Reversing the clinical signs of aging is a process that often takes a variety of techniques due to a chronologic loss of muscle, adipose tissue, and bone mass and density. Additionally, UV rays from the sun and/or tanning beds cause alterations to the skin called photoaging. These changes include fine wrinkles, coarse skin texture, brown spots and freckling, redness, and broken blood vessels (aka telangiectasias).
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light (IPL), aka photofacial, produces quick results with minimal to no downtime. IPL is unique as compared to lasers in its ability to simultaneously treat freckles, sun spots, redness, spider veins, and pore size. Other conditions IPL can improve include rosacea, red scars, and tan scars. Patients typically require 3-5 treatments at monthly intervals followed once every 6-12 months to help preserve their results. The most common areas we treat include the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and lower legs. At The Pearl Dermatology we use the Lumenis M22 IPL for its added safety, comfort, and its ability to treat patients with fair to olive skin tones.
Candela VBeam Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
PDL stands for Pulsed Dye Laser. The PDL laser is a specific wavelength which targets blood vessels to reduce the appearance of redness, flushing, broken blood vessels, hemangiomas, scars, and other skin conditions .If you have facial red scars, thick scars, rosacea and redness, telangiectasia, hemangiomas, vascular birthmarks, or warts, then you may be a candidate for PDL. PDL is usually done in series of treatments with anywhere from 3 to 5 treatments on a monthly basis; however, this number can be variable based on the condition which is being treated. To maintain your results if you have rosacea, flushing or broken blood vessels, we recommend that you get retreated every 6-12 months.
Non-ablative fractionated laser resurfacing
Fractionated, non-ablative laser devices such as the Lumenis ResurFX, Fraxel Restore DUAL, and LaseMD create fine columns of heat in the top layers of the skin to increase collagen production and ultimately improve the appearance of fine lines, large pores, rough skin texture, and sallowness. At The Pearl Dermatology we use these collagen-boosting lasers to improve fine lines, skin texture, shallow acne scars, shallow scars, and stretch marks. A series of 5 treatments at monthly intervals is recommended.
ResurFX
The Lumenis ResurFX produces redness and swelling typically lasting 2-3 days, which is easily camouflaged. Our board-certified dermatologists often combine ResurFX with IPL on the same day to boost the results of both devices and further improve fine lines, scars, red stretch marks, brown spots, freckles, redness, and broken blood vessels. This combination procedure is known as Photofractional Therapy.
LaseMD
LaseMD is a fractionated thulium (1927 nm) laser capable of reducing brown spots, pore size, and melasma. Most patients will experience redness, bronzing, and swelling often lasting for a few days following a LaseMD treatment. If a patient’s skin has a multiple signs of aging such as freckles, textural changes, and rhytides we will use a combination of either LaseMD + ResurFX or LaseMD + Infini RF.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to create small zones of heat in the skin’s deepest layers. This heat results in collagen stimulation in the dermis and fascia skin layers to produce a skin tightening effect. Skin thickness varies between patients and areas of the body. This state of the art device allows your physician to see your skin layers during the Ultherapy procedure and customize your treatment according to your individual skin’s needs and thickness. Ultherapy is FDA cleared to improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage and to lift the skin above the brow, the neck, and under the chin. Off-label we also use Ulthera to tighten skin on the arms, abdomen, buttocks, knees, and thighs. There is no downtime-associated with this procedure and it is safe to use in all skin tones. To help preserve your results, we recommend treating every 12-18 months.
UltraPulse - Fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing
Fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing creates fine channels in the skin surrounded by an outer rim of heat. This heat results in immediate collagen contraction. Over time, there is an increase in collagen in the upper levels of the skin, which improves the appearance of fine and moderate wrinkles and lines, scars, pore size, and eyelid skin tightening. Following this procedure, patients will have 5-6 days of downtime. At The Pearl Dermatology, our dermatologists utilize the Lumenis Ultrapulse fractionated CO2 laser which is also known as ActiveFX, DeepFX, and TotalFX. ScaarFX is an abbreviation for Synergistic Coagulation and Ablation for Advanced Resurfacing and is used to treat thick scars such as surgical, acne, and burn scars. This technology not only helps to improve the appearances of the thick scars, but can also improve the mobility and flexibility of the tissue underneath these thicker scars.
Microneedling with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Microneedling with PRP uses fine, sterile needles to create microscopic channels in the skin without the use of a laser. Since there is no laser or heat energy distributed to the skin, this device is safe in all skin tones and has a low risk of adverse events. After the microneedling procedure is complete, your dermatologist applies your PRP directly to the skin. The PRP then sinks down into the channels to promote further collagen stimulation. Microneedling with PRP is used to help improve skin tone, fine lines, texture, and shallow scars. Following a facial treatment, most patients will experience 36 hours of mild redness and mild swelling when PRP is added. PRP helps to shorten healing times; therefore, the healing time lasts longer when PRP is not used. A series of at least 3 to 5 monthly treatments is needed. Makeup can be applied 6 hours post treatment.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Multilaser Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a type of photodynamic therapy, which consists of a topical application of aminolevulinic acid (ALA), combined with blue light, red light, and intense pulsed light (IPL). ALA is applied to the skin, and absorbed into actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous cells), oil glands, melanin, and small blood vessels. Lasers including blue light, red light, and IPL activate ALA resulting in selective destruction of the pre-cancerous cells and reduction in sebaceous glands, melanin, and small blood vessels. PDT is commonly used for:
Actinic Keratoses
An Actinic Keratosis (AK) is a common premalignant skin condition and can appear as rough, scaly pink spots on the skin. The concern for untreated AKs is their rate of transformation to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer. Individual or a low number of AKs can be treated locally with procedures such as liquid nitrogen or curettage. Treatments aimed at treating the entire area, known as “field therapy”, may be more appropriate when multiple lesions are identified. PDT is a type of field therapy. Many insurances pay for the blue light therapy of PDT, but not the Levulan medication. A prior approval process may be needed prior to your procedure.
Acne
Patients seeking multilaser PDT for acne may have partially responded to traditional medical therapy, have contraindications or experienced side effects to medical therapy, and/or are seeking an alternative to oral acne regimens, such as isotretinoin (Accutane). PDT treats many causes of acne by decreasing overactive oil glands, acne-causing bacteria, inflammation, red scars, pale tan scars, and blocked pores/follicles. Patients often will notice an improvement for 6-12 months and results vary amongst individuals. This laser service is not covered by insurance.
roSACEA
For some patients with moderate to severe rosacea, that may fail to respond or only partially responds to traditional medical therapy, Multilaser PDT can be useful. Patients see an improvement in both their facial redness and the papulopustular lesions when the combination of IPL, red light, and blue lights are used. Patients often will notice an improvement for 6-12 months and results vary amongst individuals. This laser service is not covered by insurance.
Spectra Laser
Spectra Nd:YAG is a laser with multiple modules used to reduce pigment conditions such as melasma, sun spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and/or dark colored tattoos with minimal downtime and great results. Patients receiving Spectra treatments for melasma and/or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are also encouraged to use a comprehensive skin care regimen to reduce pigmentation, brighten the skin, and protect against the sun.
The energy of the Spectra laser can also be delivered slowly to tighten pores, tone skin, and improve acne. A laser peel using carbon lotion applied 15 minutes before the procedure called the “The Hollywood Laser Peel” can be completed with the laser to help with acne, skin tone, pore reduction, and collagen formation.
Coolsculpting
Coolsculpting uses the process of cryolipolysis to non-surgically freeze unwanted fatty tissue in men and women. Cryolipolysis induces a low-grade inflammatory tissue response leading to permanent fat reduction over a period of 4 months. Coolsculpting is FDA cleared to treat fatty tissue under the chin and on the thighs, abdomen, flanks, and arms that is resistant to diet and exercise. Most patients undergo 2 treatments, 30-45 days apart. Within 2-4 months following the second treatment, visible fat reduction is seen. We know your time is precious, so at The Pearl Dermatology we have 2 Coolsculpting machines, which allow us to simultaneously treat multiple areas in a shorter time frame.
Morpheus
Morpheus from Inmode Aesthetics is a new dimension in radiofrequency (RF) technology used to address sagging skin, wrinkles, and changes in skin texture. It combines fractional RF technology with microneedling. Delivering RF heat energy to the dermis encourages new collagen growth and tissue tightening at precise predetermined depths in the skin. The result is a little downtime procedure which can greatly improve wrinkling and skin laxity. Patients most commonly undergo 3 treatments at 1 month interval.
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