Here’s one example of questions we get:
“My skin is severely wrinkled & I have an abundance of sun spots. I’ve spent plenty of time in the sun over the years, not to mention I also used to smoke. I’m tired of having wrinkled skin. It looks old and makes me feel old. I desire to change the appearance of my skin.
I’ve been reading about different ways of reducing wrinkles and have heard laser skin resurfacing may help. But I haven’t been able to find out much about what the procedure options are, what those procedures involved and what the risks are.” – Lonna H.
Most everyone has heard of laser hair removal but what else can lasers do now?
Laser therapy is used to treat varied skin conditions and ailments, including:
- Acne scars
- Aging skin problems, such as age spots, fine lines and wrinkles on the face
- Birthmarks
- Spider veins
- Droopy, dry, sagging eyelid skin and dark circles
- Improve crow’s feet around the eyes
- Pucker marks and frown lines
- Brown spots and uneven skin color
- Scars
- Uneven skin tone and texture
- Smokers’ line
- Vascular lesions
- Skin tightening
Below, we discuss the basics and frequently asked questions of BBL corrective photofacials, microlaser peels and profractional laser peels. We know in answering these questions we will empower women like Lonna & others (men too!) to find the right laser treatment option for them.
BBL Photofacial
What is BBL Photofacial?
This is a corrective light therapy treatment that uses Broad Band Light to target signs of aging, sun damage, and other signs of aging of the skin. A study in the Journal of Investigational Dermatology found that BBL photofacial actually restored gene expression pattern in aging skin to resemble young skin. What does that mean you ask? It means BBL photofacial actually changed the way the DNA/genes are expressed in older skin cells to look and act like younger skin cells!!!
What conditions can BBL treat?
BBL photofacial can treat:
- Brown pigmentation
- Red pigmentation
- Small blood vessels
- Redness
- Rosacea
- Aging skin
How does BBL Photofacial work?
The light energy delivered by BBL will precisely hit specific targets in your skin and gently heat the upper layers of your skin. This process stimulates your skin cells to regenerate. The targeted brown or red spots will slowly slough off or disappear within 7 to 14 days. The targeted small blood vessels will absorb energy and close and be absorbed by your body.
What does BBL Photofacial feel like?
Patients often describe a warm popping sensation accompanied by a bright light. You may experience some discomfort in more sensitive areas. A topical numbing agent makes this procedure comfortable.
Is there downtime associated with BBL Photofacial?
Immediately following treatment, you can expect to see redness, and it may feel like a slight sunburn in the treated area. Depending on the aggressiveness of your treatment, you may have mild swelling for a day or two. Pigmentation will turn darker and will slough off in 7-14 days. You may wear makeup immediately after the procedure.
***Photos Right: Results after 1 BBL photo facial.
What areas of my body can be treated?
All areas of the body can be treated. Long-term benefits of BBL are appreciated on all areas of the body
How many treatments will I need?
We can personalize a treatment plan for you. Typically, 2 treatments spaced 2-6 weeks apart provide great results. Certain conditions (i.e. rosacea, vascular sun damage) may require additional treatments.
What aftercare do I need?
You may be sensitive to sunlight and should use sunscreen diligently. You may wear makeup and most skin care products immediately after your procedure.
What is Forever Young BBL?
Forever Young BBL is a phototherapy treatment using noninvasive pulses of BroadBand Light (BBL) therapy to target the signs of aging and sun damage. We also combine a SkinTyte treatment with our Forever Young, which tightens skin as well. This treatment makes skin clearer, smoother, healthier, and younger appearing. Forever Young BBL will help your skin look better over time.
What will happen during the treatment?
First, a cool gel is applied to the treatment area. Second, a chilled applicator is placed on the skin to deliver the light therapy. Then there will be some bright flashes of light. Most patients have minimal discomfort during the procedure.
Microlaser peel
What is a Microlaser Peel?
Microlaser Peel is a procedure designed for skin rejuvenation by removing the superficial layers of the skin, while tightening the underlying deeper skin (aka the dermis). This remarkable peel offers our patients immediate, lasting results with minimal discomfort, and little time off. The Microlaser Peel is intended to reduce or eliminate age spots, blemishes, fine lines and minimize acne scars. Laser energy intensely stimulates new collagen growth, leaving your skin tighter, healthier and younger looking. The depth of the peel is very precise and can be adjusted to the 1000th of a millimeter! The precision in Sciton technology allows for perfect coverage and uniform ablation with minimal discomfort that was not possible with other laser systems or chemical peels.
Who should consider a microlaser peel?
Anyone who wants better results that can be achieved with microdermabrasion or light chemical peels.
What should I expect at my treatment?
We will apply a strong numbing cream for 30-45 minutes while you relax with a beverage. The treatment will take about 30 minutes.
How long is the healing process?
This varies somewhat between individuals, but most people heal in 3-4 days. Most patients can have this procedure done on a Thursday or Friday and return to work on Monday. Any redness remaining at that time can usually be covered by makeup.
How often should a microlaser peel be performed?
Most patients can do one treatment about every year. This varies based on your skin and treatment goals.
Profractional Laser Peel
What is a Profractional Peel?
A profractional laser treatment is laser that resurfaces the skin to help minimize wrinkles and pigmentation and helps improve the skin’s tone and texture. It’s great for treating scars, wrinkles, fine lines and sun damage such as skin discoloration. The profractional laser penetrates deep into the skin, removing the top layer. This triggers the body’s natural response to heal wounds, which in turn stimulates new collagen and elastin production leaving you with smoother, softer, more even skin. And even after the skin has healed in a week or so, it continues to produce new collagen and just gets better with time, up to 6 months after the treatment!
What’s the recovery like?
This varies somewhat between individuals, but most people heal in 3-4 days. Most patients can have this procedure done on a Thursday or Friday and return to work on Monday. Any redness remaining at that time can usually be covered by makeup.
What is the difference between a Microlaser Peel and a Profractional Peel?
A Microlaser peel removes the entire superficial layer of the skin at depths of 20-50 microns. A Profractional Peel can treat at much larger depths (up to 1500 microns) but removes only a fraction of the treatment area leaving healthy skin between. This allows more aggressive treatments while keeping healing time to a minimum.
What should I expect at my treatment?
We will apply a strong numbing cream for 30-45 minutes while you relax with a beverage. The treatment will take about 30 minutes.
What is the healing time?
This varies somewhat between individuals, but most people heal in 3-4 days. Most patients can have this procedure done on a Thursday or Friday and return to work on Monday. You can wear makeup after 48 hours to cover remaining redness.
How often should a Profractional Peel be performed?
The results of this procedure are very long lasting and can be performed every 1-3 years. However, if you are targeting acne scars or stretch marks we recommend more frequent treatments.
So, Lonna – we hope that answers your questions. We are here to educate and empower you to experience the BEST you yet.
NOTE: With advancing technology, there are new types of lasers being introduced for various skin problems and skin types. And with so many different types of laser skin treatments available, it is difficult to zero in on the one that will work for you. So it is very important to consult an experienced medical team to finalize the treatment plan, tailor-made for you! Call today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Gentry and the amazing medical team at Rejuvenated Med Spa.
Do you suffer from skin problems? Have you thought of Laser treatment for skin? Share with us in the comments section below.
