Photo Rejuvination

PhotoFacial/RF

For Beautiful, Shining, Youthful Looking Skin

Do you spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year at the cosmetic counter buying products to camouflage sun damaged, old looking skin? Is your face, hands, neck, or chest covered with dilated capillaries, blotchy brown spots, areas of pigmentation or freckles? Are you embarrassed when flush or blush unpredictably and uncontrollably? Is your face constantly red? Is the texture of the skin of your face coarse and orange peel-like? Are you plagued by rosacea, that chronic skin disease that makes your skin red, blush, and break out? If so, there is a new treatment, one without any 'downtime' that can substantially improve these problems and make your skin look young again-the Photofacial/RF.

Introducing The PhotoFacial/RF

In the 1990's many treatments emerged to rejuvenate sun damaged and aging skin. Most of these treatments, such as Laser Resurfacing were quite effective but involved the destruction of the outer layer of skin in order to exert their rejuvenating effect. When the outer layer is destroyed, a long and healing time is required before the skin recovered. Additionally, there can be many complications, such as loss of skin color (hypopigmentation), darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation), and even scarring.

Towards the end of 1990's, a novel revolutionary new approach to facial rejuvenation, using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). This treatment involved flashing pulses of very bright light in a controlled fashion onto the skin of the face, neck, chest, and/or arms while simultaneously cooling the epidermis. In doing so, the light energy passed through the epidermis without damaging it to the dermis below. There, the light energy exerted its beneficial effect of reducing redness, blotchy patches of hyperpigmentation, brown spots, and to a lesser extent, improving wrinkles and skin texture. This IPL treatment was known as the PhotoFacial and became very popular. Because the epidermis was not damaged, there was nothing to heal, no recovery or "downtime." Patients could return to work or other activities immediately after a treatment.

In the last few years experiments were done adding radio freqency energy or RF to IPL. RF is synergistic with IPL and together they increase the positive effect of either energy alone. Not only are red and brown skin abnormalities significantly decreased, but much more than just IPL alone, wrinkles, texture, scars, and skin laxity may be improved. This new skin treatment that combines IPL and RF together, technically known as selective radiophotothermolysis has been dubbed the PhotoFacial/RF. The PhotoFacial/RF like its predecessor does not damage the epidermis and therefore requires no recovery time-no "downtime."

Who Are Candidates For PhotoFacial/RF?

Sun damage is very prevalent in New Zealanders, with the harshest sun in the world. Most people who live here for even a few years exhibit some evidence of sun damage in the form of dilated capillaries, brown spots, diffuse redness over the face, neck, chest, and hands. Sun exposure also accelerates wrinkles around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth. Those people who have noticeable signs of excessive sun damage including redness, dilated capillaries, wrinkles, brown spots, areas of diffuse pigmentation, and coarse skin texture are all ideal candidates for PhotoFacial/RF.

Rosacea, a exceedingly common skin affliction manifests by facial redness, spontaneous uncontrolled flushing and blushing, and acne breakouts. While topical and oral antibiotics reduce the associated acne breakouts, until IPL there was no effective treatment for the redness, flushing, and blushing. Now this common skin disorder is readily and effectively treated by PhotoFacial/RF. Flushing, blushing, and redness can be reduced as much as 70% in many cases, and acne breakouts improved substantially as well.

What Is A PhotoFacial/RF Treatment Like? How Long Do They Take? Are They Painful?

PhotoFacial/RF treatments are simple, convenient, quick, and painless. After covering your eyes with protective glasses, we place a thin layer of cool gel over the treated area, press the IPL/RF device onto your skin and flash. The flashes are repeated until the entire area has been treated. Depending on the size of the area, a PhotoFacial/RF treatment usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes and most clients refer to a feeling of warmth. After a treatment, we will apply ID Bare Minerals Foundation and you can return to your regular activities.

Do I Need More Than One Treatment?

PhotoFacial/RF does not exert its full beneficial effect in only one treatment; they must be repeated over several weeks. Three or more treatments over the span of nine weeks maybe required. That is, one treatment every three weeks. To optimize results, we can combine treatments with superficial skin peels between the PhotoFacial/RF treatments.

What Type of Results From Photofacial/RF Can I Expect? How Much Improvement Will I See?

Our PhotoFacial/RF Program consists of three PhotoFacial/RF treatments, three weeks apart over nine weeks. In the interval weeks between PhotoFacial/ RF treatments to maximize the benefits, we combine PhotoFacial/RF with two superficial peels, either Microderinabrasion or a light chemical peel. These superficial peels remove the layer of dead skin that can decrease the IPL/RF penetration of the skin. Additionally, we treat the skin with a variety of skin care products, based on our patient's skin type. Some individuals, particularly those with darker skins and/or heavy pigmentation may require several weeks of skin care products prior to initiating the PhotoFacial/RF Program.

What Type Of Results From Photofacial/RF Can I Expect? How Much Improvement Will I See?

We see usually a 75% improvement in redness, dilated capillaries, brown spots, hyperpigmentation and skin texture with PhotoFacial/RF. Improvement in fine wrinkles, is variable. Overall, your skin will look brighter, fresher, and more youthful. It will shine again as it once did when you were younger.

Are There Any People Who Cannot Undergo PhotoFacial/RF?

Photofacial/RF is not indicated in patients with connective tissue disease or auto immune disorders. It cannot be done during pregnancy, nor can it be done on recently sun-tanned skin (we wait until the tan fades) or in those who may receive excess sun exposure for a few weeks following treatment. It cannot be used on patients taking Accutane. You must have stopped Roaccutane for at least two months prior to starting Photofacial/RF. The procedure is not usually done on patients with active acne cysts, large pustules or highly active rosacea. Most photosensitive medications such as antibiotics, anti-anxiety drugs, sulfa drugs, birth control pills and anti-hypertensive medications are not a contraindication. Care must be taken in patients who get cold sores. An anti-herpes medication can be taken to avoid activation of this virus. There is no age limit for PhotoFacial/RF.

How Long Will the Beneficial Effects Of Photofacial/RF Last? Will I Need Additional Treatments To Maintain the Results?

After your initial treatments we recommend maintenance treatments every 4-6 months. However, even without regular follow up treatments, the positive results of our Photofacial/RF treatments can last a considerable length of time. Of course, sun exposure, smoking, aging, etc., can reduce the longevity of these benefits.

What Conditions Will This Treatment Not Help?

Photofacial/RF won't treat frown lines, sometimes known as lines of expression on the face, especially the forehead and between the brows. These are very effectively treated by BOTOX® Cosmetic injections which we provide. Photofacial/RF is not a substitute for a face-lift and will not help baggy or sagging skin. It will not cure the puffiness around the eyes for which blepharoplasty surgery is usually performed. It is not a treatment for skin cancer, but can reduce pre-cancers called actinic keratosis. It won't remove bumpy moles, but can reduce their pigment. Although, it will remove acquired freckling, genetic freckles usually return after treatment. It will not remove seborrheic keratosis including the tiny genetic ones on the upper cheeks and around the eyes sometimes called dermatosis papulosa nigra. It also will not remove sebaceous hyperplasias, a benign growth of oil glands in the skin.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Most side effects of Photofacial/RF are mild and of short duration. These can consist of short-term discomfort during and after the actual treatment. There is usually additional redness immediately following treatment, lasting less than 24 hours in most people, on rare occasions it may last up to three days. Mild blistering and bruising is possible but in our experience occur in less than 1% and usually clear very quickly. A post treatment increase in pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) has been noted on occasion, but is highly treatable and uncommon. Even more rare is a decrease in pigmentation (hypopigmentation) of the skin after treatments. We have never seen a scar or an infection of the skin after treatment, but these can occur. Swelling of the face for 3-5 days occasionally occurs and is most common in severely sun-damaged skin due to reduced quality of connective tissue around the blood vessels.

What Requirements Are Necessary To Have This Treatment?

All patients must have a consultation prior to the procedure. At the time of the first treatment, each patient will be tested to properly evaluate the correct settings for the patient's skin condition and skin type. These parameters will then be recorded in the patients chart for future reference. Pre-treatment, and post treatment photos will be taken. An informed consent document must be signed prior to the initial treatment.

What If I Have A Low Tolerance For Pain Or Sensitive Skin?

The application of cold air to the treated area with a fan reduces any pain to a minimum. We have extensive experience with patients who have sensitive skin, always listen to their concerns, and treat accordingly.

Is There Anything Special I Have To Do Prior To A Photofacial/RF Treatment?

Prior to your appointment, all make-up or creams must be removed. Men will be asked to shave on the day of treatment, prior to their arrival at the office. If any herpetic lesions (cold sores) or bacterial infections are noted on the day of the procedure, the treatment will be cancelled until the condition has resolved.

Can I Accomplish The Same Results With Laser Resurfacing As Photofacial/RF?

No. Laser Resurfacing may very well help wrinkles, but it does not affect or remove blood vessels or flushing and deep pigmentation. Further, it usually requires time away from work and your usual every day activities. Downtime is at least two weeks and up to a few months of redness in the treated areas can occur. Laser resurfacing has a valuable place in the treatment of certain conditions of the face, but it is not a substitute for the Photofacial/RF.

Can I Accomplish The Same Results With Chemical Peels, Or Microdermabrasion?

No, these treatments by themselves cannot achieve the results of PhotoFacial/RF. Microdermabrasion and light chemical peels enhance the benefits of PhotoFacial/RF and are used in conjunction with PhotoFacial/RF treatments.

Will PhotoFacial/RF Treatments Help My Acne Scars?

Shallow scars including fine lines may be improved, but "ice pick" type acne scarring and deep scars will not be helped. Laser resurfacing or dermabrasion are usually indicated here.

What If The Redness And Sun Damage Extends To My Neck, Chest, Hands, And Arms? Can These Areas Be Treated?

Yes, these areas can also be treated successfully, much like the face. Many women especially are delighted to get rid of the "V-neck" effect of sun-damage that has accumulated in these areas from years of sun exposure.

If I am interested in seeing if this new treatment can benefit me, how do I proceed?

Simply call (09) 488 0972 and arrange a consultation with one of our team @Beautyspot.