LASER HAIR REMOVAL

WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR LASER SKIN REJUVENATION AND HOW DOES THE LASER ACTUALLY WORK?

Since light energy is absorbed by the pigment melanin, which then is transformed into heat energy to disable the follicle, those individuals with course dark hair, and light skin color are the optimal candidates. In those people with darker skin color (more melanin in the skin), the skin tends to compete with the hair for the light energy resulting in the potential for damage to the skin, not the follicle. Thus, by competing for the energy of the laser it causes a more probable chance for burning the skin during the treatment. That is why tanning should be avoided before and after laser treatments patients with blond or gray hair may not benefit from laser hair removal since there is no pigment for the laser to target. Patients with darker skin tone an be treated with our advanced laser systems however they will require testing before any treatment is initiated with the laser and will require careful follow up. Lasers are effective at disabling hairs that are actively growing, and at any given time not all hairs are in an active growth phase. So in order to achieve maximum hair reduction there must be more than one treatment given in the treatment area.

SO WHY PROCEED WITH LASER HAIR REMOVAL AND HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?

Simply because this is the most practical, least painful, most efficient and probably least expensive professional method available to remove unwanted hair. Initially several treatments are recommended to effectively treat those hairs as they cycle through their active growth phase. Usually this occurs after about two months, but may vary with the area treated. Subsequent re-treatments should be expected to keep up with any new finer hairs that have reground, and it is important to note that the following factors can influence response to laser therapy: hair location or hair type, hair color, hair density, skin color, hormonal influences, medications, and genetic background. Most people should expect that re-treatment will be necessary once or twice a year.

WHAT PREPARATION IS NEEDED BEFORE LASER TREATMENT?

Tanning should be avoided. For laser therapy to be successful it is necessary to have some stubble present at the time of the first consultation. Waxing, plucking, and bleaching should be avoided for at least several weeks prior to treatment. It is fine to trim or shave the hairs, but shaving should be avoided for about 3 days prior to the first treatment. Please consult with our staff for an exact treatment plan.

WHAT WILL I LOOK LIKE AFTER THE TREATMENT?

Generally some redness and swelling is expected, but can be covered with makeup immediately. At the time of treatment many of the hairs are removed, and others are shed 1-2 weeks following treatment. In most instances you will be able to apply makeup immediately if you chose.

WHAT SHOULD I AVOID AFTER TREATMENT?

Sun exposure or tanning should be avoided. This can be accomplished by the use of sunscreens. The treated areas should be handled gently, avoiding the use of abrasive cleansers or topical acne preparations. Ice compresses can be used to minimize swelling, and if blistering occurs, an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin or Bactriacin (a prescription antibiotic cream) can be applied.

ARE THERE ANY PATIENTS THAT CAN'T BE TREATED, OR ANY MEDICAL CONTRAINDICATIONS?

Laser treatments are most effective in patients that are not tanned. Therefore, tanned individuals should wait until their tan has faded before seeking treatment. Patients with a history of kelloidal scar formation or poor healing should consult our physicians before initiating treatment. Patients with known photosensitivity to light and pregnant females should also avoid treatment. An area with an active infection such as cold sores should not be treated until the infection has healed. For best treatment results and to minimize bruising, it is important to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (and other so-called NSAID's) and tanning both immediately before and following laser treatments.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

We encourage you to call for a consultation or to arrange a treatment. Our office staff will be happy to answer any further questions you may have. Please remember not to bleach, wax, or pluck the hairs prior to your visit, and avoid tanning immediately before and following your treatments. Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi and staff would like to talk with you and personally answer all your questions about hair and vein removal utilizing state-of-the-art lasers, as well as any other questions about the health of your skin. Please contact us at (810) 989-9490 to schedule a consultation, or email us by clicking on the e-mail graphic below.

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TATTOO REMOVAL/BROWN SPOTS

WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR TATTOO REMOVAL AND HOW DOES THE LASER ACTUALLY WORK?

Our state-of-the-art Q-switched lasers emit a powerful beam of specialized light that targets the pigments in the tattoo without harming the surrounding skin. The tattoo pigment is broken up into small particles that are then removed by your body's immune system. The ideal candidates are light skinned patients with amateur tattoos of one color. Multicolored tattoos can be treated in our center but require more treatments.

SO WHY PROCEED WITH TATTOO REMOVAL AND HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?

Because we have the experience and the technology to treat tattoos with a minimal risk to our patients. The number of treatments for tattoo removal is hard to predict but range from 3-12 treatments.

WHAT PREPARATION IS NEEDED BEFORE LASER TREATMENT?

Tanning should be avoided for 7 days prior to the first treatment. Please consult with our staff for an exact treatment plan.

WHAT WILL I LOOK LIKE AFTER THE TREATMENT?

Generally some redness and swelling is expected. Patients may also experience some fine blistering and crust formation. The crusting may take up to a week to resolve and can be treated with some antibiotic ointment. Do not pick the crust since it will increase the risk of scarring. A tattoo will appear lighter 1 month after treatment and will continue to lighten for 2 months after treatment.

WHAT SHOULD I AVOID AFTER TREATMENT?

Sun exposure or tanning should be avoided. This can be accomplished by the use of sunscreens. The treated areas should be handled gently, avoiding the use of abrasive cleansers or topical acne preparations. Ice compresses can be used to minimize swelling, and if blistering occurs, an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin or Bactriacin (a prescription antibiotic cream) can be applied.

ARE THERE ANY PATIENTS WHO CANNOT BE TREATED FOR TATTOO REMOVAL?

Laser treatments are most effective in patients that are not tanned. Therefore, tanned individuals should wait until their tan has faded before seeking treatment. Patients with a history of kelloidal scar formation or poor healing should consult our physicians before initiating treatment. Patients with known photosensitivity to light and pregnant females should also avoid treatment. An area with an active infection such as cold sores should not be treated until the infection has healed. For best treatment results and to minimize bruising, it is important to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (and other so-called NSAID's) and tanning both immediately before and following laser treatments.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

We encourage you to call for a consultation or to arrange a treatment. Our office staff will be happy to answer any further questions you may have. Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi and staff would like to talk with you and personally answer all your questions about tattoo removal utilizing state-of-the-art lasers, as well as any other questions about the health of your skin. Please contact us at (810) 989-9490 to schedule a consultation, or email us by clicking on the e-mail graphic below.

 BROWN SPOT/Sun SPOT/LIVER SPOT/ LENTIGEN REMOVAL

WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR BROWN SPOT REMOVAL AND HOW DOES THE LASER ACTUALLY WORK?

Our state-of-the-art Q-switched lasers emit a powerful beam of specialized light that targets the pigments in the lentigo without harming the surrounding skin. The brown pigment is broken up into small particles that are then removed by your body's immune system. The ideal candidates are light skinned patients with light brown lesions.

SO WHY PROCEED WITH BROWN SPOT REMOVAL AND HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?

Because we have the experience and the technology to remove your brown spots with a minimal risk to our patients. The number of treatments for brown spot removal range from 2-3 treatments.

WHAT PREPARATION IS NEEDED BEFORE LASER TREATMENT?

Tanning should be avoided for 7 days prior to the first treatment. Please consult with our staff for an exact treatment plan.

WHAT WILL I LOOK LIKE AFTER THE TREATMENT?

Generally some redness and swelling is expected. Patients may also experience some fine blistering and crust formation. The crusting may take up to a week to resolve and can be treated with some antibiotic ointment. Do not pick the crust since it will increase the risk of scarring. You should note an improvement in the lesions within a month.

WHAT SHOULD I AVOID AFTER TREATMENT?

Sun exposure or tanning should be avoided. This can be accomplished by the use of sunscreens. The treated areas should be handled gently, avoiding the use of abrasive cleansers or topical acne preparations. Ice compresses can be used to minimize swelling, and if blistering occurs, an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin or Bactriacin (a prescription antibiotic cream) can be applied.

ARE THERE ANY PATIENTS WHO CANNOT BE TREATED FOR BROWN SPOT REMOVAL?

Laser treatments are most effective in patients that are not tanned. Therefore, tanned individuals should wait until their tan has faded before seeking treatment. Patients with a history of kelloidal scar formation or poor healing should consult our physicians before initiating treatment. Patients with known photosensitivity to light and pregnant females should also avoid treatment. An area with an active infection such as cold sores should not be treated until the infection has healed. For best treatment results and to minimize bruising, it is important to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (and other so-called NSAID's) and tanning both immediately before and following laser treatments.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

We encourage you to call for a consultation or to arrange a treatment. Our office staff will be happy to answer any further questions you may have. Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi and staff would like to talk with you and personally answer all your questions about brown spot removal utilizing state-of-the-art lasers, as well as any other questions about the health of your skin. Please contact us at (810) 989-9490 to schedule a consultation, or email us by clicking on the e-mail graphic below.

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BOTOX®

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic and how does it work?

In its raw form botulinum toxin type A is produced in nature by the bacterium clostridium botulinum when the bacterium is deprived of oxygen. Raw botulinum toxin contains a mixture of subtypes. The manufacturer purifies subtype A and crystallizes it onto human albumin to make BOTOX® Cosmetic. BOTOX® Cosmetic therapy must be injected. It does not work as a tablet or a cream. When injected it travels through the tissue until it finds the nerve that ends on a muscle. The nerve ending absorbs the botulinum toxin type A, and the medication acts to prevent the nerve from firing. This weakens the muscle so that it can no longer produce the facial lines. Ultimately, the nerve ending regenerates and the muscle regains its previous strength. That is why BOTOX® Cosmetic injections may need to be repeated after time.

What BOTOX® Cosmetic therapy can (and cannot) improve?

BOTOX® Cosmetic therapy works best on the upper third of the face. Forehead furrows, glabellar frown lines (between the eyebrows) and lines around the eyes ("crows feet") nearly always respond favorably to treatment. Lines around the mouth respond only about half the time. Injections around the mouth risk an uneven smile, even if the injection is properly performed. Dimples, discolorations, and sun damage do not respond to BOTOX® Cosmetic therapy.

Precautions

Serious complications of BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are infrequent. Troubling side effects are also infrequent and nearly always wear off. The most frequent adverse effect is slight unevenness of the face. If bothersome, this can be corrected with a "touch up" re-injection. In about one in a thousand cases, temporary drooping of the eyelid or double vision results, but is also treatable.

BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.