Skin Speaks Blog

Laser technology is 50 years old, according to National Public Radio. What are we able to do with these devices now that they’ve reached maturity?

a) Distract tigers
b) Treat wrinkles and scars
c) Remove unwanted hair
d) Project gigantic image of Britney Spears into the sky
e) All of the above

Listen to this piece from NPR to find out.

The change of seasons may bring a fancy new laser to dermatologists in the United States and Europe: the Fraxel re:store dual is being introduced by Solta Medical this fall during the Fraxel illumiNATION tour (no, there won’t be a rock concert – but there will be lasers!).

The new system is reportedly equipped with a novel 1927 nm wavelength Thulium laser that offers a few key advantages for patients and physicians.  Those who have had the opportunity to test the dual say that it offers excellent versatility and greater ease of use when treating areas other than the face.   The new Fraxel re:store dual also offers benefits listed below:

1. Single laser system / Dual fiber technology
2. Thulium laser provides quick removal of undesirable pigmentation
3. Improved comfort and easier operation
4. Handpiece incorporated focal cooling
5. Procedure speed may increase by 25 percent

To inquire about fraxel laser skin resurfacing in Minnesota, contact one of our offices in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

In late August, Solta Medical announced the launch of their new Thermage CPT system, an advancement that’s sure to improve the Thermage skin tightening experience here in Minneapolis and everywhere else.

Photo courtest of R. Krueger MD

Thermage with “Comfort Pulse Technology” allows the physician to deliver therapeutic heat more effectively across the treated area, which has increased efficiency and comfort simultaneously.  The new CPT advances also include a special vibrating hand piece for added comfort.

Physicians like Robert Weiss, MD, at the Maryland Laser, Skin and Vein Institute say the improvements brought by the CPT system allow more energy delivery with greater comfort, which in turn allows physicians to “provide a more efficacious treatment and increase overall patient satisfaction.”

Solta Medical spokespersons say the technology is “a leap forward.” CEO Stephen J. Fanning says, “[CPT] is not just an incremental improvement – it is a step change in non-surgical anti-aging technology, allowing physicians to achieve better patient outcomes in less time and with more comfort than ever before.”

Hair is definitely sexy‚ when it resides on top of your head.   Anywhere else is anything but!  But don’t fret – there are many ways to remove body hair these days.

To remove unwanted body hair from your face, legs, back, arms and even underarms, you might shave or pluck hair, or you might use electronic tweezers, radiofrequency tweezers, waxing, depilatories, or electrolysis.

The problem is, those methods are temporary, outdated and tedious.¬† The ideal way to do it is with laser hair removal.  Lasers send a low-energy beam through the skin. The dark pigment (melanin) present in the shaft of the hair follicles absorbs the laser beam. Initial hair reduction is seen immediately after treatment. To get permanent results, you just go through a series of repeated treatments.

There are different types of lasers that can be used to remove unwanted hair.  The first lasers approved for hair reduction by FDA were the ruby, alexandrite and diode lasers. But these could only be used on select individuals – not those with tans or ethnic skin.

The newest lasers have increased wavelengths and the ability to treat darker skin types, including African-American skin, Asian skin, or just those with a tan.   One of the biggest benefits is the convenience; immediately following your hair removal treatment you can return to work, school or any of your regular activities.   Contact Skin Speaks for more information on laser hair removal.

Solta Medical Inc. recently announced plans to open an Aesthetic Center in California that will function as an R&D hub and a physician training facility with an in-house clinic.

The activities within the center will focus on all of the innovative AED technologies (of Fraxel and Thermage) that have been brought together under the Solta Medical name.

According to one participating dermatologist (quoted in the press release), the center “will allow the company’s optics and biomedical engineers to share data and receive immediate clinical feedback about their work in new product development and existing product enhancement.”

The facility’s grand opening will coincide with the 67th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in San Francisco, which will feature in-depth discussions and presentations on laser resurfacing and skin tightening.

With all of these new developments and collaborations in the field, it is not unreasonable to expect some exciting new technological advancements in the cosmetic surgery and dermatology industry.

In a combined stock and cash deal valued at $66.2 million, Thermage Inc. purchased California based Reliant Technologies.

Reliant has become very popular in the aesthetic surgery market for Fraxel, which we offer in our Burnsville medical spa along with all types of Thermage.

Thermage Inc., which is also out of California, bought the company for approximately 23 million in stock shares, $25 million cash and will assume $7 million of Reliant’s debt.¬† Shares of Reliant stock have dropped since the deal was made public in July.

Reliant Technologies has been highly profitable, largely due to the effectiveness of Fraxel laser technology.¬† Fraxel treatments resurface skin and stimulate collagen growth by penetrating the dermis with ‘fractional’ microscopic laser columns.¬† The body’s natural healing process then promotes skin rejuvenation and collagen building.

Thermage is known for marketing a unique, non-invasive cosmetic treatment that utilizes radiofrequency technology to heat and thus, tighten skin.  The treatment is also said to improve skin tone and texture.

Reliant Technologies has completed development of an innovative new website for Fraxel, the fractional laser technology designed for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation.

The purpose of the site, according to a company spokesperson, is to educate patients and physicians
on the product and provide “credible information on what makes Fraxel the gold standard in skin rejuvenation.”

Within an impressive flash-animation layout, the new site features recent clinical data, patient educational materials, videos/product demonstrations and an easier ability to compare each Fraxel systems’ intensity level and expected results.

For physicians the site includes web-seminars,video lectures, links to peer-reviewed
articles and clinical studies featuring the Fraxel laser.

Dr. Carney offers Fraxel laser treatment at Skin Speaks Medical Spa in Burnsville.

The Silicon Valley/ San Jose Business Journal recently distinguished Reliant Technologies Inc. as the 38th fastest growing private company in the area. Reliant has quickly become the industry leader in fractional aesthetic laser systems, with Fraxel laser systems rapidly gaining popularity in the U.S. and abroad.

The ranking is based on revenue and growth increases between 2005 and 2007 – Reliant had a 109 percent increase during those years, largely due to sales of Fraxel laser systems.

Chief operating officer Jeffrey Jones said, “Our success can be attributed to the revolutionary Fraxel laser technology, coupled with a fantastic team that possesses a ‘let’s get it done today’ sense of urgency and a commitment to customer care.”

Fraxel lasers are incredibly versatile for many aesthetic treatments. They treat deep into the skin or gently resurface and rejuvenate the outermost dermal layers.

Kathie Lee Gifford had a series of Fraxel Restore treatments with New York City dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD (of the Bath and Body Works product line).

She’s honest and tells it like it is, but is thrilled with her results. Watch the video for Kathie Lee’s before and after shots.