:: Fractional CO2: ACTIVE FX AND TOTAL FX
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. Chiu and 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.
Please contact us and book a cosmetic consultation today. 206-859-5777.
 :: Fraxel™
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Testimonials |
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“After Fraxel treatments for my hands, they look so beautiful that I am going out to get a new wedding ring to show them off.” Annette I. |
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"After my Fraxel treatments, people tell me that I look 10 years younger."
Terry P. |
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Fraxel™ is a revolutionary noninvasive laser therapy designed to dramatically improve skin texture and pigmentation, including the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, and brown spots, without significant downtime. Fraxel™ laser was released by Reliant Technology in 2004. As one of the first clinics in the Seattle area to acquire a Fraxel™ laser, Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center has been using the Fraxel™ laser since March 2006. We have treated over 500 patients.
Until now, two varieties of laser treatment were available for cosmetic enhancement--ablative and non-ablative. Traditional ablative laser, which literally means vaporization at a very high temperature, are very effective at destroying unwanted tissue but may have significant side effects and require a lengthy healing period. Non-fractional non-ablative lasers on the other hand, are very safe and require almost no healing time, but may involve numerous treatments over many months to achieve only modest results. Fraxel™ laser combines the potency of ablative lasers with the gentle safety of non-ablative lasers to treat a variety of cosmetic conditions.
Also unlike traditional laser resurfacing, Fraxel™ can treat wrinkles and sun damage on the neck, chest and hands.
How It Works
Fraxel™ Laser Treatment utilizes fractional resurfacing technology, where only a small fraction of the skin receives the laser light. Thousands of tiny but deep columns of laser energy are produced. This eliminates old surface pigment and penetrates deep into the skin, intensively restoring the skin's previous appearance. Around these microscopic treatment zones, the surrounding tissue is unaffected and intact. This allows the skin to heal much faster than if the entire area were treated at once, using the body's natural healing process to create new, healthy tighter tissue.
What can Fraxel™ Treat?
- Improve skin texture and pore size
- Erase unwanted brown spots
- Smooth fine wrinkles
- Diminish acne scars
- Rejuvenate your neck, chest, and hands
- Diminish the appearance of stretch marks and surgical scars
- Decrease melasma (brown pigment)
- Minimal downtime
What Can I Expect?
At your initial consultation, one of our physicians (yes, all cosmetic consultations are done by the doctor) will determine the best treatment plan for your desired results. Clinical studies suggest that on average, the most effective treatment regimen includes 3 to 5 sessions. At Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, we space your treatments 2 to 5 weeks apart. Results are immediate and progressive. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months.
Fraxel™ laser treatment is performed right in our office using only topical anesthesia in most cases. If your skin is more sensitive, we will ensure that you are made comfortable. The topical anesthetic is applied in our office one hour prior to treatment. The Fraxel™ laser procedure takes approximately 30 minutes for a full face. We then recommend application of a moisturizer and sunscreen. In many cases, your treatment package will include a post-procedure skin care kit by Skin Medica. For some patients, we recommend the TNS Recovery Complex to help replenish your skin's growth factors and aid in healing. You may apply make-up soon after treatment.
After the treatment, you will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then minimal discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for 3 to 7 days. This is a normal sign that the skin is deeply healing. Swelling is common, but usually mild, and may last for 2 to 3 days. Flaking and bronzing, which are part of the normal process of skin repair, may also occur. Bronzing is a darkening of the skin that looks like a tan. The "social down-time" is usually 2 to 4 days. You will feel fine, but will likely need 2 to 4 days for the redness and mild swelling to disappear. It is important to apply an SPF 30 sunscreen daily during the healing phase and for several months after to protect the new skin.
Over the following weeks and months, the body repairs the deeper dermal tissues that have been affected by the Fraxel™ treatment, producing even longer beneficial changes.
:: Thermage®
 Thermage® is a safe, completely non-invasive, clinically proven way to "lift", tighten and contour loose and sagging skin to restore a youthful appearance. Dr. Bernstein was one of the first physicians in the Seattle area to own and use the Thermage®. We have extensive experience with this treatment and have kept up with the changing technology.
A single Thermage® treatment tightens your existing collagen and stimulates new collagen production. Improvements are both immediately visible and continue for 6 months. Results can last for years depending on your skin condition and aging process.
The Thermage® procedure is available only in the offices of qualified physicians who specialize in cosmetic procedures. The procedure itself is normally done as a single treatment that takes from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on the treatment area. What's more, there is no downtime, so you can quickly resume your normal routine. Thermage® is safe and effective for all skin types and tones.
How It Works
There are three distinct layers in the skin: a visible outer layer on the surface called the epidermis, a collagen-rich under-layer beneath the surface called the dermis, and an inner -layer beneath the dermis called the subcutaneous layer, or fat layer, that has a web of collagen fibers running through it.
When the collagen in these three layers breaks down due to sun exposure, heredity, or the normal aging process, your skin begins to sag and wrinkle. Treatments that work on just the surface of the skin can't do anything to restore the collagen in the under-layer or inner- layer of your skin.
Thermage® is the only non-invasive procedure available that tightens and renews your skin's collagen in all three layers. Thermage®'s unique Capacitative Radiofrequency Technology deep heats the skin and underlying tissue, while the skin's surface is protected with a continuous cooling spray. This heating causes the collagen to contract and thicken, resulting in immediate tightening as well as improved tone and texture. In addition, the body also initiates new collagen formation as part of the natural wound-healing process, providing long-term tightening of the skin. The improvements will continue and become even more noticeable up to 6 months following treatment.
What Thermage® Can Treat
- Face – tightens and lifts
- Lips – plumps and diminishes lines
- Eyes – contours and lifts the skin around the eyes
- Body – improves texture, sagging, and wrinkling of the upper arms, thighs and abdomen
- Cellulite
What Can I Expect?
People ages 35-60 normally have the best and most predictable results. If your skin is too lax, the results will not be as dramatic. During your consultation, Dr. Reichel and Dr. Chiu will determine if Thermage® is right for you.
The complete procedure can be performed in just one session, lasting from 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the treatment area. Anesthesia is not required, but we will make sure that you are comfortable during the procedure. During the treatment, you’ll feel a brief, heat sensation each time ThermageThe complete procedure can be performed in just one session, lasting from 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the treatment area. Anesthesia is not required, but we will make sure that you are comfortable during the procedure. During the treatment, you'll feel a brief, heat sensation each time Thermage delivers radiofrequency energy to your skin. This indicates that your collagen is being stimulated and tightened.
After treatment, your skin may be slightly red for a day or two, and you may experience minor swelling. Make-up may be applied and use of moisturizer with sunscreen is recommended. Most people resume regular activities immediately after treatment, with no downtime or special follow-up care.
delivers radiofrequency energy to your skin. This indicates that your collagen is being stimulated and tightened.
After treatment, your skin may be slightly red for a day or two, and you may experience minor swelling. Make-up may be applied and use of moisturizer with sunscreen is recommended. Most people resume regular activities immediately after treatment, with no downtime or special follow-up care.
Immediately after your treatment, you should feel and see your skin being smoother, firmer, and tighter. You may also notice some contouring effects which will begin enhancing the shape of your face or body. Over time, you should continue to see improvements to your skin as a result of the production of new and increased collagen, as well as some additional contouring effects due to continued tightening. These effects will continue for up to 6 months. You should see results that last for years, depending on your skin condition and natural aging process.
Eyes by Thermage™
 Introducing Eyes by Thermage™, the only procedure that helps smooth and tighten skin and decrease wrinkles and hooding in the eye area without surgery or injections and little to no downtime. You'll have younger looking, more lifted eyes that look less tired. Plus, the smoother skin of your eyelids will make it easier to apply eye shadow and eyeliner.
The Eyes by Thermage™ procedure takes about one hour. And because there is no bruising, swelling or sutures, you can apply make-up and return to your normal routine after the procedure. At your consultation, we can discuss whether a surgical eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) or a laser procedure is right for you. It is possible to refresh the eyes with the use of tissue augmentation and Botox too. We can discuss the options at your initial consultation.
Lips by Thermage™
 Lips augmentation and rejuvenation can be achieved with a 20 to 30 minute Thermage® treatment. Only one treatment is needed. It is relatively painless, and there is no downtime. As we age, we lose volume in our lips. Lips by Thermage™ has the potential to lift the lips and give them a natural but fuller appearance. It can also help reduce the lines around the mouth. Our patients have told us that it makes lipstick less likely to run into the lines around the lips, and also keeps lipstick from staining the upper front teeth. Results will be evident immediately, but tissue remodeling takes up to 6 months for final results.
Thermage and Liposuction
For some of our liposuction patients, we may offer Thermage® after the liposuction.
When Thermage® is performed after a liposuction surgery it can help reduce skin dimpling, and unevenness that can occur with liposuction. For patients with the potential for loose skin after liposuction, Thermage® can help with skin tightening and deep contouring of the body. Thermage® can further improve the results of liposuction, increasing patient satisfaction with the overall outcome. Thermage® can work in conjunction with liposuction of the neck, abdomen, legs and arms.
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