One of the major advantages of RF over laser treatment is the ability to safely treat darker skin types with little risk of pigmentation changes. In addition, RF can be carried during acne treatment, including isotretinoin (Roaccutane or Oratane).

THE PROCEDURE

You will need to use 23/7 topical anaesthetic cream. Treatment will not be done during pregnancy and numbing creams should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. 23/7 cream will be prescribed, made by CustomMed Pharmacy and posted to your home. Starting 1 hour before your appointment, apply up to 5mls of 23/7 cream to clean, dry skin. Extend 1-2 cm outside the edges of area to be treated, avoid the red part of the lips and stay 1 cm away from eyes. Use an Alice band to hold longer hair back. Some people are sensitive to the cream and feel dizzy or unwell. Wash off and use less in the future. 23/7 cream is needed for treatment at all sites and it expires after a few months.

Please let us know if you get cold sores in the area to be treated so that anti-cold sore virus medication can be prescribed, starting the night before the procedure and continuing 2 x daily for 5 days.

The area will be photographed at each treatment. The cream will be completely removed with alcohol. Unlike with lasers, your eyes do not need to be covered. Usually 1-3 passes are performed with a greater number of passes and increased strength applied to more severely affected areas. The treatment should be only slightly uncomfortable provided sufficient anaesthetic cream has been used. The treatment will take 20-40 minutes. You may arrange for a lift home afterwards if you wish but this is not essential. Three to six treatments are usual.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

The treated areas will be red and swollen and this will last for 2-3 days. Swelling is most marked around the eyes. You may lightly spray the skin with sterile water e.g. Avene Eau Thermale, but do not apply any creams on the first day as this will reduce the benefits of the treatment. Sensations of heat, burning or stinging last for 1- 2 days. The skin will develop a rough sandpaper-like texture which lasts about one week. In areas off the face, it is common to have a faint grid-like pattern of small dark dots for 2-3 weeks. Make-up can be applied after the first day to cover redness. Swimming, hot tubs, activities causing heavy sweating and any friction to the skin should be avoided until the skin returns to normal. Most people require 1-2 days off work or studies.

Sun protection is required before treatment, throughout treatment & indefinitely afterwards to prevent complications and maintain improvement. The benefits of the treatment are assessed at 3 months following the final treatment.

COMPLICATIONS

Complications are rare. Usually, one expects 30% improvement in scarring and age-related changes with a series of 3-6 treatments but in some cases, results may be less than this. Six to twelve monthly maintenance treatment helps prevent recurrence of age-related changes. Occasionally, swelling and redness may last for longer than expected. Scarring and permanent or temporary changes in skin colour are possible but unlikely. Cold sore virus or other infections may rarely occur. If you develop tenderness and spreading redness, please contact us immediately.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call:
Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

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Halo may be combined with other treatments such as intense pulsed light (IPL) for broken blood vessels & freckles and ablative lasers in areas of more marked sun damage or scarring.

THE PROCEDURE:

Please apply the prescribed topical anaesthetic cream to the entire area to be treated and 1-2 cm beyond this into the hair, below the jawline and inside the nostrils, avoiding the eyes & lips. Apply 5mls of the cream to clean, dry skin, 45minutes before the procedure.

The cream will be removed with alcohol wipes just before treatment. Your face is photographed and your eyes protected with patches. One area of the face is treated at a time. The laser is rolled back & forth over the skin, this should be painless or only very slightly uncomfortable provided enough anaesthetic cream has been used. You will hear various noises from the laser, the suction machine and the cold air blower. The treatment will take 30-40 minutes. You may arrange for a lift home afterwards if you wish, but this is not essential.

If you have had cold sores in the areas to be treated, it is important you tell us and obtain a prescription for anti-virus medication. This is started the night before the procedure and continued twice daily for 5 days. Before booking treatment, please inform us if you are taking blood thinners or if you have had isotretinoin (Roaccutane, Accutane) in the last year.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

Cicalfate cream is applied immediately after treatment, please reapply this, Avène Crème Riche or your own thick moisturizer frequently until healed. Sunblock (e.g. La Roche Posay BB cream, Ego Daily Face, Oxygenetix foundation) should be applied from the first day. Sunblock must be used during the course of treatment & for 3 months afterwards to prevent complications and then continued every day to maintain improvement. Make-up may be applied over the sunblock. Morning and night, use a gentle cleanser (e.g. Aveeno positively radiant cleanser, Avène Xeracalm cleansing oil, Q-V face gentle cleanser) then gently pat skin dry before reapplying moisturizer/sunblock/make-up.

Mild burning or stinging is worst on the first day and lasts for 1- 2 days. Please use ice packs (or pack of frozen peas in a clean tea towel) constantly until the heated sensation settles then hourly for 10-15 minutes on the day of the procedure to reduce discomfort & swelling. Paracetamol-containing painkillers (Panadol, Panadeine) may be taken as needed. The treated areas will be red and swollen for 2-4 days. Sleeping with your head elevated and taking antihistamines (e.g. Claratyne, Telfast) help reduce swelling. Pinpoint areas of bleeding may occur for a few hours on the first day with deeper treatments. After 2-3 days, you will develop a bronzed appearance and rough sandpaper-like texture, lasting up to one week on the face and 2 weeks in other areas. Do not pick or scratch these rough areas as scarring may occur. After peeling, there is a rosy pink glow which gradually settles. Swimming, hot tubs, saunas, activities causing heavy sweating and any friction to the skin (e.g. face scrubs) should be avoided until the skin returns to normal. Most people require at least the day of treatment off work, stronger treatments may require a week. Sun exposure & tanning salons must be completely avoided for at least 3 months.

OUTCOME & COMPLICATIONS:

The benefits of the treatment are assessed at 3 months following the final treatment. We expect significant improvement with a series of 2-4 treatments but in some cases, problems may be resistant to treatment and require repeated treatments or a change in treatment type. Annual maintenance treatment helps prevent recurrence of age-related changes. Complications are rare but may include prolonged swelling & redness, scarring, permanent hair loss in the treated area, cold sore virus or other infections (suggested by increasing redness, pustules, pain & fever), damage to tattoos (including permanent makeup) and permanent or temporary changes in skin colour.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call:
Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

Car parking is available under the Centre and a permit can be obtained from reception.

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In order to obtain the best possible results following surgery, please follow these instructions:

1. Leave the dressing dry and in place for 48 hours.
2. In 48 hours, shower with the dressing on, then remove the dressing, wash hands and gently clean the wound,removing old blood or scabs, using 3% Hydrogen Peroxide on a cotton bud, dry wound with gauze.
3. After cleaning the wound apply a generous smear of Vaseline or Stratamed (only this brand) to the wound.
4. Then apply a nonstick dressing (such as Telfa or Melolin) shiny side to wound and paper tape (Micropore).
5. Repeat steps 2, 3, 4 and 5 every 24 hours until your next appointment.
6. If you need pain relief, please take Panadol, Panadeine or Ibuprofen/Paracetamol (Maxigesic). No more than 8 Panadol/Panadeine /Maxigesic in 24 hours.– Please check with the Doctor before taking Ibuprofen, it should not be taken with some medications eg: Blood thinners. Avoid Aspirin or any Aspirin containing products. If stronger pain relief is needed this will be prescribed.
7. If bleeding occurs apply continuous firm pressure (no Peeking) with a cold pack or packet of frozen peas over the wound for 20 minutes.If bleeding persists, please call the practice during work hours or the after hours number.
8. To reduce swelling, apply a cold pack or packet of frozen peas wrapped in a clean tea towel over the dressing for 15 minutes of each hour until bedtime on the day of the surgery only. Swelling is usually worst 2 days after the surgery.
9. If the skin around the wound becomes red and tender please call the practice during work hours or the after hours number.
10. Resting quietly for the first 24-48 hours post-op is advised. A low chew diet on the first day is helpful for facial surgery. Do not exercise, do housework or gardening until sutures are removed.

If given an antibiotic to take home, please take at……………………….today. Other
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You should resume taking your normal blood thinning medications 24hrs post operatively.

PLEASE NOTE: The appropriate wound care instructions will be advised by our practice staff at the time of treatment and the above is provided for reference purposes only. Please contact the practice to clarify any post operative instructions or concerns. If you require out of hours assistance, please contact the practice on 08 8211 0000 and our recorded message will advise you of these contacts.

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Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is used to selectively treat a number of conditions including broken blood vessels (telangiectasia), redness, excess hair, sallowness and freckling. Usually, facial skin texture & tone is also improved after IPL treatment. Broken blood vessels and redness may be due to medical conditions including acne rosacea but are also caused by sun exposure, ageing, temperature extremes, topical steroid use, genetic influences and surgical scarring.

Avoid sun exposure and use a SPF 50+ sun block for 4 weeks prior to the procedure. A numbing (23/7) cream will be prescribed; it can be posted to your home if necessary. Treatment will not be done during pregnancy and numbing creams should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. Please let me know if you are taking aspirin, other blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications, as we may need to reduce the treatment strength to avoid bruising.

THE PROCEDURE:

If you are suntanned or have a fake tan, your treatment may be postponed. Please come without makeup/sunblock and inform us if you have any tattoos in the area, including permanent makeup. Face treatments: 45 minutes before your appointment, apply exactly one teaspoon (5mls) of 23/7 cream to clean, dry skin from forehead to chin and out to the ears. Extend 1cm outside the edges of the area to be treated (into hair, below jawline) and put a small amount inside nostrils. Avoid the red parts of the lip and stay 1cm away from eyes. Use an Alice band to hold longer hair back. Some people are very sensitive to the anaesthetic cream and feel dizzy or unwell, please wash off and use less or none in the future. 23/7 cream is only used for face treatments and expires after a few months.

The area will be photographed and cleaned preoperatively. Your eyes are protected with safety patches or goggles during the treatment but you will still notice bright flashes of light. If numbing cream isn’t used, each pulse of the IPL feels like a hot and sharp rubber band flick. The strength of the treatment may be reduced if you find it too uncomfortable. On the face, 3 treatments are usually required, ideally 4 to 6 weeks apart, but the nose may require addition of the Nd YAG laser and more treatment sessions.

POSTOPERATIVE COURSE:

The treated area will be red for a few hours after treatment. Aloe vera or light moisturisers may be applied to ease any discomfort. You may apply moisturiser over the treated area straight away. Your skin usually feels tight and somewhat irritated like mild sunburn for a few days. Treatment near the eyes usually causes mild swelling, lasting for a few days. Treated freckles in the area usually darken and peel off in the week after treatment, especially after the first treatment. If crusting occurs, apply Vaseline frequently and notify us, it will usually last 1-2 weeks. It is important to avoid sun exposure and use sun block SPF 50+ for 4 weeks before your treatment, throughout the course of treatment and for at least 3 months following your last treatment to prevent the development or recurrence of pigmentation and freckling in the treated area.

COMPLICATIONS:

Some problems are resistant to treatment and may require extra treatments (e.g. nose) or a change to a different laser system. In particular, freckles and larger brown spots may not always respond to IPL. Most problems will gradually recur but annual maintenance therapy can prevent this. Changes in skin colour including darkening, freckling and lightening may occur and are more common in darker skin. Uncommon complications include prolonged redness, severe swelling, blistering, scabbing, bruising, scarring and permanent hair loss in the treated area. Tattoos, including permanent makeup, may be damaged by the treatment.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call: Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

The post Intense Pulsed Light Therapy appeared first on Adelaide Skin and Eye Centre.

THE PROCEDURE:

Your face is photographed before and after treatment. Local anaesthetic is injected and numbs the area to be treated (but does not make you go to sleep). The eyes need to be protected from the laser beam with shields or patches before starting treatment. The treatment itself takes 10 – 20 minutes. The laser makes some “popping” noises. A smoke evacuator is used to remove fumes – this sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

POSTOPERATIVE COURSE:

The treated area will look red & raw immediately postoperatively. A thin layer of Vaseline or antibiotic ointment will be applied. After the anaesthetic wears off (about 1 to 2 hours) the area will feel slightly swollen & stinging.
Please use ice packs (e.g. frozen pea packet in a clean tea towel) hourly for 10 to 15 minutes on the day of the procedure to reduce swelling and bruising.

The area will develop a slightly weeping crust. Use saline or 3% hydrogen peroxide morning & night with gauze or cotton buds to help remove all the crusts then apply Vaseline & either Melolin and Micropore tape or a double layer of Hypafix tape until wound is healed. If a dressing cannot be applied, Vaseline should be applied every 2 hours during the first 3-5 days. Do not get peroxide in the eyes.

After a few days, cleaning and Vaseline with a dressing should be used daily. If the area dries out, more frequent application of Vaseline may be used. An appointment will be made for review within the next few days and sometimes the following week too. It will take 2 to 3 weeks for your face to heal.

After you have healed it is very important that you should regularly apply a SPF 50+ sunscreen all year round, but especially in the first 3 months to prevent brown pigmentation and freckling. A flesh coloured zinc stick and a hat should be used when you are outside.

COMPLICATIONS:

1. Infection of the lasered area is uncommon and usually causes intense pain. Antibiotics are used in some cases to reduce the risk of infection. Cold sore virus may also cause problems. If you suffer from cold sores, please let us know before the laser surgery and we will arrange for you to take anti-viral medication twice daily starting on the evening before the procedure.
2. Changes in the colour of your skin may occur after laser treatment. Everyone is red after treatment. This usually settles after 2-3 months but may be very persistent in some people. It is normal for the skin to be slightly lighter after the laser treatment but on occasion, this may be marked. Some people, particularly those with olive or darker skin, develop increased pigmentation (brown patches) after laser treatment. Again, this will usually return to normal after 2-3 months. To prevent this problem, it is very important to avoid sun exposure after laser treatment and to wear sun block daily all year round once the skin has healed.
3. Worsening of the scarring is a very uncommon complication of laser treatment. If it occurs, early treatment with cortisone creams and special dressings can help with this problem.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call:
Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

The post Laser Scar Revision appeared first on Adelaide Skin and Eye Centre.

THE PROCEDURE:

Your face is photographed before & after treatment. Local anaesthetic is injected and numbs the area to be treated (but does not make you go to sleep). It is important for the eyes to be shielded from the laser beam & they will be covered prior to starting treatment. The treatment itself takes 10 – 20 minutes. The laser makes some “popping” noises. During the treatment a smoke evacuator is used to remove fumes–this makes a noise rather like a vacuum cleaner.

POSTOPERATIVE COURSE:

The treated area will look red and raw immediately postoperatively. A thin layer of Vaseline or antibiotic ointment will be applied. After the anaesthetic wears off (about 1 to 2 hours) the area will feel slightly swollen and stinging. Please use ice packs (e.g. frozen pea packet in a clean tea towel) hourly for 10 to 15 minutes on the day of the procedure to reduce swelling and bruising.

The area will develop a slightly weeping crust. Use saline or 3% hydrogen peroxide morning and night with gauze or cotton buds to help remove all the crusts, then apply Vaseline and either Melolin and Micropore tape or a double layer of Hypafix tape. If a dressing cannot be applied, Vaseline should be applied every 2 hours during the first 3-5 days.

After a few days, cleaning, Vaseline and a dressing should be done daily. If the area dries out, more frequent application of Vaseline may be used. An appointment will be made for review within the first few days and sometimes the following week too. It will take 2 to 3 weeks for your face to heal.

After you have healed it is very important that you should regularly apply a SPF 50+ sunscreen all year round, but especially in the first 3 months. A flesh coloured zinc stick sunblock and a hat should be used if you are outside.

COMPLICATIONS:

1. Infection of the lasered area is uncommon and usually causes intense pain. Antibiotics are used in some cases to reduce the risk of infection. Cold sore virus may also cause problems. If you suffer from cold sores, please let me know before the laser surgery and I will arrange for you to take anti-viral medication 2 x daily, starting the evening before the procedure.
2. Changes in the colour of your skin may occur after laser treatment. Everyone is red after treatment. This usually settles after 2-3 months but may be very persistent in some people. It is normal for the skin to be slightly lighter after the laser treatment but on occasion, this may be marked. Some people, particularly those with olive or darker skin, develop increased pigmentation (brown patches) after laser treatment. Again, this will usually return to normal after 2-3 months. To prevent this problem, it is very important to avoid sun exposure after laser treatment and to wear sun block daily all year round once the skin has healed.
3. Scarring is a very uncommon complication of laser treatment. If it occurs, early treatment with cortisone creams and special dressings can help with this problem.
4. Some lesions may not go away completely after laser treatment. It is also possible for some lesions to come back again. I will discuss this with you before the laser surgery.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call:
Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

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THE PROCEDURE:

Your lip will be photographed before and after laser treatment. Local anaesthetic is injected into the gums and lip to completely numb the lower lip. It is important for the eyes to be protected from the laser beam and they will be covered prior to starting treatment. The treatment itself is short. The laser makes a “popping” noise. During the treatment a smoke evacuator is used to remove fumes – this makes a noise rather like a vacuum cleaner.

POSTOPERATIVE COURSE:

The treated area of your lip will look red and will ooze small amounts of blood immediately postoperatively. A thin layer of Bactroban antibiotic ointment is applied. After the anaesthetic wears off (about 1 to 2 hours) your lip will feel swollen and painful. You are likely to need some painkillers for the first day and night (e.g. Panadol, Panamax, Panadeine Forte).

Your lip will develop a crust over the treated area. This should be gently removed with saline and Vaseline or paw paw ointment should be applied every 2 hours during the first 3-5 days. Bactroban ointment or Vaseline (petroleum jelly) should continue to be applied 5-6 times daily. If the lip dries out, more frequent application of the ointment may be used. It is usually most difficult to keep the lip clean during the first week, thereafter it becomes much easier.

It will take 2-3 weeks for your lip to heal. The lip heals at the corners of the mouth while the centre heals last.
After the lip has healed it is very important that you should regularly apply a lip sunscreen (e.g. Hamilton’s, Q-V or zinc) at least 2 – 3 times a day all year round. This should help prevent any recurrence of your problems.

COMPLICATIONS:

The most common problem is the return of your sun-damaged changes. This happens early on in about 5% and at a later stage in about 5-10%.
An uncommon complication is the development of scarring, either within the red portion of the lips or along the junction with the surrounding skin. This can be helped with the early injection of cortisone preparations. Scarring is most likely at the site of a biopsy or any previous treatment. Infection is an uncommon problem. If you have had lip cold sores, please let me know before the laser surgery and I will arrange for you to take anti-viral medication before the procedure.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call:
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm call: Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 or After Hours 0403 535 126

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Artificial ultraviolet light (narrowband UVB) is used to treat various skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis/eczema etc. Treatment is given standing in a phototherapy booth.

Ultra violet light given in our booth is UVB which are absorbed by the upper layers of the skin (epidermis) and can cause burning or tanning. It is different to UVA light (in sunlight and certain solariums), which penetrates deeper into the lower layers of the skin (dermis).

UVB is safe to use in pregnancy and breast-feeding

TREATMENT WITH PHOTOTHERAPY:

• Your skin type will be assessed by your dermatologist.
• The nurse will give you treatment usually 2 or 3 times a week, with at least a 24-hour gap between treatments.
• At each session you will be asked how your skin reacted to the previous treatment so that the next treatment canproceed.
• You will have booked a review with your dermatologist every 6-8 weeks.
• Every person’s skin is different and some may require more or fewer sessions.
• Protective UV blocking glasses are supplied and must be worn during treatment. They must not be removed until the treatment session is finished.

WHAT TO DO ON TREATMENT DAYS:

• Your skin must be clean and no perfume or aftershave applied before treatment. Basic moisturisers can be used before and after treatment.
• Avoid other forms of UV exposure during treatment, such as excessive sunlight or sunbeds/solariums. You may get too much UV exposure and burning.
• Males should cover their genitals during the treatment.
• Avoid alcohol before treatment to prevent sensitivity to the UV light and for your general safety.
• Please wear the same style of underwear for your sessions, to avoid burning areas that previously have been covered. Similarly, avoid radical haircuts or style changes midway through treatment.
• Please remove any jewellery before treatments.
• If you cannot attend treatment sessions for any reason, please contact our staff. If regular attendance does notoccur over the treatment course, it may be suspended.

WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR TREATMENT:

• Be aware of any after effects and at your next treatment advise the nurse.
• Report any changes in medications or health conditions. Some medications can make the skin more sensitive to UVlight.
• Apply sunscreen to face, neck and hands after your UV light treatment.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF PHOTOTHERAPY:

1. Redness or burning

Treatment may produce a slight pinkness to the skin. This usually happens a few hours after the treatment, and disappears within a few hours.

Occasionally redness or burning occurs despite the careful treatment protocols.

If this happens: take cool baths/showers, apply plenty of moisturiser, drink lots of water and advise the nurse before your next treatment.

If SWELLING and/or BLISTERING occur, contact our rooms and ask to speak to your dermatologist. If it is out of hours, contact your GP or an emergency department.

2. Tanning

This is expected. Despite tanning, the skin can remain sensitive to the sun and burn, so do not get extra sun exposure over and above your treatment. Use a good sunscreen with broad-spectrum cover with a minimum SPF 30+ when outdoors.

3. Skin changes

Prolonged and repeated courses of phototherapy can potentially increase your risk of skin cancer, especially in fair skinned people, or people who already have had lots of sun exposure over their lives.

If you notice any changes on your skin, inform the nurse at your next appointment, and let your dermatologist know at your review appointment.

4. Premature skin ageing

Long term UV exposure can lead to skin ageing, wrinkling and dryness of the skin. The face can be covered during treatment to minimise UV light exposure. Using sunscreen (as above) especially on the face is important after your treatment.

5. Itching

This may occur during the first few weeks of treatment. Moisturise regularly. If it is persistent speak to the nurse or your dermatologist about itching.

6. Photosensitivity

Some plants, weeds and vegetables may cause your skin to be more sensitive to UV light than usual, so avoid handling them for at least 2 hours before treatment e.g. celery, parsnips or figs.

7. Cold sores

UV light can cause reactivation of cold sore virus (herpes virus). It is recommended to use sunscreen in affected areas before treatment.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call:
Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

The post Phototherapy Treatment appeared first on Adelaide Skin and Eye Centre.

THE PROCEDURE:

Please come with the area free of makeup. The area will be photographed. Your eyes will be shielded from the laser. Treatment to small areas may be carried out without any anaesthetic and feels like many small pinpricks. Larger and deeper treatments usually require numbing cream or injections for comfort. Usually three treatments are required and these are one month or more apart. In some cases, the treatment may be combined with other treatments to further enhance your result.

POSTOPERATIVE COURSE:

The treated area will ooze small amounts of blood through the many fine channels created by the laser. A dressing with Vaseline and two layers of Hypafix is usually applied for deeper treatments and needs to be changed daily for three days or until healing occurs. All fine dotted scabs must be completely removed to prevent patterning. Lighter treatments do not usually require a dressing but Vaseline or a heavy cream should be applied at least twice daily for two days. The skin usually feels tight and somewhat irritated, like mild sunburn, for a few days.

If you have had treatment near the eyes, swelling will occur and will be greatest two days after the procedure. Swelling is reduced by using hourly ice packs (or frozen pea packet in a clean tea towel) for 10 to 15 minutes to the treated area on the day of the procedure. After healing has occurred, the area will usually be red for about one week, but may be longer, especially in darker skin. Makeup may be applied and most patients can return to work once healing has occurred, usually two to three days after the procedure.

It is essential to apply sunblock before, throughout and for 3 months after the course of treatment to prevent the development of freckling and brown discolouration.

Improvement is a gradual process due to the body’s formation of collagen over the three months following the last procedure. Scarring is usually 50% improved while fine wrinkles and sun damage are improved to a greater extent.

COMPLICATIONS:

Some problems are resistant to treatment and may require a greater number of treatments or a change in the type of treatment. Changes in skin colour including darkening, freckling and lightening may occur and are more common in darker skin.In some areas, particularly the neck, you may notice a line between treated and untreated skin.This will usually be evident only between the first and second treatments. Faint patterning with multiple fine white marks may occur but generally fades over several months back to normal. Uncommon complications include prolonged redness, severe swelling, bruising, scabbing, scarring, infection, acne-like eruptions and permanent hair loss in the treated area. Tattoos, including permanent makeup, may be damaged by the treatment.

Car parking is available under the Centre and a permit can be obtained from reception. If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call:
Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

The post Profractional Laser Therapy appeared first on Adelaide Skin and Eye Centre.

The Nd-YAG laser is used to treat enlarged blood vessels (telangiectasia) & diffuse redness. Deeper, larger red & purple vascular lesions may also be treated, including lip venous lakes and birthmarks such as port wine stains, venous malformations and haemangiomas. The laser heats and destroys blood vessels with minimal damage to the surrounding skin.

The causes of telangiectasia and redness include hereditary influences on complexion, sun damage, temperature extremes and acne rosacea. As these are usually ongoing problems, it is usual for them to return over a few years. The laser treatment may be repeated when necessary.

THE PROCEDURE:

The area will be photographed preoperatively. Your eyes must be shielded from the laser beam and they will be covered during treatment. For visible lesions, the laser light is delivered in small circles which feel like an ant bite. The laser light is delivered through a cold tip but you will still be aware of some pain and heat. The strength of the laser may be reduced if you find it too uncomfortable. You can also use a numbing cream, please speak to your doctor. For diffuse redness, the laser light is delivered as continuous pulses of low dose light which makes the skin warm. If it is too hot we need to stop.

POSTOPERATIVE COURSE:

The treated area will be red for 1-2 hours. If you develop purplish discolouration, this may last for 1-2 weeks.

If you have had lasering near the eyes, you may develop some swelling over 2-3 days which may lead to partial (rarely complete) closure of the eye. We may ask you to use ice packs (e.g. frozen pea packet in a clean tea towel) every hour for 10- 15 minutes on the day of the procedure to reduce swelling. If you have had an internal eye shield, you will need to patch the eye for 4 hours and apply lubricating eye ointment (e.g. Refresh) twice daily for 3 days.

You may develop some small scabs or blisters over the 1-2 days following the laser treatment. These will heal completely over 7-10 days on the face. Do not pick at these scabs or apply bandaids to the area. You may wash gently and apply Vaseline frequently during this time. There may be some residual pinkness that fades over 2-3 months.

It is important to avoid sun exposure and use sun block for 3 months following the laser treatment to prevent uneven pigmentation (brown discolouration).

POST BIRTHMARK TREATMENT:

Birthmarks are usually treated more strongly so extra care is required post procedure. Shower and bathe the treated area as normal but gently pat the skin dry. Avoid shaving until the bruising and swelling has settled. A moisturiser (e.g. aqueous cream) is often soothing and reduces the likelihood of crusting. If crusting does occur, use Vaseline 3 times daily to reduce the risk of scarring.

If bruising is present, make up should be avoided for 1 week as removing it may produce damage to the skin which is fragile during this time. Avoid sports involving physical contact and do not take aspirin-containing compounds or anti-inflammatory medications until the bruising has faded.

The laser light is delivered in circles thus the first treatment may produce circles of lighter redness in a background of darker redness. Subsequent treatments will even out these obvious differences in colour but there may be some persistence of this patterned appearance. If the entire area is too large to be treated, there will be a line of demarcation between treated and untreated skin.

COMPLICATIONS:

Usually 3 treatments are required for telangiectasia and diffuse redness, however problems may sometimes be very resistant and do not respond despite repeated treatments. For birthmarks, 4-6 treatments are usual and one usually gets improvement rather than resolution of the problem. Lip venous lakes usually need one treatment.

Scarring is a rare complication of laser treatment for telangiectasia and diffuse redness but may occur in the stronger treatments needed for birthmarks. Changes in skin colour (lightening or darkening) may occur but will usually resolve with time and good sun protection. These problems are more common in olive or darker complexions.

If you have any questions or problems during the course of your treatment please call: Adelaide Skin & Eye Centre 8211 0000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

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