Photorejuvenation - BCK Patel Plastic Surgery

Advanced Photorejuvenation IPL Laser

QUICK CONNECT

“Well, the last time I had a picture taken I could hardly see my eyes because of the weight of heavy eyelid. Then I paid attention to how I was actually using my eyes and I really noticed when I was looking at anything especially the computer I was straining my forehead to see better. Since I have had it done I no longer have to lift the forehead and tilt my head to see. It is amazing! I love…” D. Rock 63 Yrs Old with Fat Droopy Eyes – Salt Lake City, UT

WHAT IS ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION USED FOR?

There are many words and phrases used for laser treatments of the skin: intense pulse light (IPL), Photorejuvenation, Fotofacial, Light laser, etc. Not all such treatments are created equal. Using multiple different wavelengths of laser light, advanced photorejuvenation lasers are used for:

Lightening and removing “sun spots”, “age spots”, and brown blotches on the face, neck, chest, hands and other areas of the body
Lightening and reducing redness, rosacea, dilated blood vessels and “broken” blood vessels on the face, neck and chest
Helping to control flushing
Improvement of skin texture and pore size
Improvement in the oiliness of the skin
Improvement in the inflammatory phase of acne rosacea

“Well, the last time I had a picture taken I could hardly see my eyes because of the weight of heavy eyelid. Then I paid attention to how I was actually using my eyes and I really noticed when I was looking at anything especially the computer I was straining my forehead to see better. Since I have had it done I no longer have to lift the forehead and tilt my head to see. It is amazing! I love…” D. Rock 63 Yrs Old with Fat Droopy Eyes – Salt Lake City, UT

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET EXCELLENT RESULTS WITH ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION ?

Different laser devices emit different wavelengths of light. By changing the power, wavelength and duration according to the type of skin you have and the changes present, the different wavelengths of laser are tuned to treat specific targets:

hemoglobin (the red blood cells in the blood vessels) is targeted by specific wavelengths. The vessels are damage from the inside of the vessel walls and the red spots and vessels gradually reduce in size over a few weeks. Because the body has a tendency to not completely close these abnormal vessels and also because there are other deeper and more superficial vessels which will also need treatment, the treatments are administered every few weeks.
melanin (the brown pigment in freckles and age spots). The light beam passes through the skin and is absorbed by the melanin which gets fragmented: the body sends cells to absorb the pigment particles, reducing the brown and dark spots. Again, so as to not leave you with white spots (which is what often happens when liquid nitrogen is used to treat brown spots), the treatment power, wavelength and duration are carefully chosen to safely treat the different skin changes.

“I had a excellent eye lift done by Dr. Patel. He knows what he is doing and is very pleasant. Dr.Patel was easy to get an appointment and he works with you. The office staff was very pleasant and made you feel calm.” D. Gull Highly recommended for eye lift surgery – Salt Lake City, UT

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION TREATMENTS TO WORK?

The first treatment often gives you dramatic improvement: the brown spots will get darker (often termed coffee ground spots) over the first few days and peel off. Subsequently, the effect on the skin will be different from one treatment to the next. Patients sometimes expect the same effect after each treatment: because the wavelengths and duration are varied to get different depths of treatment, the skin effects you see will vary. However, you will continue to see an improvement with each treatment. On rare occasions, patients with severe sun-related changes may need more than five treatments. When we show patients their before-and-after photographs, they are usually surprised at the extent to which the skin changes are cleaned up.

DO ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION TREATMENTS HURT AND HOW LONG WILL THE TREATMENT TAKE?

We will prescribe EMLA anesthetic cream, which is best applied to your face before you leave home as the cream takes about 30 – 45 minutes to take effect.
Most patients tolerate the treatment extremely well. However, because each of us has different pain thresholds, we also use a Zimmer cooler which cools the skin down and makes the discomfort even less. Everyone loves the Zimmer!
The laser treatments take between 20 and 30 minutes per treatment.
The first treatment is the most sensitive because the pigment is the darkest and the blood vessels are the most prominent.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION TREATMENTS LIKE?

Although your eyes will be covered with protective goggles, you will be aware of the bright light that lasers emanate. You will keep your eyelids closed under the protective laser goggles. Being aware of a bright light is perfectly normal and safe.

A cool gel is applied to the skin and further cooling is obtained with the Zimmer cooler before the laser treatments are administered.

The smooth glass surface of the hand-piece is gently applied to your skin and pulses of the laser flash. You may feel a very slight sting, like the snapping of a small rubber band.

Most patients can apply makeup, foundation or concealer immediately after the treatment. Most of our patients are able to return to normal activities immediately after the treatment. No oral pain medication is needed.

After treatment care involved the application of a moisturizer three to four times a day for the first week and twice a day there after until your next treatment.

WHAT WILL I LOOK LIKE AFTER THE ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION TREATMENTS?

For veins, generally, the skin looks slightly redder after the treatment for two to five days. Makeup can be used starting right after the treatment, as long as it is applied and removed very gently. Rarely, there is bruising, which can take 1-2 weeks to resolve.

For freckles and age spots, the spots generally look darker for 3-7 days. Crusting can occur, which may last up to ten days. The lesions will then begin to clear and are usually peeled off by two to three weeks. Remember, it takes an average of 3-5 treatments to clear age spots.

WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED WITH THE ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION TREATMENTS?

Face
Neck and Chest
Arms and Hands
Legs
Backs and Chest

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT LIGHT AND LASER TREATMENTS I SEE ADVERTISED?

Most places will use one machine and hand-piece. Also, unless a physician is treating you, the machine power will have a more limited ability as there is a risk of burns and injury in the wrong hands. We don’t use one laser and one hand-piece. We have four different lasers

we use on all our patients and a total of 8 hand-pieces. This allows us to play an orchestra rather than a flute: different lasers and hand-pieces allow us to improve or eradicate even the most stubborn of vessels and spots: just look at our before-and-after photographs.

WHO WILL PERFORM MY TREATMENTS?

Because of the need for accuracy and the range of powers used, in our office only Dr. Patel will be treating you with the lasers. This way you can be assured of the best results with the safest delivery and the most appropriate use of wavelengths and machines.

HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS FROM THE ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION TREATMENTS LAST?

Many of the changes we treat are caused by simple aging, genetics, injuries, but mostly sun damage together with dryness and wind damage. As we all have to continue to enjoy life, there will inevitably, be some damage to your skin from the sun, wind and dryness. We will advise you what to use in the long-term, but will mainly consist of regular use of a sunscreen and a good moisterizer. We have patients several years out from their course of treatments and their skin looks better than it did several years before. We will generally perform a maintenance treatment every nine to twelve months to clean up any new changes that may develop.

WHAT MOISTURIZER SHOULD I USE?

There is no need to get any particular moisturizer: most of our patients are happy with the usual over-the-counter moisturizers (Eucerin, Aquaphor or Lubriderm). Some patients seem to like the feel of Cera-Vu moisturizer, which is also available at most stores. If you are using creams with retin-A or exfoliants (glycolic acids, etc), then you would start using them again one week after your treatment.

HOW DOES ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION INCREASE COLLAGEN?

xThe light bypasses the outer layer of skin (the epidermis) and gently heats the cells in the deeper layer of skin (dermis). These cells, called fibroblasts, start to produce more collagen, which improves texture and fine wrinkles. As the different wavelengths affect brown and red areas differentially, there is collateral heating of the dermis, which induces collagen. You will see a firming and tightening of the skin on the photographs of many of our patients. Pores also look better!

WILL ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION MAKE ME MORE SENSITIVE TO THE SUN?

No, it does not. You can have the treatments done any time of the year. If you are having treatment of your arms or legs, it is important not to be tanned.

You can protect your skin with sunscreens, wear a hat and avoid the harsh midday direct sun if possible. Damage to the skin is caused by a combination of sun, heat and wind. After our treatments, we find that most patients will be diligent with undertaking simple protective measures, which cuts down on the risk of future skin cancers.

WHAT SHOULD I DO PRIOR TO MY ADVANCED IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION TREATMENTS?

For 2-4 weeks before your treatment, avoid self-tanners and excessive sun.
You may be asked to discontinue minocycline, tetracycline, doxycycline or Retin-A/Renova several days prior to each treatment. We will discuss that with you.
Protect your improved skin with sunscreen every morning. Hats and sunglasses are also good protection from the sun.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

The main side effects are mild, temporary swelling, redness, an accentuation of the brown spots, crusting, and an occasional bruise or small superficial blister (like a sunburn blister).

FAQs

WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA WILL BE USED?

Topical anesthetic cream and a cooling device we use provide excellent comfort

WHAT WILL MY SKIN LOOK LIKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TREATMENT?

The skin may be a little pink but our patients are able to return to work if they want to after the treatment and the change in the skin is barely noticeable

WILL I PEEL OVER THE FOLLOWING FEW DAYS?

Some of the darker spots will get darker and fall off. The red areas will start to shrink within a few days. After the very first treatment, some patients will get a coffee-ground appearance to some areas of the skin where the sun damage may be the most pronounced

HOW DO I LOOK AFTER MY SKIN AFTER THE LASER TREATMENT?

It is best to apply a moisterizer (any brand moisterizer will do) three to four times a day for the first week and then about twice a day. This allows the lasered areas to peel and heal imperceptibly.

HOW LONG DO THE TREATMENTS TAKE?

You will be in the clinic for about half an hour. We always have all the relevant lasers warmed up and ready to go for our patients

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON RISKS OF SUCH LASER TREATMENTS?

Sometimes, the peeling of the coffee-ground areas can take four to five days. The pinkness is only there for about two days but sometimes can be there for another day

HOW MUCH BRUISING AND SWELLING WILL I HAVE?

There is no bruising and very little swelling after the combination of lasers we use. If a specific laser is used for a particular change, we will let you know what to expect

DOES INSURANCE COVER THESE LASER TREATMENTS?

Cosmetic improvement of the skin with lasers is not covered by insurance

HOW PAINFUL IS THE LASER TREATMENT?

Most people will only experience a tingling sensation. Some patients will note a mild “rubber-band-snap” type of sensation but this is only at the first treatment. If someone has sensitive skin, we have them apply the topical anesthetic we prescribe at least twice before the treatment

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS AND WHEN MAY I RETURN TO WORK?

You may resume normal activities immediately after each treatment and there are no real restrictions

HOW DO YOU GET SUCH IMPRESSIVE RESULTS?

We use a number of different lasers of different wavelengths. Based upon the examination and analysis of your skin, we are able to target broken vessels, blood vessels from sun damage, sun spots, keratoses, pigment spots, pores, texture, fine lines and more. We always show our patients their photographs from prior to the lasers and following the treatments. They are always impressive!!

DO YOU HAVE SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS?

Many of our patients come for treatments from out-of-State and many others are busy during the week so we do keep one Saturday a month available for such patients. If you need such an appointment, kindly let us know

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Contact Info

Dr. BCK Patel MD, FRCS
1025E 3300S
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106, USA

(801) 413-3599 (phone/text)
E-Mail: bckpatelmd@gmail.com
bckpatel.info

Dr. BCK Patel MD, FRCS
617 E Riverside Dr Suite 101
Saint George, UT 84790, USA
(435) 215-0014
E: drbckpatel@gmail.com