Smoothbeam® in St. Louis
What is the Smoothbeam® laser?
Smoothbeam® laser therapy is an effective way to treat your acne and acne scars and sebaceous hyperplasia. This gentle, safe treatment uses a laser to target overactive sebaceous glands in your skin which decreases the amount of acne. Smoothbeam® helps improve acne scars by stimulating the generation of new collagen formation in the skin. Sebaceous hyperplasia are diminished and flattened.
Is it safe?
Very. Lasers, like Smoothbeam®, have been used in medicine for the past 20 years and have revolutionized many common dermatological procedures. Smoothbeam®, in particular, is such a safe laser that it is commonly used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.
How long does it take?
The procedure can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the areas being treated.
What will the treatment be like?
You and your treatment nurse will wear protective eyewear during the treatment session. The nurse will use a small handpiece to deliver the laser pulses to your skin. You will feel a probe touch your skin and deliver a small spray of coolant in conjunction with each laser pulse. This coolant protects the upper layer of the skin during each laser pulse and reduces the discomfort of treatment.
Is it painful?
Most patients report each laser pulse to feel like a rubber band snap or a stinging sensation.
What are the risks/side effects?
There are typically minimal risks to this laser procedure. Mild redness is usually seen immediately and typically subsides within a few hours or up to a day. Skin color changes or scarring are extremely rare.
How does the Smoothbeam® laser work?
Over 80% of your skin is made up of water. Smoothbeam® emits a wavelength of light that is strongly absorbed by water in your skin. As the laser penetrates into the skin, heat is generated in and around the sebaceous glands in the upper layers of the skin. The heating of the sebaceous glands creates a mild thermal injury that changes the structure and function of the glands. Shortly after the first treatment, you will start to see a reduction in the number of acne lesions on you skin. Remission times have been documented as long as six months. Acne scars are improved by the stimulation of new collagen growth which can help fill in the scars.
How many treatments does it take?
For acne, anywhere from 3-5 treatments one month apart is required. For acne scars, 5-6 treatments are recommended with 4 weeks in between treatments. The results for acne scars are very gradual and can take up to 6 months after the last treatment to see the final result. For sebaceous hyperplasia usually 2-3 treatments 4 weeks apart is needed.
Is there any pretreatment to the skin?
There is no pretreatment in advance of the laser treatment. Your skin should be cleaned to remove any makeup an before the procedure.
What will the treated area look like?
After the laser treatment the skin may be slightly red and tender. The redness usually subsides in only a few hours. Following your laser treatment, you may return to normal activities right away.
Instructions
BEFORE TREATMENT
- Wash face before arrival.
AFTER TREATMENT
- Continue normal skin care regime.
For emergencies at night or during the weekend, call (314) 878-3839, leave a message and the doctor will contact you shortly thereafter.
Contact us to schedule a consultation at our St. Louis, MO office today.