What is Fraxel? How does it work?

Fraxel treats uneven pigmentation, acne scars, melasma, brown/age spots, improves skin texture, facial lines and wrinkles, and is one of the most effective procedures for treating the delicate skin areas of the neck, chest, hands and forearms. Fraxel or fractional resurfacing employs a new concept where microscopic points of light pass through the first layer of the skin (stratum corneum) and are deposited among normal, healthy tissue. The Fraxel laser produces tiny, microscopic areas of laser treatment, leaving areas of untouched healthy skin in between. The laser’s uniform microthermal treatment zones (MTZ) penetrates deep up to the depths of 1mm, affecting the epidermal and the dermal tissue.  The coagulated tissue flakes off over a period of 5-7 days. There is no post-op wound care as the skin’s outer layer is left intact, resulting in a little downtime for the patient.

This precise treatment eliminates old, damaged cells and penetrates deep into the inner layer of the dermis to initiate and encourage the body’s own natural healing process. As healing begins, the damaged skin is replaced with fresh skin and new collagen is formed deep in the subsurface layers.

Botox Information

Botox injections, the best 10 minutes you’ll ever spend.  Do you feel that you are doing everything to take good care of yourself inside and out? Eating healthy foods, exercising 20 minutes a day, enjoying life and most of all wear an SPF 25 or higher sunscreen. But squinting and frown lines around your eyes and forehead still appear, making you look tired and older than you feel. A painless Botox injection procedure in Toronto could eliminate those unpleasant lines.

Botox Cosmetic is virtually painless; a tiny amount of Botox Cosmetic is injected into the muscle creating the dynamic wrinkle. The amount is determined by the area and the client’s physiology. The needle used for the injection is very fine that clients find it very tolerable; most clients describe it as a little pinch. Nerve impulse to the muscle is blocked completely, resulting in a smooth skin overlying the muscle, making you look more relaxed, refreshed and youthful. Once Botox Cosmetic is injected into the area it could take up to 14 days for the Botox to fully take effect, which will last for 3-4 months.

Botox Cosmetic injections preformed in Toronto at Bellair Laser Clinic are done quickly and accurately that it can be done during a lunch hour. The procedure itself takes 10-20 minutes that after the procedure you can go back to work and no one will notice or go home and continue your daily activities.

Different Types of Chemical Peels

A facial chemical peel is a process by which the top layer of the skin is removed by using chemical application. Afterwards, when the skin renews itself, its appearance seems smooth and clear.

The different types of Chemical Peels are:

1. Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs)-The gentlest of the peel formulas and are used to remove fine wrinkling, dry areas, uneven pigmentation, and acne. AHAs include glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids. Several peels may be needed to get the needed effect.
2. Trichloroacetic acids (TCAs)-For a stronger peeling, TCAs are used. These peels remove surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes, and pigment problems. They can be used on the neck and other body areas too. For the results to last for a longer period, the process has to be repeated several times.
3. Phenol-- This is the strongest of all the chemical peels and is used to remove strong lines and wrinkles on the face, sun-damaged skin, and pre-cancerous growths. The type of skin pigmentation you have would decide whether you are the right candidate for phenol treatment since it can lighten the treated areas drastically. Hence, dark-skinned people should not undergo this treatment. Also, it is not advisable for the patients to have the phenol peel. Complete recovery may take months, but the results last long too.
4. Chemical Facial Peels b-LIFTx- This new formulationof salicylic acid is used to smoothen out the fine lines and very small imperfections on the skin’s surface. After sloughing off the dead outer layer of the skin, this procedure is supposed to stimulate new, healthy, living cells to the surface. It takes a very short time to experience the chemical peel working on the skin.

Surgical vs Non Surgical Cosmetic Treatments during Times of Recession

The market for cosmetic surgery and non-surgery has illustrated its current strength by increasing in both volume and value terms throughout the economic recession. In 2008 and 2009, growth in surgery slowed to a comparatively more modest pace, but this trend was bucked by the non-surgical sector, which continued to make strong gains.

The number of face lifts declined in 2009, possibly due to recession and the growth in non-surgical alternatives. Technology for rejuvenating the skin advanced tremendously during 2009. Apart from greater availability of new types of injectable filler treatments to treat wrinkles, laser resurfacing, micro current technology and chemical peels all offer effective alternatives to more expensive facial surgery. Other forms of surgery, such as liposuction and breast surgery, continued in popularity and once the economy regains strength, are likely to increase substantially in demands. Although there are non-surgical alternatives to procedures such as breast augmentation and tummy tucks, surgery is likely to remain the domain choice for consumers.

The number of cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. sagged for the 2nd year in a row in 2009 according to annual survey released by plastic surgeons’ association. There were 10 million surgical and non-surgical procedures last year, down 2% from 2008, according to survey of 928 board certified physicians by the ASAPS. Elective cosmetic surgery, which is often not covered by insurance, has dropped in demand during the recession. Surgical procedures can cost thousands of dollars more than non surgical measures and they require a longer recovery. Non surgical procedures such as injections of botox or hyaluronic acid to fill facial wrinkle, were flat, inching up 0.6% to 8.5 million.

As technology is changing, so the distribution system for the industry is evolving. Traditional surgical providers are adding non-surgical procedures to their offerings, as well as cosmetic dentistry, weight loss surgery, hair transplant and even cosmeceuticals. Smaller chain operators are adding a new competitive edge to the market in the area of facial treatments, Laser Hair Removal, fillers, Microdermabrasion and peels.

As the economy recovers, more baby boomers are expected to seek procedures, and more physicians will likely offer non surgical options. Surgical procedures have increased by 50% since 1997, while non-surgical procedures grew 231%.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF FOLLICULITIS

Folliculitis is an infection of hair follicles. This condition is commonly known as ingrown hairs. Folliculitis may be superficial or deep in the dermis. This occurrence involves the formation of a pustule in the skin follicle which is often irritating and painful. Folliculitis is caused by bacteria called staphylococcus. Contributing factors to developing this skin condition include poor personal hygiene, tight clothing, wound healing, lack of exfoliating and lack of skin hydration.

An effective treatment for folliculitis is laser hair removal. Laser Hair Removal gets to the root of the problem by destroying the hair by its root and preventing future hair growth. If the hair is permanently removed by laser hair removal, the hair cannot become trapped underneath the skin. Other treatment options for the prevention of ingrown hairs include retinol A creams which force exfoliation of the skin. Retinol A products prevent the build up of dead skin cells on the skins surface however this is not a permanent solution. Chances are that if you are prone to this condition, laser hair removal is a better long term solution since the outcome really is permanent removal of the hair.

Laser Hair Removal For Folliculitis

LASER HAIR REMOVAL AND SAFETY

Laser hair removal is a very safe procedure for eliminating unwanted hair. Lasers for hair removal use infrared light to target the hair follicle. These lasers have been designed to attract a specific target. Infrared light passes through the skin unlike an x-rays or UV light which leaves residual energy in the body. X-rays, microwaves and UV rays are ionizing rays which means these wavelengths of light are actually changing the structure of the cells which is why there are limitations on the number of x-rays one can have a year. Infrared light does not change the structure of the body’s cells therefore; they are non-ionizing rays, which also indicates that laser hair removal does not stimulate any health risks. Lasers for hair removal have been created to deliver just enough energy to generate thermal damage in the root of the hair follicle preventing hair re-growth.

Laser Hair Removal Safety

LASER SYSTEMS VS. IPL SYSTEMS FOR HAIR REMOVAL

Many people are under the impression that lasers and IPL systems (intense pulsed light) are the same thing. The two systems are actually very different. Some advertisements claim they offer IPL laser hair removal, however, an IPL system is not a laser.

A laser is a concentrated beam of infrared light. Effective wavelengths for hair removal have been proven to be 755nm, 800nm, and 1064nm. Earlier lasers were 755nm lasers, however this laser is no longer commonly used, as there is a high risk of epidermal damage.

An IPL system is a flash lamp, which covers a broad spectrum of light. This spectrum of visible and infrared light usually ranges from 700-1200nm. An IPL system is also commonly used for photorejuvenation and skin treatments as well. Photorejuvenation is a fantastic treatment for improving skin imperfections. For hair removal intense pulsed light systems compliment other hair removal lasers, however they are not the best stand-alone systems. They are not very effective for darker skin types.

It is best to consult with a laser hair removal specialist in order to determine which system or combination of laser and light systems are best for your skin and hair type. A laser clinic that specializes in laser hair removal should have multiple laser and light based systems for hair removal.

Laser Hair Removal Systems

STAGES OF HAIR GROWTH AND LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Laser hair removal is an effective treatment for permanent hair removal. The hair can only be permanently removed when in the appropriate stage of hair growth. There are 3 stages of hair growth.

1. Anagen Stage: The anagen stage of hair growth is the growing phase. At this stage of hair growth the hair has a full root. During this stage of hair growth, the hair is attached to the papilla. This is the perfect stage in treating the hair with laser to achieve a permanent reduction since the laser will attract the melanin in the hair shaft and disable the papilla.

2. Catagen stage: This is a transitional stage where the hair is detaching from the papilla. This detachment is the second stage of the hair growth cycle. This is not the ideal stage of hair growth for laser hair removal, however, these hairs are likely to absorb some energy causing the hair to return thinner. When the hair returns in the anagen or growing stage of hair growth the hair will be eliminated permanently.

3. Telogen: This is the resting stage of hair growth where the hair has fully detached from the papilla and awaits to shed. If the hair is detached from the papilla, it is not possible to cause the desired damage to the papilla. This is also not the ideal stage of hair growth for laser hair removal.

The length of time a hair remains in the anagen, catagen or telogen stage of hair growth varies with different body and facial areas. Since any hair will randomly be in any one of these stages at one time, more than one treatment is required.

Stages Of Laser Hair Removal

IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL REALLY PERMANENT?

At first it does seem too good to be true! Could there be such a thing as permanent hair removal? Laser hair removal has grown in population throughout the decade because it is effective and it is permanent!

Laser light damages the root of the hair where all the reproductive origins exist. This damage prevents the hair from re-growth. More than one treatment is required since permanent damage to the root is only possible when the hair is in the active stage of hair growth or the anagen stage of hair growth which is when the hair has a full root. Normally 5-7 treatments are required for most areas. Those who require touch ups for hair removal beyond 5 or 7 sessions usually are left with fine sparse hairs. Some individuals are ok with some fine light hair while others would rather have a laser treatment once or twice a year to eliminate these sparse hairs. Touch ups are less common on the body and more common on the neck and chin area for females. Also those with darker skins may require more touch ups than those with lighter skins since there is less contrast between the skin and the hair.

Normally those that have a hormonal imbalance may notice future hair growth on the face and jaw line area more so than on the body. The reason why laser is considered a permanent reduction is the laser can damage only what presently exists under the skin. For every square inch on the body there are approximately 70 follicles which have hair or could potentially produce hair. These dormant follicles could be stimulated at any one time due to these hormonal imbalances. Although the area will never have as much hair as it once had, touch ups may be required for facial areas mainly.

Permanent Laser Hair Removal

NERVOUS ABOUT LASER HAIR REMOVAL EFFICACY?

Those which have not seen good results from laser could be attributed to inferior technologies, to poor diagnosis of the hair and the skin type, following pre and post treatment protocols, realistic patient expectations.

It is important to have treatment at a laser clinic which has more than one technology available for hair removal. One machine cannot possibly be best for all skin types. The physics do not exist to effectively treat all skin types with one type of technology. There is a reason why there are different laser technologies out in the laser industry for hair removal. Make sure that the technology is reputable (for example: Lightsheer and Coolglide). Not all lasers are created equal.

Poor diagnosis means the hair thickness, colour of the hair, and Fitzpatrick skin type have been improperly assessed. The fluence, and pulse width are adjusted based on the hair and skin types. A good way to ensure that you are getting a good treatment is to ensure you are feeling the appropriate discomfort during the session. What you should feel during a treatment is sharp individual pinches. It will feel as if the hairs are being tweezed. You will feel more if the hair is thicker and darker. If the hair is finer and lighter, you should feel just a tiny pinch as there is a smaller target in the hair follicle and in turn less energy absorption.

If is important to follow pre and post treatment protocols for an effective treatment. This means, treatments must be scheduled 6-8 weeks apart for the body and 4-6 weeks apart for the face and neck. You should not tweeze or wax the area in between sessions as this removes the entire target which is what the laser is attracted to. Excessive tanning should be avoided in between sessions since the technician can always be more aggressive with a treatment when treating non suntanned skin.

Patient expectations are also very important. Laser hair removal is extremely effective when there is a good contrast between the skin and the hair. When the hair is finer and lighter and if the skin is darker or tanned, it is likely that you will not achieve 85-95% reduction. Brown skins which have fine brown hair on the chest are a good example of this scenario. It is best to consult a laser hair removal specialist in determining what type of reduction you can expect based on your hair and skin type.

Laser Hair Removal Efficacy