Special considerations: Exacerbating factors mandate acne treatments for ethnic skin
Acne vulgaris ranks as the most common dermatologic disease, regardless of skin type, and its pathophysiology is the same in light and ethnic skin. "However, there are special considerations for acne management in ethnic skin that must be taken into account to optimize outcomes," says Dr. Callender, clinical assistant professor of dermatology, Howard University College of Medicine, and a private practitioner in Mitchellville, Md.
Posted Thursday, September 25, 2008 by
Renee and Barb
The use of lasers in ethnic skin can pose a therapeutic challenge due to significant risks of post-inflammatory pigment alteration in this patient population. The greatest risk occurs in lasers with wavelengths in the range of the absorption spectrum on melanin due to the epidermal melanin absorption and resultant thermal injury in richly pigmented skin. In this article we will review lasers that have been studied in ethnic skin and will offer a practical approach to the safe use of lasers in ethnic skin.
The long pulsed Nd:YAG is the safest for laser hair removal in darker skin types.
A short pulsed nonablative Nd:YAG (Laser Genesis, Cutera, Inc., Brisbane, CA) has been studied in skin types I-V for the treatment of acne scars
Posted Thursday, September 11, 2008 by
Renee and Barb
Laser based technology is regulated by the FDA based on ANSI standards. Cutera is committed to safe use of Lasers in Dermatology. Links have been provided to help educate our clients on the Rules and Regulations associated with the use of aesthetic systems. Some information may be directed toward Laser Surgery and may appear to not be related to advanced skin care, however, the principles of safety are the same.
USE OF LASERS/DELEGATION OF MEDICAL FUNCTIONS REGULATION BY STATE
Laws and Regulations
Current Legislation Pending by State
Directory of State Medical Boards
Laser Regulatory Agencies and Professional Organizations
Food and Drug Administration
American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z136.3)
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO)
JCAHO
OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration)
Association of Operating Room Nurses
American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS)
Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 by
Stuart Mohr
How does Pearl provide immediate results in one treatment while a Fraxel Laser Treatment typically requires 3 treatments to start seeing results and 5+ treatments to complete? The answer is in the method of delivery. Fractional laser devices only treat a small fraction of the skin with each treatment. This means even after 3 treatments, only 50% of the skin is actually treated. Pearl safely and consistently treats both the entire thickness and surface area of the epidermis in one treatment. Treating the entire epidermis removes pigmented lesions, improves texture, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles - the primary signs of mild to moderate photo aging.
Pearl's wavelength (2790 nm YSGG) is the key that enables it to safely treat the entire epidermis. This wavelength enables the laser to penetrate through the entire epidermis in a single treatment with the right balance of thermal stimulation. During delivery, the top 1/3 of the epidermis is immediately removed and the remaining 2/3 is coagulated - meaning 100% of the epidermis is treated. The controlled depth of heating and coagulation provided by the wavelength provides two additional benefits. First, it provides a natural protective layer on the skin preventing any bleeding or oozing post treatment. Second, it stimulates collagen growth in the papillary dermis beneath the D/E junction. The coagulated tissue peels off after 3-4 days, unveiling a new completely re-epithelialized epidermis void of many of the signs of mild to moderate photo aging.
This fresh epidermis is new from the D/E junction up. This means pigmented lesions stemming from the basal cells at the bottom of the epidermis are replaced with new normal cells. Pearl's treatment of the entire epidermis, in both coverage and thickness, provides better results on pigment in just one session than multiple IPL treatments. Further, the body's natural response to laser treatments to the D/E junction is to stimulate new fibroblast growth. New fibroblast activity results in collagen stimulation helping to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. This process occurs more gradually meaning results from a single Pearl treatment continue to improve for as much as 6 to 9 months.
Pearl's depth and three mechanisms of action (immediate ablation, immediate coagulation, and stimulation in the upper dermis) are misunderstood by many people. Pearl provides immediate visible results in mild to moderate photo damage in just 1 treatment by utilizing these three mechanisms of action while treating the entire surface area of the face. Further, because of the laser's controlled water absorption, treatments are safe, reproducible and consistent from person to person, removing the guess work.
