Questions and answers about PhotoFacial treatment

What is a PhotoFacial treatment?
What are the causes of red faces?
How does the treatment work?
How much improvement will I see?
Will I need additional treatments?
Are there any side effects?
How long does each treatment last?
Can I accomplish this result with laser resurfacing?
What are the advantages of PhotoFacial ?
My doctor tells me he can perform this treatment with his laser. Is this true?
What if redness and sun damage extends to my neck and chests as well--can these areas be treated?
What is the role of PhotoFacial in the treatment of Rosacea?
What are the other uses of PhotoFacial treatments?

What is a PhotoFacial treatment?

A PhotoFacial treatment is a series of gentle pulsed light treatments intended to improve the appearance of fine lines, sun damage, and aged skin, as well as reduce facial and neck redness and flushing. PhotoFacial treatments result in a more youthful-appearing skin. This is accomplished with no down time.

What are the causes of red faces?

The more common causes are Rosacea (a condition in up to 13 million people), sun exposure, alcohol, medications, stress, emotional causes, time and aging of the skin, repeated blushing or flushing of the skin, and is seen most commonly in fair skinned individuals of northern European descent.

How does the treatment work?

An intense light is emitted in a series of gentle pulses over the entire face at intervals of approximately three weeks for a series of five treatments. This special light, which is different than laser treatments, emits many different wavelengths allowing the light to penetrate to all the levels of the skin where abnormally easily dilated vessels can be found.

How much improvement will I see?

Typically 75-95%, on average 90% improvement is seen in most patients.

Will I need additional treatments?

After your initial series of 5 treatments it is beneficial to require one follow-up treatment yearly. We will educate you in ways of caring for your skin to help diminish the likelihood of future treatments.

Are there any side effects?

Yes. Most side effects are mild and of short duration. These can consist of short-term discomfort during the actual treatment. There is usually additional redness immediately following treatment, lasting less than 24 hours in most people. On rare occasions it may last up to three days.

How long does each treatment last?

Each treatment lasts approximately thirty to forty-five minutes. Prior to your appointment, all make-up or creams must be removed.

Men will be asked to shave on the day of treatment, prior to their arrival at the office. Eye shields/goggles will be applied to protect the eyes. A soothing gel will be placed on the skin prior to treatment, which will help reduce discomfort.

Can I accomplish this result with laser resurfacing?

No. Laser resurfacing may help fine lines and pigmentation, but it does not affect or remove blood vessels or flushing. In fact, it can worsen this condition. It further leaves you unsightly and usually requires time away from work and your usual everyday activities. Downtime is at least two weeks and up to a few months of redness in the treated areas can occur. Laser resurfacing continuously has a valuable place in the treatment of certain conditions of the face, but it is not a substitute for PhotoFacial.

What are the advantages of PhotoFacial?

You can have glowing, smooth, blush-free skin with finer lines and more youthful looking skin with NO DOWN TIME from work or play. You can usually go to work the same day.

No procedure has ever been developed that can accomplish so much with such low risk and no down time.

The procedure was implemented after years of research and development by Dr. Patrick Bitter, Sr. We now see and treat patients from around the world seeking the newest and most exciting cosmetic procedure.

PhotoFacial treatments were developed for the active, busy patient for whom time and appearance are important.

My doctor tells me he can perform this treatment with his laser. Is this true?

No. Currently there is no laser that can duplicate the efforts of intense light therapy.

What if redness and sun damage extends to my neck and chests as well--can these areas be treated?

Yes. These areas can also be treated successfully, much like the face. Many women especially are delighted to get rid of the "V-neck" effect of sun-damage that has accumulated in these areas from years of sun exposure.

What is the role of PhotoFacial in the treatment of Rosacea?

Rosacea is a common chronic condition of the face characterized by redness, dilated blood vessels, and frequently developing pustules and swelling. Flushing is its most devastating characteristic.

Unfortunately, no successful treatment existed until now to help stop or even diminish the blushing. Dr. Patrick Bitter, Sr. has developed a successful protocol to control the embarrassing blushing by using intense light therapy.

In controlling the blushing, the physician noted that the breakouts from Rosacea were diminished in frequency and severity. Some Rosacea patients were able to stop taking antibiotics they had been taking for years. Also, the great nemesis of Rosacea--the application of cortisone creams to control the condition--often worsened the condition.

Controlling the blushing with PhotoFacial treatments has reduced the need for topical cortisone creams and its influence on the skin.

What are the other uses of PhotoFacial treatments?

In our experience, PhotoFacial treatments offer unique benefits when performed before or after laser resurfacing, facelift procedures, the "weekend facelift," and chemical peels.

In addition, we have combined the use of PhotoFacial with micro-dermabrasion to enhance the benefit of this procedure by reducing the dilated capillaries and redness that Vibradermabrasion is unable to help.

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