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When we think of cosmetic procedures, we all focus on the end results. How would I look without crow's feet or brown spots? What if my face was lifted just a little bit, like so? Ten years younger, maybe... 15?
Once upon a time, if you wanted to look ten years younger, your only option was to go under the knife or subject yourself to one of those "extreme" chemical peels in which an acid solution was used to literally remove the top layer of your skin, leaving you red, raw and oozing for weeks on end. Even with the prospect of fantastic results, bleeding, bruising, swelling, pain, discomfort, long recovery time, plus the possibility of complications, were enough to make you think twice about going through with it.
In the past decade however, lasers have made their way into medical spas and cosmetic surgeons' offices. Although a considerable amount of pain or discomfort was involved when this new technology surfaced on the market, laser procedures offered non-invasive alternatives to some forms of cosmetic surgery or treatments, while significantly reducing recovery time.
While all patients benefit from the advent of new cosmetic treatment technologies in the form of reduced down-time and less invasive procedures, the emphasis is now placed on preventing further damage as well as correcting imperfections, rather than dealing with the problem in a more drastic way later on. And with a new generation of lasers now on the market, pain and discomfort is virtually a thing of the past.
In a recent interview with Stacy Pulera, R.N., B.S.N., of Malana Medical Spa in Marina Del Rey CA, we discussed new laser treatments such as the Pixel laser, which is used for skin resurfacing in the treatment of scars, fine lines and wrinkles, poor skin texture and large pores. Stacy explained that every laser pulse creates tiny "ablative" zones which remove the epidermis and dermis. This triggers the body's own healing response and stimulates the growth of new healthy tissue around the ablative zones. By treating smaller areas and leaving the surrounding tissue intact, the skin heals rapidly with amazing results. An added benefit of the Pixel treatment is that it stimulates collagen production for several months following treatment. The Pixel laser has also been very effective in treating acne scars to resurface pitted damaged skin and promote a nicer, smoother texture.
I was very curious about this new generation of lasers but somewhat doubtful at first. I was expecting a lot of pain and didn't think the results would be very noticeable, but I gave it a shot and requested treatment for enlarged pores on my cheeks, a few brown spots on my forehead and cheeks and one tiny broken capillary near my nostril. Stacy applied a cooling gel and zapped several areas first with an IPL laser, then the Pixel was used for enlarged pores and the capillary. The first thing I noticed was a slight burning smell, but I must admit the pain was very minimal, much like a tiny rubber band snapping against the skin. After the treatment, I looked like I had a bit of a sunburn, and upon close observation a very tiny "grid" appeared on my cheeks where the Pixel was applied, a normal occurence which disappears as the skin exfoliates. I was able to return to work that afternoon, and only felt slightly tired at night with a slight sunburn sensation, much like after spending a day in the sun. Over the next couple weeks, my skin exfoliated and much to my surprise, pores were tightened and brown spots were literally flaking off. Although I would probably need a few more treatments to get rid of every imperfection, discolorations were visibly faded and I experienced a big improvement in skin clarity, texture and tone.
Lasers are not the only high-tech tools used in the prevention of aging. We've all heard of Botox of course, still widely used to smoothe fine lines and wrinkles. But a new generation of dermal fillers and injectables now work to stimulate the body's ability to turn the clock back. Take Restylane or Juvéderm, made from hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally ocurring in the human body which helps to hydrate and maintain volume. These injectables maintain their shape by binding to the body's moisture. As the acid degrades, it binds to more water and over time, the same volume is maintained with less of the acid injected. In other words, these fillers promote the natural formation of volume within the body in the areas where injected.
For those concerned about the use of animal products, the Restylane website states their product uses a non-animal form of the acid, although no mention of the same is made on the Juvéderm site.
For questions regarding cosmetic laser treatments and Pixel treatments, contact Malana Medical Spa on their website at: http://www.malanamedicalspa.com
Or visit the blog at http://www.malanamedspa.blogspot.com
More information on the Pixel laser can be found on the manufacturer's website, http://www.almalasers.com
For further information on dermal fillers, please visit http://www.restylane.com or http://www.juvederm.com
