Laser Photorejuvenation
What is photorejuvenation?
It is a gentle laser procedure to treat photoaging with no personal downtime or convalescence.
Photoaging as a result of exposure to sun rays can begin to appear as early as the twenties; most people experience photoaging by their late thirties. The skin changes progressively and loses its smooth and youthful appearance. Blotchy complexion, pigment spots, redness, roughness, dilated pores, loss of tone and elasticity, and increasingly deeper lines and wrinkles develop.
Whatever your age, photoaging can be treated by laser to regain a smooth and youthful complexion.
How does the treatment work?
The laser beam emits a specific light pulse that is absorbed by a particular component of your skin that is targeted to benefit from it. This light is transformed into energy that is delivered to the target area, to either destroy or modify as required, while leaving the other components of the skin structure intact. For instance, the laser can target:
- excess melanin in pigmentation spots to lighten or erase them;
- red corpuscles in dilated blood vessels under the skin's surface that cause blotching or redness;
- collagen-producing cells under the skin's surface to regain tone and elasticity and erase wrinkles caused by photoaging.
- Am I a good candidate for photorejuvenation?
Yes, if
- you would like to improve the texture, condition, and tone of your skin.
- you want to have youthful and healthy complexion, or prevent the negative effects of time on the quality and appearance of your skin.
- you wish to rejuvenate your appearance without surgery, or take pro-active steps before having to resort to surgery.
- your hands and neck reveal your age after you've had a face lift, or their appearance conflicts with your younger-looking face.
Yes, if
- you understand that all photoaging treatment must be combined with prevention, and that means avoiding sunbathing and tanning salons. You want a tan in order to improve your appearance, but in reality the ultraviolet rays cause a cumulative deterioration in the condition of your skin.
- you use sunscreen every day for UVA and UVB protection, and reapply this protection before all outdoor activities.
What does the treatment consist of?
This treatment can be done in 20 to 30 minutes. Dr. Andrée Mathieu-Serra will select the laser that is appropriate for your condition. In certain instances, a cooling agent will be applied to the skin just prior to the laser pulse and the tingling or gentle pinching sensation is generally well tolerated. Since pain is a unique personal phenomenon, some patients opt for the application of an anesthetic cream before treatment.
After treatment, the skin is red and slightly swollen from a few minutes up to a few hours. Normal activity can be resumed. Doctor Andrée Mathieu-Serra generally recommends applying the Pro-Derm Regenerating cream for a few days after each session.
How many treatments are necessary?
For maximum photo rejuvenation, 4 to 6 consecutive treatments at 3 to 4 week intervals are recommended, depending on your skin type and the degree of photoaging. It may be necessary to have follow-up treatments, based on your personal lifestyle and natural aging process.
Can areas other than the face be treated?
All parts of the body can be treated. Photoaging is generally more noticeable in the face, but the neck, hands, and arms may also need this type of treatment.
What will the results be?
Response to any medical treatment varies from person to person. This is also true in laser treatment. You should generally notice a gradual rejuvenation of your appearance that will continue after the final session.
Are there any secondary effects?
Laser photorejuvenation is a gentle procedure that is very safe. If a more aggressive treatment is indicated, Dr. Mathieu-Serra will discuss it with you beforehand to be sure you are aware of the minor temporary effects.
In rare instances, there can be pigmentation changes; this secondary effect is always reversible and can be prevented by avoiding exposure to the sun before and after treatments.