What is pulse dye laser?
The pulsed dye laser was designed to rid patients of benign vascular lesions.

How does a pulsed dye or laser work?
The laser delivers an intense but gentle burst of yellow light to the skin. The light is specifically absorbed by the blood vessels in the dermis. These blood vessels are coagulated and then reabsorbed by the body during the natural healing process.

Is the treatment safe?
Yes. In fact, pulsed dye laser treatment is so safe that it has been used successfully for the treatment of port wine stains in infants and young children.

Side effects may include pupa(a laser bruise), redness, and swelling in the treated area. These are transient and usually do not last more than a few days. Permanent side effects such as scarring are rare.

TATTOO REMOVAL

Having second thoughts about your tattoo?
If so, you're not alone. Every day, we see patients from every walk of life having second thoughts about their tattoos. What once seemed like a good idea just doesn't fit your new image, and you wish it would just go away. Now, we can make your wish come true. Using our advanced laser system, we can remove your tattoo safely without leaving a scar.

How are tattoos removed?
Medical lasers use an intense beam of light to significantly lighten or completely remove your tattoo. When the ink particles of your tattoo absorb the light from the laser, they are broken up into tiny fragments. These fragments are then absorbed through your body's natural cleansing mechanism. This cleansing process generally takes a few weeks. Larger ink particles may require multiple treatments.

How do laser and infrared treatments compare to other methods of tattoo removal?
Your other treatment options for removing your tattoo include surgical excision, dermabrasion(or sanding) and chemical peels. These methods are more invasive and painful, and can often result in scarring. Laser tattoo removal is safer. It is non-invasive and only targets the ink used in the tattoo process.

What are the treatments like?
Some patients say they feel a slight sting, like the snap of a rubber band on the skin, followed by the feeling of sunburn. Many treatments do not require anesthetics. However, some patients feel more comfortable with a local numbing agent like ice or an anesthetic cream. For others, a local anesthetic injection may be beneficial.

How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required for maximum improvement depends on the size, location, depth and color of your tattoo. Treatment sessions usually take from 10 to 30 minutes.

Most patients will see improvement in their tattoos. The improvement can be quite dramatic. However, large or heavily pigmented tattoo applied by a professional tattooist can require several treatments for optimum results.

LASER VEIN THERAPY

Millions of women and men are bothered by unsightly spider veins on their faces and legs. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are those small red, blue and purple blood vessels that appear most frequently on the face and thighs. Varicose veins are usually larger than 1/4 inch in diameter and may appear raised with a bluish color. They may also be related to more serious vein disorders and require a careful evaluation prior to treatment.

Laser Vein Therapy
Today's new medical lasers provide safe and effective non-surgical treatment options for the removal of spider and varicose veins. Our new, advanced laser treatments allow us to deliver a precise dosage of energy to each vein. During your treatment, light energy is delivered through a special laser hand piece to the targeted vein, in a series of brief pulses. The light energy is absorbed by the blood vessels, but not the surrounding tissue. This heat absorption causes a coagulation of the blood vessel, which is subsequently absorbed by your body.

Will laser therapy work on my veins?
Prior to treatment we will review your medical history to determine how long you have had a problem with your veins and the severity of the problem. We need to determine your skin type and if there has been any prior surgery or treatment on your veins. We may test to determine if there are any underlying venous problems. If there are, further testing may be advised before laser therapy is attempted.

What is recovery like?
Following your treatment, you may be asked to wear support hose or special heavy-duty stockings to help keep pressure on the veins. This will help keep the treated veins closed. Bruises around the treated areas usually disappear after the first week. A tan or brownish pigment may persist for a few weeks when larger veins are involved. While each vein may require several pulses from the laser, most will disappear in two to six weeks. Keys to success with laser leg vein therapy include the avoidance of hot baths and strenuous exercise, and may include the short-term use of compression stockings. Patients are generally encouraged to resume most normal activities immediately. We ask that you refrain from vigorous activities for the first 24 hours. Although your final results may not be apparent for several months, most of our patients enjoy the comfort and the look of legs without unsightly red, blue and purple veins.

What are the treatments like?
First, we identify the veins to be treated. We then proceed to deliver pulses of light(laser) energy along the length of the vessel, larger veins first. The light energy causes the blood within the vein to coagulate, eventually destroying the vessels, which are then absorbed by your body. Most laser therapy patients report little discomfort. Some experience a mild burning sensation when we pulse the laser.

How many treatments will I need?
The majority of the treated vessels will be gone for good with one or two treatments. For the maximum long-term resolution, one or two additional treatments may be necessary. However, if new veins appear, additional treatments are generally required for optimum results, These treatments may be in three to four week intervals.

Are there other treatments available for spider and varicose veins?
Yes. Laser vein therapy may be combined with injection Sclerotherapy.
During Sclerotherapy a sclerosing solution is injected into the vein through a micro-needle. The tiny needles generally cause very little pain. The sclerosing solution causes the vein to blanch (turn white), then gradually disappear. A typical treatment may last for 15 to 20 minutes and consist of multiple injections.

LASER SKIN RESURFACING

If you've ever wished that you could "renew" your complexion to make it smoother and more even-toned, laser resurfacing may be a good option for you. Cosmetic laser resurfacing, also called "laser peel" is a procedure that smooths the facial skin by using a laser to refinish damaged areas and shrink fine wrinkles. It also corrects areas of uneven pigmentation. The result is a fresher, smoother complexion.

If you're considering laser skin resurfacing....
In laser resurfacing, sometimes called "laser peel" a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also effective in treating facial scarring or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific regions. Often the procedure is done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery. Laser resurfacing is still a very new procedure. However, it has been shown that in some cases, this surgical method produces less bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort than is typically seen with other resurfacing methods.

Is laser resurfacing right for me?
Men and women of all ages may benefit from laser resurfacing. The best results from the procedure are typically seen in individuals with fair, healthy, non-oily skin.

You may be a good candidate for laser resurfacing if you have any of the following conditions:
fines lines, especially around the eyes
vertical lines around the mouth
facial scars caused by injury or accident
scars caused by acne
areas of uneven pigmentation, such as "age spots"
lines on the cheeks caused by sun damage

You may wish to discuss other resurfacing options if any of the following applies to you:
you have skin that is olive, brown or black
you have taken Accutane during the past 18 months
you are prone to abnormal (teloid-like) scarring.
you have an active skin infection

What should I expect from the consultation?
A personal consultation is the first step for every patient considering laser resurfacing. During this meeting, your physical health and specific cosmetic goals for the procedure will be assessed and discussed.

You should arrive at the consultation prepared to provide complete information about:
previous surgical procedures, including cosmetic facial peels or dermabrasion
any abnormal skin condition that has been diagnosed or previously treated
medications you are taking or have taken previously, including nutritional supplements and herbal remedies
skin allergies, acne or facial injuries you have had

During your physical examination, we will evaluate the quality, thickness and color of your skin and perhaps take photographs for your medical record.

Often, people who undergo laser resurfacing choose to have other facial -rejuvenation procedures at the same time, such as a facelift, browlift, or eyelid surgery. Be sure to let us know if you are planning to have any other cosmetic procedure in the future.

How is laser resurfacing performed?
In laser resurfacing, a beam of laser energy is used to vaporize the upper layers of damaged skin with accurate precision. As new cells form during the healing process, a smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin surface appears.

During the procedure, the activated laser is carefully passed back and forth over the skin until the safest level that will make the wrinkle or scar less visible is reached. When imperfections are deep, it may be recommended that the resurfacing be performed in two or more stages.

What can I do to prepare for the procedure?
When the date for your procedure has been set, we will provide you with specific instructions for the days immediately before and after surgery. A number of points may be covered, including:
avoiding certain medications that may complicate surgery or recovery
stopping smoking for a period of time before and after surgery
following a pre-treatment plan to prepare the skin for the procedure
arranging for a ride home, if you expect to be sedated during the procedure

How will I look and feel right after the procedure?
When the procedure is over, Dr. Sykes will choose one of two ways to protect your healing skin. One option is to apply a bandage which will be changed one or more times during the first 10 days. The other option is to cover your face with protective ointment and give you more ointment to use at home for the first week of healing. We will select the method that best meets your needs.

You are likely to experience some mild to moderate swelling. However, ice packs and medication prescribed can help you stay comfortable.

Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that your recovery will follow this general time line:

The first three weeks
• Your skin will be bright pink to red in color. The redness is a positive sign that the healing process is progressing and a new layer of collagen is being laid down.
• You can safely apply makeup as a concealer (after about 2 weeks).
• Depending on how you feel, you may be able to return to work.
• You'll begin to feel a lot more comfortable.

After a month
The redness will start to fade and you'll begin to appreciate your improved appearance. It's important to remember that the redness will fade gradually. Although the color will continue to diminish with every passing week, some pinkness may remain for three to four months.