What is PhotoDerm?
Our advanced PhotoDerm technology allows us
to safely, easily and effectively treat many benign pigmented and vascular
skin lesions and unwanted hair painlessly on an out-patient basis.
Even though the PhotoDerm is referred to as
a laser, technically it’s not. The PhotoDerm is actually a multi-wavelength
light source that uses different filters to treat various conditions.
Vasculight treats only vascular problems, while Alexadralight treats only hair
removal. Multi-light does it all. This makes it unique and revolutionary.
Birthmarks, spider veins on the face and
legs, age spots, sun spots, freckles and unsightly excess hair are a problem
for millions of people. While these may not be medical problems, many of our
patients would like to be rid of these unattractive distractions to their
natural beauty. There are several benefits to PhotoDerm including…
Restore
your beautiful skin. You deserve it.
What
conditions can PhotoDerm treat?
Vascular and pigmented
lesions, which are abnormal blood vessels located directly under the surface
of the skin. These give the skin a red color because of increased melanin —
the dark pigment in skin. These lesions include...
Can
PhotoDerm remove unwanted hair?
Yes. PhotoDerm can remove
unwanted hair from any part of your body — permanently. The pigment in your
hair’s follicle absorbs the light energy which destroys the follicle so that
it cannot grow. However, you hair grows in cycles, and only the hair that is
visible can be treated. As a result, multiple treatments will be required for
optimal results. Our patients love PhotoDerm because once a follicle is
destroyed, it will never grow again.
How
does PhotoDerm work?
PhotoDerm is a non-invasive
medical system that uses intense pulsed light therapy to reduce melanin, which
is the dark pigment in your skin. The light energy is delivered to your skin
in pulses by a doctor, through a computer-controlled hand piece. After your
PhotoDerm treatment cycle, the treated vein, lesion or hair will gradually
fade and slowly disappear or fall out.
Who
performs the treatment?
Treatments are performed by
the doctor or our highly trained team.
Does
a PhotoDerm treatment hurt?
PhotoDerm is non-invasive.
A cold gel is applied to the area. During the procedure, your doctor will
“flash” the affected area with light from the hand piece. Some patients say
they feel a slight sting, like the snap of a rubber band on the skin or like
being splattered with bacon grease, followed by a feeling of sunburn.
Anesthetics are not necessary but can be applied prior to treatment. PhotoDerm
allows your doctor to customize each treatment to your specific skin type and
condition being treated. This flexible, individualized approach to treatment
is a major reason so many people turn to PhotoDerm.
What
are the side affects of a PhotoDerm treatment?
Generally, patients
experience a sunburned feeling for a few hours. During that time, they should
apply a good moisturizer to keep skin smooth and supple, as well as aloe vera.
The most common side effects include increased redness, burning and tingling
at the treatment site. However, this gradually subsides and disappears
completely within a few hours. Occasionally, there is a blister if a high
energy wave was used to treat a complex condition. As with any laser
treatment, the treated area must be kept out of the sun in order to achieve
optimum results.
How
many treatments do I need?
This depends on the size,
location, depth and color of your lesion. Hair grows in four cycles, thus
usually requiring four treatments. Spider veins on the face and age spots
generally do well with one or two treatments, while darker or deeper
birthmarks may require additional treatments. Port wine stains, hemangiomas
and leg veins usually experience satisfactory results from PhotoDerm
treatments after four to eight treatment sessions. Each session usually lasts
15-20 minutes. Treatments should be placed 4 to-8 weeks apart to allow your
body to remove the maximum amount of pigment cells. You will continue to see a
lightening of your lesion after each treatment as the old, affected skin
sloughs off leaving new skin in its place.
What
results can I expect?
Most patients are extremely
pleased with final results of their procedures. The improvement can be quite
dramatic. Every attempt will be made to achieve an optimum result for you,
however, the doctor cannot guarantee complete success with this treatment.
Talk to me to find out if you could benefit from PhotoDerm.
What
should I do prior to treatment?
-
Keep the area out of
sunlight for two weeks prior to treatment.
-
Allow hair to grow out
slightly — 1/8 inch or longer.
-
Remove any makeup just
prior to treatment
What
care is necessary after the treatment?
Aloe Vera gel is applied
after the treatment. During the first 24 hours, wash with warm (not hot) water
and a mild cleanser. Be sure to keep the treated area out of the sun for at
least 3-4 weeks. If you had a vascular condition treated, we recommend no
strenuous activity for 48 hours.
Will
my insurance company cover this procedure?
No. This procedure is
considered cosmetic and therefore, is not covered by insurance.
Call Dr. Deanna Huntwork at
(509)725-6560 to
schedule your laser consultation.
