Laser-therapies

The word LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Medical lasers use optimized wavelengths of light to specifically target certain tissues (i.e. hair follicles) without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. Cutaneous lasers have greatly advanced over the years and today can be used to treat several different skin conditions.

Laser Hair Removal

One of the most common uses of lasers in cosmetic dermatology is for hair removal. Both men and women can find excess facial or body hair bothersome. Often temporary treatments to removal hair are unsatisfying and time-consuming and yield poor results. More and more people are opting for long-lasting hair reduction via laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal works by using a specific wavelength of light to target and destroy hair follicles in the skin. The laser specifically targets the melanin present in the hair follicles, so only brown or black hairs can be treated successfully.  With the use of the industry leading lasers, Dr. Schweiger can safely and effectively treat all areas of unwanted hair in patients with all skin types.

The most common areas treated are the legs, arms, back, shoulders, underarms, upper lip, and the bikini area. The majority of patients see significant hair reduction of up to 85% to 90% after around four treatments. Laser hair removal ends the costly repetitive procedures of shaving, tweezing, chemical depilatories, waxing and electrolysis.

Since hair grows in cycles, the number of treatments required depends upon your skin, hair coloring, and coarseness of the hair. Everyone will require at least 3-5 treatments, as the process is only effective on hairs during their growing cycle.

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Age Spots, Brown Spots & Freckles

Solar lentigines are brown spots often found on the face and hands that are commonly referred to as “age spots?or “liver spots.?These unsightly spots are primarily the result of chronic sun exposure, as well as genetic susceptibility. Contrary to common belief they have nothing to do with age or the liver although one may get more as they get older (cumulative sun exposure). In addition to the face and hands, lentigines can often occur on the chest, arms and any sun exposed areas.

Solar lentigines can be safely and effectively removed by a variety of different laser treatments. Sometimes, one treatment is enough to eradicate most brown spots safely and effectively. Often a second or third treatment will be necessary to treat the remaining lesions. Freckles on the face, chest, and back can also be effectively treated with lasers.

Facial blood vessels

Many patients have small red blood vessels on the face, commonly around the nose.  The vessels are likely the results of sun exposure. These skin lesions can be easily removed with lasers, which target hemoglobin present in red blood cells. Lasers used today require little to no downtime and do not cause bruising.

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Laser Therapy for Rosacea

Rosacea can cause redness, bumps and/or swelling, especially on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin and can look similar to acne. Unlike acne, however, people with rosacea don’t get blackheads but do get dilated blood vessels (called telangiectasias).

Laser surgery is a successful way to treat the diffuse redness and individual telangiectasias that patients with rosacea have. Laser treatment may also decrease episodes of flushing and reduce the number of flares these patients experience.

The number of needed treatments will vary depending on the outcome that the patient desires and the laser that is used.  Usually a series is needed to achieve optimal results. Treatments may be as frequent as every four weeks.

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Laser Therapy for Acne Scars

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the United States. It is estimated that 60 million Americans suffer from acne and 20 million suffer from it badly enough to cause scarring. Acne scarring is the result of inflammation in the lower layer of the skin called the dermis which causes the collagen to become deformed or scarred resulting in depressions in the skin.

There are different kinds of acne scars: ice pick, atrophic, and hypertrophic. Ice pick scars are deep pitted scars with steep edges. Atrophic scars are pitted but have smooth borders and are not as deep. Hypertrophic scar, more common on the back and chest, are thick lumpy scars that sit above the surface of the skin.

Lasers are a commonly used modality in the treatment of acne scars. Lasers of various wavelength and intensity may be used to re-contour scar tissue and reduce the redness of skin around healed acne lesions. The type of scars present will determine which laser is selected for treatment.  A customized plan will be devised for each patient. Dr. Schweiger has experience with several different laser modalities and will select the appropriate regimen to best accomplish your goals.

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Laser Therapy for Wrinkles

The classification of wrinkles, also known as rhytids, is based on how deep into the skin the wrinkle extends. Fine lines are the result of changes in the upper dermis and may appear “etched?in the skin. Medium wrinkles reach the mid-dermis, and deep wrinkles (also known as furrows or folds) reach the deep dermis and subcutis.

Laser resurfacing is one of the most common treatments used today for wrinkles.  Laser surgery for wrinkles can be “ablative?(meaning the outer portion of skin is removed during treatment), or “non-ablative?(the skin is left intact).  In addition, “fractional?lasers are now growing in popularity as well.  These lasers require several treatments and ablate a small amount of the skin each time. Laser selection is individualized for each patient and based on the severity of wrinkles and the ability to tolerate downtime.

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