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Laser Skin Resurfacing |
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How does it work?
Also called fractional nonablative skin resurfacing, the Lux1540 by Palomar uses an array of hundreds of high precision microbeams to create narrow, deep columns of tissue coagulation in the skin (epidermis and dermis). This stimulates the body’s natural healing process causing new, healthier tissue and especially collagen to form. It is termed nonablative because the tiny islands of skin surrounding each microbeam are still intact- this results in faster healing and thus less ‘downtime’ after a treatment compared to ablative procedures..
How is this different from Fraxel?
Basically, the difference is in treatment depth and preparation required for treatment. With the sapphire tip of the 1540, the outermost layer of skin is cooled and thus left intact while the deeper tissues heal and tighten. Fraxel by Reliant also uses microchannels but the energy doesn’t penetrate as deep as the 1540. Also a blue dye (which can be difficult to remove) is used pretreatment with Fraxel and downtime is greater with Fraxel- with 7 to 10 days of swelling and peeling post treatment. Swelling after a 1540 treatment is brief (1 to 2 days for most) and although there may be a streaky redness there is minimal if any flaking. Both require 2 to 4 treatments on average for the best results.
How many treatments will I need?
This varies according to the severity of condition being treated. In general 2 to 4 treatments are needed. Some clients may wish to start initially with 3 full face treatments, then have an additional smaller treatment or two of only those problem regions that require “more work”.
What conditions are treated with 1540 laser skin resurfacing?
There are many situations in which collagen building improves the appearance of the skin. This laser is used to treat: |
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- Fine lines and wrinkles of
the face, neck, chest or other regions
- Acne scars, especially ‘pock
mark’ scars but also ‘ice pick’ scars
- Traumatic scars- such as
those which are present after a laceration or puncture
- Surgical scars, regardless of
age of the scar and including keloid scars
- Melasma, a hyperpigmentation
disorder of the skin- sometimes called ‘pregnancy
mask’- it is most often seen in women as the result of
hormone use (birth control pills, hormone replacement
for menopause) or may appear during a pregnancy. It
gets worse with sun exposure
- Stretch marks
- Although this is not a treatment for tattoo removal, it can be used to treat the scar that remains after Q switch laser tattoo removal
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Pre Treatment Instructions |
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- Wear sunblock and avoid
excessive sun exposure
- Discontinue the use of Rx
skin products such as Retin A, Hydroquinone, higher
strength glycolic acids, and any acne products such as
those containing Salicylic Acid or Benzyl Peroxide,
for 3 days prior to the procedure
- If you have a tendency to
develop cold sores, report this to us so that we can
treat you prophylactically to prevent an outbreak
- In most cases, particularly
for a full face treatment, expect that there will be a
topical numbing agent applied. You will sit with this
cream on the treatment area for approximately 30
minutes prior to treatment and it may produce a
tingling sensation
- Be sure to have any of your
questions answered regarding post treatment
expectations and skin care before you leave. Check
your supply of post treatment skincare products to be
sure you have enough to get you through the recovery
phase. Purchase a tube of Aquaphor healing ointment at
a local store or pharmacy to have on hand for any
excessive dryness.
- Photos will be taken before your first session to document the condition of your skin and pigment prior to treatment. They may be repeated in between treatments and at the end of treatment and are available for you to review with Dr. Hatzos at any time. Although the photos are required, they will not be used in a way which would reveal your identity, without your expressed consent.
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Post Treatment Instructions |
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- Wear sunblock and avoid
excessive sun exposure
- Do not resume the use of Rx
skin products such as Retin A, Hydroquinone, higher
strength glycolic acids, and any acne products such as
those containing Salicylic Acid or Benzyl Peroxide,
until advised to do so. Most clients will resume their
prior skincare regimen sometime during the second week
post procedure
- If you have a tendency to
develop cold sores, report this to us so that we can
treat you prophylactically to prevent an outbreak
- Only Pure mineral makeup
(such as Jane Iredale) should be used days 3 to 7 post
procedure. Not all mineral makeups are created equal.
Some do contain talc or other impurities which could
cause a skin reaction, yet market themselves as
mineral makeup. Discuss your usual makeup with Dr.
Hatzos or the esthetician for further guidance. Be
sure to have any of your questions answered regarding
post treatment expectations and skin care before you
leave. Have a tube of Aquaphor healing ointment at on
hand for any excessive dryness that is not responding
to the usual post procedure skin care regimen
recommended.
- The duration of swelling and
redness will vary according to individual variations
but also according to the settings used. On average
swelling lasts 1 to 2 days and redness may persist for
another 5 days. However, most clients having the
procedure performed on a Friday afternoon feel quite
comfortable returning to work on the following Monday
morning.
- Although the skin appears to
be intact, microscopically there are tiny ‘holes’
present which increase the risk of infection. Wash
your hands frequently and/or use alcohol based hand
gels. Avoid touching your face as much as possible.
Anything which touches the skin, particularly in the
first 3 to 5 days post-procedure, must be clean. This
is why we recommend only the use of mineral makeup
powder (which does not support the growth of bacteria
that can contaminate makeup) during this time. Use
disposable makeup sponges for application, or be sure
to thoroughly wash your makeup brushes with brush
cleaner prior to using them in your recovery phase.
- Redness or swelling that gets
progressively worse is not expected. If this occurs
you must notify us immediately or, if need be, go to
an emergency room. This has not happened to any of our
clients but does remain a theoretical concern and
potential treatment complication.
- Although improvement can be seen even after 1 treatment, expect multiple treatments will be needed for maximum results Collagen building will continue to occur even in the 3 months after your final treatment.
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Top |
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Cost
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Region |
Cost |
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Full Face (1
hr) |
$600/3 for
$1500/5 for $2375 |
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Cheeks only |
$250/3 for
$675/5 for $1000 |
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Forehead only |
$200/3 for
$500/5 for $750 |
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Periorbital
(crow's feet) |
$150/3 for
$400/5 for $575 |
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Perioral |
$200/3 for
$500/5 for $725 |
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Decollete
(upper chest) |
$700/3 for
$1750'5/$2650 |
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Neck |
$350/3 for
$900/ 5 for $1375 |
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Stretch Marks |
same as full
face unless larger surface area |
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Scar
treatment |
$125 per
session |
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Other Areas |
consultation
required for pricing |
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Before and after
images |
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