Laser Treatments

Laser technology is an exciting field that has become more powerful and more advanced, yet safer than ever before. At Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, we offer the latest in laser treatments. Dr. Reichel has advanced training and extensive expertise in lasers. Cosmetic dermatology is an ever-changing field and our physicians attend and speak at national laser and surgical meetings every year to stay on top of the most recent advances.

You may discover that there are many ways to treat face and body aging, sun damage, and other skin conditions. The number of new lasers and new treatments can be overwhelming and it may be difficult to know which options are best for you. With a complete laser suite and abilities to perform both surgical and non-surgical rejuvenation, Dr. Reichel will customize your treatment plan to achieve the results that you desire.

We believe that laser treatments are medical procedures. All major lasers, including Fraxel® and vascular lasers, are performed by Dr. Reichel. Hair removal treatment, IPL Photofacial, and Thermage may be performed by one of our expert nurses. Dr. Reichel will be on site at all times to supervise every treatment.

We take pride in providing the best quality care to our patients and your satisfaction is extremely important to us. We invite you in for a free cosmetic consultation today. Please call (206) 859-5777 to schedule your appointment.

Fractional CO2: ActiveFX and TotalFX

PD&CC is excited to announce the arrival of our newest laser: the Lumenis Active FX/Deep FX Fractional CO2!

This is the one we've been waiting for! Introduced in 2007, this cutting edge technology allows us to treat deep lines and wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation, and tighten the skin in just one treatment. The downtime is minimal, and the risk is less compared to traditional ablative CO2 laser resurfacing. We are one of the few offices in Seattle to offer this revolutionary treatment. Plus, our 10 years of experience with traditional CO2 laser allows us to transition to this new laser with ease.

Benefits of Active FX/Deep FX

• Immediate skin tightening
• Reduces fine lines
• Improves deep wrinkles and folds
• Reduces brown discoloration
• Reduces acne scars
• Improves skin tone and texture
• Stimulates new collagen and plumps the skin
• Reduces sun damage
• Restores the skin to a healthy, natural youthful-looking state

How It Works

Fractional laser treatment is one of the hottest new aesthetic trends offering excellent results with minimal downtime. Fractionated lasers target the skin in thousands of deep microscopic treatment zones, leaving surrounding areas of normal skin untouched.

This allows for rapid skin healing and recovery with less potential risk. The Active FX/Deep FX fractional CO2 is the newest generation of fractionated laser. This laser penetrates deep into the skin, effectively wiping away deep lines and wrinkles.

Traditional CO2 resurfacing laser is the gold standard for treating acne scars and deep lines and wrinkles. It works by ablating 100% of the surface of the skin. Although the results are amazing, most patients do experience 1 to 3 weeks of redness. Compared to the traditional CO2 laser, the safety and versatility of the Active FX/Deep FX affords Dr. Reichel tremendous ability to customize the ideal laser treatment for your specific needs.

We adjust the intensity of the laser depending on your problem areas. The Deep FX targets the deeper layers of the skin and is used to treat stubborn lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth as well as acne scars. The Active FX targets upper layers of the skin. The Active FX evens out pigmentation problems, and smoothes and tightens the skin. The two treatments are combined to achieve Total FX! With Active FX fractionated technology we can even safely rejuvenate the sun-damaged neck and chest. Best of all, we are able to achieve outstanding results in just one treatment session!

What Can I Expect?

At your initial consultation, we will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the Active FX/Deep FX and outline the best treatment plan for your desired results. Patients with darker skin may not be good candidates for this procedure.

Before your treatment, you will receive prescriptions for prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infections. Topical anesthetic will be applied one hour before your procedure. If you are doing a Total FX (Active FX + Deep FX) treatment, local anesthetic will also be used. Pain medications may also be given during the procedure to make you more comfortable. For Active FX only, the treatment takes approximately 30 minutes. For Total FX, it takes approximately one hour.

The treatment feels like a bunch of tiny pinpricks and is done very quickly. Afterwards, the treated skin feels sunburned. It is best to bring an escort that can drive you home. If this is not possible for you, please talk to us. We can help you make arrangements.

During the healing process, it is normal to have some redness and swelling. The top layer of the skin may turn brown and crusted. This represents the sun-damaged skin that is preparing to shed. This layer will fall off in 3-5 days, leaving smooth, pink skin underneath. After the skin sheds, you may wear makeup. The redness is gone after about 1-2 weeks. Your skin will look noticeably tightened immediately afterwards and most patients say they look 5-10 years younger. As new collagen is created over the next few months, results improve further. Most patients require only one treatment. A small subset of patients may benefit from an additional Active FX/Deep FX treatment in 6 to 12 weeks.

Click here for more information about Fractional CO2: ActiveFX and TotalFX Treatments.

Please contact us at 206-859-5777 to book a cosmetic consultation today.