We’ve all heard about the many uses of lasers in medicine. Lasers are used in surgery to destroy cancerous and precancerous tissue, to remove tissues such as tonsils with much less pain and swelling than with conventional surgery, and to remove tumors which contain many blood vessels that otherwise might be difficult or dangerous to remove.
Earlier lasers such as the C02 and Argon Lasers were also used to treat certain skin conditions such as birthmarks, tattoos, and warts. These earlier lasers had the disadvantage of leaving more scars after the treatment of certain skin lesions especially if the tissue to be removed extended deeper into the skin, as in many tattoos. The patients generally preferred the scar to the tattoo; however, since the scar had less social stigma than the tattoo. As a plastic surgeon in the military, I had abundant experience removing tattoos with these early lasers, but I was not satisfied with the scars that resulted.
Fortunately technology came to the rescue. A second generation of lasers was developed for treatment of these superficial skin lesions. Depending on the color and depth of the skin lesion, we are now able to select from a number of lasers that differ in the wavelength of light that the laser produces. When the laser light hits the brown or red skin discoloration or tattoo pigment, it is selectively absorbed. The rapid absorption of the light energy causes the tattoo ink or the pigmented cells in the skin brown spot to destruct or burst apart. The body’s natural filtering system then removes the debris. Because the surrounding normal tissue does not absorb the laser energy, the treated area is less likely to scar.
Superficial skin spots such as brown age spots, "liver spots", and freckles are usually removed with one to two treatments. Common areas that develop brown spots are the sun exposed areas of the face and back of the hands. Occasionally after laser treatments, some brown birthmarks may return after several months to a year. Elevated brown spots such as moles or lesions that may be cancerous should not be treated with the laser, but should be removed surgically so that they may be sent to a pathologist for a definitive diagnosis, as further treatment may be needed.
Red skin spots and superficial blood vessels especially on the face may be treated with the laser, which is selectively absorbed by the red blood cell hemoglobin. The overlying skin is usually left undamaged, but the superficial vessels and/or spots are destroyed. Small spider veins of the legs may be treated with the laser but generally respond better to other treatment methods, such as injection of sclerosing solutions.
Tattoo Removal
The most exciting use of the new lasers are in the treatment of tattoos. Decorative tattoos have been in vogue for at least 5,000 years and a multitude of tattoo removal techniques have been used throughout history including sanding of the skin, chemical treatment of the skin, and laser removal of the skin containing the tattoo. All treatments lead to the same problem; a scar similar to a burn scar, since most tattoos extend deeper into the skin. With the advent of this new generation of lasers that selectively send energy only into the tattoo pigment, we have seen a marked decrease in the scarring. Tattoos are either professional, where a large amount of pigment is placed using a tattoo machine, or non-professional where a small amount of pigment is placed usually using a needle. Non-professional tattoos require fewer laser treatments than professional tattoos as they have less pigment to be destroyed. On the average, non-professional tattoos required three to four treatments and professional tattoos require six to eight treatments. Usually the treatments are spaced at one to two month intervals to allow the body’s filtering mechanisms to clear out the tattoo pigment debris. Not all colors respond equally well with all lasers, but fortunately several different types of lasers are available so that most pigments will respond to one of the available lasers.
Laser treatment is usually performed in the office, requires no anesthesia, and takes only ten to twenty minutes. The impact of the laser light hitting the skin produces a sensation similar to the snap of a thin rubber band. After treatment the area will feel similar to a mild sunburn.
For treatment of brown spots the area remains reddened for two to four weeks then gradually returns to its normal coloring and texture. For red skin spots, the area typically bruises, but does not leave an open wound. For tattoos which are deeper, there may be pinpoint bleeding and an antibacterial ointment and dressing is applied to the area. A small amount of lighter discoloration and texture change is evident, which gradually improves over time. Permanent scarring is rare.
Laser treatments are usually less expensive than conventional surgery. Costs range from $300 - $600 per treatment session and are usually dependent on the amount of time the laser is in use and on the type of laser used. Insurance usually does not cover the cost of laser surgery for tattoo removal, but may cover the removal of other skin lesions depending on the particular policy.
So the next time you have to cover up those brown discolorations with make-up or conceal that tattoo that you got in your twenties, think about taking advantage of this latest development of laser technology to create healthier and more attractive skin.
Showing posts with label Laser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laser. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Avoiding End Hits In Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty
A potential disadvantage of ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty is tissue burns. These may occur when the tip of the probe hits the undersurface of the skin. These "end hits" occur when the tip of the probe is vertically oriented to the skin surface, and they are more likely to happen when the surgeon is trying to go around the sides of the patient from centrally located access incisions.
To help avoid hitting the skin’s undersurface around the lateral aspect of an area being treated, a lateral meridian is drawn before surgery with the patient standing. The surgeon should not cross this lateral meridian when working in an anterior direction from the central access incisions with the patient in a prone position or when working in a posterior direction with the patient in a supine position. The prone position displaces this lateral line posteriorly, whereas the supine position displaces it anteriorly because the operating room table pushes up against the patient’s body.
The surgeon’s non-dominant hand assists by rolling tissue toward the probe so that its tip does not approach the skin in a vertical orientation. Early in my experience, I would sometimes push the probe too far around a contour. The surface orientation provided by the lateral line has helped prevent that problem so the tip of the probe is not perpendicular to the skin.
I limit access incisions to well-concealed sites. One or two incisions at the superior border of the escutcheon or umbilicus for the anterior abdomen and lateral flanks, and one at each of the lower lateral borders of the escutcheon for the inner and outer thighs have been adequate when the patient is in the supine position. Incisions on either side of the spine and in each buttock crease have sufficed to treat flanks and thighs with the patient in the prone position.
To help avoid hitting the skin’s undersurface around the lateral aspect of an area being treated, a lateral meridian is drawn before surgery with the patient standing. The surgeon should not cross this lateral meridian when working in an anterior direction from the central access incisions with the patient in a prone position or when working in a posterior direction with the patient in a supine position. The prone position displaces this lateral line posteriorly, whereas the supine position displaces it anteriorly because the operating room table pushes up against the patient’s body.
The surgeon’s non-dominant hand assists by rolling tissue toward the probe so that its tip does not approach the skin in a vertical orientation. Early in my experience, I would sometimes push the probe too far around a contour. The surface orientation provided by the lateral line has helped prevent that problem so the tip of the probe is not perpendicular to the skin.
I limit access incisions to well-concealed sites. One or two incisions at the superior border of the escutcheon or umbilicus for the anterior abdomen and lateral flanks, and one at each of the lower lateral borders of the escutcheon for the inner and outer thighs have been adequate when the patient is in the supine position. Incisions on either side of the spine and in each buttock crease have sufficed to treat flanks and thighs with the patient in the prone position.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Laser Skin Resurfacing can help ease the effects of sun damage, aging, and acne on facial skin
Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic surgery procedure that can help ease the effects of sun damage, aging, and acne on facial skin. Laser skin resurfacing works by removing the outer layers of skin where the problems are located and stimulating the production of collagen and new skin cells in the underlying layers. Laser skin resurfacing is popular because it is relatively safe and effective and is often done as an outpatient procedure. The result is usually smoother, younger, healthier looking skin.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Candidates
Laser skin resurfacing is appropriate for patients who want to diminish discoloration as well as wrinkles, sun damage, acne marks, or other types of scarring. Laser resurfacing can often effectively treat skin that is uneven in color or texture. Still, those with severe scarring may need to use additional scar revision techniques in order to achieve the best results possible. Also, if skin is loose, a facelift may be needed to fully improve its appearance. The best candidates are those who have realistic expectations and who discuss their questions and concerns with the physician beforehand. An initial consultation with the cosmetic surgeon can help to ensure optimal results are achieved.
How is Laser Skin Resurfacing Performed?
Before laser skin resurfacing is performed, the cosmetic surgeon administers a local numbing treatment, a mild sedative, or general anesthesia. The choice depends on the individual patient and his or her specific needs.
Once the necessary medication has been administered, the cosmetic surgeon uses a special laser to resurface the skin. Using a precise and controlled beam of light, the outer layers of skin are vaporized, revealing the smooth, unblemished skin beneath. While the old, damaged layers are removed, the growth of new skin cells is stimulated.
Currently, carbon dioxide and erbium lasers are the two types of lasers most commonly used for laser skin resurfacing. Both lasers allow for quick procedures. They also help to minimize the risks for the patient by limiting the amount of heat that the skin absorbs and offering the cosmetic surgeon a high level of precision.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Candidates
Laser skin resurfacing is appropriate for patients who want to diminish discoloration as well as wrinkles, sun damage, acne marks, or other types of scarring. Laser resurfacing can often effectively treat skin that is uneven in color or texture. Still, those with severe scarring may need to use additional scar revision techniques in order to achieve the best results possible. Also, if skin is loose, a facelift may be needed to fully improve its appearance. The best candidates are those who have realistic expectations and who discuss their questions and concerns with the physician beforehand. An initial consultation with the cosmetic surgeon can help to ensure optimal results are achieved.
How is Laser Skin Resurfacing Performed?
Before laser skin resurfacing is performed, the cosmetic surgeon administers a local numbing treatment, a mild sedative, or general anesthesia. The choice depends on the individual patient and his or her specific needs.
Once the necessary medication has been administered, the cosmetic surgeon uses a special laser to resurface the skin. Using a precise and controlled beam of light, the outer layers of skin are vaporized, revealing the smooth, unblemished skin beneath. While the old, damaged layers are removed, the growth of new skin cells is stimulated.
Currently, carbon dioxide and erbium lasers are the two types of lasers most commonly used for laser skin resurfacing. Both lasers allow for quick procedures. They also help to minimize the risks for the patient by limiting the amount of heat that the skin absorbs and offering the cosmetic surgeon a high level of precision.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Laser Skin Surgery: What you need to know
Laser for Skin Rejuvenation - Laser Resurfacing Surgery
Cosmetic laser surgery has come to the forefront of facial rejuvenation surgical procedures. This has actually occurred over many years and it is most recently due to significant changes in technology with the application of the CO2 laser. While the CO2 laser has been used in medicine for almost two decades, recent advances including the superpulse CO2 laser mode and higher power of CO2 lasers, have made cosmetic facial rejuvenation more viable and the results more predictable and desirable. It is for this reason that laser resurfacing has become a most popular and effective method of treatment of sundamaged skin or photoaging, lax or aging skin, wrinkles and facial scarring such as that due to acne. It is also useful for other conditions.
Laser surgery is carried out on an outpatient basis under "twilight anesthesia." The surgical procedure takes from 45 minutes for resurfacing of the mouth region to approximately two hours for resurfacing of the full face. Following laser resurfacing, the skin appears pink, moist and usually quite smooth. The outer layers have been removed during the surgical procedure and after the anesthetic wears off, the skin will be somewhat tender and some swelling is expected for the first two to three days. A burning sensation may be present but will be helped by the medication provided. It is important to keep the head elevated as much as possible for two days following the surgical procedure. A recliner is most helpful since it allows one to be able to sleep on his/her back. While the ability to work is not impaired, most patients may return to work and social activities within seven to 10 days, depending on the extent of treatment. The skin at that point will look red and sunburned in appearance; however, makeup is available for both men and women. Exercises may be resumed within one to four weeks. Extremes of heat, cold and wind should be avoided for several months.
Once the skin has healed, it is imperative to avoid sun exposure for at least six weeks; otherwise, sunburn, hyperpigmentation and other complications may occur. Laser areas should be protected by using wide-brimmed hats and potent sunscreen products for at least six weeks. This office provides two types of kits for laser procedures. The pre-laser surgery kit is extremely important since preparation of the skin prior to laser procedures is essential. Preparation of the skin consists of the use of glycolic acid products and bleaching agents containing hydroquinone and cogic acid. These products are utilized for a minimum of two weeks; however, in most patients we prefer to use them for at least six weeks prior to surgery. Following surgery, a post-laser kit is provided which allows for the use of the proper products to protect the skin from sun rays and to promote complete healing of all laser areas.
Laser Skin Surgery for Pigmented Lesions and Skin Blemishes
The development of laser treatment for port wine stains, broken blood vessels (whether they are the result of birth marks or whether they are acquired in later life), hemangiomas, tattoos and other skin lesions, is a wonderful advance in medicine. Laser treatments are possible because high intensity laser light is produced by the laser and focused on unwanted tissues, blood vessels or pigments to destroy them. In this manner, the normal portions of the skin are damaged less by laser than other traditional treatments.
This form of laser therapy involves the use of the Surgica K-1 laser, a device that produces an intense burst of yellow-green laser light that is specially optimized to treat vascular-pigmented lesions (broken blood vessels, dark spots, the so called liver spots and skin lesions). The light from the Surgica K-1 laser is absorbed mostly by the blood vessels in the lesions and passes harmless through the surrounding tissue and skin. Some lesions require only a few pulses and can be treated in one session, while larger lesions like port wine stains require multiple patient visits with multiple treatments. The treatment is carried out strictly on an outpatient basis and under topical (surface) local anesthesia. Work can be resumed immediately after treatment. Sun exposure should be avoided in the treated areas for a few weeks after surgery to prevent the skin from healing with a darker or lighter tone.
About Risks
Like any other treatment, there are some risks inherent to laser surgery, pertaining mostly to scarring and pigmentation of the skin. These complications are quite rare.
What Can Be Treated
Some birthmarks, port wine stains, hemangiomas (especially strawberry hemangiomas), telangiectasia (vascular spiders) and broken veins of the face, scars, tattoos, brown freckles and light brown birthmarks, skin cancers, warts and numerous other skin lesions.
Insurance
Many, but not all, insurance companies will pay for laser surgery. Generally, we obtain prior determination and authorization for payment of the treatment. As with most of our cosmetic treatments, laser treatments must be paid for in advance.
Typical Laser (Ultrapulse) Pricing (full facial):
Champaign/Bloomington Facilities: Facility: $900.00 Surgeon's Fee: $2600.00
Procedural Fee for Lids Only, OR Included: $800.00
Procedural Fee for Mouth Only, OR Included: $900.00
Elmhurst Facility: Facility: $900.00 Surgeon's Fee: $2700.00
Procedural Fee for Lids Only, OR Included: $1000.00
Procedural Fee for Mouth Only, OR Included: $1100.00
Cosmetic laser surgery has come to the forefront of facial rejuvenation surgical procedures. This has actually occurred over many years and it is most recently due to significant changes in technology with the application of the CO2 laser. While the CO2 laser has been used in medicine for almost two decades, recent advances including the superpulse CO2 laser mode and higher power of CO2 lasers, have made cosmetic facial rejuvenation more viable and the results more predictable and desirable. It is for this reason that laser resurfacing has become a most popular and effective method of treatment of sundamaged skin or photoaging, lax or aging skin, wrinkles and facial scarring such as that due to acne. It is also useful for other conditions.
Laser surgery is carried out on an outpatient basis under "twilight anesthesia." The surgical procedure takes from 45 minutes for resurfacing of the mouth region to approximately two hours for resurfacing of the full face. Following laser resurfacing, the skin appears pink, moist and usually quite smooth. The outer layers have been removed during the surgical procedure and after the anesthetic wears off, the skin will be somewhat tender and some swelling is expected for the first two to three days. A burning sensation may be present but will be helped by the medication provided. It is important to keep the head elevated as much as possible for two days following the surgical procedure. A recliner is most helpful since it allows one to be able to sleep on his/her back. While the ability to work is not impaired, most patients may return to work and social activities within seven to 10 days, depending on the extent of treatment. The skin at that point will look red and sunburned in appearance; however, makeup is available for both men and women. Exercises may be resumed within one to four weeks. Extremes of heat, cold and wind should be avoided for several months.
Once the skin has healed, it is imperative to avoid sun exposure for at least six weeks; otherwise, sunburn, hyperpigmentation and other complications may occur. Laser areas should be protected by using wide-brimmed hats and potent sunscreen products for at least six weeks. This office provides two types of kits for laser procedures. The pre-laser surgery kit is extremely important since preparation of the skin prior to laser procedures is essential. Preparation of the skin consists of the use of glycolic acid products and bleaching agents containing hydroquinone and cogic acid. These products are utilized for a minimum of two weeks; however, in most patients we prefer to use them for at least six weeks prior to surgery. Following surgery, a post-laser kit is provided which allows for the use of the proper products to protect the skin from sun rays and to promote complete healing of all laser areas.
Laser Skin Surgery for Pigmented Lesions and Skin Blemishes
The development of laser treatment for port wine stains, broken blood vessels (whether they are the result of birth marks or whether they are acquired in later life), hemangiomas, tattoos and other skin lesions, is a wonderful advance in medicine. Laser treatments are possible because high intensity laser light is produced by the laser and focused on unwanted tissues, blood vessels or pigments to destroy them. In this manner, the normal portions of the skin are damaged less by laser than other traditional treatments.
This form of laser therapy involves the use of the Surgica K-1 laser, a device that produces an intense burst of yellow-green laser light that is specially optimized to treat vascular-pigmented lesions (broken blood vessels, dark spots, the so called liver spots and skin lesions). The light from the Surgica K-1 laser is absorbed mostly by the blood vessels in the lesions and passes harmless through the surrounding tissue and skin. Some lesions require only a few pulses and can be treated in one session, while larger lesions like port wine stains require multiple patient visits with multiple treatments. The treatment is carried out strictly on an outpatient basis and under topical (surface) local anesthesia. Work can be resumed immediately after treatment. Sun exposure should be avoided in the treated areas for a few weeks after surgery to prevent the skin from healing with a darker or lighter tone.
About Risks
Like any other treatment, there are some risks inherent to laser surgery, pertaining mostly to scarring and pigmentation of the skin. These complications are quite rare.
What Can Be Treated
Some birthmarks, port wine stains, hemangiomas (especially strawberry hemangiomas), telangiectasia (vascular spiders) and broken veins of the face, scars, tattoos, brown freckles and light brown birthmarks, skin cancers, warts and numerous other skin lesions.
Insurance
Many, but not all, insurance companies will pay for laser surgery. Generally, we obtain prior determination and authorization for payment of the treatment. As with most of our cosmetic treatments, laser treatments must be paid for in advance.
Typical Laser (Ultrapulse) Pricing (full facial):
Champaign/Bloomington Facilities: Facility: $900.00 Surgeon's Fee: $2600.00
Procedural Fee for Lids Only, OR Included: $800.00
Procedural Fee for Mouth Only, OR Included: $900.00
Elmhurst Facility: Facility: $900.00 Surgeon's Fee: $2700.00
Procedural Fee for Lids Only, OR Included: $1000.00
Procedural Fee for Mouth Only, OR Included: $1100.00
Friday, August 29, 2008
Cosmetic Laser Surgery Procedures 101
LASER PEEL FOR WRINKLES
If you have wrinkles on your face, especially around the mouth or eyes that can be seen by others across the dinner table, you most likely will benefit from facial resurfacing, also called laserbrasion, laser abrasion, or a laser peel.
On the other hand, if your wrinkles, or the beginning of them, can only be seen when you study your face in a triple-magnification mirror, you're probably a candidate for alphahydroxy acids, Renova, and other beauty-before-the-beam measures, and not a laser peel - just yet.
Facial resurfacing is not a face lift! A face lift is a surgical procedure that has more to do with lifting the cheeks and recontouring the neck to counteract the effects of gravity. It is a "nip and tuck" that removes sagging, unwanted skin and extra fat deposits. No laser peel can correct these problems but it can improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the face. After a laser peel, in fact, it is not uncommon for people to appear ten to twenty years younger than their actual age!
In truth, lasers cannot make you look "light years" younger, but ten or twenty is another story. There is also no guarantee that your new face will "launch a thousand ships," but who wants to launch ships anyway!
If wrinkling is only in a limited area of the face, a person may opt for a perioral laser peel, which removes the fine lines in the "mustache" area of the upper lip as well as lipstick "bleed lines," and/or a periorbital laser peel, which removes the fine lines around the eyes (in the area covered by ordinary eyeglasses). In addition, there is the laser peel of the nose, which eliminates many effects of sun damage, or a laser peel of the earlobes, which improves the wrinkles on and dramatically shrinks their size.
EYELID SURGERY
Also called upper blepharoplasty, this laser procedure removes a crescent of skin and some underlying fat from the upper eyelids to correct their drooping or sagging. Anyone with droopy, overhanging upper lids that diminish the appearance, seem to impair vision, or obscure the area where eye shadow is applied, is a good candidate for this procedure.
A laser-assisted transconjunctival lower-lid blepharoplasty is a procedure that removes excess fat from the lower eyelid. Anyone with "bags" or puffy lower lids is most likely a candidate for this procedure.
RESURFACING OF ACNE SCARS
Candidates for this procedure have depressed acne or chickenpox scars that indent the skin. After resurfacing, when the skin heals, a new band of horizontal collagen forms in the upper layers of the skin, greatly improving the skin's contour and tightening its overall appearance. While this procedure can erase years of heartache, it involves a warning: anyone who has taken Accutane for cystic acne must not have laser treatment for one to two years after discontinuing the medication.
RED-NOSE SYNDROME (RHINOPHYMA)
Remember the bulbous red nose of W.C. Fields? He suffered from rhinophyma, a condition that is characterized by a gradually enlarging, reddened, and misshapen nose with enlarged pores. This is a condition that makes people very self-conscious but with laser resurfacing it vanishes within minutes.
Resurfacing lasers also treat a variety of other skin conditions:
* Seborrheic keratoses, the common wart-like brown growths that appear to be "stuck on" to the surface of the skin.
* Warts ~These common and often distressing flesh-colored bumps are caused by the human papilloma virus and have the potential to spread and persist for years.
* Scars and keloids.
ROSACEA
In this condition tiny blood vessels under the skin "break," dilate and, increase in number, causing flushing in the central portion of the face around the cheeks and nose. Quite common in women, it is often (but mistakenly) called "adult acne." It affects thirteen-million Americans. The problem is eliminated with laser treatment, but it may return, requiring follow-up treatments.
PORT-WINE STAINS
It is always distressing when a baby is born with a port-wine stain, particularly one that covers a beneath portion of the face. This dense network of blood vessels the surface of the skin enlarges as the child gets bigger and never goes away on its own.
Laser surgery, performed in several sessions, is tremendously effective in eliminating port-winestains. But before such surgery is undertaken, a child must be fully evaluated to rule out other, rare conditions that might account for the stain.
The laser(s) that is used for red problems also treats a variety of other skin conditions:
* Hemangiomas ~ These "strawberry marks" usually disappear on their own. However, if they interfere with a vital function, laser treatment can help them disappear safely and more quickly.
* Scars, keloids, warts, spider veins, psoriasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, and miscellaneous vascular lumps and bumps can also be treated with the laser that treats red problems.
STRETCH MARKS
Typically, stretch marks occur as a result of pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts, weight lifting, or rapid weight gain in areas that have undergone extensive stretching such as the hips, tummy, and breasts. The hormone estrogen seems to play a role in their development.
Cocoa butter and other "potions" that promise to firm the slackened skin and prevent or heal stretch marks do little to improve their appearance. However, they may diminish slightly with the daily application of Retin-A or alphahydroxy acids. Laser treatment is highly effective.
AGE SPOTS
Also known as sun spots, liver spots, or large freckles, these blemishes are largely the result of life-long sun damage. Sometimes, topical medications, bleaching creams, or alphahydroxy acids can lighten the spots, but the appropriate laser eliminates them in one easy treatment.
The laser(s) that is used to treat these brown problems also treats a variety of other skin conditions:
* Cafe-au-lait spots are flat, light brown, or tannish lesions - which are the color of coffee with milk and always benign. They are, however, a cosmetic nuisance and often respond to the laser.
* Dark circles ~ Many people hate the raccoon-like appearance that the dark circles under their eyes create. Again, laser can improve them.
* Beauty marks are really moles that, for the most part, are not beautiful. These, along with other large and small nevi, can often be improved with laser surgery. But sometimes laser surgery is not the best way to remove these spots. Beauty and the Beam explains why.
* Melasma (or chloasma) ~ Commonly called "the mask of pregnancy," this discoloration of the skin often disappears after childbirth but can also be treated safely with the appropriate laser, as can a variety of other conditions which are covered in Beauty and the Beam.
TATTOOS AND TATTOO REMOVAL
An estimated ten million people in the United States have at least one tattoo. Female college students account for the application of fifty-thousand to one-hundred thousand tattoos a year, while ten percent of adult males sport at least one. Yet, more than half of all people with tattoos eventually regret having them and many want them removed.
If a tattoo is comprised of different colors, several lasers are commonly used to remove it, each one targeting different-colored tattoo inks. While the procedure only takes a few minutes, several treatment sessions may be required. The good news is that the result will last forever, although in some cases trace pigments of the tattoo may be visible.
PERMANENT MAKE-UP REMOVAL
There are a variety of reasons why women seek out physicians or paraprofessionals trained in micropigmentation - the art of depositing small amounts of colored pigments into the skin. Whether they choose permanent make-up to add color to their eyebrows or to create eye liners, lip liners, or even rouge for their cheeks, the goal is the same: cosmetic enhancement. But sometimes women change their minds and want the "permanent" make-up removed. The same laser methods used to remove body tattoos are used to remove permanent make-up. For both, however, risks exist, which are spelled out in Beauty and the Beam.
REMOVAL OF LEG VEINS
Varicose and spider veins have a great deal to do with family inheritance. Simply, genes play a big role in who does and does not get them. But inheritance is not the only risk factor. Women who are overweight, have frequent pregnancies, or take birth control pills or estrogen and progesterone replacement are also vulnerable to varicosities and to the little spider veins that have such a rude and unexpected way of making themselves apparent. The situation is aggravated as well by wearing clothing that is tight around the waist, standing in one place for long periods, prolonged sitting, the habitual crossing of one leg over the other, and straining from constipation.
Many women try compression stockings to improve circulation and reduce discomfort, although they don't eliminate the veins. Others opt for sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical solution into a vein, which causes the vein to collapse and disappear. Lasers or light sources are the newest, non-invasive way to zap these unsightly veins.
NEARSIGHTEDNESS
Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, is the surgery performed with the excimer laser that, since FDA approval in 1996, has been allowing nearsighted Americans to throw away their eyeglasses!
Nearsightedness occurs when light enters the eye and focuses at a point in front of the retina, causing close-up vision to be clear and distant objects blurry. In just a few minutes, the excimer laser changes the shape of the eyeball and often restores vision to 20/20! (Read a detailed description of this exciting laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
GUM RECONTOURING
Dentists who practice cosmetic dentistry can now recontour overgrown gums and give their patients the smiles they always dreamed of. Although not every one with gingival (gum) overgrowth is eligible, many are. (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
TOOTH WHITENING
In the same way, tooth whitening has been revolutionized by laser technology. Some people even find that their childhood tetracycline stains and adult nicotine stains are removed. (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
SNORING
In a recent study, nineteen percent of subjects described themselves as habitual snorers, while twenty-four percent of males and fifteen percent of females said they sometimes had a problem with snoring. Snorers don't enjoy peaceful sleeps; they usually find it hard to wake up and go through the day feeling uncharacteristically fatigued. And anyone who sleeps with a snorer suffers from both sleep deprivation and aggravation. Occasionally, snoring may be a sign of a more serious condition known as sleep apnea, a momentary cessation of breathing. Laser surgery, specifically the LAUP procedure (or, more complicatedly, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty) can eliminate snoring! (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Most women are enslaved to their tweezers, bleaching creams, razors, and depilatories, or to the aestheticians who perform electrolysis or waxing on the hair of their upper lips, eyebrows, arms, legs, and bikini areas. Every week they must attend this ritual, week in and week out, year in and year out, over a lifetime.
In contrast, laser hair removal is so efficient and rapid that small areas can be treated in seconds and large areas can be treated in minutes without the risk of contamination or scarring; electrolysis of the same areas would take months of weekly visits. However, the jury is still out about how "long-lasting" or "enduring" the resuls will be. (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
LASER HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
Women may have an interest in removing body hair, but men, by and large, are the ones who are interested in adding it - particularly to the head. Most men, when they find themselves losing hair, "try everything" to bring it back, from toupees and wigs to special shampoos and conditioners to hair thickeners and even vibrating hair brushes that promised to "stimulate" hair growth. Others try Rogaine (minoxidil), a topical, over-the-counter drug that promises to retain or restore the hair that seems destined for the shower floor.
Laser-assisted hair transplants seem better than all these methods but, again, the jury is still out about whether the laser offers any advantage over a traditional hair transplant. With this procedure, the experience of the laser surgeon is paramount; he or she must have a good cosmetic eye for achieving a natural hairline. (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
If you have wrinkles on your face, especially around the mouth or eyes that can be seen by others across the dinner table, you most likely will benefit from facial resurfacing, also called laserbrasion, laser abrasion, or a laser peel.
On the other hand, if your wrinkles, or the beginning of them, can only be seen when you study your face in a triple-magnification mirror, you're probably a candidate for alphahydroxy acids, Renova, and other beauty-before-the-beam measures, and not a laser peel - just yet.
Facial resurfacing is not a face lift! A face lift is a surgical procedure that has more to do with lifting the cheeks and recontouring the neck to counteract the effects of gravity. It is a "nip and tuck" that removes sagging, unwanted skin and extra fat deposits. No laser peel can correct these problems but it can improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the face. After a laser peel, in fact, it is not uncommon for people to appear ten to twenty years younger than their actual age!
In truth, lasers cannot make you look "light years" younger, but ten or twenty is another story. There is also no guarantee that your new face will "launch a thousand ships," but who wants to launch ships anyway!
If wrinkling is only in a limited area of the face, a person may opt for a perioral laser peel, which removes the fine lines in the "mustache" area of the upper lip as well as lipstick "bleed lines," and/or a periorbital laser peel, which removes the fine lines around the eyes (in the area covered by ordinary eyeglasses). In addition, there is the laser peel of the nose, which eliminates many effects of sun damage, or a laser peel of the earlobes, which improves the wrinkles on and dramatically shrinks their size.
EYELID SURGERY
Also called upper blepharoplasty, this laser procedure removes a crescent of skin and some underlying fat from the upper eyelids to correct their drooping or sagging. Anyone with droopy, overhanging upper lids that diminish the appearance, seem to impair vision, or obscure the area where eye shadow is applied, is a good candidate for this procedure.
A laser-assisted transconjunctival lower-lid blepharoplasty is a procedure that removes excess fat from the lower eyelid. Anyone with "bags" or puffy lower lids is most likely a candidate for this procedure.
RESURFACING OF ACNE SCARS
Candidates for this procedure have depressed acne or chickenpox scars that indent the skin. After resurfacing, when the skin heals, a new band of horizontal collagen forms in the upper layers of the skin, greatly improving the skin's contour and tightening its overall appearance. While this procedure can erase years of heartache, it involves a warning: anyone who has taken Accutane for cystic acne must not have laser treatment for one to two years after discontinuing the medication.
RED-NOSE SYNDROME (RHINOPHYMA)
Remember the bulbous red nose of W.C. Fields? He suffered from rhinophyma, a condition that is characterized by a gradually enlarging, reddened, and misshapen nose with enlarged pores. This is a condition that makes people very self-conscious but with laser resurfacing it vanishes within minutes.
Resurfacing lasers also treat a variety of other skin conditions:
* Seborrheic keratoses, the common wart-like brown growths that appear to be "stuck on" to the surface of the skin.
* Warts ~These common and often distressing flesh-colored bumps are caused by the human papilloma virus and have the potential to spread and persist for years.
* Scars and keloids.
ROSACEA
In this condition tiny blood vessels under the skin "break," dilate and, increase in number, causing flushing in the central portion of the face around the cheeks and nose. Quite common in women, it is often (but mistakenly) called "adult acne." It affects thirteen-million Americans. The problem is eliminated with laser treatment, but it may return, requiring follow-up treatments.
PORT-WINE STAINS
It is always distressing when a baby is born with a port-wine stain, particularly one that covers a beneath portion of the face. This dense network of blood vessels the surface of the skin enlarges as the child gets bigger and never goes away on its own.
Laser surgery, performed in several sessions, is tremendously effective in eliminating port-winestains. But before such surgery is undertaken, a child must be fully evaluated to rule out other, rare conditions that might account for the stain.
The laser(s) that is used for red problems also treats a variety of other skin conditions:
* Hemangiomas ~ These "strawberry marks" usually disappear on their own. However, if they interfere with a vital function, laser treatment can help them disappear safely and more quickly.
* Scars, keloids, warts, spider veins, psoriasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, and miscellaneous vascular lumps and bumps can also be treated with the laser that treats red problems.
STRETCH MARKS
Typically, stretch marks occur as a result of pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts, weight lifting, or rapid weight gain in areas that have undergone extensive stretching such as the hips, tummy, and breasts. The hormone estrogen seems to play a role in their development.
Cocoa butter and other "potions" that promise to firm the slackened skin and prevent or heal stretch marks do little to improve their appearance. However, they may diminish slightly with the daily application of Retin-A or alphahydroxy acids. Laser treatment is highly effective.
AGE SPOTS
Also known as sun spots, liver spots, or large freckles, these blemishes are largely the result of life-long sun damage. Sometimes, topical medications, bleaching creams, or alphahydroxy acids can lighten the spots, but the appropriate laser eliminates them in one easy treatment.
The laser(s) that is used to treat these brown problems also treats a variety of other skin conditions:
* Cafe-au-lait spots are flat, light brown, or tannish lesions - which are the color of coffee with milk and always benign. They are, however, a cosmetic nuisance and often respond to the laser.
* Dark circles ~ Many people hate the raccoon-like appearance that the dark circles under their eyes create. Again, laser can improve them.
* Beauty marks are really moles that, for the most part, are not beautiful. These, along with other large and small nevi, can often be improved with laser surgery. But sometimes laser surgery is not the best way to remove these spots. Beauty and the Beam explains why.
* Melasma (or chloasma) ~ Commonly called "the mask of pregnancy," this discoloration of the skin often disappears after childbirth but can also be treated safely with the appropriate laser, as can a variety of other conditions which are covered in Beauty and the Beam.
TATTOOS AND TATTOO REMOVAL
An estimated ten million people in the United States have at least one tattoo. Female college students account for the application of fifty-thousand to one-hundred thousand tattoos a year, while ten percent of adult males sport at least one. Yet, more than half of all people with tattoos eventually regret having them and many want them removed.
If a tattoo is comprised of different colors, several lasers are commonly used to remove it, each one targeting different-colored tattoo inks. While the procedure only takes a few minutes, several treatment sessions may be required. The good news is that the result will last forever, although in some cases trace pigments of the tattoo may be visible.
PERMANENT MAKE-UP REMOVAL
There are a variety of reasons why women seek out physicians or paraprofessionals trained in micropigmentation - the art of depositing small amounts of colored pigments into the skin. Whether they choose permanent make-up to add color to their eyebrows or to create eye liners, lip liners, or even rouge for their cheeks, the goal is the same: cosmetic enhancement. But sometimes women change their minds and want the "permanent" make-up removed. The same laser methods used to remove body tattoos are used to remove permanent make-up. For both, however, risks exist, which are spelled out in Beauty and the Beam.
REMOVAL OF LEG VEINS
Varicose and spider veins have a great deal to do with family inheritance. Simply, genes play a big role in who does and does not get them. But inheritance is not the only risk factor. Women who are overweight, have frequent pregnancies, or take birth control pills or estrogen and progesterone replacement are also vulnerable to varicosities and to the little spider veins that have such a rude and unexpected way of making themselves apparent. The situation is aggravated as well by wearing clothing that is tight around the waist, standing in one place for long periods, prolonged sitting, the habitual crossing of one leg over the other, and straining from constipation.
Many women try compression stockings to improve circulation and reduce discomfort, although they don't eliminate the veins. Others opt for sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical solution into a vein, which causes the vein to collapse and disappear. Lasers or light sources are the newest, non-invasive way to zap these unsightly veins.
NEARSIGHTEDNESS
Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, is the surgery performed with the excimer laser that, since FDA approval in 1996, has been allowing nearsighted Americans to throw away their eyeglasses!
Nearsightedness occurs when light enters the eye and focuses at a point in front of the retina, causing close-up vision to be clear and distant objects blurry. In just a few minutes, the excimer laser changes the shape of the eyeball and often restores vision to 20/20! (Read a detailed description of this exciting laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
GUM RECONTOURING
Dentists who practice cosmetic dentistry can now recontour overgrown gums and give their patients the smiles they always dreamed of. Although not every one with gingival (gum) overgrowth is eligible, many are. (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
TOOTH WHITENING
In the same way, tooth whitening has been revolutionized by laser technology. Some people even find that their childhood tetracycline stains and adult nicotine stains are removed. (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
SNORING
In a recent study, nineteen percent of subjects described themselves as habitual snorers, while twenty-four percent of males and fifteen percent of females said they sometimes had a problem with snoring. Snorers don't enjoy peaceful sleeps; they usually find it hard to wake up and go through the day feeling uncharacteristically fatigued. And anyone who sleeps with a snorer suffers from both sleep deprivation and aggravation. Occasionally, snoring may be a sign of a more serious condition known as sleep apnea, a momentary cessation of breathing. Laser surgery, specifically the LAUP procedure (or, more complicatedly, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty) can eliminate snoring! (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Most women are enslaved to their tweezers, bleaching creams, razors, and depilatories, or to the aestheticians who perform electrolysis or waxing on the hair of their upper lips, eyebrows, arms, legs, and bikini areas. Every week they must attend this ritual, week in and week out, year in and year out, over a lifetime.
In contrast, laser hair removal is so efficient and rapid that small areas can be treated in seconds and large areas can be treated in minutes without the risk of contamination or scarring; electrolysis of the same areas would take months of weekly visits. However, the jury is still out about how "long-lasting" or "enduring" the resuls will be. (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
LASER HAIR TRANSPLANTATION
Women may have an interest in removing body hair, but men, by and large, are the ones who are interested in adding it - particularly to the head. Most men, when they find themselves losing hair, "try everything" to bring it back, from toupees and wigs to special shampoos and conditioners to hair thickeners and even vibrating hair brushes that promised to "stimulate" hair growth. Others try Rogaine (minoxidil), a topical, over-the-counter drug that promises to retain or restore the hair that seems destined for the shower floor.
Laser-assisted hair transplants seem better than all these methods but, again, the jury is still out about whether the laser offers any advantage over a traditional hair transplant. With this procedure, the experience of the laser surgeon is paramount; he or she must have a good cosmetic eye for achieving a natural hairline. (Read a detailed description of this laser procedure in Beauty and the Beam.)
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