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. How Photodynamic Therapy Works 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. Benefits of Photodynamic Therapy Over Traditional Treatments One of the most appealing advantages of PDT is its non-surgical, minimally invasive nature. Unlike traditional procedures that might involve excision or harsh chemical peels, PDT delivers results with little to no downtime. This makes it ideal for busy individuals looking for a lunchtime procedure with minimal risk. The precision of PDT also ensures that only the targeted abnormal cells are affected, preserving the surrounding healthy tissue—a feature that significantly reduces the risk of scarring or long-term damage, especially in facial treatments. Devices and Application Techniques in PDT 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...
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...
Technology has advanced to the point where science fiction now meets reality. One key element from sci-fi that is now part of daily life is lasers. It is used to read DVDs, cut and shape metal in laboratories, fix damaged eyes, and now, used to rejuvenate the skin and make people look and feel years younger. Laser Skin Resurfacing This is done through what’s known as laser skin resurfacing, a cosmetic procedure that is continuously gaining popularity in the industry. This is a treatment that is deemed very safe, very convenient, and most importantly, very effective. It is truly a viable option for those looking to have rejuvenated skin. Skin resurfacing uses a variety of lasers, depending on the situation and what is required by the cosmetic surgeon and patient. The general ones include the CO2 laser, which is the highest intensity and most powerful, Erbium lasers which are less powerful, but more precise than the CO2 laser, and the Fraxel laser, which is very non-invasive and has very little side effects, but requires repeated trips and sessions over the course of a number of weeks, sometimes even months. Skin Resurfacing Procedure The skin resurfacing procedure involves the patient being sedated and anesthetized, along with having the eyes covered to protect them from being damaged by the light of the laser. Once the patient is ready, the surgeon takes the laser machine and passes it over the target area, removing damaged layers of outer skin while stimulating the production of new skin cells and collagen in the underlying layers. This results in having a smoother, healthier, and most importantly,...
A person’s skin takes a beating everyday. Exposure to the elements, particularly to the sun, dust, and pollution can hasten the aging of the skin, resulting in wrinkles, undesired pigmentation, age spots, and fine lines. However, spas and other cosmetic clinics have developed a non-invasive, non-chemical procedure that aims to fix these problems of the skin, and it comes in the form of microdermabrasion. How does Microdermabrasion Work? Microdermabrasion peel works by having a surgeon or dermatologist use a device that literally sprays fine crystals onto the skin. This acts as scrubs, that acts gives gentle abrasion, removing the dead and old layer of skin cells to be replaced by the skin underneath. A microdermabrasion session takes only around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the area being treated. Patients are encouraged to return between 6 to 12 times every 2 to 3 weeks or so to achieve the best results. Microdermabrasion Procedure This procedure uses microdermabrasion crystals, sprayed to remove dead, dry skin cells located on the outermost layer of the skin, revealing the healthy, younger, and new skin underneath. This process results in having a rejuvenated look, improving the skin’s appearance and overall feel to the touch. This is also gentler than its sister procedure, dermabrasion, which is aimed to tackle deeper wrinkles and scars. There is an important requirement, however. Potential patients of microdermabrasion cannot have taken a medication called Accutane, a drug used to treat severe acne, anywhere in the past 12 months. This is because it can cause complications that can result in having worse skin than before. This is why it’s imperative...
Lasers have made their way into virtually every facet of health care. Nowhere is the presence of lasers felt more strongly than in cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine. By changing the wavelength of the focused light energy, the duration of the pulse and the power of the beam, doctors can cut away diseased brain tissue in one instance and remove unwanted hair in another. What Is the Idea Behind Photo Rejuvenation? Photo rejuvenation is a cosmetic procedure in which laser light energy is delivered to the skin to improve its appearance. The cosmetic benefit that the patient enjoys is determined by the energy, wavelength and duration of the laser pulse and on how it is applied. Melanin is one of the main pigments that determine the color of our skin. The more melanin in the skin, the darker it appears. When they are exposed to the sun, the skin cells produce more melanin, which results in a suntan. While a single, darker shade distributed over the whole body can look very nice, discrete areas, freckles or blotches of darkened skin are rarely desirable. In people with naturally darker skin tones, sun damage may appear as light spots or ashy skin. Sadly, while a suntan will fade, sun damaged areas may not. Who Should Consider Laser Photo Rejuvenation? Laser photo rejuvenation is ideal for individuals who want to improve their skin tone, texture, and pigmentation without undergoing invasive cosmetic surgery. People suffering from age spots, sun damage, rosacea, acne scars, or uneven skin tone can benefit significantly from this treatment. It’s especially effective for those with fair to medium skin...
Part of the appeal and benefit of skin peels is that they are so versatile. They can be used just about anywhere on your body and provide a range of benefits from giving your skin a “refreshed” look to taking years off your face. People often mistake microdermabrasion procedures for chemical peels. While the result is similar (removal of older dead skin cells to reveal younger skin), the mechanism of action is quite different. In microdermabrasion, physical exfoliation is used to break the glue that holds cells together. In peels, chemicals work to dissolve the glue that holds the cells together. Chemical peels can be used for a whole list of problems, including improving skin hyperpigmentation, reducing mild scarring, correcting mild photoaging, removing excess skin oil and blackheads, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels cannot reduce blood vessels, are not recommended for dark-skinned individuals, and will not provide the same effect as a face lift. While a chemical peel cannot reduce the size of a pore, it can minimize a pore’s appearance. When preparing for a peel, it is helpful to exfoliate for a week or two leading up to the procedure. Peels and microdermabrasion are most effective when used together. If preparing for a deeper peel, check with your doctor. Very superficial peels, like Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Facial peel or beta-hydroxy products helps to smooth out roughened areas, remove blackheads, aids in application of self-tanning products and stimulates collagen regrowth (vitamin A peels). These types of peels can be do-it-yourself at home and affect only the outermost layer of epidermal skin cells. Superficial peels are generally...
Laser resurfacing is an effective technique for improving sun damaged skin, aging skin, flattening protruding acne scars, and eliminating wrinkles. Laser beams selectively vaporize scars and wrinkles. In this method, since the laser is more precise about controlling the depth of penetration, it makes it a very safe treatment. There are two types of lasers the doctor may choose to utilize. First, is the carbon dioxide laser, which dispenses short bursts of extremely high energy. It takes away skin layers, one at a time, unfolding fresh new skin underneath. It produces a decreased risk of complications and scarring. Erbium YAG Laser: Best for Sensitive Areas and Mild Skin Imperfections The second type of laser to be considered is the Erbium Yag laser, which delivers a wavelength that softly penetrates the skin and is hugely absorbed by water. It clears away layers of skin with high quality precision. The Erbium Yag laser is usually chosen for patients who possess low to moderate discolorations, surface scars, and facial wrinkles. The softness of this laser is chosen for areas where the skin is more sensitive, especially around the hands, neck, mouth and eyes. This laser is also the best choice for individuals who cannot tolerate prolonged redness after the procedure and those with darker skin types. The carbon dioxide laser, on the other hand, is a more effective method for helping patients with severe sun damage and deeper facial wrinkles. Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scars and Collagen Regeneration Lasers are also very effective for acne resurfacing. Most damage from the environment occurs on the outer layer of the skin. By using a...
Our skin is consistently exposed to elements including ultraviolet rays of sun, dust, environmental pollutants, and chemicals in various cosmetics and toiletries. Moreover, our skin also continues to age alongside our body, sometimes in a more accelerated manner than the rest of body because of the free radical and oxidative damage of highly processed foods we ingest. The forces of gravity, hormonal imbalances, drug ingestion, smoking, pregnancy and various illnesses also play their role. The end result is premature aging of skin which manifests itself in lines, wrinkles, blotchy skin color and various types of spots. Various methods have been devised and used for combating these effects and to rejuvenate the skin once again. As expected, face, head and neck are the most common areas for which rejuvenation treatments are sought. The most commonly used and reliable methods for treating the sun damaged and aging skin are chemical peeling, dermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing. Chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing all achieve results in basically the same way. Layers of your skin are removed and, as the healing process progresses, a new, healthier-looking skin emerges. Am I a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing? You will be a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing if you have any one or more of the following conditions: Wrinkles including ‘laughter lines’, ‘frown lines’, skin changes around mouth that cause ‘lipstick bleed’ Sun-damaged facial skin Lines around eyes- ‘crow’s feet’ Brown spots or blotchy skin coloring Skin growths that have potential to become cancerous Scars of acne or chicken pox Superficial facial scars from a past injury You will not be...
The use of chemicals to exfoliate the skin dates back to the ancient Egyptians who used lactic acid, alabaster, and salt to smooth out the skin. Much later, in the 1800’s, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, resorcinol and phenol were introduced as chemical peeling agents. Today, with the advent of more sophisticated methods of skin resurfacing, chemical peeling still remains one of the most widely performed cosmetic dermatological procedures. Chemical peeling, or chemexfoliation, utilizes chemical solutions to be applied to the skin, causing it to peel off gradually. It enables damaged skin to shed off and be replaced by a healthier-looking skin cells. The efficacy and recovery time will depend on the type of chemical used, its strength, and duration on the skin. Levels of Chemical Peeling Superficial Peeling It exerts its effects on the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis. It is safe for any skin type, with minimal downtime. This is suitable for the following skin conditions: Fine lines due to sun damage Hyper pigmentation or skin discoloration Mild acne scars Dull-looking skin Actinic and seborrheic keratosis Medium-Depth Peeling It affects both the epidermis and the upper part of the dermis. This is also used as a supportive procedure to laser skin resurfacing and deeper chemical peels to blend the demarcation lines between treated and untreated skin. This is best suited for the following skin conditions: Mild to moderate wrinkles due to sun damage Hyper pigmentation Age spots Texture irregularities due to acne scars Actinic keratosis Deep Peels It extends deep into the lower layers of the dermis and yields the most dramatic effect. These are...
