Laser Ablative Procedures

From £ 170 per session
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What is Ablative Laser Surgery?

Ablative Laser resurfacing works in the basic principles of laser. It works by vaporizing the top layer of the skin to remove blemishes, scars and wrinkles. There are lasers that work beneath the top layer of the skin known as non-ablative lasers but they are less commonly offered as an option for those looking for laser resurfacing.

How Ablative Laser Resurfacing Works?

All lasers work by producing a single wavelength (color) of light that is very intense. In essence the laser produces a controlled injury to the skin that involves just the right amount of damage to encourage new cells to grow and heal the injury. The ablative laser injures the top layers of the skin and allows for healing of superficial problems due to photo aging (sun damage) or chronological aging.

Unlike ablative resurfacing, non ablative laser surgery , offers a much deeper treatment for such problems as collapsed blood vessels, deep scarring or tattoo removal. Usually your doctor will select the most appropriate type of treatment for you.

Types of Ablative Laser Resurfacing Surgery

The three most common three types of lasers used in most plastic surgery procedures are the three types of ablative lasers. Chances are you will be recommended one of the three types of laser removal identified with the ablative laser. The three different types are:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser
Erbium YAG (ErYAG) laser
Long pulsed Erbium (YAG) laser

The first category of ablative laser skin resurfacing systems is the carbon dioxide lasers. This type of technology allows the doctor to focus and adjust a highly intense beam over the selected area of skin. It destroys the scars and wrinkles with short pulses of intense laser light. This is a very effective treatment as the laser is intensely hot yet not allowed to hover over the skin for long. The recovery time for the use of the CO2 ablative laser is about two months.

The second category of ablative skin resurfacing systems is comprised of the erbium YAG lasers. This is a type of laser that emits light that is designed to be absorbed by water as the light hits the skin. As skin cells are mostly composed of water, the heat produced by the laser light is scattered over the skin. Erbium lasers are used when very precise work is required or when there is danger of burning sensitive skin.

The long pulsed erbium YAG laser is just as gentle but the effects are more intense. It is most commonly used to correct deeper facial wrinkles, surface scars, tattoos and skin discoloration. As it is so gentle this technologically sophisticated laser is used most often on very delicate skin such as wrinkles around the outside of the eyes and mouth.

The benefits of using an erbium laser (for acne, scar and wrinkles) over a CO2 laser is that recovery occurs within five to seven days, rather than two months. There is also a decreased chance of unpleasant side effects such as redness, inflammation and infection if either type of erbium laser is used.

The Applications of Ablative Laser Surgery

Specifically, all three of these ablative laser treatments are effective at:

Eliminating fine lines on the upper lip, cheeks, and forehead
Smoothing and tightening upper and lower eyelid skin
Removing crow's feet around the eyes
Softening frown lines
Removing freckles and brown spots
Flattening scars
Repairing smoker's lines
Smoothing and polishing the complexion in general for a more youthful appearance

The benefits of ablative laser cosmetic surgery are; reduced healing time, less risk of infection and less time spent in the doctor's office actually having the operation. It is usually done as an outpatient procedure and can take anywhere from two minutes to two hours to complete depending on the area to be treated.

If you are light skinned then either erbium or CO₂ laser resurfacing will work for you. If you have dark skin then erbium laser resurfacing might be preferable as it is less likely to cause hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin.)

As the erbium technology is newer cosmetic surgery, it is not always offered by all plastic surgeons. If your plastic surgeon does not offer you the erbium ablative laser treatments it may be simply because he/she does not own the equipment. This does not mean that being treated with a CO₂ laser will have less spectacular results. It only means that your recovery time from this less expensive treatment will be longer.

Technologies: Pixel 2940nm Er:YAG Module

The Harmony module for fractional ablative skin resurfacing.

TALC's Pixel 2940nm Er:YAG Module is an FDA-approved fractional ablative skin resurfacing laser that represents a new option to perform skin resurfacing on aged and photo-damaged skin: it's a safe and effective treatment with no patient downtime, and no gel or consumables required. Plus, since it's a part of the Harmony multi-application, multi-technology platform, it's an affordable and easy upgrade to keep your practice absolutely current with the latest technology.

Fractional ablative lasers from TALC's

TALC's fractional ablative laser, the Pixel 2940, represents the best of both worlds for skin resurfacing: it combines the proven effectiveness of an ablative approach with the patient comfort level and convenience of a non-ablative approach.

The Pixel 2940 nm Er:YAG module delivers results on par with ablative lasers, but it eliminates possible side effects of ablative treatments such as hypo- or hyper-pigmentation, post-operative infection, swelling, erythema or edema. In addition, the Pixel 2940 can be used on the face, neck, chest, arms and hands-a much wider scope than the traditional ablative technologies.

Why Pixel 2940 for fractional ablative skin resurfacing?

The Pixel 2940nm Er:YAG Module provides the right Pixel wavelength for the right clinical indication. It is a safe and effective treatment for fractional ablative skin resurfacing on the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. Designed to treat aged and photo-damaged skin, the Pixel 2940 improves the quality and texture of the dermis while it stimulates collagen regeneration. Recommended applications include:

Skin resurfacing
Laser peeling
Rhytids and fine lines

Skin resurfacing with the Pixel 2940 is a gradual process that happens over several treatments. Treatments are fast, thanks to the large spot size and high 2 Hz repetition rate. Easy to use, the Pixel 2940 can help you give your patients lasting results with no downtime or side effects--without the mess and expense of blue dye, gel or consumables.

Because re-epithelialization occurs quite quickly in the treatment zone, the risk of infection is reduced significantly from previous conventional treatment methods.

How Pixel works

A preprogrammed laser beam passes through the patented PIXEL micro optics lens and penetrates the skin. It creates an ablative and thermal effect at the pixel area-a micro-injury-without disturbing the surrounding tissue. Those micro-injured areas start the process of healing as collagen remodels, skin tightens and the skin texture improves.

With the Pixel 2940, the ablation zone is 11 x 11 mm in size, with a penetration depth of 20-50 microns. The module operator can decide between 49 to 81 pixels, with the size of the ablation dots for each 11 x 11 mm spot set at either 7x7 pixels or 9x9 pixels. In the 49 pattern (7 x 7mm), the energy is split between fewer pixels, so each pixel receives more energy and the depth of penetration is higher.

The patient experience with the Pixel 2940

Patients will find the skin around the treatment area feeling firmer and tighter, with a smoother surface texture. They will not need analgesics or pain medication with the Pixel 2940, and they can return to work immediately after treatment.

About the 2940 Pixel module

The Pixel 2940 delivers effective, predictable results, patient after patient. FDA-approved, it is also extremely safe. Additional benefits include:

Room for future growth: customize your Harmony system with additional modules as your practice expands, without having to buy a whole new system
Faster treatments: the large 11 x 11 mm spot size and 2 Hz repetition rate gives you more time to see more patients
Less expense: no scanner, messy blue dye or cold gel required
Effective and easy-to-use: Pixel 2940nm provides the right Pixel wavelength for the right clinical indication
Flexibility to combine treatment modules: fully-interchangeable handpiece connects quickly to the Harmony platform, making it easy to switch between modules

One Week After Pixel 2940nm Treatment 3 Passes at 1100-Long

Technical specifications for the Pixel 2940nm Er:YAG Module

Laser type:	Er:YAG
Wavelength:	2940nm
Number of Pixels:	49 or 81 dots
Treatment Area (Spot size):	11 x 11mm
Beam Delivery:	Direct
Maximum Pulse Energy:	1100 mj/Pulse
Maximum Pixel Energy:	13 mJ/Pixel (81 dot Pixel size)
	24 mJ/Pixel (49 dot Pixel size)
Pulse Repetition Rate:	2 Hz

Image before, after 24 hours, and after 72 hours.

Download Pixel Information
	Aesthetic Buyers Guide - Pixel Handpiece from ABC Lasers Incorporates Fractional Ablation. Click the image to the left for more information (190KB).
	Pixel Laser - Ways to Improve Texture. Click the image to the left for more information (185KB).
	Dr. Keller Pixel treatment whitepaper. Click the image to the left for more information (3.9MB).