| While laser may be
an appropriate option for your skin, we generally discourage it. Why? Because
Laser treatments are expensive and temporary, and similar results can most
likely be
achieved with clinical skin care treatments and the appropriate home care
program. It doesn't make much
sense to have a laser procedure that costs $5000, or more, and lasts six to
twelve months. About $1000 will buy you a year's worth of excellent chemical peels
that will accomplish the same
thing. And, the state-of-the-art treatments like we offer at Eastbay Acne & Skin
Care Clinic have none of the accompanying risk of laser,
which can include permanent damage and increased acne symptoms, and many of
our peels have zero downtime. It can take weeks to fully recover from laser. A primary concern regarding
laser resurfacing is the resulting erythema, or redness of the skin. For
some individuals, redness is still prominent 3 to 6 months afterward. Some
laser patients have experienced significant demarcation* up to one year
following laser surgery. To prevent such an occurrence, the appropriate
post-operative care is critical.
One
of the most recent technological advancements is the use of Oxygen Gas
Therapy. Lynn Cowie, licensed Clinical Esthetician and founder of Eastbay
Acne & Skin Care Clinic, has been a leader in the field of esthetics,
pioneering the use of oxygen gas following cosmetic and laser surgery.
Oxygen is necessary for the health and
maintenance of every cell in the human body, and skin cells are no
exception. Pure medical oxygen, used in conjunction with vitamins and
minerals, nourishes and revitalizes skin cells. This topical therapy,
similar to burn unit treatments, is clinically unique in the way it promotes
faster healing and recovery time; It significantly reduces erythema,
bruising and the risk of infection. In addition to an accelerated
recovery period, the result is an increase in the suppleness, elasticity and
hydration of the skin.
Lynn Cowie, C.E., studied the effects of
oxygen following laser surgery for four years. Her case studies documenting
the use of oxygen gas showed a significant acceleration of the healing
process. Following the Ultra-Pulse CO2 Laser, patients undergoing immediate
oxygen gas therapy recovered 7 to 10 days faster that non-oxygen-treated
patients. These individuals had very little or no redness, and required no
heavy camouflage makeup; all symptoms, such as dryness and itching were
immediately soothed. These results are consistent with those observed
following the Candela Laser for distended capillaries, where recovery time
was reduced by an average of 8 days.
Lynn's goal is to provide her clients with
the skin care techniques that work. She continues to search for and develop
improved treatments methods for managing post-operative skin care needs. The
appropriate skin care management system can provide extraordinary results.
If you are considering laser or
reconstructive surgery, the successful outcome depends on appropriate post-operative care.
EBAC offers complimentary post-surgical consultation.
* Demarcation is a line that forms on the
skin after laser treatment. It can consist of erythema, or simply a change
in skin texture and color. Typically, it follows the jaw and chin, and
forms around the mouth, marking the laser-treated vs. untreated areas.
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