Laser Treatments
Laser Hair Removal
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Hair removal is a constant annoyance for many men and women alike. For patients who are tired of shaving, waxing, threading, and other temporary hair removal techniques, laser hair reduction may be the solution. Laser hair therapy exposes specific areas of the body to beams of laser light that disable active hair follicles and delay or prevent re-growth.
Laser hair reduction is ideal for patients with dark hair and light skin, although medium skin toned patients with unwanted facial or body hair can also benefit from laser therapy. At the current time, laser light is not effective on grey, white, blond, or red hair. This procedure can be performed on the lip, chin, neck, back, arms, legs, bikini area and more.
After laser hair reduction, patients may experience redness, puffiness and sunburn sensations for the first few days. We recommend strict sun protection of treatment sites before and after laser therapy. You may return to work and other regular activities immediately after your visit. Three to seven days after treatment, patients may notice what appears to be a re-growth of hair, but is actually a shedding of the treated hair, which will fall out and not grow back.
Since individual hairs grow at different times, multiple treatments will be needed for all patients at intervals of four to six weeks. The number of sessions depends on several factors, including your hair and skin color, age, hormone levels, and hair follicle size. The average patient sees up to a 48% reduction in hair growth after three treatments, and up to 80% after six to eight treatments.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense Pulsed Light Photofacials are designed to treat flat brown spots due to sun exposure called lentigines, rosacea, and facial capillaries. At Menlo Dermatology Medical Group & Laser Center, Inc., we use a Cynosure Icon Pulsed Light System which emits pulses of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by the pigment in sunspots and by hemoglobin within blood inside the capillaries. The face, neck, chest, arms, back and legs can all be treated. All skin types can be treated, and there are no age limitations. The IPL treatment is comfortable with just a mild prickling sensation on the skin as the hand piece is pulsed. Immediately after treatment, there may be a mild sunburn-like sensation which can last about 2-24 hours. The sunspots will darken after treatment and will then shed in about a week. Blood vessels and redness will fade in 1-2 weeks. Typically 2-4 treatments are necessary for optimal results; we will advise you how many treatments are appropriate during your consultation. This photo rejuvenation process is safe and comfortable, with little or no downtime. The outcome is an even, smooth skin tone that looks refreshed and more youthful.
Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacing
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Menlo Dermatology offers CO2 fractional ablative laser resurfacing using the Ultrapulse Encore by Lumenis, Ltd. Only a fraction of total skin surface is treated by placing pulses in a preprogrammed sequence that minimizes heat build up and maximizes healing. The system employs two handpieces, the Active Fx penetrates the epidermis, reducing fine lines and excess pigmentation; while the Deep Fx energy extends to the dermis and vaporizes damaged collagen or acne scars, which is replaced by healthy new collagen. The Total Fx protocol combines both handpieces in sequence with varied energy settings for a customized approach yielding remarkable results in only one treatment. This fractional approach avoids the risks of loss of pigment associated with original CO2 laser resurfacing, is significantly less painful, and heals far more rapidly.
To learn more about our Laser Treatments services or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office.