358 Albert Street, Palmerston North | Phone: 06 3554440 | Mobile: 0272644621 | info@anigma.co.nz
LASER THERAPIES
There are several types of lasers used in dermatology, aesthetic medicine and beauty therapy. Older laser technologies such as the continuous wave lasers of CO2 and argon have been replaced with fractional, Q-switched, diode and pulsed laser systems. The choice of laser to be used on a client is very much determined by the target tissue for laser light therapy, the absorption wavelength of tissue and the pulse duration of the laser beam. Therefore, only experienced certified technicians should perform these specialized treatments.
Diode Laser Hair Removal
Unlike IPL, diode laser is a true laser where a concentrated beam of light is aimed at the targeted hair follicle. The laser light is then absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle causing controlled thermal damage to the follicle. This will reduce future hair growth.
The diode laser has a 808nm wavelength which is most suitable solution for all skin types due to its deep penetration and high absorption of melanin. This results in a faster and more effective hair removal treatment compared to IPL. Treatment conditions are similar to that of intense pulsed light.
Photodynamic Therapy
Aminolevulinic Acid 13-20% (ALA) is a naturally occurring photosensitizing compound, which has been approved by Medsafe to treat pre-cancerous skin lesions called actinic keratosis. ALA is applied to the skin and subsequently “activated” by a specific wavelength of light. This process of activating ALA is termed Photodynamic Therapy.
The purpose of activating the ALA is to reduce precancerous skin lesions. The treatment may improve the appearance of the skin and other signs of photoaging, decrease acne, reduces sebaceous hyperplasia, decrease oiliness of the skin, and improve texture/smoothness by minimizing pore size. Improvements of these skin conditions (other than actinic keratosis) are considered an “off-label” use of ALA.
Photographs will be taken of your face before each treatment session. The recommendations, based on many studies and thousands of patients treated, are 1-2 treatments for AK’s (actinic keratosis) and 2-4 treatments for acne.
Medicine is not an exact science, and there can be no guarantees of your results. While some individuals have fabulous results, it is possible that these treatments will not work for you. Alternative treatments may include topical therapies, oral medications, cryosurgery, or excisional surgery.
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing
The Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fractional Laser Resurfacing treat several layers of skin in a fractionated method (grid-like pattern) to help reduce freckles, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, acne and burn scars, uneven skin tone, rosacea and redness of the face, neck, chest and hands. It is also the best single treatment for advanced sun damage and wrinkling. Maintenance treatments may be necessary to maintain results. Individual end results may also differ from person-to-person.
The procedure requires topical anaesthetics and takes 6-12 days to heal. Results can be seen in as little as 4 weeks. Improvements will continue for 6 - 9 months after the initial treatment due to the collagen building process. With proper skin care and sun protection, results may last for many years. The cost of your treatment will depend on the condition of your skin, the size of the area being treated and your desired results.
Intense Pulsed Light for Facial Redness, Acne and Hair Reduction
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a broad-spectrum light that use various wavelengths of light (filters) to treat sun-induced changes on the face, including pigmentation, age spots and broken blood vessels.
IPL is also regularly used in beauty therapy for the treatment of rosacea, acne and hair reduction. IPL may be used on the face, hands, neck, limbs, back and chest. It is safe, non-invasive and is tailored to the individual patient’s skin.
IPL is very safe and no recovery time is needed after treatment. You can return to work or normal daily activities the same day as your treatment. Some patients may experience minor redness and possible pinpoint bruising after the treatment. Some pigmented spots may appear darker for a few days and then peel off. You can apply makeup immediately after IPL treatment if necessary.
The number of treatments you need will depend on the condition of your skin and your desired results. Generally, patients need a series of 4-8 treatments, 4-8 weeks apart. After the initial series, additional treatments once every six months are recommended in order to maintain the effects. The cost of your treatment will depend on the condition of your skin, the size of the area being treated and your desired results.
Laser Age Spot and Pigmentation Removal
Age spots (also known as liver spots or solar lentigines) are non-cancerous, brown lesions that occur over time on sun exposed areas of the skin. As they are of cosmetic importance to many patients, different treatments have been tried to remove these unwanted spots. Combination therapies yield the best results. These include prescription strength skin lightening creams and in-office laser treatments.
The recent development of short-pulsed lasers such as Q-switched lasers has enabled physicians to selectively destroy the pigment within the age spots with significant clinical improvement, low risk of adverse effects, and high patient acceptance. For most patients, only 1 to 2 treatments are necessary to remove age spots. Noticeable results are evident 2 weeks after the first treatment.
Spider Vein Reduction with Diode Laser
The 980nm diode laser selectively penetrates the superficial blood vessel and the heat produced coagulates the blood within the vessel causing it to collapse. During the treatment there will be a noticeable reduction in the appearance of vessels due to the restriction of blood flow. However, it is common for some of the vessels to re-fill again after the first treatment, which will require further treatment.
Diode laser can also stimulate the dermal collagen growth while performing the above treatment, increasing the skin’s thickness and density, so that the smaller blood vessels appear even less noticeable.
Treatment with the diode laser can be slightly uncomfortable for some, but most patients do not require any anaesthetic cream to numb the area prior to treatment. Most patients experience considerable improvement after 1 to 3 treatments depending upon the skin condition and level of treatment.
Carbon Laser Facial
The Carbon Laser Facial will give you a radiant looking skin after just one treatment. This treatment is very popular in Hollywood and Asia. The treatment is non-invasive and very gentle to the skin. After cleansing the skin a layer of carbon paste is applied to the entire face and allowed to dry over a period of 15 minutes. Then, a Q switched ND:YAG laser is used to heat and cause an implosion of the carbon particles, focusing the laser energy on the epidermis.
Most patients describe the sensation as a light tingling feeling. As the laser moves across the skin the carbon paste is gently removed, exfoliating the skin and removing any debris in pores. This high quality skin rejuvenation treatment takes approximately 40 minutes from start to finish with no downtime.
Some of the results you can expect after several laser treatments include: improvement in active acne; reduction in acne scars and post-inflammatory discoloration; reduction in size of pores; reduction in fine lines and wrinkles; stimulation of collagen and increased tone of the skin.
Laser Fungal Treatment
It has always been difficult to treat onychomycosis (fungi of the nail) due to inability of topical agents to properly penetrate the nail and reach the affected nail bed. Oral antifungal medications have shown a good response but have the potential to cause systemic side effects and patient non-adherence. Lasers, therefore, have been suggested for the treatment of onychomycosis due to their minimally invasive nature and the potential for requiring fewer treatment sessions.
A Nd:YAG 1064nm or Diode 980nm laser is applied to the affected nail. A total of 10 passes over the nail should be employed during the treatment, with a 30 sec waiting period between every 3-4 passes. Total accumulative energy is monitored in accordance to the recommended treatment protocol for each module. Recommended number of treatments is 3-6 sessions at 4 weeks intervals.