Lasers Hair Removal and Beauty Tips

Though Alexandrite laser and Diode laser equipments are the most popular laser devices available, there are some other strong and new contenders in the market too. Here is a brief overview with advantages and disadvantages of two of them:

Q-Switched Nd: YAG laser
In this, the Q-switching device emits rapid bursts of laser light to the treatment area and it has the ability to deliver two different wave lengths of light. One is an invisible infrared light used for deeper penetration. The other wavelength, a green light, is employed for treating hair follicles closer to the surface.

The devices available for this type of laser are Carbon suspension Q-switched lasers SoftLight (ThermoLase; London, England), Q-switched Nd: YAG laser MedLite IV ( Hoya ConBio, Fremont, Calif), and Long-pulsed Nd: YAG lasers e.g., LaserScope (Depilase; Phoenix, Ariz)

Specifications
Wavelength: 1064
Pulse width: 10-50
Fluence: 20-100
Spot size: 3-5
Repetition rate: Up to 10 Hz

Advantages:
One of the greatest advantages of this laser equipment is the availability of surface cooling and epidermal protection due to surface cooling and longer pulse duration of these lasers.
Long-term studies show that these laser systems can achieve a significant delay in hair regrowth. Also, Nd: YAG 1064 nm system is well suited for dark pigmented patients

Disadvantages:
The use of this device is cumbersome due to waxing and carbon lotion application and also this device has not proven effective for long-term results.

Ruby laser
This device is very suitable for people with fair skin and dark hairs as it targets specific melanin and emits red-colored beam which seeks out the target melanin inside the hair shafts and adjoining hair follicles.

Three normal-modes of 694-nm ruby lasers are commercially available for laser hair removal .These include the E2000 (Palomar Medical; Burlington, Mass) (cleared from FDA), EpiPulse Ruby (formerly ESC Sharplan, now Light Sheer from Lumenis; Santa Clara, Calif), RubyStar (Aesculap-Meditec; Jena, Germany)
Specifications
Wavelength: 694
Pulse width: 0.85-3
Fluence: 5-40
Spot size: 3-10
Repetition rate: 0.5-1.2

Advantages:
The advantage of this device is long term hair removal and also in built cooling devices which minimize the chances of burns and other laser hair removal side effects.

Acne breakouts leave back embarrassing scars and the problem of getting rid of these is one of the most common ones that people face today. One of the methods to get rid of them is laser skin resurfacing.

You can easily opt for the skin resurfacing treatment with an appointment from a dermatologist. These dermatologists recommend a process called subcusion where the upper layer of the skin is lifted so that circulation can be increased to encourage the skin to heal faster. They also use a chemical peel which basically burns away the top layer of your skin to reduce the appearance of acne marks. The methods of resurfacing the skin have been helpful in getting rid of these acne marks faster. The results of laser resurfacing are particularly noticeable after the initial healing and for about a year thereafter.

Laser resurfacing is a process where the upper layers of damaged skin are burned or vaporized for acne scar treatment by applying a controlled burning laser beam. The area treated recovers rapidly with newer skin and healthy tissue. When the treatment is done in fractions, this allows the skin to rapidly recover with little downtime. The essence of fractional laser therapy is that only selected areas of the damaged skin are treated with the ablative laser light beam.

Some surgeons combine laser resurfacing with other procedures to produce maximal effect. The advantages of laser over other resurfacing methods (deeps chemical peels and dermabrasion) include greater precision, less bleeding and discomfort and, possibly, shorter recovery time.

Possible adverse reactions include additional or excessive scarring, infection, loss of normal skin pigmentation, skin redness and dryness, and others. In particular, people with darker skin are more likely to develop uneven pigmentation whereas people who were on accutane (a common acne treatment that has the side effect of thinning the skin) or those with certain connective tissue disorders are more prone to scarring.

Hairs have always been a woe to mankind with they growing where we least want it and just not appearing where we most want it. However, laser skin centres now come with a permanent solution to the ugly hair growth through the latest Diode hair removing laser system.

Diode hair removal system is a non invasive light therapy device which targets at removing undesired hair from all parts of the body. The Diode laser is a diode array type of laser approved for permanent hair reduction by the Food and Drug Administration. This laser generates light at an 810 nm wavelength which targets the melanin pigment which is there in the hair follicle and shaft. The patented Chill Tip cooling hand protects the outer layer of skin by decreasing the surface temperature and preventing thermal injury from the laser beam and also has a mild anesthetic to evade the discomfort of the procedure.

Hundreds of hairs are targeted in one flash of light and a complete facial treatment may take just 10 minutes whereas a back or both legs may take 20 minutes. Depending on the hair color & location on the body, several sittings may be needed, with each session usually lasting 5-30 minutes.

This laser works by destroying the hair roots. Starting with a cool gel being applied on the skin, the laser light is guided through a chill-tip probe to the hair roots. When the laser safely penetrates into the skin, it disables hundreds of hair follicles simultaneously. Then the gel is removed and most of the hairs are wiped off with it. The remaining hairs fall out within a week or two.

Though one may use chemical depilators or shave in between sittings, it should be noted that there should not be any removal of hair by epilation, waxing, plucking or threading 4 weeks before treatment to ensure that maximum hair follicles are in the active cycle and can be destroyed by the laser. After the treatment, sun exposure should be avoided and a sunscreen should be used.

Cryosurgery is a highly effective treatment for a broad range of benign skin problems like actinic keratosis, solar lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, viral wart, molluscum contagiosum, and dermatofibroma and is a suitable option for treatment patients with light skin and for treatment of lesions in most non–hair-bearing areas of the body. Spray methods include the timed spot freeze technique, the rotary or spiral pattern, and the paintbrush method. Cryosurgery has been used to treat skin lesions for approximately 100 years though over the past 50 years, much experience has been gained in the use of cryosurgery to treat skin lesions.

Besides requiring little time and fitting easily into the physician’s office schedule, this treatment also has the advantage of a short preparation time, low risk of infection, and minimal wound care. In addition, cryosurgery requires no expensive supplies or injectable anesthesia, and the patient does not have to return for suture removal.

Potential side effects include bleeding, blister formation, headache, hair loss, and hypo pigmentation, but rarely scarring. Skin lesions often can be treated in a single session, although some require several treatments.

The first cryogens were liquid air and compressed carbon dioxide snow. Then came liquid nitrogen and currently is the most widely used cryogen. It is particularly useful in the treatment of malignant lesions. Temperatures of −25°C to −50°C (−13°F to −58°F) can be achieved within 30 seconds if a sufficient amount of liquid nitrogen is applied by spray or probe. Generally, destruction of benign lesions requires temperatures of −20°C to −30°C (−4°F to −22°F). Effective removal of malignant tissue often requires temperatures of −40°C (−40°F) to −50°C.

Photo rejuvenation involves using an energy-delivery device to improve skin texture, fine wrinkles, scars, and hyper pigmentation (skin discoloration such as sun spots, age spots, and freckles). Photo rejuvenation falls into three categories: mechanical, thermal, and chemical. Mechanical methods include lasers, thermal include Thermage, and chemical includes chemical peels.

Photo rejuvenation technology is always changing and improving. Some of the most common problems of sun damaged and aging skin which can be treated with photo rejuvenation are:

Photo-Aging, Hyperpigmentation, and Large Pores: Intense pulsed light (IPL) systems have proven useful for sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and large pores.

Skin Irregularities, Fine Lines, and Dark Skin Discoloration: CO2, erbium/YAG, and combination CO2-erbium/YAG lasers have been beneficial for skin irregularities, wrinkles, acne scars, and certain types of skin discoloration.

Sun Damage: Pulsed dye lasers or IPL are used for sun damage and aging skin.

Melasma: Kligman’s formula followed by frequency-doubled Q-switched laser or IPL has been effective for the management of melasma, a patchy or generalized dark or tan discoloration of the skin.

Pigmented Lesions: A combination of a frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG (KTP) laser and also an IPL is useful for pigmented lesions. However, laser treatment is not recommended for removal of dark moles.

Wrinkles and Sagging Skin: For different signs of aging, such as droopiness of the tissues, loss of volume, and loss of elasticity, and surface discoloration, one can opt for various treatments like dermabrasion, chemical peel and laser resurfacing, infrared light, low-level laser, IPL, and even radio-frequency devices.

IPL therapy does help in collagen and elastic fiber production. Collagen supports fibroblasts, which act as bridges of support for the skin just below the skin surface. Collagen production decreases with age, so the stimulation of collagen production through light therapy or lasers can help reduce the effects of aging on the skin.

Scars: Keloid and hypertrophic scars respond to 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatments. Raised scar edges may require an additional laser such as the Er:YAG or CO2 laser system.

One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures is laser tooth cleaning. The laser used in this technique is more of blue lamp that’s used to activate the peroxide gel responsible for the whitening effect.  Before starting the procedure, the dentist gives your mouth a proper cleaning. After the cleaning, the dentist puts a cheek retractor in the patient’s mouth.  This allows the dentist to do his job without worrying about the strength of the patient’s jaw.  A hydrogen peroxide gel is then applied to every tooth in the mouth.  Depending on which specific product you use, multiple coatings of this gel may be required.

After the teeth are fully coated, it’s time for the “laser” portion of this procedure.  As mentioned above, this is basically a blue light that sits about two inches away from the mouth.  It illuminates the teeth, working with the gel to create the whitening effect.  The entire laser teeth whitening process takes about an hour.

All of these procedures need to be done in a dentist’s office by a professional. The dentist should also check if there is any hint of gum disease or severe tooth decay because the bleach in the peroxide gel can actually make these problems worse.

One cannot stress enough on the effect of great and sparkling white teeth on your looks. However, having white teeth is great but having healthy clean teeth is far more important.  You should never sacrifice health for aesthetics when it comes to anything.

Birthmarks, which appear in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, can be bothersome and a hinderance to one’s confidence and self-esteem. With the increasing popularity of various cosmetic surgery procedures, birthmark removal is no more a big issue now. There are various types of birthmarks including moles (congenital nevi), Coffee-cream spots, flat patches of discoloration, port-wine stains, and several others.

People considering birthmark removal should first find a qualified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to perform the procedure. Before proceeding with the procedure, the issues such as reasons for wanting the procedure, desired outcome, various options available, a detailed description of the procedure itself, the risks, limitations, and benefits, should be discussed. The patient’s medical history is taken, and the area to be treated is examined.

Depending on its type, size, location and other factors, birthmark removal can be done either by laser or other surgical procedures. Lasers are used to treat birthmarks that are close to the surface of the skin, such as port-wine stains. This method can be performed at any age. During treatment, short bursts of laser light are aimed at the birthmark in order to shrink it or cause it to stop growing. Multiple visits may be necessary to achieve optimal results. Laser therapy may also be used for hemangioma, however it is not used to treat cases where it is found on an internal organ, or deep within the skin.

After undergoing laser therapy, the treated skin becomes dark purple. This should only last about seven to ten days and disappear soon after. However in some cases, it can take six to eight weeks for the purple area to completely disappear.

Following treatment, it is recommended that patients do not scratch the treated area. It is also important to stay out of the sun while healing. When in the sun, patients should use sunscreen.

Last but not the least, one must remember that cosmetic surgery is meant for improvement, not perfection. It is important to have realistic goals and expectations when considering birthmark removal.

Pregnancy leads of various hormone changes resulting in more hair growth around the belly, nipples, or other unwanted places and with your belly getting bigger, you can barely SEE your legs, let alone shave them!

If you are considering almost permanent hair removal by electrolysis during pregnancy, you must know that the safety of laser during pregnancy has not yet been established. Many electrologists require a letter from your health care provider authorizing treatment during pregnancy. Many health care providers and electrologists recommend avoiding electrolysis during pregnancy because of the lack of information about the effect on the fetus. However, if you do opt to have electrolysis done during pregnancy, avoid getting it done on the breasts in the last trimester, especially if you’re going to breastfeed. Also the abdomen should be avoided in the final weeks of pregnancy, because it is very sensitive and would be very uncomfortable for you at this point in the pregnancy.

There are two types of current used in electrolysis. First is thermolysis also referred to as diathermy, radio wave, short wave, or high frequency wave. The other current is Galvanic in which a minute electrical current is sent through the client and back to the device.

Among both these types, galvanic current is not recommended because the baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid which acts as a conductor of electricity. Thermolysis does not flow through the body and has not been found to be harmful to pregnant women or the fetus.

Some people tend to have more frowns and furrows on the forehead than others. This gives a serious, sometimes worried look to the face. The forehead lift procedure is an innovative surgical procedure that helps to lift up the skin between the brows and the top of the head. It can correct sagging brows or deep furrows between the eyes, taking away years of wrinkles and environmental effects that are causing the deep creases on the forehead.

A forehead lift is often performed to treat conditions associated with aging. It may be done in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures to achieve a more harmonious facial appearance. Younger adults who have a low brow or who already have deep frown lines due to stress or over activity of muscles may benefit from the Forehead Lift procedure. Many people undergo this procedure in conjunction with nose reshaping surgery, facial skin tightening procedures, or dermal filler treatments to fill out hollowed cheeks.

How the Forehead Lift is Performed?

Forehead lift is performed under enhanced local anesthetic. The forehead lift involves removing and sculpting facial tissues and muscles right above the brow bone, and suturing the skin and tissues in place so that wrinkles disappear. There are two types of surgical techniques available for a forehead lift, including the classic forehead lift and the endoscopic forehead lift. In this technique the surgeon decides to use largely depends on where the hairline is located, and if the hair can reasonably cover up the scar and incisions. The incision is designed to be inconspicuous when healed. Through the Forehead Lift incision, your plastic surgeon can modify or remove parts of the muscles that cause wrinkling and frown lines, remove excess skin, and lift your eyebrows to a more pleasing level.

Therefore, the procedure is painless and the patient is asleep during the operation that comprises lifting of the forehead skin. As a result, the furrows on the forehead are gone and the eyebrows are lifted. After the forehead lift, the rejuvenation effect is also visible in the expression of one’s eyes. The eyes appear more open and younger. When the surgery is complete the surgeon will wrap the head in gauze and bandages; this reduces bleeding, and also secures the tissues in place. The bandages may be removed a few days, or up to a week after the surgery. At this time, the tissues will have re-integrated and the incisions will have started to heal. Once the bandages are removed, there could be some tingling or numbness expected

Possible complications associated with forehead lifts

Every year, thousands of people undergo successful Brow Lift surgery and are pleased with the results. However, anyone considering surgery should be aware of both the benefits and risks. Both the conventional technique and the endoscopic technique can provide natural-looking results, and neither one involves an extensive amount of recovery time.

Some of the effects of surgery include:

• Swelling of the tissues, especially around the cheeks and eyes
• Bruising of the tissues
• Pain around the head, or migraine headaches
• scar formation
• eyebrow movement problems
• sensation loss

Whether plastic surgery is utilized for health purposes or cosmetic reasons, the after effects are the same for everyone that is pain, swelling, scarring, heightened anxiety and, at times, depression. In some cases, medication may be prescribed for the pain and anxiety. But there are also other options that can help reduce the dosage or length of time of drugs are used, as well as aid in the healing process. Regular massage therapy treatments offer countless health benefits on their own, but are now becoming an effective post-surgical treatment for improving skin tone to boosting circulation. Massage is an effective way to help you manage the pain and stress that you suffer after cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery procedures.

To enhancing general health and wellness, massage therapy can help patients prepare for surgery, as well as ease pain and discomfort during recovery. Some of the massage therapy is performed by licensed massage therapists in our spa-like setting.

• Swedish Massage
• Therapeutic massage
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage
• Reflexology

Massage therapy reduces anxiety and stress

One of the primary benefits of massage is a reduction of stress. Numerous studies over the years have shown that massage therapy increases the levels of endorphins and serotonin in the body, thus reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. It also reduces certain hormone levels such as cortisol, which is responsible for increased stress.

Massage Therapy for Pain Relief

The use of massage therapy can ease the pain caused by swelling and the muscle tightness caused by the surgery instead of turning to pain medication. Health experts suggest that massage treatments are an incredibly effective way to handle pain, anxiety, and distress following major surgery.

Other benefits of massage therapy after surgery include:

• Improved blood flow
• Improved skin tone
• Deeper sleep
• Reduced symptoms of depression