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PhotoFacial SM
PhotoFacial SM is a
series of Intense Pulsed Light treatments that improves
the appearance of rosacea, flushing, broken capillaries,
sun damaged skin, age spots, skin texture, and photo aging.
Treatment also improves mild acne scars, reduces large
pores, corrects dark circles around the eyes, and reduces
fine lines. Treatments are especially effective for improving
the appearance of the face, neck, chest, and hands. This
exciting treatment involves little or no "down time."
You can resume normal activities immediately.
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How does the treatment work?
An intense light is applied in a series of gentle pulses
over the treatment area. Without damaging the skin, the
light penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the
abnormally dilated vessels or pigmentation. The heat causes
damage to the vessel or lesion, and the body begins its
natural healing process. The lesion will darken before
it flakes off or the body absorbs it. Treatment can be
given as frequently as every three weeks.
How many treatments will I need?
For optimal results, a series of 3 to 5 treatments are
recommended. Follow-up treatments may be desired once
a year to maintain results.
What are the benefits of PhotoFacial SM?
- Improves sun spots, age spots, dull complexion, uneven
pigmentation, large pores, sun damaged skin, and early
signs of aging.
- Reduces red flushing skin, rosacea, and broken capillaries.
- Smoothes skin and provides a more even skin tone.
- Discomfort is minimal.
- Activities can be resumed immediately after treatment.
What is a treatment like?
Treatment may vary from 15 to 45 minutes depending on
the size of the area to be treated. First, the treated
area is cleansed and a cool gel is applied. When the pulse
of light is delivered, the sensation is similar to a snap
of a rubber band. After treatment, the gel is removed,
the skin cleansed, and a sunscreen is applied. Pain is
minimal; however, topical anesthesia can be used for maximum
comfort. For sensitive skin, a cool compress is applied
following treatment.
Are there any possible side effects?
Side effects are rare. Immediately following treatment,
the skin may appear flushed, brown pigmented spots may
appear darker, and capillaries may be more visible. In
rare instances, temporary swelling and/or blistering can
occur.
What improvement will I see?
Patients have a high degree of satisfaction with their
results. Expect to see a gradual decrease in redness,
broken capillaries, flushing, irregular pigmentation,
pore size and fine lines. After each treatment, the skin
will feel smoother and appear to have a more even tone.
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What is Photodynamic
Therapy?
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a special treatment performed with a topical
photosensitizing agent called Levulan (5-aminolevulinic acid or ALA) activated
with the correct wavelength of light. This is also known as "ALA/PDT
treatment". These treatments remove sun damaged precancerous zones
and spots called Actinic Keratoses. Sun damage, fine lines and blotchy
pigmentation are also improved because of the positive effect of Levulan
and the light treatment. ALA/PDT treatment also has the unique ability
to minimize pores and reduce oil glands, effectively treating stubborn
acne vulgaris, acne Rosacea, and improve the appearance of some acne scars.
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How much improvement can I expect?
Patients with severe sun damaged skin manifested by Actinic Keratoses,
texture, and tone changes including mottled pigmentation and skin laxity
may see excellent results. You may also see improvement of large pores
and pitted acne scars. Active acne can improve dramatically.
How many treatments will it take to the see the best results?
To achieve maximum improvement of pre-cancerous (Actinic Keratoses)
sun damage, skin tone and texture, a series of three treatments 2 -
4 weeks apart is the most effective. Some patients with only Actinic
Keratoses are happy with just one treatment. More treatments can be
done at periodic intervals in the future to maintain the rejuvenated
appearance of the skin.
What are the disadvantages?
Following PDT, the treated areas can appear red with some peeling for
2 - 7 days. Some patients have an exuberant response to PDT and experience
marked redness of their skin. Temporary swelling of the lips and around
your eyes can occur for a few days. Darker pigmented patches called
liver spots can become temporarily darker and then peel off leaving
normal skin. (This usually occurs over 7 - 10 days.) Repeat treatments
may be necessary as PDT medicine is not an exact science.
Which IPL treatments can PDT be used in conjunction with?
PhotoDynamic Therapy is used with the Blu-U Light. It can also be used
to enhance PhotoRejuvenation treatments.
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