Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment that utilizes light activated or photosensitive drugs and a controlled beam of light is administered to the treatment area. Although, PDT is mainly used to treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer. It is also used for cosmetic purposes. The procedure is actually a very basic process. A photosensitizer, which can be in a form of an injectable fluid or a topical cream or lotion, to selectively administer the site of treatment. The drugs are made to affect cancer cells or skin lesions rather than healthy cells. So even though the skin absorbs it, the chemicals would only retain on the affected regions. Although, the time of wait may vary from minutes to hours and even days for the actual photo-treatment. The device used to ‘activate’ the medicine may also differ depending on the where the site is. If the affected area is on the leg or arm, physicists can opt to use a larger machine. Otherwise, they use small, hand held devices to selectively administer the light rays. Some PDTs even use small fiber optic lasers to completely focus the site. The wavelength of the light would also determine how far it would penetrate the human body. And although each drug is activated by receiving a certain frequency of light, they all release an active form of oxygen that ‘burns’ the cells, directly destroying the defective cells and while the body quickly replenishes after a few days. In addition to this, PDT also destroys the blood vessels within the affected area, disabling the nutrients to reach...
Human skin naturally has a type of protein that gives it elasticity and flexibility. This protein forms a net all over your skin, and gives it the ability to stretch and return to its natural state. However, despite its natural elastic ability, your skin can get damaged when it is stretched too quickly. Stretch marks start to appear when the skin is pulled far beyond its normal limit. The same thing happens when the skin is forced to abruptly contract due to massive weight loss. Too much stretching or contracting damages the protein fibers of your skin. When this happens, you will notice faint lines forming over the damaged area. These reddish or purplish lines are called stretch marks. These lines are actually miniature scars that form on top of the overextended protein fibers. These lines will naturally start to fade after a few weeks. However, it will take an extremely long time for these to completely disappear. In fact, there are some cases in which the lines do not completely heal, leaving behind unwanted scars. Stretch mark effects Other than the visible lines, they do not have other physical effects on the body. They do, however, have a big effect on a person’s self-image and confidence. Beauty magazines are teeming with tips on how to make stretch marks go away. You may try out simple home remedies to help them heal faster. Rubbing lavender oil on the lines three times a day will help lighten the lines. Using Aloe Vera gel and vitamin E creams will help you get rid of stretch marks. Certain types of food that...
Excessive body hair could be the result of a medical condition, or it could be hereditary. Hirsuteness, which is an enlarged hair follicle that causes thick hair, is a real ailment that could affect one’s self-esteem and self-image. But whether or not one’s unwanted body hair is the result of a health condition, women and men may suffer because of the unsightly presence of these short strands of hair. New advancements in the world of medicine, however, have created new solutions to this unwanted hair concern. Whereas in the past, people were reluctant to undergo hair removal procedures because of side effects, ELOS changes all that. ELOS (electro-optical synergy) uniquely uses the synergy between electrical energy, including radiofrequency energy, and optical energy to pre-heat the targeted area. This allows a thermal path where gentle pulses of radiofrequency energy can travel to the hair follicle. Results that use traditional optical only systems tend to be limited because their operation relies indirectly on superheating the melanin within each hair shaft. This means they only hope for enough thermal collateral damage to remove body hair. But with Syneron new technology, superior results can be achieved because it precisely targets and destroys hair follicles via a process called Vortex healing. Thus, the surrounding skin is undamaged and protected. The result is healthier, more smooth skin in far less time, and minimum to no side effects. It is no surprise to find many men and women turning to ELOS hair removal solutions. Safer, lower energy levels are used to provide more optimal results. The device itself is cooled down as well so that surrounding...
Dermabrasion is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure where the surface of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) is removed by abrasion. The process involves a method of controlled surgical scraping – the skin is injured so that a new layer replaces the treated area. The new skin has a smoother appearance, thus patients achieve smoother, tighter and rejuvenated skin. Traditional Dermabrasion The equipment used to remove the upper skin layer is a wire brush (a burr) or a diamond wheel with rough edges (a fraise). There are factors that may affect the depth (final result) of the skin resurfacing, which include: – How much pressure is applied and for how long – How quick the burr or brush rotates – The condition and features of the patient’s skin The most likely site for dermabrasion is the face, but several other areas can also be treated. When the procedure was first developed, it was used mainly to treat acne scars, pox marks, and scars resulting from accidents or diseases. Today, it is used to improve other skin defects, including lines around the mouth, tattoo scars, and age spots. It may also be used to treat rhinophyma (an enlarged nose), caused by rosacea, which is an inflammatory skin disease. The procedure, however, may not be effective when treating congenital skin conditions like moles, birthmarks, and scars due to burns. In addition, new developments in the field of non-invasive cosmetic procedures continue to be made. Today, patients have the option of undergoing dermabrasion that uses laser light. Laser Dermabrasion Most doctors who prefer laser dermabrasion say that the instrument allows them...
Hand Rejuvenation Surgery Overview The hands are arguably the most important parts of the body, in terms of going about everyday life. Because of this, the hands take a lot of abuse, and over the years, it can show. Wear and tear, aging, and stress, all change the appearance of the hands. But why should people be concerned? The hands are also social tools. We use them to interact with other people in many different ways, and how people perceive the hands can be, in turn, how they perceive the person. This is why it is very important to also preserve the youthful look of the hands. And this can be done in a number of ways, one of which, is hand rejuvenation surgery. What is Hand Rejuvenation Surgery? Hand rejuvenation surgery is the method of revitalizing the appearance, feel, and texture of the hands. This is done by moisturizing and softening the skin, reducing excess flaps of skin, removing age spots, eliminating scars, reducing the visibility of veins, and more. There are specific methods that are available to deal with each specific problem, that all comprise the hand rejuvenation process. Microdermabrasion, for instance, is a very non-invasive treatment of the hand’s skin that uses very tiny micro-crystals to scrub the skin, gently polishing it, and revealing the newer, younger skin beneath. This treatment reduces the visibility of age spots, and can lessen the visible damaged caused by sun damage. Fat grafting is yet another method, which deals with the loss of volume, or “thinning” of the hands. The procedure requires taking fat from a different part of the...
Varicose Veins Overview There are many challenges facing people who wish to show off more skin when they go to the beach, or dress up for an occasion, or even for people who wish to be a bit more risqué while in casual dress. There are freckles, scars, uneven pigmentation, among others. But no skin blemish is more unsightly, and more problematic, than varicose veins. What are varicose veins? Varicose veins are, simply put, veins that have enlarged and cause what is known as retrograding, or the reversal of blood flow in the veins, which cause them to grow even more. Varicose veins can appear all over the body, but appear predominantly on the legs, because the legs exert a lot of pressure, especially when one is standing up. Varicose veins are caused by a number of things, but females are more prone to it than males. Aside from higher pressure in standing, other factors that can cause varicose veins are obesity, pregnancy, abdominal straining, menopause, and aging. Signs and symptoms of varicose veins A person can tell if he or she has varicose veins through a number of symptoms. Ankles can feel swollen, and spider veins can appear anywhere on the affected leg. The leg will then feel heavy and tense. Another sign involves sudden cramps and pains when making sudden movements with the leg, and the appearance of red areas in the legs. Are varicose veins dangerous? Should they be treated? Varicose veins can cause complications that range from simple irritations to critical problems. They can be itchy, and, when scratched, can often lead to ulcers. They...
One of the most convenient and innovative procedures in cosmetic surgery today involves laser birthmark, scar, and tattoo removal. Whether you have an unsightly birthmark, a scar, or ink that has long lost its significance, laser removal may be for you. Compared to procedures in the past, laser removal of birthmarks or tattoos is fast, convenient, and relatively pain free. Past methods were painful and invasive. For example, if you wanted a tattoo removed, you could either have it sanded off (dermabrasion) or have it surgically excised, with possible need for a skin graft. Fortunately, today laser therapy for removal has been the norm. Laser therapy fragments the birthmark or the tattoo with pulses of highly concentrated laser light. The laser is designed to only target the treatment area, using only frequencies that will spare the surrounding tissue. After the laser fragments the targeted birthmark pigment or tattoo, the skin’s immune system will work to remove the fragmented pieces from the skin. This procedure works best in areas that have good blood circulation. The blood will cause the pieces to be removed more quickly. Hands and feet are more difficult to treat because they have less circulation. Who Performs Laser Removal Therapy? Laser therapy for birthmark or tattoo removal should only be performed by an experienced board certified cosmetic surgeon. Before you have the procedure done, you will have your skin evaluated. The surgeon will determine the area to be treated and let you know how many treatments will be required and the level of success you should expect. Black tattoos are the easiest to remove, colored tattoos require...
Spider veins can be the bane of a woman’s existence. Developing in adulthood, spider veins may prevent one from desiring to wear leg baring clothing such as shorts or skirts. Most women who have them are embarrassed because their legs begin to look like “grandma’s”. One option to remedy this problem is to have spider vein treatment. About Spider Veins Spider veins are a small type of varicose veins, also known as telangiectasias which are stretched out blood vessels that appear on the surface of the skin. They are called spider veins because the appearance is that of a red or blue web of veins similar to a spider’s web. Usually they appear on the legs of women as they age but sometimes other locations and in men as well. Varicose veins are caused by loss of elasticity in the blood vessels causing a swollen appearance near the skin surface. Many people are genetically prone to the condition but some develop it as an occupational hazard. Men are not generally as likely to pursue spider vein treatment as women are. Spider Vein Treatment There are several treatment options for those who wish to improve the appearance of their legs including: Topical Skin Creams Laser Treatment Sclerosing Therapy Surgical Removal Several creams are available that claim to be effective spider vein treatments. These creams may contain a variety of ingredients that are reported to strengthen or shrink swollen blood vessel tissue such as Vitamin K, Aloe Vera, Theophylline and Horse Chestnut. Some people experience positive results from the use of topical creams while others see little improvement. Laser Treatment may...
If you are tired of hiding your legs because of spider veins, you may wish to consider a spider vein removal procedure. If you have had spider veins or varicose veins for a while you have probably tried to keep your legs covered. Wearing pants, panty hose, leggings and long skirts can get old – especially in summer. Cosmetic products to cover spider veins are certainly available but they don’t always work, can be expensive, tedious to apply and can wash or wear off at the most inconvenient time. If you are ready to show your legs again without someone staring at your legs, one of several options for spider vein removal could be for you. Laser Vein Removal Treatment One good option for the treatment of the weblike appearance of spider veins is laser treatment. A physician at a plastic surgery clinic can use a flow of highly focused light to destroy the tiny, swollen blood vessels. The beam of light focuses underneath the skin and causes the blood vessels to shrink. This method of vein removal is generally painless but may require several visits to be effective. After the first treatment, the spiderveins will appear to be darker but will gradually fade over the next few weeks. Sclerotherapy With this type of spidervein removal, a small amount of “sclerosing agent” such as concentrated saline will be injected into the veins. This medication will burn the surfaces of the inside of the vessels and will cause them to close. Though the vessels will no longer function, there is little risk to surrounding tissue once healing is complete as...
Varicose veins are a disturbing sight, especially for light skinned people where it can be very visible. But aside from the aesthetic problems, varicose veins can hurt and cause discomfort. However, varicose veins aren’t the only veins that people have to worry about. What are Spider Veins? Spider veins are smaller, but equally notorious. These are bundles of blue, red, or both color veins that form just underneath the surface of the skin. They are caused either by pregnancy, or inherited, or prolonged standing or sitting. If a person in the patient’s family has them, there’s a big chance that the patient got it from that person. Increased physical stress that is repetitive, such as sitting or standing for long periods of time, can exert pressures on the veins, causing them to develop into spider veins. Finally, pregnancy causes changes in hormones that can also cause spider vein appearance. They are found in millions of adult women everywhere, and can be embarrassing, especially if they appear on the face. These veins are spider-shaped, hence the name spider veins, but can also appear shaped like a branch, or jagged lines. Types of Spider Vein Treatment Fortunately, there are different spider vein treatments in the market today. Some using surgery, some using sclerotherapy, some using lasers, some even use natural remedies. All of these are aimed towards spider vein removal, and these multiple options ensure that all kinds of people can have their choice of spider vein treatment. Natural treatments are creams or herbal remedies that are very convenient, usually cheap, but take a while to take effect. These treatments are...
