Skin Rejuvenation:
The most noticeable component of aging is the skin: wrinkles, crow’s feet, larger pores, uneven pigmentation. One of the major causes of these skin effects is that, as we age, our bodies produces less and lower quality collagen.
In the past, anti-aging solutions have relied on surgical interventions: facelifts, brow-lifts, eyelid surgery. Surgery is expensive, time consuming and can be painful. Over the past decade there has been a growing demand for non-surgical skin rejuvenation- which is where lasers come in.
Lasers address the effects of aging by stimulating new collagen production. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, accounting for about one-third of its protein composition. It is one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The Quanta Discovery Pico Plus Fractional Laser System rejuvenates the skin without the need for surgical intervention. Treatments are far more comfortable and have a much faster recovery time than traditional surgical techniques.
PRE-CARE TIPS
NO direct sun exposure for 1 week
NO makeup the day of procedure
Follow the advice of your practitioner
POST-CARE TIPS
Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen for 3 months
Follow the advice of your practitioner
TEMPORARY EFFECTS
Skin injury is rare and usually involves temporary skin redness, mild sun burn sensation and sometimes crusting for few days
TOLERABILITY
It is possible to have the treated skin areas numbed with a topical anesthetic
Pigmented Lesions
Benign pigmented lesions are an extremely common concern in the general population. Excessive exposure to sun and signs of aging can result in unwanted age spots, freckles, and brown marks that cause the skin to appear uneven and aged. There are many different types of pigmented lesions that vary in morphological and histological characteristics. Benign pigmented lesions refer to a wide range of skin conditions including, Melanocytic Naevi (Moles), Hyperpigmentation, Dyschromia, Melasma, Solar Lentigos (Age Spots), Post Inflammatory conditions and Ephelides (Freckles).
Significant advances in non-invasive aesthetic technology utilising light at specific wavelengths have enabled us to treat a wide range of pigmented lesions effectively and safely. Laser light is absorbed by the melanin or pigment in the skin causing damage to the cells which are removed by the natural process of the lymphatic system. Since melanin has a broad absorption spectrum, a number of different lasers covering a wide range of wavelengths can be used to treat a variety of pigmented lesions.
Tattoo Removals
ABOUT TATTOOS
Tattoos may be simple outlines or densely colored images which cover large parts of the body. Tattoo are composed of granules of pigment that are much smaller than a human cell. White blood cells known as macrophages typically take up and remove unwanted material as part of the body’s normal immune defense mechanism. However, tattoo granules are too large for macrophages to do this effectively so they remain in the skin permanently unless the tattoo is treated with appropriate lasers.
ADVANCES IN LASER TATTOO REMOVAL
There have been big advances in laser tattoo removal.
Lasers work by shattering large tattoo ink particles into progressively smaller particles, until they are small enough to be removed by our immune cells (macrophages) and redirected into the lymphatic system of our body. A metaphor would be: rock to pebbles, pebbles to sand and finally sand to dust. The light pulse in the older Q Switched lasers was a billionth of a second or a “nanosecond”. A recent study (referred to by the Australasian College of Dermatologists) demonstrated that even after 15 nano laser treatments, only 75% of tattoos had fully cleared. Green and blue inks have traditionally been much slower to clear. Also, the nano lasers are less good at getting rid of the very small particles.
The Discovery Pico Laser has a significantly greater range of capabilities than earlier lasers and is more effective, safer and quicker.
More effective
It is equipped with both nano and pico-lasers. The pulse of the pico laser lasts one trillionth of a second, 1000 times faster than a nano laser. These twin capabilities are important in the removal of tattoos We usually begin with nanosecond pulse duration as this is better at shattering the bigger ‘rocks’. In subsequent treatment sessions, we use picosecond pulse duration which is more effective at shattering ‘pebbles and sand’.
Discovery Pico Plus is the first picosecond laser to include a Ruby 694nm wavelength. This permits treatment of the notoriously hard to remove light blue and green pigments. In most cases the treatment will leave the patient’s skin clear of any trace of the tattoos.
Safer
It uses a square spot to deliver laser energy evenly to the skin rather than a circular ‘lens’ spot that can produce a hot spot in the centre surrounded by a halo of lower energy. It is also much safer for patients with darker skin.
Quicker
When energy is applied into the skin, the skin re-absorbs some of the energy. With many lasers this causes a burn. The faster picosecond pulse allows for two treatments at one sitting, without risking a burn. It thus cuts the number of sessions required significantly.
SOME PRACTICAL ISSUES
Pretreatment
The treating doctor will assess any safety or other issues and amend treatment as necessary. In some cases the doctor may advise against treatment.
It is necessary to avoid sunlamps and sun exposure for at least one month before the session, taking care to use SFP 50+ sunscreens.
Treatment
The duration of the treatment depends on the dimensions and the colours of the tattoo. For small tattoos, the session may only last few minutes. More complex tattoos may require 10 to 30 minutes or more.
The number of treatments will depend on skin type, the colour and amount of ink, the position, age and dimensions of the tattoo, and any scars. To achieve optimum results, there will need to be 4 -8 sessions at 45-day intervals.
As in regards to pain, the patient may perceive a sensation similar to the stroke of a rubber band on the skin. Any discomfort can be reduced by the use of our cooling device or a topical or local anesthetic.
Our doctors
The Australasian College of Dermatologists advises people wanting tattoo removal to seek treatment from appropriately trained and equipped medical practices. All Hobart Place Skin Clinic tattoo removal is carried out by highly qualified and experienced GPs with training in the use of lasers.
Melasma treatments
Melasma is a skin condition that causes patches and spots, usually on the face, which are darker than your natural skin tone. While melasma may go away on its own, this skin condition can also last for years. Treatment for melasma can be complicated and can involve sunscreens, creams and topical treatments, oral medications and laser treatment. Adding a laser treatment can improve results for patients and we have one of the best laser machines on the market for treating this condition. Our doctors will have a look and recommend the best treatment for you.
Acne Scarring
Melasma is a skin condition that causes patches and spots, usually on the face, which are darker than your natural skin tone. While melasma may go away on its own, this skin condition can also last for years. Treatment for melasma can be complicated and can involve sunscreens, creams and topical treatments, oral medications and laser treatment. Adding a laser treatment can improve results for patients and we have one of the best laser machines on the market for treating this condition. Our doctors will have a look and recommend the best treatment for you.
ICE PICK SCARS
Ice Pick Scars are deep, less than 2mm wide sharply demarcated can extend into the deep dermis. The skin looks as if it has been pierced by an ice pick or sharp instrument.
HYPERTROPHIC AND KELOID SCARS
Hypertrophic Scars are raised, firm scars that grow above the surface of the skin. Hypertrophic scars are caused by acne are most often found on the torso, especially in men, but they can happen anywhere on the body. Hypertrophic scars are more common after a deep wound or trauma. Keloids are more severe type of raised scars. They differ from Hypertrophic scars in that keloids grow larger than the original wound. They can send out raised, lateral shoots that expand much farther than the wound itself. Some people are more prone to developing keloids.
BOXCAR SCARS
Boxcar scars are round or oval depressions with steep vertical sides .Wider than ice pick scars, Boxcar scars give the skin an uneven, pitted appearance.
POST INFLAMMATORY HYPERPIGMENTATION
Discolouration left on the skin after a pimple has healed isn’t a true acne scar, but rather post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a flat area (neither raised nor pitted) that ranges in colour from pink to red, purple, brown or black depending on one’s skin type.
RED OR PIGMENTED SCARS
The appearance of both atropic and hypertrophic scars, are often highlighted by either erythema and /or hypermentation. This aspect of acne scarring show should be managed early as it can make a significant difference to the overall appearance of the scarring.
