Tag: Laser treatment

The Latest In Skin Care Treatments

With people all worried about their appearances, the skin care treatment industry has become a worldwide moneymaker, earning billions of dollars each year from people across all demographics.

Microdermabrasion

This is one of the most popular surgical and laser treatment in the country. It improves the skin tone of the body and brings back its luster. Microdermabrasion also helps in getting rid of superficial scars from acne.

For some, a total of six peelings are needed to achieve the best results. Others can get away with less depending on the condition of the skin. Often the procedure is done every one to two weeks. It makes use of aluminum crystals that create a micro-dermabrasion effect that helps peel the skin.

Although the skin is the most common area treated by the procedure, it is also done on the neck, chest, arms, hands or any area that are damaged by the sun. It is also used for skins with irregular pigmentation such as sun spots and melasma; those with irregular and rough skin; and even those with some wrinkles and stretch marks.

Effects of the procedure is said to better than those seen in glycolic acid peels. Another advantage is the longer healing and recovery time compared to other procedures. There is also a shorter treatment time as well very minimal discomfort. It is also said to be very safe for all skin types as well as all races.

Although it is less expensive, it can be expensive on the long run as it requires multiple treatments. So, before having yourself treated, make sure that you have already determined the total cost.

Photorejuvenation

This is another skin treatment in the country. Through the use of laser or broadband light, mild acne scarring can be improved by causing a new layer of collagen to form on the skin. Often, this procedure will require five to six treatments that are performed every three to four weeks.

Scar Revision

This is a surgical procedure conducted to remove acne scars, especially the ice pick and box cars, which are pretty deep. An excision is made during the procedure through a punch. This hole is then closed with sutures that are often about seven days later.

Another technique used in this procedure is the subcision, which uses a sharp instrument to undercut the scar being treated.

Laser Treatments

Other forms of skin treatments are the Laser resurfacing (CO2 laser, Erbium Yag laser);
Pulsed dye laser and Laser skin resurfacing.

How Does Laser For Acne Scars Work

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about beauty. When you start sharing the fascinating beauty facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

Although acne itself doesn’t always lead to scarring, the picking, scratching and squeezing of acne can cause permanent end. The good news is that laser for acne scars is one treatment that can minimize their appearance.

The two primary categories of laser used on depressed acne are ablative ( also referred to as resurfacing ) and non – ablative.

Ablative lasers are the most traditionally used but also the most potentially harmful. These types of lasers literally destroy the outer layers of the skin. They burn away scar tissue which triggers the dermal collagen to tighten. This in genius reduces the amount of scar visibility. This treatment causes the affected area to be very red, sensitive, and problematic until the skin fully heals. And full healing can returns anywhere from several months up to a year so it is important to take care of the wounded area and take measures to deter infection. This is done with soaks, antibiotic ointment, and dressings. The skin that does grow back lacks acne scars or wrinkles. The ultrapulsed carbon dioxide laser and erbium YAG laser are most often used in laser resurfacing.

Nonablative lasers, in contrast, do no damage to the the outer layer of skin. Instead, they diminish acne scars by stimulating collegen growth. While ablative laser treatment only needs to be done one time, the nonablative laser for acne scars must be repeated. Smoothbeam is the one of the newest FDA approved laser for this treatment. This targets and heats the sebaceous gland to reduce sebum which can lead to acne formation. When the collagen is heated, the dermis tightens and scarring is less visible.

Raised acne scars ( called keloids & hypertrophic scars ) require a different sense of laser: the pulsed dye laser ( PDL ). Treatment with a PDL can help reduce the itch and pain, diminish the color, and flatten a raised scar. The PDL involves the use of a concentrated die laughing of light that targets blood vessels in the skin. The light converts to heat and destroys the blood vessel while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. The laser is considered especially safe because it uses yellow light which results in no long – term skin damage. PDL treatments usually take only a few minutes and no anesthesia is required. Improving the appearance hypertrophic scars or keloids may take take multiple appointments. Although inadequate, the most common bite effect of this type of treatment is bruising. However, this usually clears within 3 – 10 days. Temporary pigmentary changes may also occur but they generally last only a few weeks. At least one month before getting treated with a PDL laser, you should apply Sunblock to the affected area. Tanned skin actually blocks the light of the laser and increases the chances of side effects. Scarring is extremely rare with this laser.

The above information about laser for acne scars does not substitute medical advice given by a health professional.

This article’s coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.

Preparing for Spider Vein Treatment

People dont realize the effect of something unless they are able to experience pain eventually. This is the most usual case that people who are suffering from spider veins. Before, they use to neglect it believing that it wouldnt really affect them in the future. But feeling pain and discomfort now makes them realize that if they have paid attention to it early on, they would not have to undergo an expensive spider vein treatment.

Getting ready for the treatment

Experts say that the most common form of spider vein treatment is through “sclerotherapy.” This involves a combination of laser treatment and injections, which are done, in a series that intends to collapse the vein affected. People who are planning to undergo a spider vein treatment must be very careful before finally deciding because this will ensure the success of the procedure.

Experts say that getting ready for the spider vein treatment is the first way to really cope up with it. This is because it indicates that the person is already ready to face the problem and do something about it. If you want to be prepared before any spider vein treatment, make sure that you:

1. Have conducted research about the procedure. This is a very important thing that you should do because by doing this, you will have an idea what is the treatment options you have, alternative treatments options if you dont prefer sclerotherapy, what are the qualities of the doctor to look for to ensure that you will be safe during and after the procedure, and the possible side effects of the treatment that you have chosen.

Research can be done by surfing the Internet and looking for sites that offer information on the topic, reading materials such as magazines and books that talk about spider vein treatment and by asking a person who have through the procedure how what the treatment before you finally get into it.

2. Have checked if you or your family has a history of other diseases such as perioral herpes. This is because therapy such as prophylactic antiviral therapy is required to be administered to ensure that there will be no more complications.

3. Have prepared comfortable clothing before the treatment. Since it can be painful, patients who are planning to undergo a spider vein treatment must ensure that enough pieces of comfortable clothing is at hand so he or she can recover fast.

4. Have practiced not to eat at certain periods. Before, during, and after the spider vein treatment, eating is strictly prohibited to ensure that he or she will not vomit when the solution takes effect.

5. Have earned enough money for the spider vein treatment. Two of the most common spider vein treatment options that many physicians administer include the “sclerotherapy” and the “laser therapy”. These two uses modern processes as well as modern equipment so expect that you will be paying more than what you have expected from the normal skin procedures. To make sure that you can shoulder the expenses, it is best to prepare for at lest $10, 000 because the price of each session ranges from $200 and $400.

When it comes to laser treatment, prepare at least $15,000 because each session would cost you from $350 to 450. If your case is more severe, it is get an estimate from the physician who will administer the procedure so you can prepare for the cost of the procedure.

Alternative Spider Vein Treatment

Laser treatment and sclerotherapy are just two of the options if you want to undergo spider vein treatment. If these do not suit you, there are alternative forms available.

The first option will be to take herbs. One of the most widely used happens to be horse chestnut. The active ingredient here is aescin. Studies have shown that this blocks the release of enzymes that damage capillary walls.

In order for people to take it, manufacturers have to remove the toxic component known as esculin. If this is not done properly, those who take it may experience convulsions, diarrhea, headache, nausea or vomiting.

Not everybody can take horse chestnut especially those who have kidney or liver disease. Does it have adverse effects on women who are pregnant or nursing has yet to be established.

To avoid complications, doctors advise patients not to combine horse chestnut with certain medications. These include aspirin, coumadin, plavix, ticlid and trental as well as other anticoagulant drugs unless these are deemed to be safe for you by your doctor.

Spider veins can also be treated with grape seed and pine bark extracts because both contain oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs). These are antioxidants that appear to strengthen the connective tissue structure of blood vessels and reduce inflammation.

People should not confuse grape seed extract with grapefruit seed extract because these are two different things. Unfortunately, there are also side effects if you decide to take it such as nausea and upset stomach.

Those who have autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis should not take this herb. Just like the first herb, doctors have not studied if there are any side effects for nursing mothers or pregnant women.

Another herb is butchers broom. This plant is also known as box holly or knee holly and contains ruscogenins, which strengthen collagen in blood vessel walls and improve circulation. At one point, some doctors believed that it tightens weak, stretched vessels such as those associated with varicose veins.

The side effects of this herb include indigestion and nausea. Those who have high blood pressure or benign prostate hyperplasia should not take butcher’s broom unless they first consult with their doctor.

Aside from taking herbs, there is a form of therapy that focuses primarily on your feet namely reflexology. Studies have shown that massaging the feet helps reduce leg swelling. The best part is that there are no side effects unlike those mentioned when you take any of these herbs.

Alternative forms of spider vein treatment are cheaper than laser treatment or sclerotherapy. It should be pointed out though that taking these herbs or getting a massage should not replace what medical science can do for the patient.

But before you try any form of spider vein treatment, you should see if wearing compression stockings will improve the situation. This has to be worn the whole day so it can help improve blood flow within the veins and leg muscles.

It should be pointed out that the amount of compression varies by type and brand. It also comes in different colors and types so you should check them out before using it daily.

Spider vein treatment is available. You can check with your doctor what options are available and also inquire about alternative medicine.