Fractional laser skin rejuvenation and IPL skin rejuvenation
An alternative to the surgical face-lift tragetting deep lines, redness, pigment, texture and tightness.
Laser & IPL Skin Rejuvenation Maitland, Hunter Valley
Laser and IPL Skin Rejuvenation
Facial Rejuvenation
Reclaim your confidence and put your best face forward by:
- smoothing lines and wrinkles.
- improve skin discolouration and pigmentation.
- improve acne scarring.
- tightening areas of skin laxity.
Laser facial rejuvenation helps to lift facial tissues. It also targets deep lines, redness, pigmentation, texture and tightness. By stimulating collagen and elastin production, laser rejuvenation causes tightening and lifting of the face. This helps to restore a younger appearance without having to undergo surgery. There is minimal downtime and minimal pain when appropriately numbed prior with this treatment.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) photo-rejuvenation can help with improving irregular pigmentation, visible capillaries, redness, age spots and skin laxity. With IPL, we are able to use multiple different wavelengths to target red spots, brown spots, skin laxity and even acne.
Fractional laser resurfacing is a kind of skin rejuvenation treatment
This laser treatment works by creating numerous microscopic thermal injury zones of controlled width, depth and density that are surrounded by a reservoir of spared normal and healthy tissue, allowing rapid repair of laser induced thermal injury.
Starting from the beginning of adulthood to the age of 80 years, the skin elasticity goes down by around 30%. Studies have shown an increase in elasticity of around 4-5% after a session of Co2 laser fractional resurfacing, which represents a significant gain.
Fractional laser is a promising procedure for facial skin rejuvenation and to improve facial skin laxity. As the fractional laser treatment creates controlled microscopic thermal zones with healthy tissue surrounding it, this allows more intensive irradiation. Thus the skin tightening effect of fractional laser is more prominent and persists longer than that provided by diffuse thermal injury devices. The effect lasts an average of around 6 months.
The science behind fractional laser treatment
The changes in the skin’s mechanical properties observed are due to the effects of the laser beam on the skin cells called dermal fibroblasts and on components of the surrounding tissue called extracellular matrix.
The heat breaks the structure of collagen and generates a shrinkage phenomenon. Tissue tension in human skin immediately increases because, although the fibers become shorter, the heat-stable cross-links between molecules are maintained, thus increasing the elastic properties of collagen polymers.
The various uses of fractional laser treatment are as:
- Skin rejuvenation – Skin ageing is a complex biological process that results in an increase in the amount of skin laxity, fine wrinkles called rhytides, irregular pigmentation or dyschromia, and roughness. Fractional laser treatment stimulates growth of basic skin proteins (neocollagenesis and neo elastogenesis) resulting in improved skin tightening, reduced roughness, pore reduction and wrinkle reduction.
- Acne scars – fractions laser can be used as a therapeutic intervention for acne scars, especially in patients with atrophic acne scars. The response is even better on combining radiofrequency microneedling with fractional ablative laser resurfacing.
- Fractional laser resurfacing is also used for atrophic traumatic scars. The atrophic scars, most responsive to resurfacing, are those that are relatively shallow, soft and distensible. Extremely deep scars or pits bound with highly fibrotic tissue are far less responsive to treatment.
Fractional laser is useful to reduce the pores, rejuvenate the skin, and to improve the tone and texture of skin.
Fractional laser is useful to improve the stretch marks or striae distensae.
FAQ’s
- What causes pigmentation?
- What skin care creams help improve the appearance of skin discolouration and pigmentation?
- How is pigmentation treated?
- When will results be visible?
- What are the potential risks?
- What causes acne scarring?
- How do laser scar treatments work?
- Will treatments hurt?
- What are the risks of laser resurfacing?
- What does Facial rejuvenation include?
- What does facial rejuvenation target?
There are many different types of skin pigmentation, each requiring a different treatment regimen. Skin discolouration and pigmentation worsen as we age.
The main causes include:
- Sun damage.
- Genetics.
- Skin type.
- Hormones.
- Post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.
Sunscreen and avoiding further sun damage is a simple first line treatment.
Creams which can improve existing pigmentation include:
- Vitamin A cream (Zorac)
- Hydroquinone (HQ)
- Retinoids (Stieva A)
- Azelaic acid (Finacea)
- Kojic Acid
- Ascorbic acid
- 4-NButylresorcinol
- Phenolic-thioether
- 4- isopropylcatechol
Freckles, general skin discolouration and sun damage induced pigmentation changes are best treated with either IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or certain Lasers.
Melasma can be a challenging problem to treat. We recommend a regimen of treatments which may include: hormonal considerations, sun protection, skin needling, prescription skin lightening creams, fractional laser, and in some cases chemical peels.
Immediately after treatments you may experience some redness. This will resolve in minutes to hours. The treated pigment usually darkens initially before flaking off in 5-7 days to leave clear skin underneath. Some types of stubborn pigmentation may require up to three treatments 4-6 weeks apart.
Risks with this treatment are rare in the hands of expert medical practitioners. Your cosmetic physician will advise you of specific aftercare instructions to reduce the risks of side effects.
Acne scarring is the result of abnormal collagen production and organisation during the acne healing process. It is often worsened by ‘popping’ pimples, and can take on many different forms including rolling, ice-pick and boxcar scarring. Each responds uniquely to the different treatments. Redness and pigmentation can result from excessive inflammation during the healing process. This can persist for many years and is well suited to our laser therapies.
Acne scarring is caused by the abnormal production and organisation of collagen fibres during the acne healing process. This can cause pits, abnormal skin contour, redness and pigmentation. Treatments are tailored to the specific abnormality and usually entail a combination of treatments for best results.
Treatment options include:
- Fractional laser – to resurface scarred areas.
- Intense pulsed light to remove redness associated with more recent scarring.
- NIMRF or Non insulated Radiofrequency skin needling to induce an intense healing reaction to renew and smooth the area of concern.
Radiofrequency microneedling causes mild skin trauma, which stimulates your body’s natural repair mechanisms. This stimulates collagen production and increases the skin’s elastic potential.
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses your own plasma to stimulate stem cell differentiation, growth factors, and collagen production to minimise the appearance of scarring. This is best used in combination with fractional laser resurfacing.
This treatment is minimally uncomfortable. Topical anaesthetic creams can be used if required. Cold compresses can be used throughout the treatment to reduce the hot sensation one may feel during laser treatments. Some patients describe a sunburn sensation once anaesthetic creams have worn off. This usually subsides in 6-24 hours but can take up to a week depending on the energy used and the skin type.
Redness and a sunburn sensation are common post treatment. Your cosmetic physician will prescribe a post laser cream to soothe any redness that may result. Occasionally, you may experience blistering, which will heal without issue. Rarely, patients with darker skin may experience hyperpigmentation in the treatment area. A lightening cream may be prescribed prior to treatment if you are at risk.
Facial rejuvenation can include multiple different treatments including:
- Anti-wrinkle injections.
- Fractional laser rejuvenation to improve sun damaged or pigmented skin.
- Intense pulsed light for photo rejuvenation.
- Dermal fillers for a liquid facelift.
- Radio-frequency non-surgical face-lift with Secret non insulated radiofrequency microneedling.
Our skin rejuvenation clinic can target your fine lines and wrinkles and any sun damage to your skin. With busy lives and hectic schedules, you will be pleased to know that a facial rejuvenation is done quickly, and you will soon be back on your feet, as there is a much quicker recovery time than with surgical facelifts.