Skin Rejuvenation Following Summer Sun, Fall/Winter Newsletter 2016

General, Laser Treatments, Newsletters, Procedures
|
Ann Cameron Schieber, PA-C

As we move into fall, it’s time to start thinking about how to reverse unwanted sun damage acquired over the summer months! We offer several in office treatments at Advanced Dermatology 
for skin rejuvenation following summer sun.

Photorejuvenation is an excellent treatment 
to tackle brown spots, redness and blood vessels with little or no downtime. Advanced Dermatology uses multiple technologies for Photorejuvenation
 including eLOS (IPL with Radiofrequency) (eLight or
eLOS Plus by Syneron Candela®), Vantage or Gentlemax Pro (1064 nm laser), and VBeam® (5955 nm laser). Why
 do we have so many options? Each device has unique features that allow us to tailor your treatment to your exact needs. Although it has been around for 10 years, Photorejuvenation remains one of our most popular treatments due to minimal downtime and effective results.

We also offer Fraxel® to treat sun damage in
 those who are willing to have a little more downtime. Fraxel® is a revolutionary laser therapy that produces thousands of tiny columns of precisely wounded skin. This fractional treatment allows the skin to heal much faster because there is normal skin between the wounded areas. Fraxel® Dual is an excellent treatment
 for sun damaged skin as it tackles both the 
brown spots and fine wrinkles associated with excessive sun exposure in 2 treatments. Patients should expect peeling and redness, similar to a bad sunburn, for up to 7 days with Fraxel® treatments.

Clear + brilliant, although similar to Fraxel®, is a less aggressive treatment with comparable results, but requiring more treatments. It is a safe, non-surgical laser procedure to treat fine wrinkles or pigmentation including sun damage, melasma, and 
sun freckles in up to 6 treatments every 2-4 weeks. We have a specific protocol for melasma which includes prescription skin care we have found to be quite effective.

Lastly, the Q-switched laser (brand name RevLite®) is an excellent option if you have a
 few isolated brown spots that you would like to remove. The laser energy pulse, which is in billionths of a second, releases the pigment into the skin so it can be naturally reabsorbed and disposed of by the body. The Q-switched laser is also effective for sunspots on the chest, arms or legs. Expect scabbing of the individual spots for up to 10 days on the face and 21 days on the body although they can usually be covered by makeup.

With all of these laser treatments, it is important to start a skin care regimen that will both prevent and repair sun damaged skin, as well as preserve your result. In order to get optimal results from
 your treatments we recommend starting prescription hydroquinoine such as skinfo® Bright Rx ($105, 2.2oz), along with ADV Rx azeleic acid at least 4 weeks before treatment. Of course, in order to achieve the desired result of these treatments, it is imperative to use sunscreen with at least 5% zinc oxide daily, such as EltaMD
 UV Clear SPF 46 ($32, 1.7oz) or skinfo® Vita Lite protect sunscreen spf 50+ ($31, 2oz). Immediately following laser treatments, we recommend Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Mask ($54, 2.5 fl oz), epionce® Intensive nourishing cream ($108, 1.7oz) or 
post-laser kit and SkinMedica® HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator ($178, 2oz) to soothe, hydrate and repair the skin.