Tag Archives: rosacea

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Sciton® laser: Skin tightening with BBL SkinTyte™

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, available now.

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

Sciton® BBL SkinTyte™ laser treatment is an innovative approach to tightening aging skin that is starting to wrinkle and sag.  Of particular concern to many patients is the “turkey gobble” that often develops in the neck region, but common areas successfully treated include:

•    neck
•    lower face/jowls
•    chest
•    hands
•    tummy
•    arms
•    just above the knees

How does SkinTyte™ work?  

BBL (Broadband light) treatment utilizes pulsed light technology to deeply heat your skin while simultaneously cooling and protecting the entire treated surface, setting you on your path to more youthful skin.

Delivered in a sequence of rapid, gentle pulses that heat the dermal layer of your skin’s collagen, use of this technology promotes contraction and denaturation—modification of protein’s natural configuration.  Rebuilding themselves, the skin cells form a new foundation of collagen, leading to increased skin firmness.

How many treatments are needed?  

Although the number of treatments needed will vary based on the level of improvement desired and the starting point of your skin condition, many patients opt for 2-5 treatments to achieve maximum positive benefit.

With no anesthetic needed, this quick and effect “lunch-time” procedure will only last 30 minutes and cause you no disruption to your day.  Not only is there no downtime, there is also no skin care regimen necessary.  The collagen in your skin will, however, continue to rebuild and strengthen up to 4 months after the procedure.

Stay tuned for more details on vein treatments.

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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Sciton® laser: Skin pigment reduction with Contour TRL™ or BBL™

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, coming soon…

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

Skin Pigment. Unwanted skin pigment is normally referred to as hyperpigmentation. It is unwanted melanin in the skin that creates a spotty look with brown spots and is a result of too much sun exposure and also aging.

I am a candidate for one of these laser procedures, to reduce the pigment on my chest, hands (and maybe fronts of legs too). After my 5-series PCA chemical peel (physician-strength) with Dr. Macdonald, we were not able to make much progress on my chest area. I experienced a lot of itching and irritable rash on chest but no peeling on peels #4 and #5 when Dr. Macdonald used the PCA with resorcinol.

On my face, I was left with a vibrant glow after the PCA peel treatment by peel #5 though. I had wonderful, soothing results with his new private label skin care products, specifically the Power of Three by Replenix and Fortified by Glycolix.

Note: on my face, now that the brown spots have diminished, I have some rosacea that Dr. Macdonald would also like to treat with the Sciton® laser (vein treatment to be discussed later in this series of articles).

A) Contour TRL™ Laser Peel skin pigment reduction treatment. This procedure is not only a treatment for overall skin resurfacing, but specifically reduces hyperpigmentation.

Sciton® Laser Peel – Contour TRL™ safely erases skin hyperpigmentation that appears on the skin from sun damage and age. Although there are several different types of lasers on the market used to perform peels, the Contour TRL™ is widely regarded as the most effective laser available. This treatment targets the effects of sun damage and environmental pollutants which create skin tone irregularities, solar spots, and scars.

How does Contour TRL™ work? This laser safely removes a layer of skin, with computer-guided micron precision. The depth of treatment depends on your skin condition, desired outcome and expectation for down time. Treating your hyperpigmented skin with this laser will stimulate the growth of new collagen to improve the skin as healthy new skin cells regrow.

Common body parts treated:
 face, neck

B) BBL™ Broadband Light skin pigment reduction treatment.

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that sets new standards for skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles, and sun damage. It also treats any unwanted melanin and pigment you were born with (i.e., freckles).

How does BBL™ work? This phototherapy treatment utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin. The light energy will gently heat the upper layers of your skin, stimulating the skin cells to regenerate new collagen. The natural beauty of your youthful skin will be evident as this process blends the natural skin colors restoring your youthful skin’s glow before the pigment irregularities appeared.

Common body parts treated (body parts exposed to the sun): face, hands, neck, chest, shoulders

Stay tuned for more details on skin tightening treatments.

© 2012 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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Sciton® laser: Hair removal with BBL™ Broadband Light

Continuing on with my series of articles about Dr. Macdonald’s Sciton® laser services, coming soon…

As discussed he will be treating patients soon for:

  • Hair removal
  • Skin resurfacing
  • Skin pigment
  • Skin tightening
  • Vein treatment

BBL™ Broadband Light hair removal process.  

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin, destroying unwanted hair follicles. Say goodbye to shaving, depilatory creams, or even electrolosis–which can be time-consuming and painful.

How does BBL™ work?  Delivering photothermal energy to hair follicles, your treatment can be tailored to your skin type with various selectable wavelengths.  While your hair is in its growth stage (anagen), it is most vulnerable to light therapy. BBL™ selectively heats the full length of the imbedded hair follicle cutting off its supply of nutrients, thus disabling its growth.  (Note: BBL™ treatments are not appropriate for suntanned skin.)

How many treatments are needed?  Because all hair is not always in the growth stage at one time, multiple treatments must be given over time to treat it while it is in the growth stage.  Aimed at permanent hair reduction, and varying per person as well as body part, you will most likely be advised to get a series of treatments, spaced out by 4-8 weeks.

What is the procedure and healing time like?  Although minimally invasive to destroy many hair follicles at once with photothermal light, you will wear safety shields to protect your eyes, and some patients desire anesthetic cream for sensitive skin areas during the procedure–where you may feel a warm “rubber band snap” sensation as the light is absorbed by the targeted areas. With only slight redness and sun-sensitivity after the treatment, there is virtually no down time.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, underarms, bikini line, legs, arms.

Next article:  more details on skin resurfacing.

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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Sciton® laser: Skin resurfacing, skin tightening, skin pigment reduction, hair removal, vein treatment

The Sciton® laser sounds amazing. Dr. Macdonald has one now for his office, and is starting the treatment procedures soon to enhance his skin rejuvenation service offerings. [These details will be documented fully on his new website under laser services..coming very soon.]

From treating wrinkles, scars and sun-damaged skin to hair removal, the Sciton® innovative technology supports procedures which range from light and quick, to deeper and more inclusive… all depending on your skin’s needs.

I’ll be writing a series of articles on this laser, but first to introduce the specific areas it treats:

Hair removal.

BBL™ Broadband Light offers high speed laser hair removal and phototherapy, safe for all skin types and colors, for various body parts. The procedure is virtually pain-free with a little numbing cream. The side-effects (temporary pigment changes, redness, slight swelling) only last for 48 hours.

Skin resurfacing.

MicroLaserPeel® (the “weekend peel”), Laser Peel – Coutour TRL™, ProFractional™ and BBL™ Broadband Light are all offered for resurfacing the skin and restoring your natural youthful look. Whether it be sun damage, age or acne scars, these procedures will enhance your overall appearance.

Skin pigment.

Hyperpigmentation from sun damage and aging can make you look years older than you actually are. Laser Peel Contour TRL™ and BBL™ Broadband Light can help you clean up any areas that are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun by reducing unwanted melanin. In the process, the collagen in your skin gets regenerated.

Skin tightening.

Make a difference toward sagging, aged skin with SkinTyte™ or BBL™ Broadband Light procedures. As the infrared energy heats dermal collagen, it also cools it to protect the surface. Comfortably and with no downtime, this procedure promotes the tightening of the skin.

Vein treatment.

Veins that pop out of your legs or your face can be diminished with BBL™ Broadband Light phototherapy. Tiny and larger blood vessels are activated by heat on the upper layers of your skin, allowing the heat to absorb the targeted areas as they stimulate the skin and regenerate new collagen. Smoother, more youthful looking skin is your result.

Next article: details behind laser hair removal.

By the way, appointments are booking already for mid-January. I know I’m going to try to get on the list…

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting and Michael R. Macdonald. All rights reserved.

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PCA chemical peel for face, neck and chest

Last month I began a physician-strength PCA chemical peel with Dr. Macdonald for my face, neck and chest (a.k.a. decolletage area) to attempt to repair some –if not all–of my sun-damaged skin.   Now I am on peel #3 of 5 and seeing a positive effect.  Dr. Macdonald, whom I only see every 2 weeks, sees a noticeable difference as well.

On peel #2, the concentration was increased on both the neck and chest to PCA resorcinol which contains hydroquinone to lighten the hyperpigmentation. On peel #3, resorcinol was used on my face too, and yet a stronger dose on chest and neck since I had very little reaction on previous attempts.

The resorcinol peel does produce a hot, burning sensation during the peel, making it soothing to use the fan to cool my skin for 10 minutes.

Rosacea. An issue Dr. Macdonald wanted to bring to my attention is some rosacea on my cheeks and nose (i.e., little red blood vessels on the skin).  After lightening my hyperpigmentation, the red vessels will be more visible.  His solution would be to treat the rosacea with laser treatment after the peels are completed with VariLite laser at 512 nm strength.

Like clockwork, it seems that after 48 hours, my skin begins to peel and lasts until around day 6 for the face, with a longer delay on the neck.

My neck has been the itchiest.  I treated this with hydrocortisone creams.  PCA SKIN® Après Peel Soothing Balm (with 0.5% hydrocortisone) was especially supportive.  I also fell in love with a new lotion with a soothing effect called “Yes to™ Cucumbers”  It is formulated for sensitive skin and gently hydrates with organic cucumbers, aloe vera and green tea.

During one of my peely-ist moments, an acquaintance asked me:  Is that good for you? Answer:  Here is exactly what happens to the skin–and underneath the skin–during the 2 weeks between peels.

The carefully selected solutions in a chemical peel sink into the skin and cause the skin layers below the surface to react on the cellular level.

  • The skin cells are repaired
  • Melanin is reduced (darkness)
  • Cells produce more collagen and elastin
  • Dead cells are eaten away

Even though it looks like a sunburn, there is a science behind chemical peels vs. the sun.  Melanin protects the skin from the sun’s harmful rays or from any skin injury.

  • Suntan. The skin of a person with enough melanin in their skin to handle the sun’s rays turns a little darker as a result.
  • Brown spots. However, the skin of a person with less melanin in their skin reacts; it goes into protection-mode and releases melanin (that naturally lays beneath the skin’s surface).  This melanin rises to the surface… but not uniformly, resulting in a spotty look.

The tender skin on my neck and chest are starting to react for the first time on peel #3.  Of course, I have the itchiness but also some significant skin shedding….

Throughout the peel process, I need to pay extra attention to sunscreen.  During the days where I’m wearing lots of lotions to sooth or cover up peeling and itching, it sure is nice to have the powdered sunscreen by Colorscience®.  [Dr. Macdonald is now carrying this product in his office.]

5-minute sauna and steamroom steam sessions sure do help to break down and soften harder, thicker, dryer skin on days 4-5, while continually dousing with cool water while in the steam.

I’ve experienced the most advanced stage of peeling today (counting my PCA peel last year, 1st and 2nd PCA peels this past month and Vi PEEL™ this year) on day 5 of peel #3.  I’m scared to post this one, but here is a lovely photo of my peeling-look as I woke up this morning.  Today is the day I discovered the “Yes to™ Cucumbers Soothing Cooling Body Butter“.  In a few days I will be all better…

Dr. Macdonald has a full-fledged skin rejuvenation and skincare treatment center in his office, including laser treatments for full fractional resurfacing, skin tightening, sun damage repair to hair removal, dark spots and rosacea.

Pam DePianto is his new Medical Esthetician in the office as of August.  Pam is focusing exclusively on the beauty of your skin…  She brings you 15+ years of experience as a small skin spa owner, a Kaiser skin health educator and, most recently, the lead esthetician for an East Bay dermatology & plastic surgery practice. With Pam, you’ll be in good hands!

Pam is offering a special Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Facial now (on special now through next Friday):

This luxurious facial is loaded with antioxidants, beta-carotene and vitamin C to replenish the skin with much needed nutrients.  Exfoliating the skin’s surface, this facial will soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as it improves the skin’s texture.  Price includes: deep cleansing, steam, pumpkin enzyme exfoliation, extractions, massage, treatment mask, treatment serums, day cream and SPF. 

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.