Have you ever considered laser skin rejuvenation in Indianapolis? If you’ve been concerned with facial acne or scar formation, then this procedure may be right for you.
These rejuvenation procedures are often performed utilizing a pulsed dye laser (PDL), which is one of the most commonly used lasers in cosmetic surgery. It was originally developed to treat cutaneous vascular lesions such as telangiectasias (spider veins) and port wine stain vascular birthmarks. However, technical advances and refinements have greatly expanded its use to include preventing scar formation following surgery and treating facial acne.
The main advantage to the PDL is that it’s a quick office procedure with minimal to no discomfort and essentially no down time. It’s so gentle that it can even be used to treat a baby’s face. As a result, it’s the laser that Dr. Beeson uses the most frequently in his practice.
How is the PDL Used in Laser Skin Rejuvenation?
First, an organic dye mixed in a solvent. The dye is energized by an electrical charge, which stimulates it to release energy in the form of light (photons). This special light beam allows the laser to be used for medical purposes, because the beam can be focused to a precise location and light energy is absorbed uniformly. Specific tissues absorb specific light waves, which enables the doctor to treat specific tissues in our body.
In the case of the PDL, the wavelength is 585-595 nm. This is the wavelength that is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin in the blood and to some degree melanin pigment in the skin. The concentrated beam of light targets blood vessels in the skin. Light is converted into heat, destroying the blood vessels a leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. This process is called “selective photothermolysis”. Studies also suggest that the PDL may also stimulate growth factors (cytokines) in the skin which can stimulate collagen formation.
The Laser Skin Rejuvenation Process
Laser skin rejuvenation treatments utilizing PDL treatments usually take only a few minutes and are an office procedure. The patients wash the treatment area to remove facial oils and makeup. A topical anesthetic cream is then applied to the treatment area and is left in place for 10–15 minutes to numb the area. The anesthetic cream is removed, and the patient’s eyes are covered to protect from the laser’s yellow light. The machine produces a cold spray just before the laser pulse, diminishing any sense of discomfort. If a large area is treated, moisturizing lotion such as Eucerin is applied to the treated area, and the patient is able to return to their normal activities.
Laser Skin Rejuvenation Recovery
Most people find PDL treatments painless. Some describe a sensation similar to that of the “snap of a rubber band”. Even though the eyes are covered, many patients describe the sense of a bright flash of light. There is no pain following treatment, and most patients are able to apply makeup and return to normal activities immediately following the procedure. It is usually recommended to avoid rejuvenation creams such as Retin-A until the day following treatment. Some patients may have a transient splotchy redness to their face which resolves 1-2 hours following treatment. A few patients who have large, dilated vessels close to the surface may develop purpura. Purpura is a purplish colored spot that looks similar to a bruise, but is not the result of trauma, as is the case with a bruise. Purpura is discoloration as a result of fluid leaking from the destroyed blood vessels. The purpura is transient, lasting 1-3 days in most cases. It is very unusual to have any skin irritation following treatment. The PDL is so gentle on the skin that it can be used to treat skin vascular lesion on infants less than one month old.
If you live in Indianapolis or the surrounding metropolitan area, and have been bothered with facial acne or facial scars, then laser skin rejuvenation with the PDL may be right for you. For more information on this procedure, we invite you to call our office at 317-846-0846, or submit the contact form below.
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