The Latest Laser Acne Treatments

It may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but in the world of modern medicine laser surgery is becoming a popular and powerful choice for dealing with a number of different medical conditions. Some of the most cutting edge uses of lasers and focused light are for the Laser Acne Treatment. Lasers can be used to burn off the outer layers of skin where acne is, or they can penetrate below the surface of the skin and deal with the underlying causes of acne.

The only real disadvantage to laser acne treatments is that they can be difficult to get and difficult to afford. They're often only used for people with severe acne problems -you'll have to ask a doctor or dermatologist if laser acne treatment would be a good option for you. Also, laser acne treatments are generally considered to be cosmetic procedures, so many insurance companies won't cover them. This can make it difficult for most people to afford having it done.

For those who do have access to laser acne treatments, there are a few different options to choose from. Some laser treatments target glands under the skin called the sebaceous glands. These glands are responsible for secreting the oil that can cause acne. The laser targets them and actually damages them, which makes them produce less oil.

Other types of laser treatments target the bacteria that cause acne inflammation, referred to in the medical community as Propionibacterium acens, or P. acnes. This type of laser treatment can also help to smooth out the skin's overall texture and repair acne scars. It is a powerful combined approach that can really change the way a person looks.

To get more specific, there are different types of lasers that are used in these different procedures. Each laser uses a different approach to do its job. The first type of laser is called the blue light laser. One of the advantages of this treatment is that it's painless, but it must be done over the course of multiple sessions. Unfortunately, acne tends to spread rapidly so these treatments must be undergone regularly to keep it at bay. There is a new version of blue light therapy on the horizon that combines blue and red lights, and it may be even more effective than blue light alone.

The second type of laser treatment works through pulsed green-yellow lights combined with heat energy. The combination of these two factors help shrink the sebaceous glands, thus making them produce less oil. This type of treatment can be used to treat moderate acne outbreaks, but more severe outbreaks may be out of its reach. The only known side effect of this treatment is that it causes the affected areas to be reddened for a brief time.

The last type of laser used in acne laser treatments is the diode laser. These lasers pierce the outer layer of skin and destroy sebaceous glands without damaging the outermost skin layers. This treatment, unlike the others, can be quite painful. However, doctors generally provide some sort of painkiller to dull the pain during treatment. Like the pulsed light treatment, the diode laser can cause redness and also swelling. However, it provides some of the best acne reduction after a couple of treatments.

August 13 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »

How Hylaform or Restylane Injections Help Fight Wrinkles

Restylane and Hylaform are two new injections for smoothing wrinkles and laugh lines that are highly effective, give beautiful results, and are less invasive than many other injection treatments for wrinkles.

You've probably seen advertisements for Reestylane and Hylaform and how they will take years off of your face. You may wonder how they work and if they work.

The injections have fewer problems than other types of injections for smoothing wrinkles, and those who use them prefer their ease of use.

Other injections for sculpting and removing wrinkles are made from animal based products. By contrast, Restylane and Hylaform are created from non-animal, biodegradable substances.

The major ingredient in the two products is hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in our bodies, that provides fullness and volume to the skin. This natural base makes Restylane a favorite in the wrinkle removal field.

This is in direct contrast to Botox, which is a drug, not a natural product. Botox blocks the nerves from transmitting and relaxes the muscles under the nerves. Restylane, on the other hand, fills in folds and wrinkles with a natural filler.

The Restylane and Hylaform products have very few side effects and nearly no allergic reactions. With animal based injection, there is a high percentage of patients who have an allergic reaction to the products.

This reaction causes swelling, itching and redness, and embarrassment for the patient. However, these side effects are nearly all connected to the animal proteins in those products, and Restylane has none of those acids, so there is little to no incidence of allergic reactions.

In fact, with other products, patience have to go through and experimental prick and small injection to test for allergic reactions. With Restylane and Hylaform, that testing step is completely eliminated.

That means faster treatment for you, and faster results. Not only can you have the procedure early, but you'll see the effects for a long time as well.

The effects of Restylane last up to six months, which means less frequent injections and more natural looking results. Eventually the acid is absorbed into the skin naturally so there is never a unnatural or unattractive look.

The treatments generally last only 20 or 30 minutes, and the process usually takes only one treatment to produce effective results.

There is generally no pain involved in the Restylane procedure. The ultra thin needles and technology involved mean minimal discomfort for the patient. This gentle treatment allows patients to return to work, school, and regular daily activities immediately, with little or no visible sign of swelling or redness, just beautiful skin and no wrinkles.

Despite the mildness of the treatment, you should avoid St. John's Wort, high doses of Vitamin E supplements, aspirin and ibuprofen. These items may increase the incidents of bleeding at the site of the injection.

There is a small chance of facial cold sores, if a patient has had a problem with these in the past there is a small chance that the needle puncture could cause a recurrence.

June 17 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »