What is Laser Skin Rejuvenation or also known as Photo Rejuvenation used for?
Photo Rejuvenation laser treatments are most commonly used for:
• Lightening and removing “sun spots”, “age spots”, and brown blotches on the face, neck, chest, hands and other areas of the body
• Lightening and reducing redness, rosacea, dilated blood vessels and “broken” blood vessels on the face, neck and chest
• Helping to control flushing
• It also has a lesser effect of improving skin texture through collagen stimulation and improves pore size minimally by temporarily reducing oiliness
Photo Rejuvenation, when done properly, almost always consists of a series of 4-5 treatments, usually one every three to six weeks. The benefits of Photo Rejuvenation treatments are achieved with little discomfort and minimal risk.
Some offices refer to laser Photo Rejuvenation as a Photo facial or Foto facial.
How does Laser treatment improve the appearance of blood vessels, rosacea, and age spots/freckles?
The laser or photo facial device emits a range of light waves that are then tuned and targeted at hemoglobin (the red blood cells in the blood vessels) or melanin (the brown pigment in freckles and age spots). The light beam passes through the skin and is absorbed by either hemoglobin or melanin resulting in damage to the vessel wall or fragmenting of melanin pigment. These tiny vessels and the melanin pigment are then absorbed by the body, rendering them less visible.
How long does it take for laser Photo Rejuvenation treatments to work?
Most people need 3-5 months, which consists of a full series of 3-5 treatments about 1 month apart. You can see some improvement with each treatment, but it’s common for your response to be slightly different to each treatment. The more sun damage or redness you have, the more likely you are to need a full five treatments. Some cases of severe redness or brown spots require more than 5 treatments. Expect to see gradual clearing over time.
Do Laser Photo facial treatments hurt and how long will they take?
There may be mild discomfort during the treatment, but most patients tolerate removal of dilated blood vessels or age spots/freckles and fine lines very easily. The first treatment is usually the “zingiest.” As your skin begins to clear, the treatments usually become even more comfortable. Treatments usually take 30-90 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.
What are the Laser Photo Facial treatments like?
When you come to a laser center, you will be shown to a laser room. Your Laser Technician will put special glasses or eye pads over your eyes to protect them. A cool gel is then placed on the skin being treated. The smooth glass surface of the hand piece is gently applied to your skin and pulses of light flash. You may feel a very slight sting, like the snapping of a small rubber band.
At the end of the treatment, the technician wipes off the gel, cleans the area with a warm cloth, and applies a moisturizer with sunscreen. If there is any mild swelling, you might be given a cold pack to apply for five or ten minutes. Depending on the condition of your skin after the treatment, foundation or concealer may be applied immediately after a treatment.
What will I look like right after the Photo Rejuvenation treatment, and what is the healing time?
For veins, generally, the skin looks slightly redder after the treatment for two to five days. Makeup can be used starting right after the treatment, as long as it is applied and removed very gently. Rarely, there is bruising, which can take 1-2 weeks to resolve.
For freckles and age spots, the spots generally look darker for 3-7 days. Crusting can occur, which may last up to ten days. The lesions will then begin to clear and will generally be resolving at one month. Remember, it takes an average of 3-5 treatments to clear age spots.
How much do Photo Rejuvenation treatments cost?
A single full face treatment costs between $300 and $500 depending on where you live and it varies from clinic to clinic. A series of 3-5 treatments will usually be $1,000 to $2,500. A face, neck, and chest treatment runs from $800 to over $1000, for a series total of $4,000 to $5,000. Treating the hands is usually around $250 per treatment.
Who should do the treatments?
A doctor, PA-C (certified physician assistant), ARNPs, RNs, or MAs. Licensed Aestheticians are allowed to operate some lasers.
All should be experienced in laser treatments.
What results can I expect from Photo Rejuvenation treatments?
After your first treatment, you can expect to see some redness, darkening of brown spots, and light swelling. These symptoms will resolve in several hours to one week. Makeup can be immediately applied, if desired. After the treatment, your skin will feel smoother and have a more even tone. A gradual decrease in overall redness, flushing, age spots, and fine lines will be more visible after each treatment.
How long will the results from a photofacial last?
That depends on how much sun exposure your skin gets after your laser treatments. If you are in the sun a lot and do not use sunscreen, the underlying issues, whether they are redness or brown spots, will return. But if you take good care of your skin and keep it protected from the sun, your skin will continue to look good with annual maintenance treatments. If you want to maintain collagen growth, we currently recommend a treatment every 6-12 months. Other conditions are more variable. If you are very red, once or twice a year may be needed.
How does Laser energy increase collagen?
The light bypasses the outer layer of skin (the epidermis) and gently heats the cells in the deeper layer of skin (dermis). These cells, called fibroblasts, start to produce more collagen, which improves texture and fine wrinkles.
Will the Photo Facial treatment make me more sensitive to the sun?
No, it does not. You can have the treatments done any time of the year but summer is more difficult if you pick up color easily in the sun. The good effects of the treatments won’t last very long if you are getting much sun exposure. You can wear a sunscreen every morning and wear hats to protect your skin and decrease redness, brown spots, wrinkles, and skin cancers.
What should I do prior to my Photo Rejuvenation treatment?
Your laser center will give you their instructions prior to your first treatment but here are some of the basics.
1 For 2-4 weeks before your treatment, avoid self-tanners and excessive sun.
2 You may be asked to discontinue minocycline, tetracycline, doxycycline or Retin-A/Renova several days prior to each treatment. Some other medications can make your skin photo-sensitive so please advise your technician whether you are taking any medication. Accutane which is a medication taken for acne treatment must be stopped 6 months before any laser treatments.
3 You may be asked to avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or Aleve one week prior to treatment unless medically indicated to help prevent bruising.
4 Protect your improved skin with sunscreen every morning. Hats and sunglasses are also good protection from the sun.
Who should not get these treatments?
Avoid laser treatments in pregnancy because no testing has been done. Also pregnancy may cause your skin chemistry to change and thus making you more photo-sensitive.
Are there any side effects?
The main side effects are mild, temporary swelling, redness, an accentuation of the brown spots, crusting, and an occasional bruise or small superficial blister (like a sunburn blister). There are rare other side effects which your laser center will review with you in your consent form.
Elle Esthetics Ltd. 1649 Dufferin St. Suite 203 Toronto, Canada M6H 3L9
Tel: 416-656-0412