MicroLaser Peel Treatment FAQs

Answers to your most frequent questions about MicroLaser Peel Procedures..

• What is MicroLaser Peel?
• How does MicroLaser Peel work?
• What does MicroLaser Peel treat?
• Who is a good candidate for MicroLaser Peel?
• Who is NOT a good candidate for MicroLaser Peel?
• How many MicroLaser Peel will be needed?
• What results should I expect from a MicroLaser Peel treatment?
• What Happens After MicroLaser Peel? Postop Treatment? Healing time?
• How Should I Care for My Skin After MicroLaser Peel?
• How long does a MicroLaser Peel treatment take?
• Are MicroLaser Peel painful?
• Are there risks or side effects from MicroLaser Peel?
• How is MicroLaser Peel different from Microderabrasion?
• How is a MicroLaser Peel different from other laser treatments?

What is MicroLaser Peel?
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The MicroLaser Peel, a state-of-the-art laser treatment, is a minimal to full epidermal laser peel that precisely removes the outermost layers of the skin. The procedure is individually tailored to the nature of the problem to be corrected: wrinkles, scars, keratoses,or pigmentation problems.

The MicroLaser Peel is performed using a Sciton laser which is now recognized as a preferred method of skin resurfacing because it combines the best features of the Erbium and CO2 laser procedures, while eliminating the drawbacks of each. During treatment, a laser-resurfacing device precisely removes the outermost layers of skin at a pre-determined depth. The procedure is customized to the needs of each individual and to the specific skin conditions to be corrected, which include fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, irregular pigmentation and excessive sun damage.

When compared to other skin resurfacing methods, a MicroLaser Peel results in much less post-operative redness and swelling, and offers patients a more rapid healing process, which generally lasts from two to five days, depending on the depth of the peel.

TYPES OF MICROLASER PEELS:

Erbium Laser Peel is an intra-epidermal laser peel that precisely ablates the outermost layers of the skin. The procedure is individually tailored to the nature of the condition to be corrected. Skin conditions such as wrinkles, scars, acne scars, keratoses, or pigmentary problems have been very successfully treated with a MicroLaserPeel.

Arctic Peel^™, also known as the "weekend" skin peel, is ideal for patients with sun damaged skin and early skin aging. Our physicians utilize the Sciton Profile Erbium-YAG laser to perform this in-office, minimal down-time procedure. No anesthetic is required as chilled air is used to cool the skin during the treatment. The Arctic Peel^™ provides deeper resurfacing than microdermabrasion, and you will have noticeably smoother skin. While results are seen after one treatment, they continue to improve with successive treatments.

How does MicroLaser Peel work?
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This advanced Sciton laser skin rejuvenating treatment precisely removes the outer most layer of skin. This removal of the dead layer and the thin layers of the epidermis helps smooth the skin's surface while blending irregular pigmented age spots at the same time. The MicroLaser Peel^™

What are the benefits of MicroLaser Peel?
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The MicroLaserPeel is an excellent choice for acne scars, wrinkles, pigmented lesions, and sun damaged skin. It is often recommended in combination with other laser technologies for optimal results. Some of the most commonly treated areas of the body include the face, neck, and hands.

Benefits of Microlaser Peels:

• More youthful look.
• Improved skin texture.
• Improved elasticity.
• Improved appearance of acne scars.
• Safe, reliable, outpatient procedures.
• Relatively painless.
• Can be performed with local or topical anesthesia.
• Fewer unwanted side effects and complications.
• Can be used on the neck, hands and chest.
• Healing is more rapid because Microlaserpeels cause less redness, swelling and bruising

Who is a Good Candidate for MicroLaser Peel?
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MicroLaserPeel treats skin conditions associated with aging and active life styles. MicroLaserPeel is the ideal treatment for those who want improved skin with immediate and lasting results, little time off, discomfort, or post-treatment care.

MicroLaserPeel was designed for those looking for more than microdermabrasion or light chemical peels, but have little time for a prolonged healing process. Although Microdermabrasion and Light Chemical Peels offer very effective deep exfoliation at a depth of up to 5 microns, the MicroLaser Peel can remove 10 to 30 microns of the epidermal surface, offering patients more dramatic improvement.

Who is NOT Good Candidate for MicroLaser Peel?
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While there are no restrictions for microlaser peels, it is recommend that your skin be in generally good condition, and that you do not have any injuries or burns on your skin prior to the procedure.

How many MicroLaser Peel will be needed?
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The number of MicroLaser Peels needed really depends on your skin condition and the desired result. Our skin health specialists will recommend the number of treatments needed for you to achieve your desired result. A general rule of thumb is, the least invasive MicroLaser Peels (10-20 microns) may be performed four to six weeks apart until the desired result is achieved. Deeper MicroLaser Peels may be performed every six months to a year, if requested.

What results should I expect from a MicroLaser Peel treatment?
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Most individuals experience smoother, healthier, more vibrant skin, with an immediate improvement in skin texture and tightness. Your skin should continue to improve over 6 months of time due to increased collagen stimulation in the deeper layers of your skin.

What Happens After MicroLaser Peel? Postop Treatment? Healing time?
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We may suggest an ointment such as Bacitracin or Polysporin following treatment. This is used as a barrier to keep the air protected while your body stimulates the growth of new epithelium. The healing process varies from patient to patient but will generally take from two to four days. Immediately following the procedure you will feel as if you have a bad sunburn. You will have minor sloughing and itchiness the following day. By day two, redness will begin to fade and by day three any redness can be easily covered by makeup.

How Should I Care for My Skin After MicroLaser Peel?
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In most cases, a 10- to 30- micron peels will heal in three to five days. The treatment can be done on a Thursday or Friday so you can easily return to work the following Monday. Symptoms immediately following the procedure resemble sunburn, with minor sloughing on Day 2. Redness will begin to fade by Day 3 and can be covered with makeup on Day 4.

How long does a MicroLaser Peel treatment take?
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The typical microlaser peel takes from 15minutes to 1hour.

Are MicroLaser Peel painful?
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Most patients are essentially pain free during this procedure. We use the latest technology to minimize any discomfort. We also apply our especially formulated highly effective pre-treatment topical anesthetic cream. This is sufficient for most patients. As an additional measure, we use the Zimmer cold air device, which gently blows cold air against the skin, to facilitate comfort. As every person has a different threshold for pain, for those especially sensitive patients, we have developed other protocols to ensure that the treatment is extremely comfortable and tolerable allowing you to fully enjoy the results without pain.

Are there risks or side effects from MicroLaser Peel?
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Although the Erbium laser has substantially reduced many of the risks associated with laser procedures, infection, temporary or permanent pigmentary changes, even scarring or other unsatisfactory results can occur. As with any medical procedure, be certain to thoroughly discuss any questions or concerns you may have with Doctor Turek.

How is MicroLaser Peel different Microderabrasion?
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The most relevent difference between microdermabrasion and chemical peels is that microdermabrasion is a non-chemical procedure, and attacks imperfections by actually "sanding" flaws from the skin surface. While treatment plans for microdermabrasion and mild chemical peels like glycolic acid (AHA) chemical peels are similar, with up to eight procedures repeated at one to two week intervals, more advanced chemical peels require only one session. However, deep chemical peels like the phenol peel also require much more recovery time than microdermabrasion and the more mild peels. Also unlike microdermabrasion, deep chemical peels change the actual pigmentation of the skin through bleaching. Because of this, microdermabrasion is more suitable for patients with naturally darker complexions.

How is a MicroLaser Peel different from other laser treatments?
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Unlike conventional CO2 lasers, the advanced Sciton laser system enables medical professionals to program a specific treatment plan for each patient. The MicroLaser Peel also can more precisely remove 10 to 50 microns of aged and sun-damaged tissue. This allows for the treatment of more severe skin conditions such as wrinkles, scars, acne scars, skin laxity, keratoses and pigment problems. Also, MicroLaser Peel patients heal in a fraction of the time when compared to conventional laser resurfacing. This is because the procedure produces minimal tissue damage, resulting in less sloughing, less oozing, and less swelling in the post-treatment phase.

For more information about MicroLaser Peel...

We'll be glad to answer your MicroLaser Peel questions personally, so don't hesitate to call or email DermaVogue.