peels and Microdermabrasion.
Will
PhotoFacial treatments help my
acne scars?
Yes, certain
shallower scars, including fine lines, will be improved. However,
ice pick-type acne scarring and deep scars will not be helped.
Laser resurfacing
or
dermabrasion
may be indicated here. If the scars are milder and do not respond
to PhotoFacial alone, then we often add another procedure called
microdermabrasion
to the treatment schedule. This consists of a gentle, painless and
safe series of abrasions of the skin in conjunction with the
PhotoFacial.
If I don’t
have very much redness and only have pigmented areas from sun
exposure (weather-beaten appearance), can I benefit?
Yes, these
patients can also be treated with great results. Some of the most
gratified patients are those who have shown the ravages of sun and
time on the face.
What if the
redness and sun damage extends to my neck and chest as well, can
these areas be treated?
Yes, these
areas can also be treated successfully, much like the face. Many
women especially are delighted to get rid of the "V-neck" effect
of sun damage that has accumulated in these areas from years of
sun exposure.
What is the
cost?
The cost of
this package will be discussed with you prior to treatments. The
cost in most cases is less than half of a full-face laser
resurfacing procedure.
What is the
role of PhotoFacial in the treatment of
rosacea?
Rosacea is a
common, chronic condition of the face characterized by redness,
dilated blood vessels and frequently-developing pustules and
swelling. Blushing is its most devastating characteristic. In
1975, the British Journal of Medicine called rosacea the most
embarrassing disease. It affects those who blush in an area that
cannot be covered. It has long been noted in the medical
literature that blushing seems to mediate and worsen the
condition. Unfortunately, no successful treatment existed until
now to help stop or even diminish the blushing. Dr.Gutman has
developed a successful protocol to control the embarrassing
blushing by using laser and laser and intense light therapy. In
controlling the blushing, the physician noted that the breakouts
from rosacea were diminished in frequency and severity. Some
rosacea patients were able to stop taking antibiotics they had
been taking for years. Also, the great nemesis of rosacea - the
application of cortisone creams to control the condition - often
worsened the condition in time. Controlling the blushing with
PhotoFacial treatments has reduced the need for topical cortisone
creams.
What are the
other uses of PhotoFacial treatments?
In our
experience, PhotoFacial treatments offer unique benefits when
performed before or after laser resurfacing, facelift procedures,
the "weekend facelift" and chemical peels. In addition, we have
combined the use of PhotoFacials with microdermabrasion to enhance
the benefit of this procedure by reducing the dilated capillaries
and redness that microdermabrasion is unable to help.
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