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There are many laser (and tissue tightening) treatment options that claim to improve acne scars or provide facial rejuvenation by reducing fine lines and wrinkles. To make it simpler for you understand, we provide as much information as possible so that you can make an informed decision about the option that’s right for you.
Treatments for wrinkles, sun damage and general rejuvenation will depend in large part on the severity of the condition. We see all types of rejuvenation candidates from those that have very mild crow’s feet lines to those that have deep folds and lines in their skin. These two types of patients will need very different treatments to achieve the desired results.
Acne scars present in many forms: pitted, rolling, boxcar shape, and atrophic (raised). In most cases, we have found that acne scarring responds best by using invasive treatments rather than non-ablative (no downtime, non-invasive). While we do provide non-invasive procedures for very mild acne scar cases, we observe the best results when utilizing invasive downtime laser procedures.
Below you will find a list of many of the laser (and non-laser) treatment programs for wrinkles and acne scars:
Fractionated treatments stimulate new collagen in the dermis to improve texture without disrupting the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the epidermis). The treatment produces small, vertical, microscopic columns of tissue damage. When these microscopic columns of tissue fall out after treatment, they are replaced by tissue (new collagen and elastin). Although many providers of this treatment claim there is no downtime – in our research and experience, the downtime and recovery is similar to the Erbium MicroPeel. Pricing for this procedure generally runs in line with or is more expensive than Erbium MicroPeels.
Laser Resurfacing Before and After Pictures
This is the “gold standard” in the industry for being able to deliver dramatic outcomes for rejuvenation and acne scars. Along with the dramatic results also comes higher risks and prolonged downtime. The treatment entails an extended recovery period (2-4 weeks of downtime), an increased risk of infection, the requirement to wear a facial dressing during recovery, and experiencing prolonged erythema (redness) and swelling that may intermittently persist for several weeks. The procedure usually requires general anesthesia and is the most expensive of the laser resurfacing options.
This is a newer treatment that does not ablate or remove layers of the epidermis. The concept is that the treatment transports nitrogen plasma energy into the dermis to stimulate collagen without creating a wound to the skin (epidermis). The procedure has minimal to no downtime. This procedure is not FDA cleared for the treatment of acne scars and is priced somewhere in the middle of the laser resurfacing options profiled here.
This treatment involves using the concept of fractionated technology described earlier with the ablative (invasive CO2 and Erbium) wavelengths, also described earlier. The idea is to combine the best of the fractional approach (not disrupting the epidermis by taking out only microscopic columns of tissue) with the best of the ablative wavelengths – Erbium and CO2 – which are the most traditional invasive wavelengths for resurfacing the skin.
The Erbium laser MicroPeels resurface the skin in the same way as a CO2 laser but with less downtime. Unlike CO2, which is typically performed only once, the Erbium laser achieves excellent resurfacing results using multiple procedures. The procedure removes the top layers of the epidermis and simultaneously delivers thermal energy into the dermis to stimulate new and existing collagen. It produces a new layer of skin cells and generates results not only on the surface but also in the underlying tissue (dermis). Because it is less invasive than the CO2 there is no need for a facial dressing and downtime is typically between 4-5 days.
At Celibre, we continue to rely on the Erbium laser MicroPeel for predictable, consistent patient outcomes for wrinkles and acne scars. We like the technology because it has been around for many years and is “tried and true.” We believe that there are other options on the market that may be of value. We also believe it is important to wait for research and controlled, independent studies that detail long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction beyond six months.
Dr. Kaplan has been performing Erbium and CO2 procedures for many years and now has switched exclusively to the Erbium resurfacing because of the excellent results and limited downtime. We encourage consumers to do research when investing in their appearance. Consider long-term outcomes, recovery, photos of actual patients (not manufacturer photos), and independent research. Exercise caution when considering the number of recommended treatments and assessing the suitability of the treatment for your specific skin type and condition.
Our team would be pleased to offer a complimentary consultation to address your skin care goals. A good starting place is to gather information and view before and after photos of Celibre patients in our photo gallery.
At Celibre, we stay at the forefront of research and best practices so that we may offer the most appropriate and effective laser and injection treatment plans for our valued patients. Please give us a call to learn more about laser and injection treatments.
The laser technology is fascinating and quite advanced. By using high powered, “Q-Switched lasers”, we are able to actually fragment the tattoo ink particles, breaking them apart. In this way that the body’s lymphatic system can then absorb and process the pigment over next several weeks.
All skin types are candidates for laser tattoo removal.
No. There are many factors involved in determining how quickly a tattoo will respond to laser tattoo removal treatments. Although some patients believe that their older tattoos should be less challenging, the ink has already faded (something the body and sun exposure does over time regardless of laser treatments) which makes it more challenging to find the right energy for the ink to respond to while being safe at the same time. Newer, professional tattoos tend to have higher quality, more dense ink which may require many treatments to obtain good results. Very new tattoos are treatable as long as the area has completely healed. Sometimes, very new tattoos obtain excellent results because treatments begin before ink has begun to shift in the skin/tissue.
The laser technology is fascinating and quite advanced. By using high powered, “Q-Switched lasers”, we are able to actually fragment the tattoo ink particles, breaking them apart. In this way that the body’s lymphatic system can then absorb and process the pigment over next several weeks.
Yes. Often, patients are not aware of what type of ink or substance was used when they received the tattoo. Certain ink (ex: Indian ink) may represent more of a challenge or can resolve more quickly than expected. The number of treatments required for laser tattoo removal is variable and has a lot to do with the type of ink that was used.
Most colors are treatable with the correct laser wavelength and the correct fluence (energy) with dark ink being the least challenging. The patient’s skin type also determines what treatment settings are safe and appropriate. Colors that are challenging are purple, yellow, and orange. Red pigment is treatable with a shorter laser wavelength which may represent a risk to those patients that are dark-skinned. Colors that are difficult and may not be treatable with current laser technology are those that lack enough pigment such as peach and white.
Yes – there is no way getting around that fact. Most patients will say that the treatment hurts as much or more removing the tattoo versus having it put on. However, the positive to this is that the laser treatment is generally very fast – much more so than having the tattoo put on. At Celibre, we offer two forms of numbing cream as well as a machine that provides very cold air to the area during treatment. Any discomfort ends when the treatment ends.
our protocol is to wait six weeks between treatments to allow for complete healing. Also, research supports that it generally requires six weeks for the body’s lymphatic system to completely clear the fragmented ink from the treated area. Performing treatments any sooner is not advisable as the laser may be treating the same ink particles that have yet not cleared from the area. We believe that following this protocol is in the best interest of our patients.
A common belief is that the tattoo will fade consistently and uniformly. On the contrary, pigment will fade quickly in some areas but may take longer in others. A “breaking up” of the pigment is usually what is observed initially. Each treatment should render slow but progressive progress. Using photos throughout the process will offer encouragement that things are moving forward.
This is a frequent question because patients do not fully understand the process of laser tattoo removal. The length of time required to receive optimal results is in part due to treatments being spaced six weeks apart. Some patients request to have treatments more frequently, but this would not only be unsafe, but a waste of their time and money. Another misconception is that by turning up the energy to its highest setting – the results will be accelerated. Not only does this not offer a more effective treatment but actually causing more harm to the epidermis, increasing the potential for scarring. A good practitioner will use effective but safe settings with each and every treatment. There are very specific skin and tissue reactions that the nurse or physician observes to be confident that the appropriate outcome is achieved.
What the patient does at home is extremely important in minimizing potential adverse outcomes. Wearing sunscreen daily to the treated area is mandatory while receiving laser treatments in order to minimize any discoloration to this area. Complete sun avoidance is necessary during the healing phase following each treatment which is generally less than a week. Keeping the area protected by clothing or a bandage will easily accomplish this during the short time of healing. Blistering following a treatment is not a desirable endpoint but is sometimes unavoidable. Not picking at the healing skin will minimize the risk for scarring. Sometimes, a lightening of the treated area (hypopigmentation) is observed. Although this is not common, it is necessary to avoid treatments to this area as well as sun exposure in order to allow the body to repigment the skin.
It is difficult for the laser tattoo removal practitioner to predict the number of treatments required for optimal results because there is no way to determine how the ink will respond. A wide range in the number of treatments should be expected such as six to ten or more treatments. By using the term “optimal results”, it is suggested that there may be a point wherein the tattoo ink is no longer responding even at the highest energy/fluence available. A correct, realistic expectation should be dramatic fading if not complete resolution.
At Celibre, we focus on patient education. We want our patients to understand and participate in the decisions that make up their care plan. To this end, our knowledgeable medical staff are here to help you weigh the benefits and risks of our Laser treatments and Injections.
Our team would be pleased to offer a complimentary consultation to address your skin care goals. A good starting place is to gather information and view before and after photos of Celibre patients in our photo gallery.
At Celibre, we stay at the forefront of research and best practices so that we may offer the most appropriate and effective injections and laser treatment plans for our valued patients. Please give us a call to learn more about laser treatments and injections.
There are many different treatments offered for laser resurfacing – but the outcome should be the same, younger, fresher looking and improved skin. Skin resurfacing with laser technology refers to removing the outermost layers of the epidermis to improve skin discoloration, fine lines, and texture, while at the same time, using heat/thermal energy in the dermis to promote collagen contraction, remodeling, and stimulation of new collagen.
The patients that benefit most from these types of procedures are those concerned with wrinkles, acne scars, and photodamage. Photodamage refers to multiple changes in the skin/tissue related to excessive sun exposure over time.
At Celibre we offer both non-ablative (no downtime/appropriate for all skin types) and ablative (downtime and not appropriate for all skin types) treatment to assist patients achieve their laser resurfacing goals. One current laser used for skin resurfacing is the Erbium Nd: Yag MicroLaserPeel. This laser skin resurfacing procedure is a good option in lieu of the less effective spa treatments such as facials and microdermabrasion. The MicroLaserPeel is also a good option to the CO2 laser which is still considered the “gold standard” but comes with greater risks, full anesthesia and much longer downtime.
There are many newer names and treatments being offered such as fractionated technology, radio frequency, deep dermal tissue heating, fractionated Erbium, Plasma, and the list goes on. Needless to say, the average consumer can get quite overwhelmed with facilities claiming that they have the best, new treatment. However, we are not easily impressed with a laser just because it is new. In fact, in our research and conversations with consumers, we are quite unimpressed and underwhelmed with fractionated technology. We have relied on technology that has been around long enough to offer good, predictable outcomes and long-term results that have be substantiated by independent studies, research and long term consumer feedback. Although we acknowledge there is value in some of these treatments, the Erbium MicroLaserPeel has met ours and our patients’ expectations.
While doing your research, make certain to find a practitioner that listens to your goals, offers realistic expectations, and offers explanations/photos to substantiate why any one particular modality would be the most appropriate in helping you achieve your goals. There is nothing wrong with a healthy dose of skepticism either. The saying of, “If it’s too good to be true….” is usually justified. Be an educated consumer and seek a practitioner that encourages this.
At Celibre, we focus on patient education. We want our patients to understand and participate in the decisions that make up their care plan. To this end, our knowledgeable medical staff are here to help you weigh the benefits and risks of our Laser treatments and Injections.
Our team would be pleased to offer a complimentary consultation to address your skin care goals. A good starting place is to gather information and view before and after photos of Celibre patients in our photo gallery.
At Celibre, we stay at the forefront of research and best practices so that we may offer the most appropriate and effective injections and laser treatment plans for our valued patients. Please give us a call to learn more about laser treatments and injections.
Many patients that are concerned with facial redness (with or without a medical diagnosis of Rosacea) seek advice on how best to treat this common skin condition. Although many patients speculate that they may have Rosacea, they are unsure as to what causes it and how best to treat it.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that is associated with alternating periods of remission and exacerbation. The facial redness is associated with superficial blood vessels that are close to the surface of the skin. Certain triggers such as sun exposure, alcohol, and spicy foods may cause a flare of facial redness when these blood vessels are dilated (open and visible).
Often Rosacea will affect the central part of the face such as the cheeks, nose, chin, and middle of the forehead. This condition may lead to changes in the texture of the skin which presents as a rough, uneven, or fleshy appearance. Although it is more prevalent in lighter skin types, patients with medium skin can also get facial redness and/or Rosacea.
Facial redness may also be a symptom of Acne Rosacea. This condition appears with small, red raised acne lesions that are usually found in the same areas as the redness. Although there are a few theories as to what causes Acne Rosacea, it is known that both conditions (Acne and Rosacea) must be treated concurrently for optimal results.
Although there is no cure for Rosacea, there are several effective treatments to control this persistent condition. Because there appears to be a chronic inflammatory skin response that contributes to Rosacea, certain topical and oral medications may be prescribed as an adjunct to treatment. Using gentle skin care products also helps to control inflammation and redness by providing a proper pH balance and constricting the superficial blood vessels. At Celibre, we recommend Green Tea products, daily sunscreen, and effective moisturizers.
Treating facial redness with Class IV medical lasers is a good option for many. Besides resolving the existing redness, these lasers can stimulate and remodel existing collagen which in turn leads to improved skin texture. The pulsed dye laser is considered the gold standard for treating vascular skin conditions such as facial redness/Rosacea because this technology effectively closes the superficial blood vessels that are the underlying cause of the facial redness.
Depending on your goals, lifestyle, and skin type – a treatment plan can be designed that takes all of these into consideration. Research shows that aggressive laser treatments that involve a short amount of downtime offer quicker and more dramatic results. However, for those that are unable or unwilling to have any downtime, the same laser may still be utilized for consistent, predictable outcomes.
At Celibre, we focus on patient education. We want our patients to understand and participate in the decisions that make up their care plan. To this end, our knowledgeable medical staff are here to help you weigh the benefits and risks of our Laser treatments and Injections.
Our team would be pleased to offer a complimentary consultation to address your skin care goals. A good starting place is to gather information and view before and after photos of Celibre patients in our photo gallery.
At Celibre, we stay at the forefront of research and best practices so that we may offer the most appropriate and effective injections and laser treatment plans for our valued patients. Please give us a call to learn more about laser treatments and injections.
As the weather warms up, you may be thinking about your change in wardrobe. Does the idea of shorts, dresses, and skirts make you think twice about your legs? If so, this may be a good time to consider the many services we offer for very common skin conditions.
Spider veins a very common and frustrating condition for young and older alike. A good alternative to traditional sclerotherapy are laser treatments. By targeting the hemoglobin in the blood vessels, the laser effectively destroys these small, unnecessary spider veins. There is no downtime and treatments are safe for all skin types.
If you’ve thought about this service before, there is no better time than right before the summer to start the process. If you are tired of shaving, razor bumps, and waxing then consider a permanent solution. At Celibre, we have 3 different lasers for laser hair removal which make treatments safe for all skin types. By using a variety of wavelengths and technology, we are able to customize a treatment plan that will offer the safest, most effective outcomes.
Oftentimes, patients will come to us with concerns over brown discoloration also known as pigmented lesions. This discoloration may be a result of traumatic scarring, freckles and moles, insect bites, and more. We utilize Q-Switched laser technology which offers fading and resolution of dark pigmentation with no downtime. This modality is safe for all skin types.
At Celibre, we focus on patient education. We want our patients to understand and participate in the decisions that make up their care plan. To this end, our knowledgeable medical staff are here to help you weigh the benefits and risks of our Laser treatments and Injections.
Our team would be pleased to offer a complimentary consultation to address your skin care goals. A good starting place is to gather information and view before and after photos of Celibre patients in our photo gallery.
At Celibre, we stay at the forefront of research and best practices so that we may offer the most appropriate and effective injections and laser treatment plans for our valued patients. Please give us a call to learn more about laser treatments and injections.
Facial rejuvenation is a broad term that can include treatments for many skincare issues. Medical lasers provide a number of excellent facial rejuvenation options. In a one-on-one consultation, Celibre staff will discuss treatments that can help you with your specific condition and design a treatment program that is right for you. Here are a few examples of the types of laser treatments Celibre offers to help you achieve smoother, healthier and more beautiful skin.
The key to younger looking skin is using the right medical laser to generate new collagen to fill in those fine lines and wrinkles that have begun to appear on your face. Similar to developing muscle at the gym, lasers have the ability to “exercise” the skin, using heat energy to stimulate new collagen growth that eliminates or lessens the appearance of wrinkles. Topical creams and facials or microdermabrasion only offer temporary solutions by targeting the surface of the skin or masking the problem, while lasers effectively heat up and “exercise” the skin, thereby developing new collagen with long term results. Lasers can achieve smoother and tighter skin with little or no downtime and treatments are virtually pain free.
To eliminate sun spots and other skin pigmentation, the safest and most effective medical laser targets only the melanin that causes sun spots, while preserving surrounding tissue. Unlike topical treatments that temporarily mask the discoloration, lasers attack the root of the problem, the excess melanin, erasing brown spots from the inside out. Without any downtime, lasers can offer you that even-toned and luminescent skin you have always wanted.
Facial redness and small facial veins may appear sporadically and inconsistently in response to excessive sun exposure, alcohol, caffeine and heavy exercise. To effectively treat these vascular conditions, medical lasers specifically designed to target the redness heat up the hemoglobin in the blood and close off the small vessels that create the redness. While creams can reduce the size of the blood vessels temporarily, lasers can return the skin to its normal tone by closing off the blood vessels permanently.
At Celibre, we focus on patient education. We want our patients to understand and participate in the decisions that make up their care plan. To this end, our knowledgeable medical staff are here to help you weigh the benefits and risks of our Laser treatments and Injections.
Our team would be pleased to offer a complimentary consultation to address your skin care goals. A good starting place is to gather information and view before and after photos of Celibre patients in our photo gallery.
At Celibre, we stay at the forefront of research and best practices so that we may offer the most appropriate and effective injections and laser treatment plans for our valued patients. Please give us a call to learn more about laser treatments and injections.
January 2010 – What is Botox Brow Lift?
December 2009 – Our Unique Patient Stories
November 2009 – Aesthetic Treatments for the Holidays
October 2009 – As Seen on TV – Tear Trough & Latisse
September 2009 – Birthmark Removal Before & After Pictures
August 2009 – Injections – Why too little can be a bad idea
July 2009 – The Celibre Blog – Frequently Asked Questions
June 2009 – Mesotherapy, Lipodissolve, Cellulite Reduction & Skin Tightening
May 2009 – Advances in Melasma Treatment
April 2009 – The Importance of Before & After Pictures
March 2009 – Our List of Injection Techniques
February 2009 – Laser Hair Removal Questions
January 2009 – Laser Acne Scar Removal Options
November 2008 – Are Cosmetic Laser Treatments Safe?
October 2008 – Restoring Volume with Injectable Fillers
September 2008 – Pigmented Lesions Explained
August 2008 – Lasers for Stretch Marks
July 2008 – Laser Hand Rejuvenation
June 2008 – Tear Trough – Under Eye Injections for Bags
May 2008 – Laser Treatments for Rosacea and Facial Redness
April 2008 – Laser Treatments for Summer Legs
March 2008 – Introducing Perlane Injections!
February 2008 – Photo-dynamic Therapy
January 2008 – Los Angeles Laser Hair Removal
December 2007 – Los Angeles Laser Resurfacing
November 2007 – Injection Treatments – Facial Shaping
October 2007 – Rosacea Laser Treatments
September 2007 – Laser Treatments, Injections, Did you Know
August 2007 – Laser Tattoo Removal Questions
July 2007 – Laser Resurfacing Options
June 2007 – Juvederm Arrives at Celibre!
May 2007 – Facial Redness and Rosacea
April 2007 – Are Your Legs ready for Summer?
March 2007 – Perlane
February 2007 – Photo-dynamic Therapy
January 2007 – Facial Rejuvenation
December 2006 – Laser Hair Removal, You Need to Know
