Medical Cosmetic Center

Almost everyone has pigmented lesions of some type. These areas of the skin contain especially high concentrations of melanin and are typically caused by an excess of pigment commonly due to sun exposure, aging or congenital factors. Pigmented lesions vary widely in size, shape and depth.

Unwanted pigmented spots are quickly and easily removed with the latest advancements in laser technology offered at the Medical Cosmetic Center. Pigmented spots (on virtually any part of your body) absorb the laser’s visible light; the heating of these pigmented cells causes the therapeutic effect. The laser delivers light in very short, high intensity pulses which pass through the skin. The rapid absorption of light causes the pigment molecule to destruct. The pigment molecule is then removed by the body’s natural filtering system.

Laser Treatments To Correct Age Spots

Typically, one or two treatments are sufficient for dramatic results. Additional treatments may be required for very large or dark spots or densely covered areas. The spots should not reappear over time. New spots may appear, however; these, too, can be removed. Remember to liberally apply sunscreen to minimize sun damage and the appearance of new spots.

This laser therapy basically focuses on spots formed by sun exposure. There are other types of pigmented lesions such as birthmarks and moles. We will help you to identify the spots that are most likely to respond well to treatment.

Photofacial Overview

Levulan Photodynamic Therapy is the most recent advance in photorejuvenation. Levulan Photodynamic skin rejuvenation involves the application of Levulan which is then activated with IPL (intense pulsed-light ). This results in significant improvement in precancerous conditions such as AKs, actinically damaged skin, sun damaged skin, moderate to severe cystic acne and potentially superficial skin cancers. Additionally it improves wrinkles, pore size, skin texture, pigmentation, rosacea, sebaceous hyperplasia, and potentially prevents the development of skin cancer.

Levulan Photodynamic Therapy is ideal for:

* Removing precancerous skin lesions
* Preventing skin cancer
* Improving wrinkles
* Improving pores
* Improving skin texture
* Improving pigmentation
* Treating moderate to severe cystic acne
* Treating sebaceous hyperplasia

Description of the Levulan Photodynamic Therapy Procedure:

* A nurse or aesthetician will apply the medicine.
* After 1-2 hours levulan will be activated with IPL (for sun-damage).
* You may be given an anesthetic topical cream applied prior to the light exposure.
* You will be given special goggles to wear to protect your eyes during the treatment.
* During the treatment you may feel stinging, tingling, prickling, or burning of the lesions, but this should go away after the treatment.
* You should stay out of the sun and bright light as much as possible for the next 48 hours
* The skin will turn red and swollen in the following 3-7 days
* Some crusting may be noted.  Spots may appear slightly darker temporarily. This is normal.
* There should be some discomfort, but no significant pain.
* After 1 week, there might be some residual redness that will subside after a few days and can be covered with make up.

Treatments are well tolerated and usually do not require an anesthetic. You will feel some stinging, like the snapping of a rubber band, and some burning, like a sunburn. Treatments take 20 minutes or less.

Preparation before your treatment:

* You must not be tan on the treated areas! Avoid self-tanners for 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
* The treated area(s) must be clean, without makeup.

Facial, neck and chest treatments are usually repeated at 4-week intervals. A series of 4-5 IPL treatment sessions for each area is recommended for optimal results, but this varies by patient. The sessions are usually reduced to 3 with the addition of Levulan®.  The pigmented spots and capillaries treated may appear with darker  flecks or crusting temporarily. This is normal. The flushed look soon fades away, the capillaries appear to vanish, and the pigmented spots come off, leaving the skin looking younger and smoother than before.

The area should be kept clean, however, be careful not to scrub the area or use harsh cleansers for the first few days after your treatment.

We recommend that a good sunscreen be used, preferably a 30-60 SPF because this treatment will sensitive your skin to UV rays and can cause severe sunburn.