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One of the most popular laser skin rejuvenation treatments in the medical aesthetics field, fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing has the ability to target a number of cosmetic problems afflicting facial skin, including wrinkles and creases, lax skin around the eyes, and uneven pigmentation. It can also reduce the appearance of scars by addressing discolouration and texture irregularities.

CO2 lasers have long been considered the highest standard of skin laser resurfacing technology. While it has been around for well over a decade, the technology has evolved to improve effectiveness while at the same time dramatically reducing the negative side effects that have been traditionally associated with the procedure. Gone are the extensive recovery periods, chance of permanent hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin), and other possible complications following each treatment – thanks to the fractional nature of today’s state of the art CO2 laser.

The fractional CO2 laser for laser skin resurfacing emits pulses of scattered beams at a high intensity across the surface of the target area. Each tiny beam perforates the skin and ablates (vaporize) tissue, which induces immediate skin tightening and facilitates the growth of collagen, the building block of healthy youthful skin.

This unique technology achieves remarkable results after one or two sessions (unlike other similar treatments that require far more) and avoids resulting in undesirable hypopigmentation. The bridges of skin between the vaporized columns of tissue help with the healing process and reduce the healing time and risk of complications. Except for full Co2 resurfacing, which can be risky, there is no other laser that is as effective in reducing wrinkles. Downtime ranges from 2 to 7 days, depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment.

For more information regarding Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing in the Ottawa area, please contact Dermaworks Medical Aesthetics and take advantage of 10% off the original price!

image courtesy of DEKA Smartxide DOT

Acne rosacea, commonly referred to as rosacea, causes redness and swelling on the face. The first signs of this skin condition are a tendency to blush easily in the center of the face, with gradual blushing spreading to the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. As acne rosacea progresses, little bumps form in the reddened areas. Unlike traditional acne, blackheads do not form.

Acne rosacea is a chronic condition that affects fourteen million people in the United States alone, with similar figures in Canada. The condition, commonly found in fair-skinned people of Irish and Scottish descent, causes visible broken blood vessels, small red bumps, cysts, and irritated eyes. Sufferers may not initially realize that they have the condition, believing instead that their skin is sunburned.

Acne rosacea is also called “adult acne” because it is most common among adults between the ages of 30 and 50. The cause of acne rosacea remains a mystery but some factors that are thought to contribute to the condition include genetics, sun exposure, certain medications, helicobacter pylori bacteria, and gastrointestinal disease.

Laser Treatment for Acne Rosacea
An increasing number of people who suffer from acne rosacea are turning to laser and light therapies since they do not cause the worrisome side effects associated with other treatments. The pulsed dye laser (PDL) is a type of laser that has been used for many years to reduce the flushing, redness, and visible blood vessels associated with acne rosacea. PDL targets and destroys the visible blood vessels.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is another forum of light therapy that is effective in reducing the redness and flushing associated with this condition. IPL therapy filters out harmful UVA and UVB rays and then delivers light to areas with visible blood vessels. While PDL therapy is most effective for targeting obvious blood vessels, IPL therapy is more effective in treating larger areas of redness. It has long-lasting results, can treat dilated blood vessels effectively without injuring the surrounding skin and has the ability to destroy the bacteria thbelieved to cause acne rosacea.

Erbium lasers and fractional photothermolysis are used to treat a less common symptom of acne rosacea known as rhinophyma. Rhinophyma is characterized by thick and bumpy skin on the nose and cheeks. These new forms of laser therapy are effective in smoothing out the nose and cheeks without removing an excessive amount of the skin’s top layer.

Laser treatments can cause some discomfort but they are considered to be effective and to a certain extent safer than other treatments. The results of laser treatment are long-term, greatly reducing the flushing episodes, dilated blood vessels, and redness caused by acne rosacea.

Once referred to by the media as the “key to the fountain of youth”, hyaluronic acid is a cushion and lubricant found in the body’s connective tissue. It is abundant in our bodies when we are born but slowly recedes over time. Hyaluronic acid is found in the deeper layers of the dermis and its functions include holding moisture, contributing to the suppleness and resilience of skin, regulating tissue repair, combating inflammatory conditions, and promoting wound healing.

Hyaluronic acid levels peak during adolescence and start to decrease when one reaches the age of 20. As a result of this loss, the skin becomes thinner, loses moisture and becomes less supple. Collagen loss also takes place simultaneously. Collagen depletion is one of the leading causes of the visible aging process because it leads to a loss of elasticity and an uneven skin tone

Factors that affect hyaluronic acid levels include genetics, cigarette smoking, diet, nutritional deficiencies, and physical activity. You can replenish levels in your skin by getting injections, taking supplements, eating foods rich in hyaluronic acid and using topical applications. Treatments help to reduce wrinkles, improve the elasticity of the skin, and keep the skin smooth.

Tips for Replenishing Hyaluronic Acid Levels
There are options that are currently available for replenishing hyaluronic acid are limited in their effectiveness. One option, topically applied hyaluronic acid, can be effective as a skin moisturizer in some climates but it may actually pull water from the skin in dry climates.

Another option is hyaluronic acid filler facial injections (also known as dermal fillers, injectable fillers, and injectibles), a popular means of reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. The effects of these injections last from six to twelve months, and can last longer in some cases. The advantages of using hyaluronic acid fillers is that they are naturally found in human skin and are thus nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible

The most commonly-used hyaluronic acid filler is stabilized non-animal hyaluronic acid gel (NASHA). Restylane®, Teosyal®, and Juvederm® are some of the most well-known brands of NASHA. Depending on dosage and strength, a number of problems may be corrected, from finer lines to deeper creases, as well as plumping up lips and altering facial contours.

While a drawback of hyaluronic acid treatments is that they can be expensive, it is currently considered to be the best alternative to surgery with minimal side effects for those who want to reverse the signs of aging skin, reduce deep creases, fine lines, and wrinkles.