Let’s talk energy-based beauty: Lasers, Radiofrequency and more!
October 27, 2021
Non-surgical beauty treatments have gained in popularity in recent years – and for good reason. Most require little downtime and are a modern solution to many skin concerns including unwanted hair, brown spots, broken capillaries, leg veins, broken blood vessels, scarring, wrinkles, large pores, and loose skin. Fall is the perfect season to consider energy-based beauty treatments because healing from these treatments often requires time out of the sun.
There are several treatments that use lasers and radiofrequency to address a number of skin and body hair concerns safely and effectively. So, how do you know which one is right for you?
This month, we’re taking a deep dive into different energy-based treatments such as Intense Pulse Light (IPL), Fractional laser, laser hair removal, Thermage, and Skin Remodelling System (RDM).
IPL & Fractional
Typically, lasers work by focusing a beam of light to target a certain area on the skin (like a spot or hair). The various light wavelengths produced by lasers are different colours and each colour is absorbed by different points on the skin. Blood absorbs yellow light, for example, so a broken blood vessel would be treated with this colour laser. In the absorption process the light is converted into heat energy which destroys the target and removes it from the skin. The surrounding area of the skin is generally unharmed.
IPL
IPL, Fractional, and a combination of both in a Three For Me treatment have many benefits to the skin. At Gina’s, each of these treatments are performed using Cynosure’s Icon aesthetic system.
IPL is used to target pigment variations so it can be used to treat sun damage, hyperpigmentation and acne. IPL is technically not a laser as it uses the power of Intense Pulse Light (IPL) energy to gently, yet effectively, reduce skin pigmentation. Skin is left brighter, more youthful, and even-toned. Using many different wavelengths of light, the Photo rejuvenation device treats many skin conditions. It targets rosacea (redness, broken capillaries, spider veins, blotchiness) and brown discolouration (age spots, acne scarring). While IPL reduces hyperpigmentation—it also stimulates the production of new collagen. This treatment can be used to treat the face, chest, back, hands and shoulders. The Icon also has a special handpiece designed to target spider veins and broken blood vessels.
There is a risk of hyperpigmentation with IPL in dark skin tones. Fortunately, the Icon’s Skintel live melanin reader gives a quantitative measurement of melanin for safe treatment and the best result for all skin types.
Fractional
Fractional Laser treatments target skin texture for a smoothing effect. Fractional lasers smooth the skin’s surface by creating a small pattern of injuries to the skin to stimulate repair. Fractional can be used to target wrinkles, fine lines, scarring and large pores. By increasing collagen production Fractional tightens underlying skin, replacing old, damaged tissue for an even complexion.
Fractional treatments target a precise treatment area for minimal recovery. The two most common fractionated lasers are categorized into ablative and nonablative. Ablative lasers damage the top layer of the skin and heat beneath it. This type of treatment requires more downtime than treatment with a nonablative laser.
Nonablative lasers bypass the top layer of the skin (epidermis) instead of damaging it—putting heat directly into the lower layer of the skin. This causes collagen production and remodelling without destroying the skin’s top layer. The IPL Cynosure Icon laser at Gina’s is nonablative which means less overall damage and recovery time!
Lasers: hair removal
Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light to remove unwanted hair. The laser light is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, converting it to heat and damaging the follicle. This can permanently reduce unwanted hair.
Gina’s uses the Vectus Diode Laser for permanent hair removal. The wavelength is optimal to target roots in the fewest number of treatments for medium to light skin types. Fewer visits means less hassle, discomfort, and cost!
The Vectus also uses a Skintel reader to read the melanin quantity in the skin. This means your Laser technician can set the machine to the most effective setting for your skin type for a successful and safe treatment.
Thermage Skin Tightening
Thermage uses radiofrequency technology to safely heat the deeper layers of your skin, stimulating existing collagen and promoting new collagen growth for younger looking skin.
As we age, the collagen that keeps skin firm breaks down, resulting in sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Thermage heats the deep, collagen-rich layers of the skin. The applied heat separates the water molecules from the fibrous collagen, causing an immediate contraction, resulting in skin tightening. Over the months following treatment, the secondary healing response continues as collagen is deposited and remodeled. The new collagen growth tightens the skin further over time for smoother, tighter skin after just one treatment and continued improvement for up to six months.
Thermage radiofrequency energy works with your body to help your skin get that smooth feel and youthful look you want. Thermage treats targeted problem areas—so the results are focused and effective.
Skin Remodelling System (RMD)
RMD combines five electrotherapy technologies to support the treatment of skin texture: smoothing of age-related expression lines, pore tightening, and muscle toning. Using ultrasound and four different kinds of electric currents—this treatment will increase local blood and lymph circulation, stimulate fibroblast activity, increase the synthesis of new collagen, repair existing collagen and regenerate the homeostasis of skin cells.
Safely following a computer guided program, your aesthetician will skillfully apply all five technologies simultaneously at the optimum treatment intensity for a remarkably effective treatment. Experience the power of RMD in the Lifting Facial.