| Dr. Richard H. Hope is a member of American Academy of Dermatology. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Cosmetic Dermatology.
Q. What is the difference between ablative and non-ablative laser treatment?
A. Ablative laser resurfacing refers to completely removing the epidermis of the skin, usually on the face. The original CO2 lasers did this which required prolonged healing. Non-ablative laser treatment spares the epidermis and directly heats the collagen below. And, minimally ablative lasers treat only small portions of the epidermis with rapid and safe healing.
Q. How does the Fraxel laser treatment work?
A. The Fraxel laser is a minimally invasive laser that uses a laser to create micro-holes in the epidermis and into the dermis. This stimulates the dermis to make new and better collagen and the epidermis to exfoliate in a controlled and safe manner removing much of the sun damage that has accumulated.
Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Fraxel laser treatment?
A. The advantages include rapid recovery and minimal downtime. The Fraxel is also effective treatment for many types of acne scarring as well as photo damage and aging. Also, the Fraxel can be used on areas other than the face. The disadvantage is that it takes several treatments, usually 4, to achieve optimal results.
Q. How soon can the clients see results after the Fraxel laser treatment?
A. Patients can usually see visible results within 1-2 weeks after a treatment session. Results gradually improve over several weeks after the last treatment.
Q. What skin conditions can the Fraxel laser treatment treat?
A. The Fraxel can be used to treat sun damaged skin with fine wrinkles and pigment irregularities. Also, it is effective for many types of acne scars. It can also treat sun damged skin of the neck, chest and hands to improve the skin's appearance.
Q. How does laser treatment help to lighten or completely remove unsightly birthmarks?
A. Lasers can be used to remove or lighten birthmarks such as port-wine stains and some types of hemangiomas. The laser light can target the blood vessels and shrink them. Multiple treatments are usually required.
Q. What are Telagiectasias and how can laser treatment help?
A. Telangiectasias are dilated blood vessels often on the face or legs. These blood vessels can very often be effectively eliminated or reduced with several types of laser available, particularly the pulsed-dye laser.
|
