Dubai Cosmetic Surgery - Laser Procedures

Olimpia Carmen ( Laser Specialist)
Permanent Hair Removal
- Laser - Light Sheer
- IPL
Leg Veins (spider and varicose)
Facial Veins ( Telangectasias)
Tattoo Removal
Poikiloderma
Sun Damage Spots ( Solar Lentigines )
Hemangioma
Port Wine Stain
Rosacea
Nevus of Otta
Becker Nevus
Hyperpigmentation
Seborrheic Keratosis

Permanent hair reduction by Laser & IPL

What is laser hair removal?

Removal of a hair from virtually any part of the body with the modern technology of lasers is the most advanced and efficient way of removing unwanted hair. Laser can remove unwanted hair quickly, with minimum pain, and in some cases, permanently. So far, most of the common methods of removal of unwanted hair have been; razor, waxing creams and electrolysis. The drawbacks of these methods have been quick re-growth of the hair, frequent need for treatment, and sometimes pain. The lasers surpass all these methods.

How does the laser work?

The target for the laser light is the pigment melanin which absorbs the energy in a process called "photothermolysis". The energy absorbed by the hair shaft will be transferred to the surrounding follicles creating follicular damage and retard or prevent future hair production by the hair follicles. the number of hair that are permanently removed as a result of one treatment can vary. the difficulty in eradication of unwanted or excess hair lies in the fact that the follicle has tremendous regenerative capabilities and that this recuperative power is highly variable from individual to individual and from one anatomic site to another.
In most instances, multiple treatments are necessary in order to achieve permanent hair reduction.
In order to understand the process, it is important to understand the biology of hair growth itself. hair growth cycles are divided in 3 phases; anagen, telogen and catagen. The Anagen Follicle or growing hair is the major target for laser energy and represents the most vulnerable phase of the hair growth cycle. the Telogen and Catagen Follicle apprear to be more resistant to the laser energy. Depending on the body site, various percentage of hair are in anagen, catagen and telogen phases. Since the anagen phase is the most velnerable, a period of one to three months between treatments is the necessary to allow the resting or telogen phase to once again enter the anagen cysle and become more sensituve to the laser energy.

What area as are most amenable to laser hair removal?

Laser can remove unwanted hair, both from the face and the body. The most common area treated in women are the facial hair. But the hair, both in men and women can be removed from practicality, all the areas of the body, including underarms, legs back, shoulders and bikini areas.

Is laser hair removal, costly?

Considering the efficiency, timesaving and longer-lasting results, laser hair removal is quite economical compared to other methods of treatment.

Is hair removal by laser permanent?

There is some confusion about the permanency of hair removal with laser. If you expect that the laser will permanently remove the hair in one or two treatments, then that is not correct. It is more appropriate to state that laser hair removal is long-term reduction and one can expect permanent hair reduction in about 4 to 6 treatments. The results are variable in different patients some patients may get a very good response, even in few treatments while others may not have a great response, after many treatments. Having said all that, laser hair removal is by far the best method available for long, hair free intervals and sometimes even if one needs maintenance treatment, may be once in six months or a year, still the laser comes out ahead of all other methods of permanent hair removal.

Is laser hair removal, painful?

Compared to waxing and electrolysis, laser hair removal is much more comfortable. Some patients prefer the topical, numbing cream to avoid any discomfort. Mild redness and some burning sensation are normal after the treatment. Ice packs are very helpful for the first couple of hours.

Are there possible complications?

Careful selection of laser parameters is important for a successful outcome. Possible complications in the laser hair removal are due to over treatment or due to excessive laser energy. If over treated there could be unusual pain, blistering of the skin or even a superficial or deep burn. There is a possibility, of the loss of skin pigment, which may improve with time.

Leg Veins (Spider or Varicose )

Long Pulse Nd-YAG laser is effective in treating visible tiny spider veins of the face or larger leg veins.

How does the laser work?

Laser energy is absorbed by the target cromapher in the organ or tissue. In case of spider veins or leg veins, the energy is absorbed by the red color in blood cells exactly oxihemaglobin. The heat generated by absorption of laser energy,

destroys not only the cells but the vessel wall also. The veins treated in this fashion disintegrate slowly into a threadlike structure.

How many sessions or required?

Usually one to two sessions is sufficient. In some patients more sessions may be required.

Is that treatment painful?

The treatment is easily tolerable, if necessary a numbing cream can be applied.

Are there any possible complications?

Possible transitory complications include burning, blistering or hypo and hyper pigmentation. Sometimes skin ulcers could form and may prolong the healing period.

Tattoo Removal

Sometimes, due to a variety of reasons people want the tattoo to be removed. There are a variety of ways to remove tattoos. Q-switched Nd-YAG is effective lasers for dark, blue-black and India ink tattoos. Tattoos can be removed with Alexandrite and CO2 lasers as well.

How does the laser work?

The laser energy is absorbed by the pigment of the tattoo. When sufficient energy is applied, large pieces of the pigment in that tattoo burst in to tiny particles like an explosion and then these particles are phagocytized by macrophages and eliminated by lymphatic drainage.

Is tattoo removal, permanent?

Once a tattoo is completely removed, the change is permanent.

How many sessions or required?

The numbers of sessions vary from one patient to other, and they depend upon the depth & density. With one month interval the age of the tattoo and whether it was done by a professional or by an amateur. It may vary from one to two sessions or may require many sessions. Most of the patients however improve with three to five sessions.

Is it painful?

There is mild discomfort, like snapping of a rubber band and some burning. Most of the patient tolerates the procedure well and if necessary a numbing cream can be applied to ease the discomfort and pain.

Are there any possible complications?

Complications in this procedure are rare. The laser energy is absorbed by the tattoo without harming the skin. If over treated, there could be some damage to the skin, not come from the laser itself, but from the particles of the pigment which is heated up and explodes through the skin.

Olimpia's Profile

Olimpia has a degree in Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Diploma of Cosmetology from the University of Babes-Bolyai Cluj-Romania. She is a certified laser specialist by DOHM

She has been working for over 15 years in very well known and reputed clinics and hospitals in Romania, Syria and UAE with famous professors and doctors from whom she learned the latest techniques and procedures in Cosmetology and Laser therapy. Moreover, she keeps updating her information by participating in international conferences and seminars, for the benefit of her patients and for achieving their satisfaction in cosmetic treatment.

FACIAL VEINS (TELANGECTASIAS)

Are fine, little red veins on the nose, chin or cheeks that appear both men and women as a normal part of aging. These can also result from pregnancy, childbirth, birth-control pills, estrogen-replacement therapy, sun damage and even corticosteroids. These are not broken blood vessels, only permanently dilated and visible fine veins. Laser treatments for facial Telangectasias depend on the quantity, size and depth of veins. Most patients need between one (1) to four (4) sessions in 4-6 weeks apart. The appearance of the treated area immediately after laser session will vary from patient to patient and they may include redness, tenderness, crusting and blistering, all of which disappears in short time.

POIKILODERMA OF CIVATTE

It is a mottled pigmentation on the neck more common on the women, mostly considered to be a reaction pattern of the skin and not a disease. It is a combination of atrophy, Telangectasias and changes in pigments (both hypopigmentation & Hyperpigmentation), more common in females than in males affecting middle-aged or elderly women but can be seen in other age groups. Occasionally, patients report mild burning and itching. The causes of Poikiloderma are unknown but many factors are implicated: " chronic exposure to UV light rays " photosensitizing chemicals in perfumes or other cosmetic products " possibly hormonal changes related with menopause and low estrogen level " genetic predisposition

SOLAR LENTIGINES

Are multiple dark-brown macules on the face, ears, forearms, hands, chins, upper back and chest and scalp in bald male, due to chronic exposure to sunlight. Solar Lentigines are not the same as freckles (ephelides). These do not fade in the winter as freckles do, these may disappear spontaneously but in general these will remain for years. The laser targets the brown pigment - melanin and the number of sessions may vary from patient to patient.

HEMANGIOMA

(Birthmark) Is a vascular malformation which may involve capillaries, veins, arteries and lymphatics, without endothelial proliferation and with or without spontaneous involution. Typically, the Hemangioma appears within 2 weeks after birth as a small red blemish bump which rapidly grows. Most hemangiomas when first diagnosed are superficial and can be treated by laser which selects the red (oxihemoglobin) and shrinks the vessels. Repeated treatments can almost remove these but complete removal of every trace (for deep one) should not be expected.

PORT-WINE STAIN (Nevus flammeus)

A port-wine stain (PWS) is an irregular shape red or violaceus, vascular malformation that is present at birth and never disappears spontaneously (except for the salmon patch). In adulthood, PWS's usually becomes raised and the cause of significant and progressive cosmetic disfigurement. The laser targets the red pigments in the blood vessels and several sessions should be advised and maintenance program are needed as these can reappear.

ROSACEA (from Latin word: "like roses")

Is a chronic disorder of the facial pilosebaceous units, coupled with an increased reactivity of capillaries to heat, leading to flushing and ultimately to Telangectasias. Although, these disease was previously called acne Rosacea, it is unrelated but may coexist with acne, which may have preceded the onset of Rosacea. Rosacea is the cause of significant cosmetic disfigurement. 2 - 4 sessions are necessary to achieve good results and for some of the patients maintenance is required.

KERATOSIS (Solar and Seborrheic)

Solar Keratosis

Appears on the scalp, face and dorso of the hands most common in Caucasians and Asians, usually at people older than 40 years old, but may occur at 30 years in sunny climates and in susceptible persons. The lesions are reddish, ill-defined molecules or papules covered with a yellowish-brown scale with a sandpaper texture.

Solar keratosis may disappear spontaneously but in general they remain for years and sometimes they can develop in squamous cell carcinoma (annually in each 1000 solar keratosis).

Seborrheic Keratosis

It is the most common of the benign epithelial tumors. These lesions which are hereditary do not appear until age 30 and continue to occur over life time. They are isolated or generalized lesion on the face, trunk and upper extremities. The lesion is round or oval in the form of a plaque with brown, black or skin color with warty and "greasy" surface. Larger pigmented lesions are easily mistaken for basal cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma, therefore, a histopathologic examination will rule them out.

NEVUS OF OTTA

This pigmentary disorder is very common in Asian population and is said to occur in 1% of outpatient visit in Japan. It has been reported in East Indians, in blacks and rarely in Caucasians. This pigmentation which can be quite subtle or markedly disfigurating consists of mottled, dusky mixture of blue and brown Hyperpigmentation of the skin. It may be congenital but is not hereditary. More often it appears in early childhood or during puberty and remains for life. Treatment with laser is an effective new mode for this disfiguration disorder.

BECKER NEVUS

It is a pigmented hamartoma that is a developmental anomaly comprised of changes in pigmentation, hair growth and most important a slightly elevated smooth verrucous surface. It occurs mostly in males in all races. It appears NOT in birth but usually before 15 years of age and sometimes after age 15. It is light brown in color with sharply demarcated borders. Common locations are the shoulders and the back with increased hair growth in the pigmented area. The lesions extend for a year or two and then remain stable, only rarely fading. Coarse hair may develop.

HYPERPIGMENTATION (Melasma - from Greek word: "a black spot")

Synonymous : Chloasma - mask of pregnancy Is an acquired light or dark Hyperpigmentation that occurs in the exposed areas, most often on the face and results from exposure to sunlight; may be associated with pregnancy, with ingestion of contraceptive hormones, or possibly with certain medication. The pigmentation usually evolves quite rapidly over weeks, particularly after exposure to sunlight. Melasma is more apparent or more frequent in persons with brown or black constitutive skin color (persons from Asia, Middle East, India and South America). May disappears spontaneously over a period of months after delivery or after cessation of contraceptive hormones.

Following the IPL treatment, area of pigmenting will darken and rise to the surface of the skin before being exfoliated naturally within 1 - 2 weeks. This is a positive indication of a successful treatment and no cause for concern.

Seborrheic Keratosis

These are single or multiple, discrete; dry, rough, adherent scaly lesions on the habitually sun-exposed skin of adults, which are removed with difficulty and with pain. Most commonly are skin colored, yellow-brown situated in face, ears, neck, forearms and hands (dorso), shins and on the scalp in bald males. It may disappear spontaneously, but in general these remains for years and sometimes may develop in squamous cell carcinoma (cancer). The target for the laser is the pigment melanin and from case to case 2-6 sessions are requested.