Scars and Stretch Marks
Scars are a normal part of healing that takes patience and sometimes ends with a scar that damages your self-confidence. A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly.
Acne scars are the result of inflammation from acne blemishes. The acne pore swells and a breakdown occurs in the wall of the pore. Some acne blemishes are small and the scars created are shallow and heal quickly. Sometimes the contents of blemishes spill into the surrounding tissue and cause deeper scars. The skin’s response is to repair the scar by forming new collagen fibers.
Acne scars take on two main forms: either a scar develops when there is a loss of tissue, resulting in an indentation in the surface of the skin; or, a scar develops that is raised on the surface of the skin. This type of acne scar, in fact, is a sign that your skin is doing its job — but, perhaps, too well. Your skin creates collagen (“repair tissue”) to help heal the wound but, if it makes too much collagen, raised scars form.
Even when we do our best to prevent acne scars, some people are prone to scarring. There are many treatment options, which can significantly diminish depressed and raised acne scars.
Scar tissue is your body’s natural attempt to repair what’s been damaged. It’s a normal part of healing that takes patience and sometimes ends with a scar that damages your self-confidence.
Scarring can affect you both physically and psychologically. A scar, particularly if it's on your face, can be very distressing. The situation can be made worse if you feel you're being stared at. If you avoid meeting people because of your appearance, it's easy to become socially isolated.
A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear.
Not everyone develops these narrow bands on their skin. Fluctuating hormone levels seem to play a role. You may also have a higher risk if people in your family get stretch marks.
If you develop stretch marks, you’re most likely to do so during these times:
- Growth spurts that happen in puberty
- Pregnancy
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Weight training when you have rapid muscle growth
When stretch marks first appear, they tend to be red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown, depending on your skin color. Early stretch marks may feel slightly raised and can be itchy. In time, the color fades and the narrow bands sink beneath your skin. If you run your finger over a mature stretch mark, you often feel a slight depression.
During a consultation, your New Light Team Member will develop a custom treatment plan based on your skin type and the severity of your acne scars. In addition to quality Vivier® Skin Care products, we may suggest a combination of in-clinic treatments utilizing cutting edge technology. New Light offers two laser treatments that assist with improving Acne Scars:
PicoSure® - This innovative skin rejuvenation treatment is non-invasive, requires minimal downtime and has guaranteed results. As the world’s first, fastest, safest and most effective picosecond laser technology, PicoSure® uses ultra-short and fast bursts of laser light energy to penetrate the surface of the skin, gently targeting pigmentation or abrasions, encouraging the body’s natural healing process to sweep away older, damaged tissue and rebuild it with new collagen and elastin. This is accomplished without causing any damage to the surrounding tissue.
PicoSure® treatment sessions are quick and effective, taking as little as 30 minutes or less, depending on the size of the targeted area. Little to no downtime is experienced with PicoSure® as the laser does not break the surface of the skin or cause any lasting harm. Noticeable results will be apparent as early as the first treatment, but following your clinic professional’s advice, it may take up to 3-7 consistent sessions to achieve your desired result.
New Light Laser & Aesthetics is excited to bring the PicoSure Laser to Medicine Hat!
In just a few fast, easy treatment sessions with our PicoSure laser, scars are much less visible, leaving behind clearer, more attractive skin. Unlike lasers in the past that relied on intense heat energy which caused pain and led to significant skin redness and downtime, this gentler treatment provides impressive results without the associated discomfort and downtime of traditional lasers. With PicoSure, there is no need to sacrifice safety, comfort or convenience for effectiveness. Finally it is one of the few lasers that is effective for ALL SKIN TYPES!
Picosure is a new generation of lasers and is considered a breakthrough in laser technology! It delivers ultra-short pulse bursts of energy to the skin in trillionths of a second to gently target and eliminate pigment without harming the surrounding skin.
PicoSure is designed to activate the body’s natural immune response while minimizing injury and discomfort. Because it uses gentle pressure instead of dangerous, damaging heat there’s no need for a long, painful recovery. In fact, most patients only experience a few hours of mild redness.
Visit us for a consultation to discover the PicoSure difference!
NOTE: Individual Results May Vary
A great accompaniment to the laser treatments that we offer, is the V-Stat Scar Gel from Vivier
V-STAT Advanced Scar Gel is the only topical gel that is proven as an effective prophylaxis against hypertrophic scar formation.
V-STAT Advanced Scar Gel minimizes the appearance of new scars and repairs dry skin with 0.8% Polyamine-DAB, a polyamine that plays an important role in the healing and aging process of the skin. The role of this polyamine is backed by 30 years of research and 6 patents filed on this molecule.
Potenza takes RF microneedling to new levels. The versatility this system provides allows us to customize your treatments based on your specific needs – all skin types, anywhere on the body, any time of the year. The industry gold standard for skin tightening, toning, acne scarring improvement, surgical scar improvement, cystic acne treatment, mommy tummy makeover, underarm tightening, and improving the look of cellulite.
The Cynosure ICON laser using the 1540 Fractional non-ablative laser handpiece effectively reduces the appearance in stretch marks following a series of treatment sessions here at New Light Laser & Aesthetics. Once the energy is absorbed into the skin, your body’s natural healing process will begin creating new, healthy skin (that is more even in both color and texture) in the area that was treated.
Potenza takes RF microneedling to new levels. The versatility this system provides allows us to customize your treatments based on your specific needs – all skin types, anywhere on the body, any time of the year. The industry gold standard for skin tightening, toning, acne scarring improvement, surgical scar improvement, cystic acne treatment, mommy tummy makeover, underarm tightening, and improving the look of cellulite.
Pre-treatment/Post treatment Instructions - PicoSure®
Precautions to take before your light-based treatment:
- No sun exposure, tanning beds and sunless tanning cream for 4 weeks prior to treatment. Sun exposure decreases the effectiveness of the laser treatment and can increase the chance of Post treatment complications.
- Use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply to the treated area every 2 hours when exposed to the sun and it is recommended to make this a part of your skin care routine.
- Remove all makeup, creams or oils prior to treatment.
- Be sure to inform your care provider if you have ever had cosmetic tattoos or cosmetic pigmentation or permanent makeup applied near the area of treatment.
Instructions following your laser treatment:
General
- Cleanse the treated area at least daily with water and mild soap, and then pat the area dry.
- Do not rub or scratch the treated area.
- If crusting/scabbing occurs, do not shave or pick the area. Apply Aquaphor ointment (tattoo) or other moisturizer (face) to the area 2 - 3 times per day. Keep the area moist, and let the crusting/scabbing resolve on its own.
- If you are prone to breakouts or have oily skin, consider waiting 24 hours before applying any topical products.
- Discomfort may be relieved by cold gel packs and/or an over the counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen.
- Avoid contact sports or any other activity that could cause injury to the treated area.
- Avoid swimming, soaking or using the hot tub/whirlpool until the skin heals.
- Contact your physician if there is any indication of infection (redness/tenderness or pus).
1540 Non-ablative laser post-treatment instructions
Application of cool gel packs and appropriate topical creams immediately following treatment can help alleviate post treatment itchiness and stinging that may occur.
Edema, and sometimes blanching, is expected immediately post-treatment and generally resolves within 24- 48 hours. It may last up to 3 - 5 days in some clients.
Those being treated may experience significant redness, broken capillaries and bronzing in the treatment area for approximately 1 - 3 days after treatment. This may persist in a mild form for several weeks particularly in areas other than the face.
Following a more aggressive treatment, it may be helpful to use some occlusive ointment on the skin after treatment and during the healing process to help desquamation or crusting.
To help remove debris and bronzing of the skin that can appear 1 - 4 days after treatment, soak treated areas for 5 - 15 minutes with gauze or washcloth wet with water, then gently remove debris. Do not pick at or scrub the treated areas.
Gently cleansing and use of non-irritating cosmetics are permitted after treatment. It is suggested that retinoids be discontinued 1 - 2 weeks prior to the initial treatment and throughout the course of treatment. The use of retinoids during the treatment course may result in undesirable side effects and prolonged healing.
Those prone to acne outbreaks should avoid heavy makeup and moisturizers for 24 hours post treatment.
As healing occurs, clients should avoid injury and sun exposure for at least 2 weeks following treatments. It is highly recommended that clients use sunscreen with SPF 45 or higher containing UVA/UVB protection between treatments, along with a sun blocker such as zinc oxide whenever they are outside.
Once the treatment area has healed, some itching or dryness may occur. This will gradually clear. The use of non-irritation moisturizers may provide some relief.
After treating striae (stretch marks) it is recommended to avoid tight fitting clothes around the treated area for 3 months after the last laser treatment.
Please advise the treatment provider if there are any issues or concerns following your treatment.
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