Saturday, 30 September 2023

Collagen Induction, Fine Line Reduction & Skin Tightening


Our laser machine, Duetto MT EVO can emit either a single wavelength or dual wavelengths to provide non-invasive laser rejuvenation with no pain and no downtime


HOW DOES IT WORK:

Unlike many other popular laser machines, our Duetto MT EVO can emit single mode of long-pulsed 1064 nm or sequential mode of long-pulsed 755 nm & then long-pulsed 1064 nm to provide non-invasive photo rejuvenation.

755-nm wavelength can reduce or remove epidermal hyper-pigmentation.

Laser energy of 1064-nm wavelength can reach the dermal layer of our skin. 1064-nm light is highly absorbed by water, oxyhemoglobin and dark melanins locating in the dermis. Using the Genesis technique, this creates a gentle thermal induction to stimulate the skin's natural repair response, triggering collagen & elastin productions, leading to collagen remodeling and fine wrinkle reduction. By improving the dermis layer, it also reduces dermal hyper-pigment, and redness & rosacea caused by dilated capillaries.

  

WHICH PARTS OF BODY AREAS CAN BE TREATED:

Laser rejuvenation can be used to treat any areas of the body, and it is most frequently used on the face, neck, chest and hands




Before booking,  please contact us to discuss about your health information if you have at least one of the following health conditions:

-- People with the following health conditions must avoid this treatment: active skin disease, immunosuppression, implanted Pacemakers, lack of skin/temperature sensation, keloid scarring, hypertrophic scarring, history of skin cancer, during hormonal therapy or any infectious diseases.

-- A certificate from your doctor is required before commencing this treatment when you have suffered from at least one of the following health conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, moles in area to be treated, metal implants in body (eg birth control IUD, metal staples in the chest, screws, pins or plates to repair broken bones or etc.), haemophilia, pregnancy, trying to conceive, during breastfeeding, on blood thinning medications or recovering from a recent operation (of less than 6 months).

-- A certificate from your medical doctor is required before I can treat your moles or pigment-producing skin cells to prove that you have had those areas checked and they are not cancerous. 

-- Avoid any laser treatments when your skin is still inflamed or sensitive, such as from recently exfoliation, chemical peeling and etc. 

-- This long-pulsed laser cannot treat tattooed areas, permanent makeup.

-- Photosensitivity can be induced by your genetic inheritance and/or certain substances.

Increased photosensitivity to light therapies, including this procedure, can occur when taking certain substances. In the present & in the last 6 months, have you been using the following substances? (Click here to see non-exhaustive list)

The list are examples of photosensitising/photosensitive substances that can induce photosensitivity and can make your skin sensitive to light including laser light and sunlight.

These substances are some medications, herbals, supplements, vitamins and/or cosmetic products (either via ingestion, topical application, inhalation and/or injection) you are currently using and/or you have been using within the last 6 months. 

Exposure to light, these medication may induce hyper-, hypo-pigmentation, dermatitis, blister or burn.

Laser can be performed when clients stay off such medication for at least its 1/2 life or longer when it is out of their body system.

Clients are advised to consult their medical doctors before stop their medications. 

Clients are also advised to stay off such medication 7 days after each light-based therapy.


*** Please inform us of any changes of your health condition and medications when booking and before the treatment. ***


 

 

BEFORE COMING TO EACH APPOINTMENT:

- Since this treatment is painless, numbing cream is needless cause it makes capillaries disappear and consequently we cannot treat your erythema.

- Please have such skin area clean and free from moisturiser, make-up, deodorant, perfume and etc. before starting the treatment.

- Please do not wear any metals such as jewellery in the areas you wish to be treated.

- No sunburn, tanning or artificial tanning in the area you wish to be treated.

 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT:

- The client must wear the right/appropriate eye protection throughout treatment to protect their eyes from the particular laser type being used.

- When using a single mode of long-pulsed 1064 nm, the therapist will hold a laser handpiece around half an inch above your skin while continuously firing light beams across the treatment region in order to gradually raise your skin temperature to around 42 0C. Your skin will slowly feel warm like having warm shower/rain. You should NOT feel uncomfortable, but enjoyable having this procedure.

- Some erythema (redness) is expected and usually resolves within a few hours, without the noticeable downtime. There will be no swelling (oedema) after this treatment.

This is a treatment which you can have on your lunch break and go straight back to work!

- Depending on your skin condition, treatments can range from around 15 – 45 mins 

- The number of treatments required can range from 2 to 6 or more, minimum 2 4 weeks apart between each session.

- Laser rejuvenation can provide good results, but your outcome is even better when it is used in conjunction with other treatments (such as LED light therapy, skin hydration therapy & etc.) and the application of dermatologists-approved skincare regime.

 

 

AFTER YOUR TREATMENT:

- You can resume your routine immediately after the treatment.

- It is safe to apply sunscreen and makeup immediately after the treatment.

- Please wear sunblock daily.

Mineral or physical sunscreens (those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as main ingredient) are better than those containing other chemicals or organic compounds. The reason is that mineral sunscreens reflect sunlight, blocking it from absorbing into our skin, whereas other sunscreens allow light to absorb into our skin.

 

- Avoid sun exposure at least 4-6 weeks pre- and post- procedure.


 




 

 

 

OUR SERVICE CHARGES:


FREE initial consultation without any treatments/procedures.

 

Minimum charge per session is $100 for first 30 minutes.

$150 for 45 minutes of treatment

$180 per 1 hour




For full info regarding our payment terms & conditions, please click here.

 

 

 

Other  topics:

=> Go back to starting page, click here.



Friday, 29 September 2023

Contraindications of Light-Based Therapies

 

Light-based therapies, such as lasers aren't for everyone.

(The list is not meant to be exhaustive but is a good starting point for issues that are contraindicated for light-based therapies.)

If you have any concern or questions, you are more than welcome to contact us.

• individuals with infectious disease

• individuals who can't stay out of the sun

• body dysmorphic disorder

• history of skin cancer, such as melanoma

• raised moles, suspicious lesions, hypertrophic/keloid scar formation, healing problems, active infections, open lesions, wounds, open skin, hives, herpetic lesions, cold sores

autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma or vitiligo

• Individuals with a known history of frequent Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 or 2 lesions should begin prophylaxis prior to treatment as prescribed by their physician. Clients are advised to take the antiviral medications (examples: acyclovir or valacyclovir) at least one day before and continue after each treatment session strictly as directed until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking medication too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated or may become more tolerant and difficult to treat.

Photosensitivity can be induced by your genetic inheritance and/or certain substances.

Increased photosensitivity to light therapies, including this procedure, can occur when taking certain substances. In the present & in the last 6 months, have you been using the following substances? (Click here to see non-exhaustive list.)

The list are examples of photosensitising/photosensitive substances that can induce photosensitivity and can make your skin sensitive to light including laser light and sunlight.

These substances are some medications, herbals, supplements, vitamins and/or cosmetic products (either via ingestion, topical application, inhalation and/or injection) you are currently using and/or you have been using within the last 6 months.

Exposure to light, these medication may induce hyper-, hypo-pigmentation, dermatitis, blister or burn.

Laser therapies can be performed when clients stay off such medication for at least its 1/2 life or longer when it is out of their body system.

Clients are advised to consult their doctors before stop their medications.

Clients are also advised to stay off such medication 7 days after each light-based therapy.

• Hydroquinone, skin brightener, skin lightening or bleaching agent – Stay off them for at least 7 days prior to and after each treatment due to higher risk of pigmentation complications

• Diabetes

• peripheral vascular or bleeding disorder

• renal failure (acute or chronic)

• Pregnancy, trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding

• Seizure disorders including light-triggered seizures

• Intramuscular gold therapy

• Individuals who are currently taking anticoagulants, blood thinners, iron supplements, herbal supplements such as ginkgo, ginseng or garlic may bruise more readily.

• The areas to be treated must not be implanted with surgical metal pins or plates, other medical devices such as Pacemakers, cardioverters, or fillers

• Inflamed skin, injured skin, wounds => You can have the procedure after these areas healed.

Do not apply any irritants to your treated area, such as any products containing benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids, AHA, alcohols, witch hazel, astringents, vitamin A and its derivatives, such as retinoids (like over-the-counter retinol and prescribed stronger tretinoin (Retin A), Tazorac, or etc. for at least 7 days before and after the treatment.

• Here, we do NOT treat clients with recently tanned skin or fake tan. Blisters, burns, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation may occur. Allow tan to fade prior to treatment. When in doubt, compare treatment area with limited sun exposure area such as your bum

Natural tanning or artificial tanning products darken the surface of the skin. When the skin is tanned, more laser energy will be absorbed by the skin rather than by the main target. When too much light energy is absorbed at the skin surface, not only it posts higher risk for burn, but also less result in whatever we want to achieve.

• For clients with sensitive skin and histamine, or have a history of allergy, hay fever, asthma, eczema, prolonged erythema or edema, taking oral anti-histamine 1 hours before & 48-72 hrs after laser treatment is optionally recommended. Prescribed topical corticosteroids may also be another option. Click here for possible adverse effects of corticosteroid creams.

• Avoid any heating devices including any light therapy 2 weeks prior to or after Botox.

• Avoid laser treatments at least 2-4 weeks or longer prior to or after filler. Consult with your provider for their specific recommendations.



Please inform us of pregnancy, breastfeeding, any other changes of your health condition and medications when booking & before starting each treatment session.

This includes any changes of herbals, supplements, vitamins, substances, and prescribed & over-the-counter medications,
ingested, topical, injected, inhaled and etc.




Go back to starting page, click here.



Wednesday, 27 September 2023

Comparing different lasers: Long-Pulsed, Q-Switched, Pico


Comparison of Long-Pulsed, Q-Switched & Pico lasers:


 


Some principle of Light and some applications:

 

The image shows light pass through prism and what we can see visibly


 

   

 



Comparison of various wavelengths of QS & PS lasers:


In reality, it's sometime very tricky to judge actual colors of tattoos!



Pulse width/duration means cooking time or how long each laser beam is allowed to work on target (aka chromophore). In case of benign hyper-pigment removal/reduction, our target is melanin in melanosomes in epidermis or dermis (such cases as Nevus of Ota, Nevus of Hori as for examples). Pulse needs to match the size/diameter of the targets to avoid injury to adjacent tissue if it's too long.



Please note melanins can be found within melanosomes not only inside the skin cells (AKA keratinocytes) and hair shafts, but also melanosomes in melanocytes locating in the deepest layer of epidermis (stratum basale) and dermis.

Thus complication can happen. For examples:

-- Damaged melanocytes may cause temporary or permanent hypo-pigmentation of the nearby keratinocytes. Mitosis of melanocytes or differentiation of the precursors of melanocytes which occur naturally may later solve this skin lightening problem.

-- QS and PS lasers can bleach dark hair. They won't do anything to your hairs except bleaching hair colours. Both the amount, density & size of your hairs will remain exactly the same. The follicles will remain intact & but dark melanin has been destroyed. Remember! once hair get bleached, any current light-based therapy (diode, IPL or long-pulsed laser) won't be effective for destroying the follicles of lighter hairs!





Other links:

- VDO regarding Laser Tattoo Removal - picosecond vs nanosecond lasers

- Different viewpoint from another MD

- VDO regarding Pico vs Q-Switch lasers in actions (see minute 3:34 – 3:56 of the VDO)

 

 

Food for thought:

Your white blood cells (= WBCs, immune cells, or leukocytes) are unable to destroy or remove tattoo inks bigger than WBCs themselves.

Once laser shatters tattoo inks into pieces smaller than WBCs, then ink fragments are transported throughout our body via lymphatic system before they are removed out of our body. Now my questions are:

- tattoo inks, that used to stay localised or stay in place in your body (mostly in the upper dermis) after you get tattooed

- but after they have been broken down by laser into smaller pieces that your WBCs can relocate them & your lymphatic system carry them throughout your body

- Will your body be able to get rid all of these inks out of your body completely? Will some of these inks spread throughout your body, accumulate in your body, & cause some health issues down the line? Watch this!

The tattoo ink itself is not regulated and can contain heavy metal, lead & etc.

Think before you ink!



- VDO of our WBCs fight microorganisms bigger than themselves

- VDO of our WBCs engulf smaller microorganisms



Please note this article is only part of the following main article: Laser Removal/Reduction of Benign Hyper-Pigments



Tuesday, 26 September 2023

Skin Cancers

 

The ABCDE rule for skin cancers:

 


 




 

Please watch the following vdos:

IIIIIIIVV  and  VI!

For more info: visit https://miiskin.com/skin-cancer/

 

 

More than 2 out of 3 Australians will be diagnosed with some forms of skin cancer during their lifetime.


 

 


 

Sunday, 24 September 2023

Laser Removal/Reduction of Benign Hyper-Pigments

 

(This post is still in progress and not yet completed. Content need to be revised.)

 

Our laser machine using long-pulsed Alexandrite crystal of 755-nm wavelength can be used to remove/reduce some cases of hyperpigmentation disorders that are flat greyish, brownish and/or blackish in colors that are located in epidermis layer but not deeper, such as freckles, sunspots and age spots. Only skin colours of Fitzpatrick I, II, III can be safely treated.


////////////////////

 

Results or efficacy depend on colours, sizes and depths of the pigments to be treated.


Recurring is highly possible because this procedure is only cosmetic approach, which does not remove your root cause.

 

////////////////////

 

This procedure is NOT suitable for treating:

-- skin colours of Fitzpatrick Type IV and darker 


 

-- not much contrast or difference between the colours of skin and pigments to be treated

-- post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

-- raised hyperpigments, such as moles

-- flaky hyperpigments, such as actinic keratosis / solar keratosis

-- itchy hyperpigments - Please consult medical doctors for this.

-- birthmarks

-- pigments associated infections, such as tinea versicolor, pityriasis, mycosis fungoides and etc.


 

-- hypopigments 

-- Chemical peels & IPL can also be used to treat benign hyperpigment

-- For smaller sizes of pigments and/or pigments that locate in deeper layers, Q-Switched and/or Picosecond lasers are more effective because they emit much shorter pulse widths for targets with smaller sizes.






///////////////////


The key to get the best value for your money, the optimal result, and for your safety is to strictly follow the instructions below.


Before booking,  please contact us to discuss about your health information if you have at least one of the following health conditions:

-- People with the following health conditions must avoid this treatment: active skin disease, immunosuppression, implanted Pacemakers, lack of skin/temperature sensation, keloid scarring, hypertrophic scarring, history of skin cancer, during hormonal therapy or any infectious diseases.

-- A certificate from your doctor is required before commencing this treatment when you have suffered from at least one of the following health conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, moles in area to be treated, metal implants in body (eg birth control IUD, metal staples in the chest, screws, pins or plates to repair broken bones or etc.), haemophilia, pregnancy, trying to conceive, during breastfeeding, on blood thinning medications or recovering from a recent operation (of less than 6 months).

-- A certificate from your medical doctor is required before I can treat any of your pigments to prove that you have had those areas checked and they are not cancerous.

It is important that the correct diagnosis has been made by MD prior to the treatment to avoid mistreatment of skin cancers.

-- Avoid any laser treatments when your skin is still inflamed or sensitive, such as from recently exfoliation, scrubbing, chemical peeling and etc. 

-- This long-pulsed laser cannot treat tattooed areas & permanent makeup, but QS & PS lasers can be used to remove these.

-- Photosensitivity can be induced by your genetic inheritance and/or certain substances.

Increased photosensitivity to light therapies, including this procedure, can occur when taking certain substances. In the present & in the last 6 months, have you been using the following substances? (Click here to see non-exhaustive list)

The list are examples of photosensitising/photosensitive substances that can induce photosensitivity and can make your skin sensitive to light including laser light and sunlight.

These substances are some medications, herbals, supplements, vitamins and/or cosmetic products (either via ingestion, topical application, inhalation and/or injection) you are currently using and/or you have been using within the last 6 months. 

Exposure to light, these medication may induce hyper-, hypo-pigmentation, dermatitis, blister or burn.

Laser can be performed when clients stay off such medication for at least its 1/2 life or longer when it is out of their body system.

Clients are advised to consult their medical doctors before stop their medications. 

Clients are also advised to stay off such medication 7 days after each light-based therapy.


*** Please inform us of any changes of your health condition and medications when booking and before the treatment session. ***


 

 

BEFORE COMING TO EACH APPOINTMENT:

- For pain management during the treatment:

either one of these or both:
1. over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed short-acting pain relief 
2. numbing cream (click here for info)
 

- Please DO NOT consume any coffee, caffeine or energy drinks for at least 4 hrs before the treatment. This increases your pain level.

- Please wear loose clothing for area you wish to be treated. Clothes made from natural fabric such as cotton or linen are preferred.

- Please have such skin area clean and free from serum, moisturiser, make-up, deodorant, perfume and etc. before starting the treatment and at least 72 hrs after the treatment.

- Please do not wear any metals such as jewellery in the areas you wish to be treated.

- No sunburn, tanning or artificial tanning in the area you wish to be treated.

 

 

DURING THE PROCEDURE:

- Therapist must ensure that client wear the eye protection that is appropriate to the particular laser type being used throughout treatment.

- When light beam hitting your skin, you will feel like a hot rubber-band snap without any lingering pain or heat. But the sensation will cease as soon as the laser pulses stop firing. Your skin should cool down almost immediately. If it feels extremely hot persistently and is not cooling down, you MUST alert your therapist immediately. The heat & pain should go away almost immediately as soon as the pulse stopped & moved away from that treated spot. Any lingering pain or burning sensation can result in overtreatment, such as blisters and/or burn.

- Patch test or trial treatment ($35 for 5 minutes of treatment) is highly recommended for this procedure to manage client's expectation.



VDO: Treatment of Pigmented Lesions by Quanta System Lasers


 

AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

- Erythema of the skin areas surrounding treated lesions starts to appear 5-15 mins after the light beam hits.

- Few hours after the treatment, your treated hyperpigment will look darker

- Around 48 hrs post treatment, this treated pigment will either crust (scab) away or be removed via your lymphatic system.

DO NOT pick/remove/scratch the scabs. Allow them to fall off naturally. This is nature's way of healing. Interference of scabs can lead to permanent marks (scarring).

Scratching scabs as this will interfere with normal healing and can cause permanent marks (scars).

- Care must be taken 72 hrs following treatment

*** LEAVE THE TREATED AREA ALONE & DO AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE TREATMENT. ***

- For at least 72 hrs following treatment, instead of DO NOT WASH, please wash your face or other treated area SUPER gently by tapping & NOT rubbing

- Aviod excessive heat/sweating and anything that raises body temperature for first 72 hours after the procedure. Cold or Lukewarm shower (& Avoid HOT baths/showers)

- Do not exercise for at least 72 hrs after the treatment.

- Avoid sources of friction and rubbing on treated area for 72 hours after the procedure. Please wear loose clothing. Do not wear tight/chafing cloths.

- To prevent infection, the treated area should not be exposed. No swimming, saunas, hot baths and contact sports until the treated area is healed.

- Treated areas can be covered with certain types of bandage or wound dressing. Ensure the wound dressing is non-stick and gentle in order to prevent further trauma of the treated skin during dressing removal/change.

- Please wear sunblock at all time. But at least 72 hrs after the treatment, apply this carefully & DO NOT rub the area.

Mineral or physical sunscreens (those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as main ingredient) are better than those containing other chemicals or organic compounds. The reason is that mineral sunscreens reflect sunlight, blocking it from absorption into our skin, whereas other sunscreens allow light to absorb into our skin.

 

- About 72 hrs after the treatment you can resume your regular routine.

- Avoid sun exposure at least 4-6 weeks before and after each procedure.


 

WHAT TO EXPECT:

- Multiple sessions may be required, minimum 4-6 weeks apart between each session.

- Trial treatment ($35 for 5 minutes of treatment) is highly recommended for this procedure to manage client's expectation.

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

OUR SERVICE CHARGES:


FREE initial consultation without any treatments/procedures.


Minimum charge per session is $35 for first 5 minutes,
then it is $2.75 per minute.

 

15% discount is applied for a session of at least 30 minutes or longer.

 

For examples:

$35 for a treatment session of 3 minutes
$35 for a treatment session of 5 minutes
$48 for a treatment session of 10 minutes <= [= 35 + (2.75x5)]
$62 for a treatment session of 15 minutes <= [= 35 + (2.75x10)]
$76 for a treatment session of 20 minutes <= [= 35 + (2.75x15)]
$88 for a treatment session of 30 minutes <= [= 35 + (2.75x25)] x .85


If you find cheaper price for this service elsewhere within 25 km radius, we will provide price match guarantee for this treatment but the competitor's offered price must be valid at the time of your treatment appointment, and we will need to validate this.



For full info regarding our payment terms & conditions, please click here.

 

 

 

 

Other  topics:

=> Go back to starting page, click here.