Laser Hair Removal FAQs Cont...

Q: What results can my patients expect, and how long will the benefits of treatment last?

A: Laser resurfacing can restore your patient's skin to a healthy state, similar to that of skin that has not experienced sun damage or scarring. With proper sun protection, results can persist for more than five years. In areas where muscle activity is strong, lines may begin to reappear sooner. After laser eyelid surgery, the cosmetic improvement is usually sustained. Typically, only one blepharoplasty procedure is needed to remove excess skin and fat pads. As skin continues to age at a normal rate, you may advise your patient to maintain results with a 'touch-up' resurfacing treatment. In any event, with cosmetic laser surgery you will have definitively 'turned back the clock.'

Q: What are the advantages of using authentic CO2 vs. erbium lasers that lengthen pulse width in an effort to achieve clinical results similar to CO2?

A: A bilateral study comparing resurfacing with long pulse erbium:YAG followed by traditional short-pulse erbium ablation to UltraPulse® CO2 followed by short-pulse erbium ablation (Rostan E, Goldman M, Fitzpatrick R. Laser Resurfacing With a Dual-Mode, Long-Pulse Erbium:YAG Laser Compared to the 950-µs Pulsed CO2 Laser. Am J Cosmetic Surg. 2000; 17(4):227-231.) found that there was no statistical difference in healing between the two sides and in 5 patients (26%), greater clinical improvement in periorbital lines, perioral lines, or both was noted on the UltraPulse® CO2 side. (A reprint of this article can be ordered from the Lumenis web site, Lumenis Lit. # 5448).

The value of utilizing authentic CO2:

· When addressing moderate to severe rhytids, true high-energy short-pulsed CO2 technology has proven to be the superior modality.

· Physicians report that continued, progressive improvement in solar elastosis is seen post UltraPulse® CO2 laser resurfacing.

· The hemostatic effect only afforded by CO2 provides superior visualization of clinical endpoints.

· For surgical incisions, the cutting ability of CO2 is unsurpassed.

Q: How is the new UltraPulse® Encore™ CO2 laser hair removal system different than the previous generation UltraPulse® products?

A: The new UltraPulse® Encore™ was designed utilizing the latest hardware and software technology and, just like a PC, it has become smaller, more reliable and less expensive. In fact, the new UltraPulse® Encore™ is 60% smaller in size than previous models. It also features a convenient one-touch CO2 Lite™ control for superficial resurfacing. In addition, the UltraScan™ CPG was redesigned to offer real-time position feedback meaning that every single spot position within the preselected CPG pattern area is verified before laser energy is delivered. Finally, the new UltraScan Encore CPG offers CoolScan™ random scanning sequence, which allows more time for tissue to cool between adjacent spots within the pattern.