|
Frequently
Asked Questions have been categorised as follows:
[This page is always under construction as answers to queries are
regularly posted here]
Spider
Veins
Q What are spider viens?What do they look like?
Spider veins are the dilation of a small group of blood vessels
located near the skin's surface. They are extremely small vessels
that become larger when small venules inside or underneath the skin
become enlarged or dilated. This normally happens when the pressure
inside the veins increases so much that it exceeds the normal resistance
to blood flow. Spider
veins are normally found on the legs and face. They often look like
red or purple spider webs.
Back
to top
Port
Wine Stain and Birthmarks
Q: What are all these acronyms?
A: · PWS = Port Wine Stain
· BM = Birthmark
Back
to top
Q: Are
birthmarks genetic?
A: There is no conclusive scientific evidence, at this time, that
points to a genetic reason for a birthmark. Recent studies suggest
there may be a genetic predisposition to the underlying cause of
a birthmark and that it may be triggered by an in utero incident.
Back
to top
Q: What causes a birthmark?
A: Again, there is no conclusive universally accepted scientific
reason, though everyone is in pretty much agreement it wasn't the
stork. There is a lot of folklore surrounding this one. Latest findings
suggest a genetic component controlling the musculature of the arterial
and capillary walls in the region.
Back
to top
Q: Is PWS a purely cosmetic problem?
A: Absolutely NOT, though a lot of insurance companies would like
you to believe it is. Depending on the location of the pws complications
such as glaucoma, thickening of the skin, raised granulomas, enlarged
libs, loss of sensation in extremities, not to mention psychological
and social issues.
Port
Wine Stain
A: Darkening and pebbling does not necessarily happen in all cases,
but is certainly common. The current thinking is that the blood
vessels in the port wine stain continue to grow with age (hypertrophy).
This causes the skin volume in the area to increase and more blood
to show through which makes it look darker. Pebbling appears to
be caused by small blood vessels pushing their way up to the skin.
Often times small bumps will develop that can spontaneously bleed.
Typically, this doesn't begin happening until a person is in his
or her 30s, 40s, or 50s.
Laser treatments are generally very effective at reducing these
problems.
Back
to top
Q: Do all PWS inevitably get worse over the years?
A: Not in all cases, but in many. Thickening of the skin, pebbling,
darkening of the stain, and spontaneous bleeding can all occur if
left untreated.
Back
to top
Q: Will the PWS recur even after laser treatments?
A: In almost all cases YES. Lasers only treat the symptom and not
the cause of the stain. At this point in time, it is the best technology
medical science has. After the initial set of treatments is finished
and you and your doctor are satisfied with the results, a follow-up
treatment is only needed when you feel the stain is darkening.
Back
to top
Q: What is thermal relaxation time?
A: It is the time necessary for the targeted blood vessel to cool
by half of its peak temperature after laser irradiation.
Back
to top
Squamous
cell carcinoma
Q: What is Squamous
cell carcinoma
A:Squamous
cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant neoplasm of keratinocytes with
many features one of which is the production of keratin. Etiology,
histology, and clinical presentations vary. SCC can be categorized
histologically into in situ (intraepidermal) or invasive (penetrating
the dermal-epidermal junction). Some examples of in situ SCC include
Bowen's disease and erythroplasia of Queyrat. SCC of the lip is
one example of invasive carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer after
basal cell carcinoma. It typically occurs on sun-exposed areas of
the body and is more common in light-skinned men greater than 55
years. The incidence of SCC increases closer to the equator.
Predisposing
factors for SCC include a family history of skin cancer, precursor
lip lesions from smoking, actinic keratosis, old burn scars, immunosuppression,
ultraviolet radiation, radiation therapy, and chemical carcinogens
such as soot and arsenic.
The lesions
progressively increase in size either rapidly over months or slowly
over years. They typically are firm, skin-colored, occasionally
red or yellow, papules, nodules, or plaques, that are smooth, verrucous,
crusted, ulcerated, or hyperkeratotic, occurring in skin or on mucous
membranes. Lesions on the lower lip, or in a scar, have up to a
20% probability of metastasizing. Lesions on sun-damaged skin have
a 2% tendency to metastasize. Metastasis is primarily by way of
the lymphatics, generally first to regional lymph nodes. Metastasis
by hematogenous spread to distant sites can occur, most commonly
to the brain, lungs, liver, bone, or skin.
Back
to top
Scar
Q:What
is a scar?
A:A scar is the body’s natural way of healing and replacing
lost or damaged skin. A scar is usually composed of fibrous tissue.
Scars may be formed for many different reasons, including as a result
of infections, surgery, injuries, or inflammation of tissue. Scars
may appear anywhere on the body, and the composition of a scar may
vary - appearing flat, lumpy, sunken, colored, painful, or itchy.
The final look of a scar depends of many factors, including the
skin type and location on the body, the direction of the wound,
the type of injury, age of the person with the scar, and his/her
nutritional status.
Back
to top
Scar Revision
Q:What
is a scar revision?
A scar revision is a procedure performed on a scar to alter the
appearance of the scar. The revision may improve the appearance
of the scar or restore function to a part of the body that may have
been restricted by the scar. It is important to remember that scars
cannot be completely removed.
Back
to top
Q:What are the different types of scars and treatment?
There are many different types of scars, including the following:
Keloid
scars
Q:What are keloid scars?
A:These are thick, rounded, irregular clusters of scar tissue that
grow at the site of a wound on the skin, but beyond the edges of
the borders of the wound. They often appear red or darker in color,
as compared to the surrounding normal skin. Keloids are formed from
collagen that the body produces after a wound has healed. These
scars may appear anywhere on the body. They occur more often in
darker-skinned people. Keloid scars may occur up to one year after
the original trauma to the skin.
Back
to top
Hypertropic Scars
Q:What
are hypertrophic scars?
A:Hypertrophic scars are similar to keloid scars, however, their
growth is confined within the boundaries of the original skin defect.
These scars may also appear red, and are usually thick and elevated.
Hypertrophic scars usually start to develop within weeks after the
injury to the skin.
Back
to top
Keratoacanthoma
Q. What is Keratoacanthoma?
A:It is a type of skin cancer confined
to the skin. These skin tumors grow from the hair follicle and usually
grow quickly. They are more common in men.
Back
to top
Q:What are the causes of Keratoacanthoma
?
A: Sunlight
is thought to be a factor in the development of keratoacanthomas.
Keratoacanthomas are more common in people who smoke. Sometimes
minor trauma to the skin occurs before the development of a keratoacanthoma.
Back
to top
Hair Removal and IPL Technology
Q:How does
IPL remove hair?
A:Highly controlled flashes of light are selectively absorbed by
hair-filled follicles lying below the surface of the skin. The absorbed
light heats the hair, which damages or destroys the regrowth potential
of the follicle all without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Back
to top
Q:What
happens during a treatment?
A:It begins by trimming away the hair above the skin. You may be
asked to wear dark glasses to protect your eyes from the bright
light. Next, a cold gel (similar to ultrasound gel) may be spread
over the treatment area. The IPL hand-piece is then applied to your
skin and pulses of light begin disabling your unwanted hair. When
the gel is removed, much of the hair is wiped off with it. The remaining
hair in the treated area falls out over the next week or two.
Back
to top
Q:What does the treatment feel like?
A:Each pulse of light feels like a slight sting or pinch, similar
to the snap of a rubber band. No local anesthesia is required and
most people tolerate the treatment well.
Back
to top
Q:Can all hair be treated?
A:IPL's unique design offers you customized treatment according
to your hair color, texture and body location. Any hair with at
least some pigment in it can be treated effectively.
Back
to top
Q:Is IPL safe for all skin types?
A:IPL is the first photoepilation procedure proven to effectively
treat unwanted hair on all skin types, including dark-skinned individuals
such as those of Black, Hispanic and Asian descent.
Back
to top
Q:Are there any possible side effects?
A:Side effects are rare. You may experience some slight reddening
or local swelling at the treatment site, but this typically goes
away within hours. On rare occasions, some blistering or bruising
may occur, but typically resolves quickly. Also, the skin can become
darker or lighter following treatment, but will generally return
to normal within a few weeks. Limiting sun exposure before and after
each treatment will minimize the risk of complications.
Back
to top
Q:What kind of results should I expect?
A:IPL technology has been proven to create a permanent reduction
in the number of regrowing hairs following each treatment in most
skin types. The number of treatments required depends on several
factors related to your specific kind of hair and skin. A customized
treatment program will be designed for you along with an estimate
of how many treatments you may need in order to meet your expectations.
Back
to top
Q:Is it right for you?
A:More advanced than even lasers, IPL is the first photoepilation
technology proven to treat unwanted hair safely on any skin type--from
very white to black. In order to ensure the best outcome, you may
be asked about your medical history and skin type in order to estimate
the results you should expect from your customized treatment program.
Back
to top
Spider veins & VascuLight System
Q:What are spider Viens?
A:. Spider veins are the small superficial purple or red veins stretching
like a web under the skin.
Back
to top
Q:What preparations must I make?
A:There are not changes in activities, before or after treatment.
Prior to and following any type of laser or IPL treatment, you must
limit your exposure to the sun; treatment should not be performed
on tanned skin.
Back
to top
Q:Is it right for you?
A:Your doctor will be happy to discuss this treatment with you and
whether you are a candidate for this procedure. Contact us for consultation.
Back
to top
I
disclaimer I faq
I web-appointment I contact
I
|
