Laser Treatments – Hair Removal
Introduction
Laser hair removal works by directing the laser energy to the hair follicle by targeting of the pigment (melanin). Therefore the darker or pigmented hair is most suitable to this form of treatment. Care has to be taken in patients with pigmented skin as their skin can absorb a certain percentage of the laser energy and cause unwanted side effects.
The doctor is using Alexandrite GentleLase in Dermalab Medical S.A. The first visits need to be close to one another and must be scheduled according to hair growth.
Laser hair removal should be seen as a form of hair control requiring 3-4 treatments per year to control hair growth after the initial treatment sessions. Due to the cyclical growth of hair and the fact that the laser can only treat hair in the active phase it is not permanent at this stage.
The procedure
Can be performed as an outpatient. The treatment sessions last between 5 minutes and an hour depending on the area treated. The hair requiring treatment should be visible at the time of treatment ideally between two and three mm in length. In sensitive areas like the upper lip some local anaesthetic cream can be useful. After the treatment Aloe Vera gel can be applied to cool the skin down. Normal facial care and cosmetic use can usually be commenced after a period of 12 hours.
Side-effects
Very light hair does not respond very well. Redness usually disappears after a period of 6 hours. The skin may blister in darker skinned individuals but normally heals within a 10 day period. Hyperpigmentation can occur but is uncommon and normally resolves spontaneously after 6-12 months. Hypopigmentation can sometimes be seen in darker skinned patients. Complete evaporation of all hair treated does not always happen and residual dead stubble may have to be removed manually.
After the treatment
Cool the skin down with Aloe Vera gel. The skin should be protected form sun exposure for up to 6 months after the last treatment. Repeat treatments can be performed to the same area after 4-6 weeks.
Laser Treatments – Removal of Brown Marks
Introduction
For the treatment of pigmented skin lesions, the doctor is using Alex Trivantage Q-switched laser in Dermalab Medical S.A. Whether a pigmented lesion is superficial or deep determines which pigment-specific laser system is the most suitable for treatment. Pigmented lesions (e.g. freckles) typically require more than one laser treatment to resolve. This laser does not remove melanocytic nevi.
The procedure
The treatments are usually scheduled 4-6 weeks apart and can be done on an outpatient basis. The impact of the laser feels like the snap (like an air bubble bursting). Although most people find the sensation tolerable, some patients with larger marks may require local anaesthetic. Immediately after the treatment, there may be swelling, bruising or crusting and scabbing, which can persist for 1-2 weeks.
Side-effects
There is no guarantee that laser treatment will be able to treat your condition completely. Skin texture change or scarring may occur but is rare. Hypo or hyperpigmentation can sometimes be seen.
After the treatment
A topical antibiotic ointment is normally recommended until the crusting and scabbing disappears. Once the scabbing clears a normal face cleaning and make-up regime can be commenced. The area treated should be protected against the sun for at least 6 months.
Laser Treatments- Resurfacing
Introduction
Resurfacing of the skin by laser surgery involves a layer by layer evaporation of the area of skin treated. The doctor uses SmartXide CO2 laser, in Dermalab Medical S.A. It can be used for treating wrinkles as well as other irregularities, for example scarring caused by acne. In addition to resurfacing laser treatment results in a certain amount of collagen shrinkage and tissue tightening. In the long term it is also thought to stimulate new collagen production.
The procedure
Depending on the area involved it can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic. You will experience a burning sensation on your skin after the treatment and you have to use cold water compresses or even a light painkiller (paracetamol) in some cases. If you know that you develop Herpes skin infection it’s better to receive anti-viral antibiotics. In case of active Herpes skin infection on the lip and if the treatment is to be carried out on the face, it has to be postponed until the symptoms fully subside.
Side-effects
Hypo or hyperpigmentation can occur. Hyperpigmentation will eventually fade within 2 to 6 months. Hypo-pigmentation may be permanent and may be more likely to occur in skin previously treated by chemical peeling or dermabrasion especially if the area treated had deep wrinkles. The risk of scarring is minimal. Strict adherence to all post-operative instructions will reduce the possibility of this occurrence. An allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic or the topical cream can occur. Flare up of milia can occur in the post-operative period.
After the surgery
Fluid formation and scabbing occur for a period ranging from 10-21 days. After that the skin will have a bright red colour. The redness fades over several weeks and normal skin colour returns in about 3 months. Opaque make-up can be used to camouflage the redness. Make up can be applied on the skin after 2 days. The skin should be protected from sun exposure for a period of 6 months after the treatment.
Laser Treatments – Tattoo Removal
Introduction
A tattoo is created by depositing various colored pigments under the skin surface for decorative or cosmetic purposes. Sometimes an explosion or a fall on asphalt can cause a tattoo, when pieces of metal, dirt or carbon become lodged under the skin. The doctor uses the Alex TriVantage Q-switched laser for tattoo removal, in Dermalab Medical S.A. The success of the treatment depends on the color of the tattoo and the depth of the placement of the ink.
The procedure
Can be performed as a day case. When large areas are treated in one sitting local anaesthetic may be indicated. Treatments are usually scheduled 6-8 weeks apart but can vary depending on individual response. A topical antibiotic is normally applied to the treated area afterwards twice daily for a period of 7 days.
Side-effects
Changing of the skin texture or scarring is rare. Hypo or hyper pigmentation may occur but is normally self limiting. A Darkening of flesh tone, white, rust or brown tattoo pigments may be seen. Infection of the skin may occur.
After the treatment
Immediately after the treatment there may be swelling, bruising or crusting and scabbing, which can persists for 1-2 weeks. Significant fading of the tattoo can continue for up to 6 months after laser treatment. The end result cannot be guaranteed.
Laser Treatments – Vascular Lesions
Introduction
Vascular lesions or red marks on the skin are normally made up of a network of blood vessels. The type of vascular lesion as well as its location can determine whether a particular vascular specific laser is suitable. The target of the laser in vascular lesions is normally the haemoglobin in the blood vessels. The laser light therefore selectively destroys the abnormal blood vessels. The doctor uses the pulse dye laser Vbeam by Candela and the GentleYAG Nd:YAG laser for vascular lesions, in Dermalab Medical S.A.
The procedure
Can be performed on an outpatient basis. Multiple treatment sessions may be necessary to destroy a vascular lesion effectively. Treatment sessions are normally repeated every 6-8 weeks to give the skin in the area treated time to recover. A local anaesthetic cream may be required for the treatment of large areas.
Side-effects
Bruising will appear in the area after the treatment and may be grey or blue-black in color. Swelling may occur especially under the eyes and in the neck but will subsides within 5 days. Hyperpigmentation or darkening of the skin can occur in treated areas and normally fades within 2-6 months. Hypo-pigmentation normally occurs in an area previously treated and will usually re-pigment within 6 months. Scarring is extremely rare.
After the treatment
Avoid sun exposure and apply a topical antibiotic treatment to the treated areas twice daily for 7 days. A mild non-irritating soap can be used twice daily on the treated areas. An ice pack may be useful to reduce swelling. Some vascular lesions may not go away completely despite multiple treatments, especially those being connected to deeper and larger in diameter vessels.
Laser Treatments – Skin lesion’ removal
Introduction
Several benign skin lesions can be removed by CO2 laser, such as dermal nevi, skin tags, seborrheic keratosis, xanthelasmas etc. The doctor uses the CO2 laser system, in Dermalab Medical S.A.
The procedure
It’s done on an outpatient basis. Local anaesthesia is used.
Complications
Rarely, hyperpigmentation can occur at the site of the removal. In some cases that larger lesions occupy almost all skin thickness, a second session may be needed for total removal.
After the treatment
You have to apply antibiotic ointment for a week after the surgery until all crust falls off the area treated. It then needs sunscreen protection for at least 6 months.