Sciton MicroLaserPeel™

For many years, the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser was a popular surgeon’s tool for laser skin resurfacing, or peeling. However, with experience in its use, it became clearer that there is a significant downside or risk to the CO2 laser, namely, the risk of scarring and pigmentary changes resulting from the deep thermal damage (or heat build-up) produced in the skin.

The introduction of the Erbium laser now allows excellent results but with much less risk of complications. The new Sciton MicroLaserPeel is a light to moderate peel that is ideal for wrinkles, sun-damage, and overall improvement of the skin’s texture and tone.  The Center for Positive Aging was one of the first centers in West Virginia to offer this treatment.

When the skin is treated with the Sciton Erbium laser, a precise, clean, layer-by-layer vaporization of the skin occurs.  The undesired skin literally evaporates due to the high water content of the epidermis.

This procedure is ideal for those skin conditions which are superficial in nature, such as fine lines and wrinkles, blotchiness (or dark and light patches), keratoses (pre-cancers), scaling, and superficial acne scarring.  The skin in these conditions is resurfaced or “rejuvenated” by the vaporizing action of the laser.

The procedure is quick and virtually pain-free.  The initial healing process takes place over 2-7 days, depending on the depth of the peel.  The result is younger looking “new” skin.  Because the Sciton Erbium laser is so precise, and the laser is designed to minimize heat build-up, the risk of scarring or other complications (such as infection) is minimized.  Also, it is typical for a patient to return to his or her regular work or social activities almost right away.

The Center for Positive Aging offers a choice of depths of laser peels depending on your needs and schedule.  The MicroLaserPeel is ideal for the face, neck, chest, and hands. The overall improvement of the skin can be truly amazing.

Sciton BBL™ Photorejuvenation

Photorejuvenation is a cosmetic treatment designed to produce younger-looking and healthier-looking skin.  As most of us age, we begin to see visible signs of sun damage.  Time and lifestyle choices also affect the appearance of our complexion.  This aged look may include freckles, rosacea, wrinkles, broken capillaries, dark spots, blotchy skin color, redness of the face and neck, enlarged pore size and uneven pigmentation.

Photorejuvenation is the only procedure that can treat vascular redness, the appearance of rosacea, pigmented brown spots, sun damage, skin texture, and collagen structure all at once.  With the use of BBL therapy – an advanced version of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology – dramatic improvements can now be accomplished with little or no “downtime” and with very minimal discomfort.

Photorejuvenation treatments are beneficial for the treatment of:

• Rosacea:  Treatment reduces the overall redness, flushing and tiny blood vessels associated with the condition and often improves the acne breakouts which are common.
• Sun damage to the face (photo-aging):  Treatment reduces freckling and irregular pigmentation and creates a more smooth appearance to the skin and even some reduction in pore appearance.
• Sun damage to the chest and back (photo-aging): Treatment reduces the freckling and irregular pigmentation to the chest and/or back and improves the overall appearance of the skin.  It also reduces the redness on the chest associated with excessive sun exposure.
• Sun damage to the hands and arms (photo-aging, also called “liver spots”):  Treatment reduces the freckling and irregular pigmentation to the hands and even the arms, with improvement in the thin-skin appearance of sun damaged hands.

What results can I expect?

You can expect to see a gradual decrease in overall redness, flushing and dilated capillaries.  People with visible aging from the sun can expect to see their skin become smoother with a reduction in pore size and fading of sun spots.  Many patients with rosacea see improvement in breakouts and are able to decrease or discontinue their medications.

What is involved in Photorejuvenation treatments?

Each treatment takes approximately 15-30 minutes.  A mild amount of discomfort can be expected. Individuals with more sensitivity may prefer to use a topical anesthetic cream which is applied 30-60 minutes prior to treatment. Immediately following a treatment, the skin may appear more red and flushed and the brown spots generally appear slightly darker.  Over the next several days, the brown spots darken and then subsequently “flake off”.

When will I see results?

Even after your first treatment, your skin can feel smoother and will have more even tone.  Improvement is gradual and will continue to be more visible after each treatment.  Many individuals experience dramatic results only after 1-2 treatments; however, three to four treatments are performed for optimal results. Some patients will benefit from additional maintenance treatments.

The Center for Positive Aging has been offering Photorejuvenation for 5 years.  We own the most advanced FDA approved light system for photo-aging, The Sciton BBL.  This system offers contact cooling, the widest variety of filters for a more precise treatment, and the largest “spot size” for faster treatments with less discomfort.

During your consultation, Dr. Bowen will thoroughly examine your skin and advise you on which treatments will provide the best results for your specific needs.