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.

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.

Sciton® laser: Skin resurfacing with Contour TRL™, ProFractional™, MicroLaserPeel® 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:

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

Skin Resurfacing.  In the laser treatment world, what constitutes skin resurfacing? Revamping skin that is damaged from the sun, clearing up acne scars, enhancing skin tone, minimizing or erasing hyperpigmentation in the skin, and reversing the sign of aging.  Laser resurfacing of the entire face also may delay the need for a comprehensive facelift.

A) Contour TRL™ Laser Peel.

Sciton® Laser Peel – Contour TRL™ is a safe and effective deep skin resurfacing laser treatment to promote a younger and rejuvenated appearance.  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 and create wrinkles, particularly deep wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.

How does Contour TRL™ work?  This laser safely removes a layer of skin, with computer-guided micron precision.  Treating your skin with this laser will stimulate the growth of new collagen to improve the skin’s thickness and resilience as it grows new, health skin cells.

Common body parts treated:  face, neck

B) ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™.

Sciton® ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™ laser skin resurfacing procedures offer dramatic results with minimal down time.  Enhancing the overall appearance of your skin, this laser therapy targets wrinkles, acne, skin tone and skin pigments.

How do ProFractional™ and ProFractional-XC™ work?  This treatment utilizes a tiny laser to treat thousands of pinpoint areas of your skin, while rapidly healing along side with your body’s existing stem cells, simultaneously.  The healing areas create new collagen and elastin to add firmness and resilience to the new skin.  Two spot size settings with selectable densities are available to enhance collagen remodeling where desired.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, chest, hands

C) MicroLaserPeel® Superficial Skin Resurfacing.

Sciton® MicroLaserPeel®, sometimes known as the “weekend peel”, offers great results with minimal down time.  It’s an outer to mid-epidermal peel that precisely removes a thin layer of skin to a selectable depth. In other words, it does not go too deep into skin, yet is effective for glowing skin and treats mild wrinkles, scars, sun damage, and pigment irregularities.

How does MicroLaserPeel® work?  The laser beam eliminates some of the damaged skin cells that create a noticeably tired, aged look. As the skin heals, fresh cells grow and resurface the treated area, resulting in reduced wrinkles and improved skin color evenness–a healthier, more vibrant look.

Common body parts treated: face, neck, chest, hands

D) BBL™ Broadband Light skin resurfacing treatment.  

Sciton® BBL™ is an innovative light-based technology that sets new standards for skin conditions associated with aging, active lifestyles, and sun damage.

How does BBL™ work?  Delivering photothermal energy, it 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 while making it smoother, vibrant while restoring a youthful appearance.

Common body parts treated:   face, hands, neck, chest, shoulders

Stay tuned for more details on skin pigment treatments.

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

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.

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.

New spacious office space for a Dr. Macdonald chemical peel and more

For over a year now, I’ve been on the path to clearing out the hyperpigmentation on my skin. My light, sun-damaged and aged skin has been stubborn. Since my skin is also sensitive, we have had to take the slow path.

 

Last summer I did 5-series PCA peel through Dr. Macdonald’s office. My results were a better complexion, smoother skin, fine wrinkle line reduction, and less hyperpigmentation.

I wasn’t convinced at that point that I was not capable of going to the next level in hyperpigmentation reduction. To that end, I did the following:

  • Sunscreen and hat all year round (even on cloudy days)
  • Recognition of my sensitive skin and genetics as seen in my father
  • HQRA (Hydroquinone to lighten pimentation & Retinol A to reduce wrinkles)
  • Research on PhotoFacial
  • Research on 2 Sciton laser applications: skin resurfacing, IPL for sun-damage (available in January 2012 through Dr. Macdonald’s office)
  • Vi PEEL™ (12 days) last month

My goal is to make a visible difference in my brown age spots on my face and upper chest area (i.e. decolletage area) and hands so that I a) look younger and b) feel that there is a solution to most of the sun damage from my many years in the sun.

Dr. Macdonald’s new office space at 500 Sutter St, Suite 430 in San Francisco. The new office space is beautiful and is a lot more spacious than the previous office. He has stunning artwork from local artist and photographer, Simeon Schatz on order–a must see…

Dr. Macdonald and his staff are ready to take on more patients and a new Sciton laser, among other perks. [It's only a block away so the parking situation is similar.]

 

PCA Chemical Peel. Since Dr. Macdonald has been working with me on this for over a year, during my recent skin check-up he decided that he wanted to do another PCA peel on me himself (and go a little deeper to make some more progress on the darker pigmented areas, yet pay close attention to my sensitivies).

I had my 1st of 5 PCA peels to my face, neck and chest area (i.e., decolletage). Similar to my previous experiences, I had no irritation in the first 2 days. I am starting to peel today, 48 hours later.

What I like the best this time around is the PCA SKIN® post-procedure solutionwhich includes:

  1. PCA SKIN® Facial Wash (very light and absorbant)
  2. PCA SKIN® Apres Peel Soothing Balm (with 0.5% hydrocortisone)
  3. PCA SKIN® ReBalance (to help inhibit redness and inflammation)
  4. PCA SKIN® Silkcoat Balm (for nighttime moisturizing)
  5. PCA SKIN® Perfecting Protection SPF 30 (for UV protection)

The products are soothing and restorative to the skin (and have a great scent and light non-greasy after effect).

I will return in 2 weeks for PCA Peel #2 of 5.

Day 2

The skin on my face was a bit tight but I kept the PCA SKIN® products on all day. I had a healthy glow.

Day 3

The skin on my face was tighter and noticeably wrinkly. I continued with the PCA SKIN® products.

In the afternoon, which is 48 hours since the peel, my skin started to peel. It started around my mouth and continued through the day.

Day 4

My neck was itchy but the PCA SKIN® products soothed it tremendously. I had to use the products more often than previous days.

By afternoon my face was peeling in big flakes, and the skin on my chest started to peel partially in flakes, previously splotchy looking skin (as if it had peeled). There was no itching or irritation though.

Day 5

The skin on my face and chest was peeling all day. It was a little itchy. I wore a hat and long sleeves all day (even on hot sunny day).

Day 6

My face was still peeling along hairline. I noticed that the peeling on my chest had stopped yet was still splotchy (i.e., half-peeled). I made a note to have double PCA solution applied next time (hopefully) so that it will all peel off.

Day 7

I was still peeling on my face, neck and chest. I started to use an exfoliant cleanser at this point to continue the peeling (possibly). Next peel in a week.

Amazing new sunscreen by Colorscience®

Pam turned me on to this powder sunscreen by Colorscience®. It’s SPF 50 plus comes in a convenient brush applicator. It contains some skin color, so is much like powdered foundation makeup. I love the easy application and light formula. Thank you, Pam!

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