Most of us are very familiar with the negative effects of light such as the dangers of excessive sun exposure in causing skin damage, premature aging and increased risk of skin cancer. This is the direct result of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation which is a specific wavelength of the sun’s total light spectrum. But many patients are not aware of the many therapeutic benefits of other types of light energy and their exciting potential in improving skin health. evolv Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics has over 25 years of experience and interest in utilizing research-proven technology in the rapidly expanding and dynamic uses of light therapy and their many exciting benefits for patients of all ages.
Rosacea and Hyperpigmentation:
Excessive facial redness and blushing, visible facial blood vessels and spotty pigmentation (freckles, moles, melasma, sun damage) are very common and often not completely responsive to topical medications. At evolv, we have had great success in reducing and even eliminating these stubborn lesions with a form of high-intensity pulsed light (IPL) and more recently a more advanced application called ‘broadband light’ commonly known as ‘BBL’. BBL by Sciton Corp. is the world’s most powerful form of intense pulsed light and can treat most forms of rosacea and pigmentation as well as sun damage and general premature aging of the skin. In our experience at evolv, BBL has been the most effective and long-lasting therapeutic option in rosacea and pigmentation treatment and has been proven to stimulate collagen and elastin formation resulting in more youthful texture, tone, and overall skin health improvement. Treatments are done in the office, usually in a series of three, and recovery is typically minimal.
General Skin Aging – Forever Young BBL
What if there was a clinically proven, no downtime, FDA approved treatment for reducing fine lines, sun and age spots, loss of skin elasticity, tone and firmness, rosacea and acne? What if that treatment has also been proven to prolong the ‘youthful gene’ cell function in research studies? It may sound too good to be true but that is exactly what Sciton’s Forever Young BBL treatments have been proven to do. It turns out that the same BBL energy described above to treat skin pigment and rosacea can also be harnessed and applied for ‘preventative maintenance’ in aesthetics and restore and even prolong youthful characteristics at the cellular level. Thru a process termed ‘photomodulation’, specific light wavelengths and energy levels can stimulate receptors on the cell surface to initiate a biologically beneficial effect. Long term clinical studies have confirmed that regular maintenance treatments of Forever Young BBL will result in genetic benefits, improved cell function, and long-lasting, more youthful skin. Forever Young BBL treatments take only 15-30 min, do not require any anesthetic or topical numbing, have no downtime and can benefit just about any patient of any age.
Antibiotic Free Acne Treatment – Forever Clear BBL
Regular inflammatory skin lesions or acne vulgaris and cystic acne are very common not only in the teenage population but also breakouts can be frustratingly experienced by adults and peri and post-menopausal women as well. Unfortunately, the traditional treatments of chronic or long-term antibiotics are not usually effective and can also result in gastrointestinal issues, resistant infections, and other potentially harmful side effects. At evolv, we believe that improving skin health is the most beneficial and preventative physiologic approach to reduce the formation of acne and its severity. Science has also revealed that powerful broadband light (BBL) can also be used to reduce acne lesions and inflammation and prevent acne scarring. The Sciton Forever Clear BBL light therapy has the combined benefits of directly reducing the inflammatory bacteria that cause acne as well as other light wavelengths that reduce inflammation and excess sebum (oil) production.
For best results, the Forever Clear treatment is combined with a comprehensive evolv acne skin care program. The results of this combined approach are less inflammation and breakouts, prevention of scarring and beautiful healthy skin.
Advanced Skin Aging – Halo Fractional Laser
Patients with more advanced forms of sun damage and aging are often excellent candidates for laser light therapy. Lasers are powerful forms of polarized light energy that may be ablative (treating the entire skin surface) or non-ablative (often termed ‘fractional’ which treats a measured percentage of the skin surface). The Halo Fractional Laser is the only device of its kind that uniquely combines the benefits of both an ablative and a non-ablative wavelength to result in more effective outcomes with less downtime than traditional lasers. The Halo laser is also ’tunable’ and can be precisely regulated for specific skin types and treatment outcomes. The Halo treatment can also be combined with BBL phototherapy for treating pigment, rosacea, and general skin aging simultaneously. Topical anesthetic and nitrous oxide/oxygen are used for patient comfort with Halo therapy.
Light Emitting Diodes (LED) – Phototherapy
Light-emitting diodes are devices that release non-thermal and non-invasive light energy of various wavelengths including blue, red and infrared light for multiple benefits in the skin and tissues. The LED light does not contain ultraviolet rays and is safe and effective for human skin and tissue treatment. Multiple benefits include inflammation reduction, direct elimination of acne bacteria, collagen production, improved blood flow, reduction in acute and chronic pain, reduction of swelling, and even stimulation of hair growth in the scalp. Results will depend on the amount of energy output, specific wavelengths, treatment protocols and experience of the provider so be sure to ask an evolv staff professional to learn more about this exciting therapeutic option.
Reducing Skin Cancer and Pre-Cancer – Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy or’ PDT’ refers to the application of light-activated topical medication to reduce precancerous skin lesions and even early skin cancers and is an exciting treatment option for many patients at high risk for non-melanoma skin cancers. A photosensitizing agent is applied to the skin and then, after an incubation period, activated by a specific wavelength of light. The activation results in the destruction of premalignant as well as malignant cells and lesions as well as improvement in the overall aging, texture, and tone of the skin. PDT is an ideal consideration for patients with large areas of sun damage and high cancer risk and can even eliminate small skin cancers without the need for surgical resection. Photodynamic therapy is usually done after conditioning the skin for the best results.
Evolving research has revealed many therapeutic benefits of light treatment that can, along with a customized medical skincare program, improve skin health, reduce the signs of premature aging, and lower the risk and number of skin cancers. The most important consideration is to have a complete evaluation by a skincare professional with experience and training in all the many applications of light therapy.
We encourage anyone interested in these benefits and options to discuss these exciting possibilities with one of our professional staff or licensed aestheticians at evolv Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics.