Lasers

Ablative Laser

Laser techonology has gone through leaps and bounds in the past two decades, and you really have to wonder if the laser is so great, why is there need for constant improvement? It basically boils down to maximizing the improvement and minimizing the complications and down-time. You can basically categorize the lasers in to “ablative” and “non-ablative”.

Simply put, any laser which “ablates” or peels a layer of your skin means a longer recovery period whereas “non-ablative” offers almost no down-time. So by definition, a laser peel procedure means that the doctor is using an ablative laser to peel a layer of your skin. And the first generation Super-Pulse CO2 laser did exactly that; it also provided coagulation (controlled thermal damage) which provided a nice tightening of the skin (up to 20% of a conventional face-lift surgery). The over-all effect was significant rejuvenation of wrinkled, sun-damaged skin with significant tightening. The down-side was prolonged inflammation and redness (mainly caused by the thermal damage) leading to pigmentary changes which can lasts weeks to months in some cases. The next laser in line was Erbium/Yag laserablation laser which did a nice job in peeling away the skin. This laser has no coagulation effect, which means no thermal damage, but also very little improvement in the ways of tightening the skin.

WHY CHOOSE US?

The healing process was quicker with less inflammation but redness and pigmentary changes can still occur. Our office uses the most advanced version of the CONTOUR Erbium/Yag laser from Sciton which through a computer module mimics the coagulation component so the benefit of peeling a layer of the wrinkled/sun-damaged skin can be seen as well as the added benefit of coagulation without the same degree of redness and pigmentary changes as would be seen in CO2 systems. In addition the “smart computer” allows absolute depth control, allowing as superficial as 10 micron to be ablated (Micro-laser peel, making it truly a weekend peel with down time of only 3 to 4 days before make-up can be worn) to as deep as 100 micron (Traditional laser peel).

Laser for Moles & Spots

These are sometimes the trickiest to treat. At the time of consultation, Dr.Kang will carefully assess the patient’s skin, and discuss with the patient, the pros and cons of removing the spot from a cosmetic and aesthetic point of view. Quite often on a younger skin with perfect complexion, if the brown or black spot is not too obvious, he will discourage the patients from removing the spot just for the sake of removing it, unless it is growing. This is because too often, patients come to see Dr. Kang after spot removal done somewhere else, which has converted the spot into incomplete or darker pigmentation issues or even worse, into a sunken “white” scar. On middle aged and older patients, the brown spots are usually from sun damage and aging process and relatively easier to remove.
Whether young or old, once Dr. Kang recommends removal of the spot, he will choose from various methods including spot treatment using various laser systems or micro-surgical technique using fine scissors, to create as minimal thermal damage as possible to allow quickest healing possible. Dr. Kang and Staff will closely follow the patients and apply special wound healing techniques for optimal healing. In tough pigmentary problems, such as melasma, especially around the eye complex, he may recommend using light IPL, Frexel, or in-office/home peel system to yield the most improvement with as minimal side effects as possible.

Sciton ClearScan

ClearScan is the Sciton version of smart infrared laser technology plastic surgeon nyc, using dual mode computer module to precisely treat visible veins and unwanted hair. ClearScan in the first mode has been specifically designed to precisely treat visible vessels, broken capillaries, spider veins, vascular lesions and discoloration of your skin. Your treatment will be tailored to match your skin condition and desired result. The ClearScan technology allows the laser to target the unwanted vessels only, which will be preferentially heated by the laser’s energy and become less noticeable. Any vessels denatured by the laser will be reabsorbed by your body over a period of time. Most small capillaries will become invisible almost immediately since they will no longer contain blood flow. All skin areas can be treated. Popular areas are the face, neck, chest, and legs. In some cases, repeat treatment will be necessary depending on your response to the treatment and the result desired. Your healing time will depend upon your actual treatment. You may experience a few days of redness, but there is virtually no downtime and you may resume moderate activity immediately.

•  After treatment, your skin will be sensitive to ultraviolet light, and you must avoid direct sun exposure. Many of the conditions treated by the laser will have been caused by sun exposure, so avoiding the sun will prolong your new youthful appearance. You need to fully cover your skin or use a good sunscreen whenever you go outdoors.

HOW TO WORK?

CLEARSCAN laser system in the second mode emits pulses of high-energy infrared light, which pass through the skin and are absorbed by the pigment in the hair shaft and follicle. The laser energy heats the follicle and deactivates the cells that produce hair. Hair grows in cycles and only the actively growing follicles are most affected by the laser; therefore, 3 to 5 treatments are spread out to allow for resting hairs to grow, followed by touch-up sessions if more reduction is needed. The CLEARSCAN employs a unique computer guided scanning system that automates the treatment, ensuring that your skin is rapidly and evenly treated. The computer set the parameters and places the beam in an optimum pattern for your skin to ensure safe, fast, effective, and gentle treatment. A system for cooling your skin will be used to remove heat as it leaves the follicles and should ensure a comfortable treatment. However, because the sensation varies from individual to individual, a topical anesthesia can be provided. It is very effective for lighter skin types. In addition, because of the relatively low absorption of this light by melanin, it is the “best choice” when treating darker skin as well. Finally, the ability to safely treat sun-tanned skin makes this the treatment of choice for active individuals. Some redness and slight swelling will be present in the area that has been treated; however, this should subside within a few hours.


Sciton Contour Laser

The Contour laser beam is delivered through a computer controlled device that automatically scans the areas of your skin being treated, and the laser beam gently removes the thin layers of your skin’s outer surface, which will be replaced by younger skin growth. Your wrinkles will soften and become less noticeable and pigmented lesions will greatly improve. Your healing time will depend upon your actual treatment depth. It will take a few days to replace the outer layer of your skin. During this time, redness is common and swelling may be present in the areas treated. Over the next few days or weeks, depending on the depth of treatment, your skin will have residual pink or red color which should resolve over time.

Throughout the healing process, Dr. Kang and his Staff will closely monitor your progress and instruct you on how to best care for your healing skin. You will be given skin care products and instructions on how to use them. This will minimize your risk of infection and ensure the shortest healing time. The top layer of your skin will re-grow and can be covered with makeup in about a week. Your new skin will be very sensitive to ultra-violet light and you must avoid sun exposure until fully healed. Although you will have a downtown of a week to two weeks, you will experience smoother, healthier, more vibrant skin with improved skin texture and tightness.

Sciton Micro-Laser Peel

If you are looking for more than microdermabrasion or light chemical peels, and have little time for a prolonged healing process, then the Micro-Laser Peel may be an ideal alternative. Micro-Laser Peel is an intra-epidermal laser peel that precisely ablates the outermost layers of the skin. Generally, micro-dermabrasion only removes the stratum corneum (up to 10 microns). The Micro-Laser Peel is a partial to full epidermal peel (20 to 50 micron) and is performed with topical anesthesia. Because this procedure ablates deeper into the epidermis, it is the perfect step between microdermabrasion and full skin resurfacing of the above Contour “Laser” Peel. The procedure is individually tailored to the nature of the condition to be corrected. Healing usually takes 3 to 4 days.

Immediately following the procedure, your skin will resemble sunburn, with minor peeling over the next few days. Redness will begin to fade by third to fourth day, and be easily covered by makeup. The precise depth control of the Micro-Laser Peel makes it as close to a “weekend” skin peel as possible. Typically the procedure is repeated 2 to 3 times, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, and you will experience smoother, healthier, more vibrant skin with improved skin texture and tightness. Feel free to contact Dr. Kang and his staff if you have further questions concerning Micro-laser Peel.

Fraxel-Laser Technology for Skin Rejuvenaiton

Perhaps the smartest laser to date is the FRAXEL laser, which uses the fractionated laser system to produce thousands of tiny heat columns deep into the dermis. In doing so, rather than removing the surface skin layer, Fraxel addresses the deeper skin tissue where most problems reside. The energy of the laser damages and removes the old collagen and abnormal pigments, and stimulates the body’s natural healing process to lay down new collagen. The result is a smoother, firmer, and brighter appearance that continues to improve over time. We have noticed significant improvement of two areas which have been traditionally hard to improve: the fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes and improvements of open pores. Because Fraxel laser leaves the surface skin intact (making it a “non-ablative” laser by definition), even if the depth and density of heat column is programmed to go very deeply, as in treating acne scars, the ample surrounding tissue unaffected by the treatment zones allow for ultra-quick healing, almost invisibly.

WHY CHOOSE US?

To date, Dr. Kang feels that frexel laser is the most effective treatment with the shortest healing time possible for acne scar. Probably the hardest to treat skin condition is melasma, commonly seen in patients of Asian descent. It is dark, dusky patches of pigmentation, mostly seen in the zone between where the outer part of lower eyelid and check meet. The principle behind treating melasma is breaking down and removing the intensity of the melasma pigmentation without creating inflammatory changes which may actually worsen the pigments. The fractionated heat column technology of the Fraxel laser, can noticeably improve melasma, probably better than most other laser technology out there due to its ability to break down the pigment while creating minimal inflammatory process.

As the original fractional laser system, Fraxel treatment affects a fraction of skin at a time with thousands of microscopic laser columns—each just one-tenth the diameter of a hair follicle. These laser columns penetrate the surface of the skin to create tiny wounds deep in the skin, which trigger the body’s natural healing process to remodel collagen and replace damaged tissue with younger, smoother, healthier skin. Meanwhile, since the laser columns treat only a fraction of tissue at a time, they leave the surrounding tissue intact. As a result, the skin heals much faster than if the entire area were treated at once.

With this fractional technology, Fraxel treatment improves the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, discoloration, and other signs of aging and sun-damaged skin. The technology delivers the optimal balance of dramatic results and little to no patient downtime—a combination that didn’t exist before Fraxel treatment.

Sciton BBL

Broad Band Light (BBL) is the Sciton version of IPL technology, which utilizes the power of pulsed light to deliver excellent results in photorejuvenation therapy. By selecting the appropriate wavelength band filter, Dr. kang will be able to treat a broad range of skin conditions caused by skin aging and sun exposure. Your skin will be smoother, more vibrant and it will have a more youthful appearance as a result.

How does BBL work?

The light energy delivered by BBL will gently heat up the upper layers of your skin. The heat absorbed by the targeted areas will stimulate your skin cells to generate new collagen. This will help restore your skin to its natural beauty, blending its natural colors and making it smoother, vibrant and younger looking. In addition the photo-thermal energy will target and eliminate many of the fine vessels that cause redness and the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions. The greatest advantage of this technology lies with versatility; the disadvantage lies with its versatile effect being generally limited to conditions of “upper” layers of skin, thus its greatest effect on skin conditions caused by sun exposure and aging.

What conditions can be treated with BBL?

•  Fine wrinkles
•  Age spots
•  Hyperpigmentation
•  Brown spots
•  Solar lentigines (freckles)
•  Small facial veins (telangiectasia)
•  Rosacea
•  Burn Erythema
•  Red spots
•  Scar with redness

What areas can be treated?

Any area of your body can be treated. The most common areas are those most exposed to the damaging effects of sunlight. The most popular treatments are for the face, neck, back of the hand, chest and shoulders.

How many treatments will I need?

From 2 to 5 treatments, at 2 to 4 weeks interval, will produce the desired results. You may benefit from additional treatments depending on the severity of your condition.

How long will it take to recover?

This is a non-invasive and gentle procedure with virtually no down-time. In most cases you will be able to return to work, apply makeup, and resume most of your activities right away.

What should I expect after the treatment?

You may experience some redness that should resolve within a few hours. For some pigmented lesions you will see a darkening of the treated area followed by fading and flaking off at a later stage. Your treated skin will feel smoother, fine wrinkles and pores will be less noticeable, and sun spots or uneven pigmentations will fade.