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How They Work
The word LASER is an acronym that stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers work by bouncing a beam of light back and forth between optical mirrors and lenses, amplifying the strength with each cycle. When the beam is powerful enough, it is released in a short pulse of energy. This burst of energy causes a carefully controlled burn. The light emitted by the laser is directed/attracted to a specific target, such as melanin (the pigment in your skin tone or a brown/black hair follicle); oxyhemoglobin (red blood cells, as in a facial vein or leg vein), or a specific ink color in tattoos. This attraction is called selective photothermolysis. Photo means light and thermolysis means destroying with heat. This specific laser targeting process allows us to treat just the chromophore, or item that you wish to be rid of and not the surrounding skin thus reducing unwanted side effects and damage to the skin that could result in scarring.
Different types of lasers are used to remove irregular contours, discolored areas, tattoos, blood vessels and unwanted hair. Some of these lasers can be calibrated to have a longer pulse of the laser light or a higher energy of light to accommodate the color of one's skin tone. More energy is required to treat light skinned individuals and less energy is required to treat dark skinned individuals. Our physicians use a formula which takes into account a patient's age, skin type, health history and area of treatment to determine the most beneficial settings of the laser.
In fact, Dr. Battle's 3 ½-year NIH sponsored research project at Harvard Medical School pioneered the development of the exiting new generation of FDA approved non-invasive lasers that are safe and effective for all skin types, regardless of skin color or ethnicity. He also worked directly with Lumenis in developing their current generation of LightSheer lasers.
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Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
IPL is not a laser but a light device that uses filters to determine what wavelengths of light are delivered. It does what lasers do (It smells like a laser, it tastes like a laser, in all practicality it is a laser). IPL technology improves the appearance of photoaged skin, removes age spots (sun-induced freckles), most benign brown pigments, and redness caused by broken capillaries through a process called photorejuvenation for face and body. It targets both pigment (in moles, freckles/blemishes, sun damaged skin, age spots) and hemoglobin in blood vessels (spider veins). A series of IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation helps restore a more youthful appearance without the patient downtime.
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"Brand new" Syneron Aurora Radio Frequency
This hair removal laser is the only FDA approved laser to effectively treat thin hair (including "peach-fuzz"), blonde hair, and white hair. Syneron Radio Frequency can also be used to stimulate collagen production. Radio frequency technology has been around for a number of years. What's " brand new" is the addition of a chill tip, a mechanism to cool the top layer of skin while the under layers are heated, thereby reducing unwanted side effects and damage to the top layer of skin that could result in scarring.
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HAIR REMOVAL
Lasers and light sources are rapidly changing hair removal treatment see video, providing gentle, non-invasive and long-lasting solutions to unwanted hair. The Lumenis LightSheer see video (Diode) is the "gold standard" and considered the best laser to treat lighter skin types. It can also be safely used on darker skin types. Dr. Battle worked directly with Lumenis in developing their current generation of FDA approved see video non-invasive LightSheer lasers that are safe and effective for all skin types see video, regardless of skin color or ethnicity.
The Altus Coolglide (Nd:YAG) is the "gold standard" and considered the best laser to safely treat darker skin types. It can also be safely used on lighter skin types.
The "Brand new" Syneron Aurora Radio Frequency hair removal laser is the only FDA approved laser to effectively treat thin hair (including "peach-fuzz"), blonde hair, and white hair.
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COLLAGEN ENHANCEMENT
Collagen enhancing lasers stimulate collagen growth by targeting water in the dermis. The heated water in the dermis stimulates cells called fibroblast to produce more collagen. (Like blowing up a balloon, the more air in the balloon, the smoother the surface, the more collagen the smoother the skin.) IPL treatments and Syneron Radiofrequency treatments can also be used to stimulate collagen growth and reduce wrinkles.
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COMPLEXION BLENDING AND TEXTURE EHNANCEMENT
Pigmented or brown lesions, including freckles, age, liver, or sun spots, "cafe-au-lait" birthmarks, and nevi (moles) can be successfully treated with lasers. The advantage of the newer laser systems is that the laser energy is absorbed selectively by the color of the lesion, avoiding harm to the surrounding skin. This is desirable, particularly on the face.
IPL Technology improves the appearance of photoaged skin, removes age spots (sun-induced freckles), most benign brown pigments, redness caused by broken capillaries, and reduces pore size, through a process called photorejuvenation for face and body. With a series of treatments, IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation help restore a more youthful appearance without the patient downtime.
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SCAR THERAPY
Stretch marks present as unsightly red to white areas, which occur commonly on the abdomen, arms, chest, and thighs. In essence, stretch marks represent a dermal scar in which the connective tissue (i.e.collagen and elastin) within the dermis is disrupted. ReLume achieves selective repigmentation of hypopigmented skin by combining the benefits of safe and effective UV system with the latest advances in targeted light technology. The procedure is painless and safe for all skin types. It is clear that laser treatment of stretch marks is a safe, and somewhat effective, treatment for this troublesome problem.
Lasers of various wavelength and intensity may be used to re-contour scar tissue and reduce the redness of skin around healed acne lesions, scars and keloids. The type of laser used is determined by the results that the laser treatment aims to accomplish. Tissue may actually be removed with more powerful instruments such as the carbon dioxide laser. In some cases, a single treatment is all that will be necessary to achieve permanent results.
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ROSACEA "RED FACE" THERAPY
Rosacea occurs when blood vessels move to just below the skin's surface, leading to blotchy red patches. IPL and the Altus Genesis are used to treat rosacea (red face).
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VASCULAR THERAPY
During IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) vascular treatment, the IPL wavelength is optimized so that the energy is absorbed only by the targeted blood vessels, delivering sufficient energy to thermocoagulate the entire vessel without causing damage to the surrounding skin. After treatment, the body absorbs the damaged vessels. Little or no trace of the initial lesion remains.
The Diolite - 532 nm wavelength laser treats vascular lesions that strongly targets hemoglobin in the blood. The Altus Vantage laser is also used to treat facial (spider) veins and also was one of the new generation Nd:YAG lasers that can effectively treat leg (varicose) veins. These veins are deeper and larger and were previously excluded from laser treatments.
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TATTOO REMOVAL
Lasers target the ink in the tattoo. Some tattoos can be eliminated almost completely with multiple laser treatments. Others tattoos will leave a "ghost" which is an area of lighter colored skin remaining in the area of the tattoo. How completely the tattoo can be eliminated also depends on the type of ink used in the tattoo since some pigments are easier to remove than others are. The preoperative consultation with the laser surgeon will give you an idea of what to expect, including a discussion of the risks of treatment. Exactly how your particular treatment area will respond can only be determined during the course of treatment.
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CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
| Laser Treatment |
Lasers Solutions |
HAIR REMOVAL
Laser removal of unwanted hair on the face or body |
Lumenis LightSheer
Altus Coolglide -Nd:YAG
Syneron Radiofrequency |
COLLAGEN ENHANCEMENT
Laser therapy to reduce & prevent wrinkles and improve tone for the aging face, neck, body & hands. |
Altus Genesis
IPL Photorejuvenation
Cutera Genesis Laser
Cool Touch
Syneron Radiofrequency
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COMPLEXION BLENDING AND TEXTURE EHNANCEMENT
Laser therapy to reduce dark spots, facial blood vessels, sun and age spots, and pore size.
Laser and surgical removal of moles.
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ConBio Medlite
Iridex Diolite
IPL
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SCAR THERAPY
Laser therapy to improve the appearance of stretch marks, scars, keloids, andacne scars. |
Altus Genesis
Cooltouch
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ROSACEA "RED FACE" THERAPY
Laser therapy to improve the appearance of papules and blood vessels just below the skin's surface. |
Altus Genesis
IPL
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VASCULAR THERAPY
Laser and sclerothrerapy therapy for unwanted spider veins, broken capillaries, and varicose veins. |
IPL
The Diolite-532 nm wavelength laser
Altus Vantage
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TATTOO REMOVAL
Laser therapy to remove tattoos |
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