Advanced Dermatology of Westchester
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Cosmetic Dermatology Treatments > Laser Procedures

Cosmetic Laser Procedures

At Advanced Dermatology of Westchester, cosmetic laser procedures are performed using the most advanced techniques available in the field of dermatology. At your first appointment you will have a private consultation with either Dr. Jeffrey Sturza or Dr. Alison Stallings, during which a customized course of treatment will be determined.

Available laser treatments include:

If you have any questions or wish to set up an appointment, please call our office today at 914.631.4666.

Our advanced laser technology includes:

GentleYAG SRT
For Skin Rejuvenation and Tightening

  1. How does the laser treatment work?
    The laser creates a beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deeply into skin tissue, where it delivers a controlled amount of targeted therapeutic heat.
  2. What can I expect during treatment?
    Treatment will take place in our office. You will wear safety eyewear to protect your eyes from the laser light. The doctor will guide the laser to the specific areas with a small hand piece. Each laser pulse may be preceded by a short pulse of cooling spray. A treatment could take as little as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the area and condition being treated.
  3. Does it hurt?
    Some patients ma feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, sometimes described as a snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This discomfort resolves after several seconds and is minimized by the cooling spray. For some patients a topical anesthetic may be used prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
  4. How many treatment sessions will I need?
    The number of sessions depends on the treatment you require and the condition of your skin. Many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the severity of the condition being treated.
  5. What can I expect after treatment?
    A cool compress or gel pack may be applied for comfort following your treatment. Any redness or swelling should resolve within a few hours.
  6. What precautions should I take after treatment?
    After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sun block (SPF 30 or above). In the first few days after treatment, don’t scrub or rinse the areas with abrasive skin cleansers. Your doctor may advise additional precautions.
  7. Are there side effects?
    Your risks are minimal. Side effects may include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering and purpura (a laser bruise) in the treated area- these usually do not last more than a few days. Permanent side effects are rare. Be sure to discuss potential side effects with your doctor.

For more information visit www.candelalaser.com

Alexandrite Q-Switched
For Brown Spots, Age Spots, Sun Spots, and Tattoo Removal

  1. What conditions are treated with this laser?
    Dermal and epidermal pigmented lesions and tattoos (amateur and professional; black, blue, and green inks) are treated. The effectiveness of the laser is dependent upon the age, location, depth, and type of tattoo and pigmented lesions, as well as the composition of the pigments.
  2. What does treatment involve?
    Treatment with the Candela lasers varies from patient to patient depending on the age, size and type of tattoo, color of the patient’s skin, and depth to which the tattoo or pigment extends beneath the skin’s surface. In general these steps will take place:
    1. The patient is asked to wear eye protection.
    2. A hand piece is placed against the surface of the skin, activating the laser. As many patients describe it, each pulse feels like the snapping of a rubber band against the skin.
    3. This laser is less painful and requires less recovery time than some other treatment methods. The degree of discomfort varies with each person, depending on his/her pain threshold. Most patients do not require anesthesia. In some cases, however, depending on the nature and location of the lesion, the doctor may elect to use some form of anesthesia.

Information provided by Candela Corporation. For further information visit www.candelalaser.com

VBeam
For Rosacea, Broken Blood Vessels, Facial Erythema/Redness

  1. What is a Pulsed Dye Laser?
    Pulsed Dye Lasers deliver an intense but gentle burst of light into selectively targeted areas of the skin. The light is absorbed by specific blood vessels or melanin pigmented areas in the dermis depending on the condition being treated. Factors such as the age, color and type of lesions, as well as the location on the body, all determine whether lesions can be removed. What is the procedure for being treated with a Pulse Dye Laser? Your practitioner will ensure you are as comfortable as possible; most patients are reclined or lying down depending on the area being treated. Both the patient and the practitioner will be wearing protective eyewear. When treatment begins, the laser will be calibrated and parameters will be set based on the specific condition being treated, each condition and each individual is unique and these settings maximize the results you will see following treatment.
  2. How do I know if I qualify for treatment?
    The only requirement is that you have a desire to improve the condition of your skin. Most patients who receive cosmetic laser treatment opt for procedures to correct skin conditions not out of medical necessity, but because they are interested in improving the appearance of their skin without invasive surgery that would cause downtime away from daily activities. From total facial rejuvenation which involves the reduction and removal of red and brown pigmented lesions with a general firming of the skin, to the removal of sun-spot damage, patients should discuss with their practitioner which treatments are right for them.
  3. Does it hurt?
    No anesthetics are required, but they may be used. The feeling most patients report is a warming or tingling sensation during treatment. The skin being treated is additionally protected by Candela’s dynamic cooling method, DCD, which delivers a cooling mist on to the skin before the laser pulse is emitted. This cooling mist increases comfort during treatment, as well as protects the skin to minimize side effects like redness.
  4. Is PDL Treatment safe?
    Yes. In fact, treatment is so safe that it has been successfully used since the 1980’s for the treatment of port wine stain birthmarks in infants and young children. During treatment, the epidermis is protected by Candela’s exclusive dynamic cooling method, DCD, which sprays a cooling mist onto the targeted area of skin before each laser pulse, maximizing comfort and protecting the skin during treatment.
  5. Are the results of Pulse Dye Laser Treatment Permanent?
    Permanency of results depend on many factors, like the condition being treated, or lifestyle of the patient. For example, if a patient has sun spots removed, and continues to spend time in the sun without adequate skin protection, it is likely that the sun spots will return. Talk with your practitioner about your goals and expectations for treatment.
  6. How soon will I see results of my treatment?
    Most patients notice beneficial results right away, and often times feel a firming or tightening of the treated area. The results of laser therapy vary depending on the condition that is being treated and the number of treatments required for clearance.
  7. What are the Side Effects of Treatment?
    Some patients experience redness or mild swelling in the treated area immediately following treatment, this usually goes away in a few hours. Occasionally purpura, a laser bruise, may occur. Purpura is transient and usually disappears in three to five days.
  8. Are there any special precautions I need to take before or after treatment?
    It is recommended to avoid sun exposure before and throughout treatment to maximize results. A sunblock of SPF 30 or higher should be worn daily during this time. Post treatment care guidelines depend on the condition treated, and should be discussed with you practitioner.

Information provided by Candela Corporation. For further information visit www.candelalaser.com

Fraxel
For Skin Rejuvenation and Resurfacing

  1. What is Fraxel laser treatment?
    Fraxel treatment is a safe, non-invasive procedure that enables you to rediscover the fresh, healthy skin of your youth. Fraxel is the pioneer of "fractional photothermolysis," a technology in which thousands of microscopic laser columns - each just one-tenth the diameter of a hair follicle - treat a fraction of the skin at a time without affecting the surrounding tissue. These laser columns stimulate the production of younger, smoother, healthier skin to replace damaged tissue.

    Fraxel re:fine treatment targets age spots/sunspots, fine lines around the eyes, and other pigment irregularities such as melasma and uneven skin tone. The treatment uses microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin to expedite your body’s remodeling of collagen. And since the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, it leaves the surrounding tissue intact, which promotes very rapid healing. You won’t have any downtime, and you’ll have very little swelling or redness. Unlike treatments such as IPL or microdermabrasion, which target a very superficial layer of your skin, Fraxel re:fine treatment actually resurfaces your skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out.

  2. Does Fraxel re:fine treatment hurt?
    Most patients describe a "prickling" sensation during treatment. To minimize discomfort, topical anesthesia is applied before the procedure and cold air is used on the treatment area during the procedure. After the treatment, most patients feel like they have a sunburn, which usually diminishes in 1 to 3 hours.
  3. What should I expect after Fraxel re:fine treatment?
    During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel like it’s sunburned, and it will appear pink or red. You can wear make-up to reduce the sunburned appearance. Your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two, and as you continue treatment, the sunburned-to-bronzed appearance will repeat. As with a sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Use a moisturizer to reduce the appearance of dry flakes.
  4. What side effects can I expect after treatment and how long will they last?
    Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from Fraxel re:fine treatment. Any swelling is typically minimal and subsides within a day or two, and any redness typically fades within a few days. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, and a bronzed skin appearance. There is a very limited risk of infection or scarring. The intensity and duration of side effects depend on the aggressiveness of treatment and on your particular healing characteristics. Your physician will provide specific instructions about what to expect and how to minimize any side effects.
  5. What precautions should I take after treatment?
    Wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 months after your last treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun.

Information provided by Reliant Technologies. For further information visit www. fraxel.com.

Medlite
For Brown Spots, Age Spots, Sun Spots, and Tattoo Removal

The Medlite lasers are used for the removal of epidermal pigmented lesions such as brown age spots, “liver spots,” freckles and many birthmarks. Usually, only one treatment is required for the majority of these lesions. Although more treatments are required, the laser can also greatly improve and often remove difficult dermal pigmented lesions.

The Medlite line of lasers can significantly lighten or remove tattoo inks, and are particularly advanced in the removal of blue, black, and red inks. The Medlite laser has additional attachments to also remove green inks. Depending on the age of the tattoo, depth of ink penetration and type of ink used, as 4 and as many as 10 treatments may be needed.

Lasers have become the standard treatment for tattoo removal because they offer a bloodless, low risk, effective alternative with minimal side effects. Each procedure is done on an outpatient basis in a single or series of visits. Patients may or may not require topical or local anesthesia.

Information provided by ConBio. For more information visit www.conbio.com.