For years, Dr. Lofgren has offered collagen for wrinkle and scar repair; laser treatment for an expanding variety of skin problems including facial rejuvenation; MD FORTE, an alpha hydroxy acid skin care system; and now, Botox® Cosmetic to reduce lines between the brows, and laser hair removal.

Psoriasis
New Biologic
Psoriasis Treatments
Contact Dermatitis

Melanoma
Warning Signs
Treatment

Laser Hair Removal
BOTOX® Cosmetic
Collagen & Restylane
Laser Skin Treatment
Facial Rejuvenation

Laser Hair Removal

Quick FAQs about the Diode Hair Removal Laser »

Until the last few years, shaving, plucking, waxing and electrolysis were the only methods of removing unwanted hair. In the early 1990s, the first reports of using laser energy to selectively damage and disable actively growing hair follicles were published, and since the mid 1990s, laser hair removal has become the "Gold Standard" method for hair removal.

There are many laser hair removal systems available today, but they all work using the principle of selective photothermolysis. This is the process in which a carefully timed pulse of laser energy passes through the skin and is absorbed and converted to heat energy to damage the hair follicle. Teresa and Dr. Lofgren have done extensive research comparing existing hair removal laser technologies. Our research led us to the diode laser that most effectively damages the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding skin.

Laser hair removal works best in lighter skinned, darker-haired patients because the laser energy targets the pigment melanin. With the diode technology, even dark-skinned people can be treated with this laser. It is very important to avoid both sun and sunless tanning 1-2 weeks prior to their procedure. It is also important to note that because the pigment in the hair is the target for the laser, gray or white hair, which lacks pigment, cannot be effectively treated with any laser. We also recommend shaving as opposed to plucking or waxing prior to the procedure.

To minimize discomfort during the procedure, our laser has a chilled tip. We also apply a cooling gel and, when doing large areas such as the back and legs, we have a separate cooling unit. Most people describe the discomfort as minimal, like a rubber band snapping on the skin.

In the weeks following treatment, hair shafts may extrude from the damaged follicles and may mimic the appearance of regrowth. These may be left to fall out, or they may simply be plucked. The area can be treated again when the dormant follicles become active, usually about a month on the face and longer for other body areas.

Hair grows at various stages, some active and some dormant. Laser energy has its greatest effect on active, growing hair follicles. It is for this reason that 3-5 treatments at fixed intervals (usually 3-8 weeks) are needed for permanent hair reduction.

Call our office at 422-7815 for more information regarding the cost of laser hair removal or for more information.

BOTOX® Cosmetic

BOTOX® Cosmetic therapy has been used for some years to treat wrinkles around the eyes. Initially it was an off-label use, but it is now approved by the FDA. The product is injected into the upper nose, above the eyebrows, into the forehead, around the eyes and mouth to paralyze the muscles that cause facial expression and over time cause wrinkles. The effect takes a week or two to work and wears off in about four months. It works best for wrinkles that are invisible when the facial muscles are at rest. Permanent lines are often best treated with a combination of collagen and BOTOX® Cosmetic injections.

Side effects are fairly rare with a drooping eyelid being the most common. This problem can be treated and goes away by itself with time.

BOTOX® Cosmetic parties where a group of people gather together to have BOTOX® Cosmetic injected have been popular recently. Dr. Lofgren believes that BOTOX® Cosmetic therapy is a medical procedure that should be done in a standard clinical setting. To learn more, read frequently asked questions about BOTOX® Cosmetic.

BOTOX® and the BOTOX LOGO are trademarks owned by Allergan, Inc.

Collagen

Zyplast and Zyderm collagen are gradually being replaced with Cosmoplast and Cosmoderm human collagen and recently Restylane. The advantage of the human collagen products is that no allergy tests are required. Otherwise the results are the same as for the older bovine collagen product for filling in depressed scars and wrinkles.

Restylane hyaluronic acid filler has recently become available and many patients are choosing it because it can last longer than the collagen products. For more information about Restylane, visit www.restylaneusa.com

Laser Skin Treatment—a viable technology with ever-expanding uses

After extensive research, Dr. Lofgren selected the latest technology PhotoGenica V Star pulsed dye laser, which uses the long pulse function (585 nm), resulting in no bruising. He wanted to find a technology that would still be useful after several years given the rapid rate at which technologies have become obsolete — a laser that would become an integral part of his practice, readily available.

The pulsed dye laser remains a viable technology with ever-expanding uses. It is effective on resistant warts, facial spider veins, rosacea, port wine stains, scars and stretch marks. Exciting new uses have included nonablative photorejuvenation and treatment of acne and psoriasis. It has also proven useful for cosmetic conditions such as enlarged oil glands and freckles.

Facial Rejuvenation

Skin rejuvenation is the visible improvement of sun damaged skin using pulsed dye laser technology to remove enlarged blood vessels and irregular pigmentation and to stimulate underlying collagen. Although other intense pulsed light sources are being used for rejuvination the pulsed dye laser has several advantages:

1. Side effects are minimal.
2. The technology is well known and has been used since 1983 to treat vascular lesions in infants as young as two days.
3. It has been used for 20 different cosmetic conditions.
4. In most cases no anesthesia is necessary.
5. There is little or no down time after a treatment.

How it works
The pulsed dye laser works by focusing a beam of light to targets in the skin such as enlarged blood vessels and irregular pigmentation. There is no scarring or damage to the treated or surrounding area. Collagen in the dermis is stimulated causing improvement in skin texture and tone.

Other sun damage effects improved by the pulsed dye laser are red and brown blemishes, reduction of minor wrinkles, reduction of pore size, and tightening of the skin's collagen.

Several treatments are required—up to six—spaced two to four weeks apart. After each treatment there is some redness, puffiness and occasional slight bruising. Normal activities can be resumed immediately, and sunscreen is strongly recommended.

Why it's better than other technologies
Other treatments for wrinkles and photoaging using the CO2 laser, dermabrasion, or chemical peels remove the epidermis, the outer skin layer, and require significant healing time—up to a week or more. There is also more discomfort, requiring anesthesia, including, at times, general anesthesia. There are often significant changes in skin color after the treatments, including redness of the face, sometimes lasting months, and lightening or darkening of the skin which is sometimes permanent.

MD Forte Skin Care System

For ongoing treatment at home we stock the MD Forte Alpha Hydroxy Acid skin care system. This cosmetics line, since it is physician supervised, can use higher concentrations of active ingredients than products sold at cosmetics counters with little or no irritation. An examination and treatment plan are required prior to using MD Forte.

APPLICATIONS FOR MD FORTE:

Acne—it can be used alone for mild acne or combined with other products.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps)—bumps and sensitivity to shaving are reduced for this sometimes difficult to treat problem.

Ichthyosis/Xerosis—alpha hydroxy acids are very effective in these variations of severe dry skin.

Premature aging—this is the most popular use of alpha hydroxy acids. Clinical and histological studies provide evidence that they decrease the signs of premature aging.

Additional Applications—studies are ongoing on combining alpha hydroxy acids with hydroquinone for skin bleaching as well as other agents to enhance efficacy. Other studies are looking at minimizing irritation. Evidence shows that it is not necessary to injure or irritate the skin to be effective.

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R. Kurt Lofgren, MD, A Professional Corporation
770 E. Romie Ln. Suite A      Salinas, CA 93901
831-422-7815 (T)      831-422-8586 (F)

© 2006 R. Kurt Lofgren, M.D.
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