Reward you patients with the
VIP (Very Important Patient) Promotion.
Promotions can be for Laser Hair removal, Laser Vein treatment, skin tightening, skin rejuvenation, chemical peels or advanced skin care products. How to Develop a Very Loyal FollowingWe all know your best aesthetic patient is the referred patient. They are not as price conscious and are already pre-sold on you. You do not want to take these referrals lightly. Every aesthetic practice or medical spa has their group of cheerleaders and you do too.
Source: International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine
There are many things to research and learn about starting an Aesthetic practice. The physician may want to offer skin rejuvenation with chemical peels and Laser based technology or a more advanced skin care practice with Laser hair removal, vein treatments or skin tightening.
Physician Aesthetic Medicine Certification Training Aesthetic Practice Startup Workshop Ensures Adding Aesthetic Medicine is a Profitable OptionAfter completing this workshop, participants will leave with a comprehensive business plan for their aesthetic medicine practice. This program will cover all aspects of creating a business plan for a profitable medical spa, including:
• Financing options for physicians;
• Target demographics for tailored aesthetic procedures;
• Developing a menu of treatments and pricing strategies;
• Establishing aesthetic practice protocols and HR for aesthetic practitioners;
• Creating an effective marketing plan;
• Finding the right location;
• Staffing;
• Federal and state legal and regulatory issues; and
• Startup costs and reading financials.
Souce: International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM)
Record number of patients seek laser based technology for laser hair removal, laser vein treatment, skin tightening and skin rejuvenation.
RECORD NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEK LASER TREATMENTS
Telangiectasia may be treated with Laser based technology. The Nd:YAG 1064nm Laser effectively treats facial veins as well as telangiectasia of the lower extremeties. If varicose veins are present then the patient will require treatment of the varicose veins prior to treatment of the telangiectasia. Laser Genesis is effective in treating diffuse redness that often occurs with telangiectasia. LimeLight may also be used to treat diffuse redness and vessels seen on the face, neck and chest.
A telangiectasis refers to a visibly dilated blood vessel on the skin or mucosal surface. Telangiectases that develop in the absence of any preceding or coexisting cutaneous or systemic disease are considered to be primary or essential. Telangiectases resulting from or in association with a known disease state are classified as secondary.
Generalized Essential TelangiectasiaAuthor: David Green, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Howard University Hospital
A skin care treatment plan for the management of Rosacea must first start with assessing the clinical signs and symptoms. Laser based technology is often part of advanced skin care for the managment of Rosacea symtoms of redness. Laser Genesis is very effective at treating the diffuse redness. LimeLight may also be used to treat the diffuse redness but also to provide a vein treatment of facial telangiectasia.
Rosacea is a common condition characterized by symptoms of facial flushing and a spectrum of clinical signs, including erythema, telangiectasia, coarseness of skin, and an inflammatory papulopustular eruption resembling acne.
RosaceaBefore the initiation of therapy, the triggering factors that exacerbate the patient's rosacea should be identified and avoided if possible. These factors may be unique to each individual patient.
Treatment and MedicationAuthor: Agnieszka Kupiec-Banasikowska, MD, Consulting Staff, Division of Dermatology, Georgetown University Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Mana Ogholikhan, MD, Staff Physician, Division of Dermatology, Georgetown University Hospital;
Ravi Ratnavel, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Stoke Mandeville, Thames Valley Nuffield, Paddocks Hospitals, UK
VitiligoVitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder of the skin and mucous membranes, and it is characterized by circumscribed depigmented macules and patches. It is a progressive disorder in which some or all of the melanocytes in the affected skin are selectively destroyed.
Depigmentation most often begins on the fingers, hands, and wrist but soon spreads to the face and feet. Depigmentation is progressive. The individual lesions progress from hypopigmentation to depigmentation. The white skin is more susceptible to sunburn.
It is important to determine if the depigmentation is true vitiligo. Any physical, chemical, or infectious agent that destroys the epidermis will destroy the pigment cells located along the basal layer. If the injury extends deep into the dermis and involves the hair bulbs and the other appendages, the normal reservoir of new pigment cells is destroyed, the skin will probably remain permanently white.
It is important when working with Laser based technology to properly identify the root cause for the loss of pigment. If the loss of pigment is from trauma, chemicals or infectious agents then it may be safe to use Laser based technology for laser hair removal, Laser vein treatment, Limelight for pigmented lesions and Laser Genesis for new collagen production.
Contact dermatitis may occur with any aesthetic laser system or laser based technology that has the capacity to ablate the epidermis.
Contact dermatitis is usually irritant in nature. Because of the loss of the epidermal barrier and protection, the skin is more susceptible to irritation. An allergic or irritant raction to fragrances or allergens contained within a wide variety of topical ointments, soaps, moisturizers, or cosmetics may develop. It is important that clients refrain from the application of self prescribed remedies during the healing phase since these applications may exacerbate the irritation and contribute to post treatment complications. Signs and symptoms of irritant or allergic contact dermatitis include diffuse and intense facial redness (erythema) and itching. Frequent applications of cool compresses such as with vinegar soaks (acetic acid) may help decrease the intense itching and discomfort.
Lasers and Lights Volume 2
"Complications in Laser and Light Surgery"
Tina S. Alster, Elizabeth L. Tanzi
Contact Dermatitis, IrritantContact Dermatitis, Irritant: Differential Diagnoses & WorkupContact Dermatitis, Irritant: Treatment & MedicationContact Dermatitis, Irritant: Follow-up
Clients must take steps to protect their skin from environmental factors that contribute to the visible signs of aging. Clients often seek skin rejuvenation treatments in the winter months in preparation for their summer activities.
Sunblock remains important to protect from the UV rays that form pigmented lesions and contribute to the formation of visible facial veins and redness. Infrared technology of an aesthetic laser system can be used to treat the results of the skin damage from the environment. In order to preserve the investment of time and money of skin rejuvenation treatments the client can follow some simple daily skin care practices listed in the articles below.
How To Stop Winter From Weathering Your SkinSkin Needs 'Winterizing' To Head Off DamageBattle Dry Skin During The Winter By Following Tips From National Jewish Medical And Research Center
Skin care treatment for Rosacea may include oral and/or topical medication as well as Laser based technology. Facial redness can be associated with both inflammation and increased visibility of the underlying vascular system. A Laser vein treatment may include a combination treatment of Laser Genesis and/or Limelight facial. Laser Genesis' short pulse duration is optimal for treating the diffuse redness of dilated capillaries. The Limelight facial can be used to treat both the diffuse redness of dilated capillaries and more visible telangiectasia.
Cause Of Skin Condition Rosacea DiscoveredChemists Develop New Tool For Treating Rosacea
Safe and effective Laser vein treatment requires assessment and correct diagnosis of the vascular lesion. Laser based technology may be part of the vascular treatment plan.
The most apparent indication of Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a facial birthmark or "Port Wine Stain" present at birth and typically involving at least one upper eyelid and the forehead. Much variation in the size of the stain has been reported and may be limited to one side of the face or may involve both sides. The stain, varying from light pink to deep purple, is due to an overabundance of capillaries just beneath the surface of the involved skin. In persons with dark pigmentation, the stain may be difficult to recognize. In rare instances, there is an absence of a Port Wine Stain.
Sturge-Weber Syndrome (encephelotrigeminal angiomatosis) is a congenital, non-familial disorder of unknown incidence and cause. It is characterized by a congenital facial birthmark and neurological abnormalities. Other symptoms associated with Sturge-Weber can include eye and internal organ irregularities. Each case of Sturge-Weber Syndrome is unique and exhibits the characterizing findings to varying degrees.
Source: Sturge-Weber Foundation; Seattle Children's Hospital
Laser vein treatment requires assessment and correct diagnosis before performing the vascular treatment.
Management Strategies for Infantile Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are benign tumors in which growth of capillary blood vessels occurs through angiogenesis.2 They rarely occur in utero, but instead appear as bluish or red marks within the first 2 weeks of infancy. Following this initial stage, they show rapid growth lasting for up to 12 months, the proliferation phase. In the next phase, the involuting phase, they slowly regress until an average of 5 to 7 years, after which hemangiomas remain unchanged.3 Traditional management of hemangiomas therefore, has been to wait until involution occurs spontaneously. However, complications such as bleeding, infection, ulceration, obstruction of orifices or psychosocial distress may be cues for intervention.
Source: Skin and Aging
VOLUME: 17 PUBLICATION DATE: Jan 09 2009
Issue Number:
1 Jan 09
author: Maya Barsky, BS, and Robert Buka, MD, JD
Skin Rejuvenation, Laser Hair Removal, Pigmented Lesions and Vascular Treatment
Laser based technology and treatment has advanced steadily for treatment of many cutaneous conditions, including a host of vascular and pigmented lesions, wrinkles, tattoos, scars and unwanted hair during the past decade. Demand for aesthetic treatments by skin ablation (resurfacing), and more subtle non-ablative treatments, has increased. Safety and ease of using lasers and high-energy flashlamps, has improved to the point that treatment can in some settings be given by non-medical personnel. Unwanted, preventable complications and side-effects are not uncommon. This article briefly reviews theory, clinical applications and potential for further progress of laser surgery in dermatology.
Source: Skin and Aging
VOLUME: 12 PUBLICATION DATE: Jun 15 2004
author:
By Hirotaka Akita, M.D., Ph.D., and R. Rox Anderson, M.D.
Laser based infrared technology may be used to perform a Laser Vein treatment to hemangiomas. Treating hemangiomas is an advanced vascular treatment and should only be attempted if the treatment provider understands the anatomy and physiology of the lesion and has performed a complete assessment.
Management Strategies for Infantile Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are benign tumors in which growth of capillary blood vessels occurs through angiogenesis.2 They rarely occur in utero, but instead appear as bluish or red marks within the first 2 weeks of infancy. Following this initial stage, they show rapid growth lasting for up to 12 months, the proliferation phase. In the next phase, the involuting phase, they slowly regress until an average of 5 to 7 years, after which hemangiomas remain unchanged.3 Traditional management of hemangiomas therefore, has been to wait until involution occurs spontaneously. However, complications such as bleeding, infection, ulceration, obstruction of orifices or psychosocial distress may be cues for intervention.
Maya Barsky, BS, and Robert Buka, MD, JD
Sun damage is a primary cause of wrinkles
Premature aging of the skin is most often the product of years of unprotected sun exposure combined with your genetic makeup. The process of aging causes the skin to thin, become less elastic and more fragile. Your body also produces less natural protective oils, which makes the skin drier. In addition, the fat located in the deeper layers of the skin, that gives your skin a plump appearance, starts to diminish over time. The combination of these factors causes loose, saggy and wrinkly.
It is very important that to protect the skin from sun exposure. Skin Rejuvenation with Laser based technology can address pigmented lesions, facial veins and Skin Tightening. Lasers are part of advanced skin care but most importantly the skin has to be protected from further damage that causes the pigmented lesions, facial veins and skin laxity.
Sun Care
Skin Care Treatment and Skin Rejuvenation
Performing Test Spots serve several different purposes and are an important part of a skin care treatment plan. Infrared technology used in laser-tissue interactions produces thermal effects on the tissue.
The primary reason for performing a test spot is to observe epidermal response and to determine safe treatment parameters when treating tissue because of absorption by the chromophore. Immediate epidermal damage presents as a blanching or graying of the skin (common with the Nd:YAG). Epidermal damage may take up to 72 hours to be visibly evident especially when treating melanin. A burn from an IPL may take 48-72 hours to appear. It is very important to perform a test spot when treating pigmented lesions.
A test spot may be beneficial for skin types IV-VI to evaluate risk for developing post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. However, this test spot must be evaluated 4-8 weeks post procedure as it takes this amount of time for the PIH to develop. Laser based technology on skin types IV-VI may increase the risk of pigmentatary changes.
Port Wine Stains require test spots as the parameters will vary widely due to the different types and involvement of these vascular malformations. Starting parameters for vascular treatments are usually lower then an average vascular treatment. A cluster of veins is a better target then a single leg vein so there is a higher risk of a burn.
There are advertisements on the internet offering "Free Test Spots" prior to Laser hair removal in order to determine if the treatment "will work before the client pays for the treatments". This perhaps could be beneficial to help determine proper parameters; however, the time period for evaluating the test spot for efficacy may be 4 to 12 weeks or longer depending on the growth cycle.
Test spots are considered an "Industry Standard of Care" and therefore have Medical/Legal implications. The elements of a malpractice suit are the "Breach of a duty that causes harm".
Informed Consent should be obtained for Test Spots and should include any potential complications that can occur from performing a test spot. It is better for the practitioner see the patient back to observe the test spot rather then allowing to patient to report on the results. This allows the practitioner to learn what the end result is and eliminates uncertainty if there is a complication.
Do you have fantastic patient results with great before and after photos?
Subject to HIPAA and patient permissions of course, you may be able to tell a compelling story to your patients and potential patients on your web site.
Take a look (and scroll down) at what Dr. Grant Stevens of Marina Plastic Surgery in Southern California did with one of his patients - an exciting case study on her great outcome.
Definitely show off your best before and after patient photos on your website and in your waiting and exam rooms but consider also listing testimonials, case studies, patient diaries and other information that shows your patients what you can do and how you do it.
Let your website visitors know that now is a great time to start working on summer-worthy legs (leg vein treatments) or permanent hair reduction packages. New Years resolutions often include diets - let your clientele know about Titan and that skin tightening procedures can help with lax skin. Are you an expert in fractional skin resurfacing with Pearl Fractional? Do you combine Pearl full face epidermal resurfacing with Pearl Fractional for deeper imperfections? Use lasers with fillers and injectibles such as Radiesse and BOTOX? Talk up those combination treatments and brag a little, both online and in your practice!
Chronological aging and changes in the skin are part of the natural aging process. Genetic factors and hormones influence the skin quality and durability over time. Thicker, darker skin tends to wrinkle less.
Environmental factors such as sun exposure, prolonged exposure to wind, cold and pollution cause cumulative damage to the skin over time.
Smoking also causes skin damage over time. Nicotine causes constriction of the blood vessels that decreases the blood flow to the skin. Toxic substances from smoking affect the skin through the circulatory system and may damage collagen and elastin fibres.
Degeneration of elastin fibres and collagen fibres causes the skin to lose it's strength with subsequent loosening of the skin. These changes in the skin lead to the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, deep facial expression lines and skin laxity. Fine lines and wrinkle are caused by the decline in the quantity and quality of the elastin fibres.
Additional changes in the skin is the gradual thinning of all layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis & subcutaneous layers). Loss of subcutaneous fat is seen in areas of the face and hands. The skin becomes drier due to the gradual decline in the activity of the sebacious glands. There are changes in hair growth with thinning of the hair on the body.
Sun exposure is the primary environmental cause of skin damage along with prolonged exposure to cold and wind. Sun exposure degenerates the elastin in the skin leading to the formation of wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Sun exposure also creates uneven pigment, formation of solar lentigines, dilated blood vessels (telangiectases), wrinkles and skin laxity.
Advanced Skin care and skin rejuvention may include skin tightening with Titan to address laxity. Laser Genesis to address texture and diffuse redness. Laser vein treatment for dilated blood vessels. LimeLight facial to address pigmented lesions but may also treat vascular issues. These treatment modalities may be combined with both Pearl and Pearl Fractional Laser treatments to address both epidermal & dermal changes. Cutera Laser based technology has been optimized to address the many issues of aging skin.
Causes of Aging Skin
Reference: "Handbook of Cosmetic Skin Care"; Avi Shai; Howard I Maibach; Robert Baran
We just returned from our annual worldwide sales meeting and one recurring theme was "think different". Being creative, adaptive and resourceful will help us all succeed. One thing we all have to remember - do not repeat behavior done in the past because you think the results will be different. The results won't be different.
Plastic Surgery Products has an article here regarding taking action to facilitate change (i.e. success) rather than doing nothing and waiting for prosperity to return (being passive).
If you think doing nothing to promote your aesthetic laser treatments (like Pearl laser, Titan, Laser Genesis, etc.), great skin care products, outstanding clinic and warm staff is going to be effective at driving new patients into your practice, then you must have imbibed too much eggnog last month. :) You have to "think different" to get the results you want this year.
So, here is to a very active and different 2009, marketing all those great aesthetic products, procedures and techniques and having your phone ring off the hook!
Cutera Laser and Light based devices use visible light and infrared technology. Retinal damage is possible when the Laser wavelength occurs in the visible and infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Retinal hazard region is from 400nm - 1400nm.
Electromagnetic Radiation travels in waves like sound and is produced by the movement of charged particles.
Our eyes are sensitive to light which lies in a very small region of the
electromagnetic spectrum labeled "visible light".
Lasers and the Eye The risk of losing your eyesight from accidental exposure to laser radiation is due to the special optical properties of the human eye. When we consider the different depths of penetration in relation to the wavelengths we see that the eye is transparent only in the wavelength range between 380 and 1400 nm.
Laser Safety Filter Guide
Due to the unique characteristics of laser radiation (i.e. coherent, collimated and monochromatic) there is increased danger to the eyes. Therefore special optical filters that transmit 'normal' light but block laser light should be used.
Since laser light has a specific wavelength dependent on the laser active medium that emits light, protective filters that match the wavelength and power of the specific source of laser radiation are needed.
This myth might be the cause.
"8. MYTH: Let winter-ravaged skin hibernate — cut back on pro treatments.
TRUTH: Actually, winter is one of the best times to start in-office laser treatments like laser hair removal, as pre-laser skin shouldn't be at all tanned, and post-laser skin won't tolerate sun exposure."
To expand on this particular myth, many of Cutera's aesthetic laser and light treatments such as Titan, Laser Genesis, CoolGlide Laser Hair Removal and CoolGlide Excel Laser Vein Therapy are color-blind; they can be performed on all six skin types and can be performed year-round, irregardless of tanned or tanning skin.
Let your patients know they don't have to wait for Spring or Summer to start laser or light-based cosmetic treatments. In fact, they will appreciate that they can get a head-start now!
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