MELINDA CHAN, PA-C
Certified physician assistant specializing in cosmetic & aesthetic dermatology 

Laser Treatments

For Hair Removal

 

Laser is probably best known for safely and effectively removing hair.  Through a series of treatments, hair growth can be dramatically reduced.  Both the Alex and YAG lasers are used, depending on the type and darkness of skin.

 

For Brown Spots

 

Brown spots come in many forms.  To name a few: sun damage, freckles, UV exposure, birthmarks, moles, and hyperpigmentation.  There are several lasers that can help improve the appearance of brown spots.

 

The Alexandrite (Alex) is a laser that targets melanin, the substance that causes pigment in the skin.  By using a specific wavelength and choosing a handpiece with a small treatment area, virtually all brown spot issues can be addressed.

 

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), also called photofacial, is a great way of treating large areas of pigmentation.  It produces a high intensity of light that is attracted to the skin’s melanin.

 

For Wrinkles

 

Besides injectables, there are certain lasers that can help stimulate collagen growth and therefore reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  Fractionated lasers are the newest technology in skin resurfacing.  Because the laser is “broken up” into tiny little columns, there is a smaller amount of skin that is actually treated which reduces downtime but still produces similar results.  

 

For Red Areas

 

Redness, whether it comes in overall blotchiness or pinpoint veins, can be a difficult problem to treat.  Fortunately, the Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser targets the methemoglobin found in blood.  This makes the YAG laser helpful for treating rosacea, red birthmarks, and veins on the body as well as face.

 

The IPL or photofacial is another effective machine for large areas of redness such as rosacea or poikiloderma. 

 

For Acne

 

Blue light therapy is a valuable treatment that can help reduce acneic breakouts.  In conjunction to other modalities such as topical products and oral medication, acne can be controlled and even eliminated.

 

For Skin Tightening

 

Radiofrequency (RF) and ultrasound(US) technologies are currently the top treatments for noninvasive skin tightening.  Both RF and US deliver deep heating to the dermal layers of the skin which causes collagen to tighten.  As a result, skin contraction can usually be seen after several treatments.



The treatments described above may not be appropriate for all patients.  It is important to have a thorough consultation with a qualified medical professional before commencing any type of aesthetic procedure.

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