Noninvasive Facial Rejuvenation

At the Medical Spa of William M. Flynn, M.D., we have the most advanced skin rejuvenation technology offering lasers to improve wrinkles and creases, sun damage, skin tightening and more.

All laser treatments are performed by Dr. Flynn.

Skin Tightening

Dr. Flynn uses the Syneron ReFirme ST and the Alma Accent XL for skin tightening.  The Accent XL received FDA clearance in May 2007 for the treatment of wrinkles.

This radiofrequency treatment is unique because it combines unipolar and bipolar radiofrequency (RF).  This RF energy heats the skin and penetrates to a depth of 20 mm.  This is an improvement over existing RF technologies such as Thermage.  The RF in the Accent unipolar (not monopolar as in other RF treatments) is electromagnetic radiation, not current like other RF.  This causes volumetric heating of the tissues (not ablation or destruction as in Fraxel) and increases the temperature of the skin and skin fat junction to 40 degrees (normal temperature is 31 or 32 degrees).  This means that three dimensional volumes, rather than specific structures, are heated uniformly.

The immediate thermal effects are collagen contraction in the dermis (skin) down to the fat layer deep in to the skin.  The heat also stimulates formation of new collagen which gives the skin a firmer, tighter, healthier appearance.  Dr. Flynn likens the effect on the skin to what happens to a new cotton T-shirt when it is put in a hot clothes dryer.  By increasing the temperature, the tissue tightens and shrinkage occurs.

An advantage of the cooled handpiece is painless treatment.  Stationary treatments with other RF devices which are monopolar are painful.  Accent XL consists of mobile delivery with either of the Accent XL handpieces (unipolar and bipolar).  Gradual skin heating does not stimulate a pain sensation.

The unipolar energy is delivered more deeply and the bipolar energy is more superficial.  Both treatments are done by Dr. Flynn himself (not a technician) to assure maximum results.  The total Accent XL treatment take approximately 45 minutes to an hour and three treatments are recommended three to four weeks apart.

A handheld infrared thermometer is used by Dr. Flynn during the procedure to show that the target temperature is achieved uniformly across the treatment area.  The temperature of the tissues increases with depth of energy penetration so the subcutaneous temperatures are higher, resulting in uniform tissue shrinkage and tightening.

Non-Ablative vs. Ablative Lasers

Non-ablative lasers are preferable for patients who want skin tightening and color and texture improvement with no downtime.

The early generation lasers required vaporization of skin at a very high temperature which would remove skin but have significant side effects including possible scarring.  Ablative lasers also required a lengthy healing period.  For these reasons, Dr. Flynn rarely uses traditional ablative lasers such as CO₂ or Erbium or the newer generation ablative lasers such as Portrait or Fraxel.

Dr. Flynn prefers to achieve skin tightening and wrinkle reduction with the Alma Accent XL radiofrequency device and the Syneron ReFirme ST.  Improvement of brown or red spots is achieved with intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments and V Beam treatments.  These treatments are from the Syneron Fotofacial (Syneron’s founder invented and developed the IPL technology) and the Alma Harmony.  The V Beam Perfecta (V is for vascular) acts on spider veins (telangectasias) and specific red spots.

With advances in laser technology, particularly with radiofrequency and intense pulsed light, very significant skin tightening and coloration improvement is possible.

Intense Pulsed Light

What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?

Intense Pulsed Light is a skin rejuvenation technique that is best performed by a physician.  Dr. Flynn performs IPL treatments himself on his patients.  IPL technology is used to treat medical disorders of the skin such as sun damage induced dyspigmentation (brown spots) and vascular changes (red spots).

IPL is a phenomenal new procedure that diminishes or fully rids brown spots, red spots, and fine line wrinkles.  IPL gives the benefit of a medium depth laser without the side effects and long recovery times associates with lasers.  There is minimal downtime.

IPL treatment is based on emitting high intensity pulses of light (not laser) from a xenon flash bulb.  A highly advanced computer in the delivery system (Syneron Fotofacial and Alma Harmony) controls the level and type of skin penetration.  Age spots, freckles, spider veins and other types of discolorations are targeted.

IPL differs from lasers in that where a laser emits only one specific wavelength of light, IPL emits a broad spectrum of light with each pulse.  This allows treatment of a variety of skin imperfections at the same time.

What can IPL do?

IPL provides an average of 70-90% improvement in sun damage (brown spots, redness, etc.)  There may also be some improvement in fine lines and pore size.  Usually the treated skin stays red for one to three days and brown spots usually flake off within five to seven days.  Sometimes there is a “peppering” of brown spots before they flake off.  This is a consolidation of the pigment in the skin which gives a “coffee ground” appearance to the brown spot before it flakes off.

Three treatments are usually recommended.  The cost is $500 per treatment but the IPL cost is only $250 per treatment if it is done in conjunction with an Accent XL radiofrequency skin tightening treatment.  See “Menu of Skin Rejuvenation Treatments” for costs of all treatments including packages.

What is treatment like?

Treatments average 30-45 minutes in length.  The treatment area is cleaned and a cool gel is applied.  When the pulse of light is delivered, the sensation of discomfort is minimal.  Immediately following treatment, the skin may appear flushed and brown pigmented spots may appear darker.  Following treatment patients can immediately resume normal activities.  Within two to three weeks your complexion will be clearer and younger looking.

V Beam Perfecta

The V Beam laser treatment is the best way to remove red spots from broken blood vessels in your face or other areas of your body.

What is it?

The V Beam Perfecta is a pulsed dye laser that delivers an intense but gentle burst of light into selectively targeted areas of the skin.  The light is absorbed by specific blood vessels or melanin pigmented areas in the dermis depending on the condition being treated.

Protective eyewear is worn but no anesthetic is necessary.  Most patients see beneficial results right away.  Some patients experience redness or mild swelling in the treated area that usually disappears in a few hours.  Occasionally purpura (a laser bruise) occurs and is temporary and usually disappears in three to five days.

This treatment is effective for the treatment of reddened scars, rosacea, veins, sunspots, birthmarks or reddish stretch marks.

The pulsed dye light is absorbed by the blood vessels in the skin.  These blood vessels are coagulated and reabsorbed by the body’s natural healing process.

Patients are thrilled to see persistent redness in the face and other areas suddenly disappear.  This is followed by a clear complexion with more youthful appearing skin.

Triniti Skin Series

The new triniti skin series provides total facial renewal.  Color correction, skin tightening, and focused dermal remodeling can all be performed sequentially in a single session.

The Syneron triniti provides Fotofacial RF as the first step which combines pulsed light and bipolar radio frequency (RF) energy to target freckles, brown spots, broken blood vessels and sun damage.

In the same session, the Refirme ST is the second step, which employs both infrared light and bipolar RF for skin tightening, especially in the cheek, lower eyelid, jowls and neck areas.

The third step of the triniti skin series is the Syneron Matrix IR which combines fractionalized diode laser and bipolar RF energy for treatment of wrinkles such as crow’s feet, forehead lines, and lines around the mouth and nose to lip creases.

Patients schedule three on hour sessions, spaced four weeks apart.  There is very little downtime consisting of mild redness and swelling lasting for 24-48 hours.

The ideal candidate is the person from Southern California with mild facial skin laxity, mild to moderate facial wrinkles and sun damage with freckling or broken blood vessels.

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