How is the Palomar™ laser
different from other types of laser treatments?
Until the development of fractional skin resurfacing, there were
only two types of laser treatments available – ablative and
non-ablative. Ablative laser treatment is effective but requires
some recovery time. Non-ablative laser treatment has little or no
side effects and almost no healing time, but requires multiple
treatments within a extended period of time. The Palomar™ fractional
skin resurfacing laser offers the same effectiveness as the ablative
laser treatment, but with the speedy healing time associated with
the gentler, non-ablative lasers.
How does the Palomar™ laser
work?
The Palomar™ fractional skin resurfacing laser is designed to target
aging and sun-damaged skin by zeroing in on damaged tissue. The
Palomar™ creates an array of beams and each beam penetrates into the
dermis, far below the outer most epidermal layer of skin. When the
beam penetrates deep into the dermis layer of skin, it eliminates
the old epidermal pigmented cells. Surrounding each of these beams
is healthy, unaffected tissue. The healthy, surrounding tissue
triggers the body’s natural healing process, accelerating the
production of collagen and the formation of new, tighter tissue to
replace the skin’s imperfections.
How is the Palomar™ laser
different from the Fraxel® laser?
The Palomar™ laser and Fraxel® laser are part of a new generation of
laser treatments called fractional skin resurfacing. These lasers
are similar in that they only treat a portion of the skin: 20 – 25
percent, during each session. However, there are subtle differences
in the lasers manufactured by Palomar™ and Fraxel®, which is why it
is important to schedule a one-on-one consultation to determine
which laser would be most effective in treating your skin condition.
With the Palomar™ laser, no tinted guide lotion or topical
anesthetic is required, making the treatment session very pleasant
and easy for the patient. The Palomar™ laser contains a unique
sapphire cooling tip, which cools the skin and minimizes discomfort
during treatment.
What are the benefits of the
Palomar™ laser treatment?
The Palomar™ fractional skin resurfacing laser provides similar
results as ablative lasers, but offers the gentle benefits of the
non-ablative treatment with little to no downtime. Because the
revolutionary technology of the Palomar™ laser bypasses the outer
layer of skin, makeup can be applied immediately following the
session. Some people are able to return to work and social
obligations the same day as the treatment. Other people may require
more time to heal, depending upon their skin condition and
treatment. Your service provider can better explain how the Palomar™
laser treatment will fit into your schedule.
How many treatments will I
need?
The number of sessions will depend upon the condition treated. On
average, an effective treatment regimen is three or four sessions, spaced
two to four weeks apart. Depending on the severity of the condition being
treated, it could take up to six treatments. Results are immediate
and progressive. Over the course of two or three months, new
collagen begins to form, creating healthy, more youthful skin.
How are Palomar™ fractional skin
resurfacing laser treatments performed?
Safety goggles are worn by both the patient and individual
performing the procedure. The PA or trained operator treats one area
at a time, cooling the area before moving onto the next section. No
topical anesthetic is required because of the unique sapphire
cooling tip. The cooling tip helps control the temperature of the
skin, making the treatment a comfortable experience. A treatment
session may last just over an hour, depending on the size of the
area being treated.
Is Palomar™ skin resurfacing
laser treatment painful?
No, most people find that a Palomar™ laser session is comfortable.
The Palomar™ laser has a unique sapphire cooling tip that cools the
skin before, during and after each pulse light, making the treatment
comfortable to most people. Most patients describe the treatment as
having a mild “snapping” sensation or sunburn sensation.
What should I expect after a
Palomar™ skin resurfacing laser treatment?
For the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel like it
is sunburned and it will appear slightly pink or red with some mild
to moderate swelling. The redness or pinkness will fade in a few
hours. As you continue treatment, the redness or pinkness process
will repeat. Using a moisturizer will help to reduce the flakiness.
What precautions should I take
after a Palomar™ skin resurfacing laser treatment?
Following treatment, it is important to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30
at least twice a day. Also, avoid direct sun exposure during the
healing process and for at least three months following treatment.
For more information, or to schedule a FREE Consultation with one of
our skin specialists, please give us a call
at
407-226-0609. If you
mention you saw this information on our website we can offer you a
20% discount on a package of four treatments.
Visit our plastic
/
cosmetic surgery
office in
Orlando, Florida (FL).
