Pigmented Lesions
Pigmented lesions refer to pigmented spots and growths on the skin surface caused by melanocytes. Melanocytes are specialized cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for the colour of the skin. When melanocytes become damaged or unhealthy melanin production may be affected, leading to a variety of pigmentation disorders. Some people are born with pigmented lesions and others develop these lesions over time. Common pigmented lesions include: freckles, melasma, sunspots or birthmarks.
IMPORTANT: All pigmented lesions should be checked by a dermatologist to rule out potential malignancies.
Treatment Options:
MICRODERMABRASION, CHEMICAL PEEL, PURELIGHT G, ELOS PLUS, SUBLATIVE RF, GENTLEMAX PRO
Classifications of Pigmented Lesions
Café-au-lait are characterized as flat, pigmented lesions or birthmarks evenly distributed on the surface of the skin. Café-au-lait are light to dark brown in colour, with well-demarcated, smooth or irregular borders. Contributing factors include: genetics or an excessive number of melanosomes.
Freckles are characterized as small, flat, circular, tan, light brown, brown or black spots on the surface of the skin. Freckles are caused by an overproduction of melanin from repeated exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays. Freckles appear mainly on the nose, cheeks, upper shoulders or arms in people with fair skin, blond or red hair and green or blue eyes.
Men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds are affected by the appearance of hyperpigmentation that looks darker than the surrounding skin. The use of sunscreen is extremely important, as hyperpigmentation may become more pronounced with exposure to sunlight, UV rays, hormonal fluctuations. Pregnancy and certain medications may cause uneven melanin distribution commonly appearing as freckles, sun spots or melasma. Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation may appear following trauma, injury, infection, inflammation or as a sign or symptom of inflammatory disorders (lupus, atopic dermatitis or acne vulgaris).
Men and women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds are affected by sun damage. Sun damage is caused by an overproduction of melanin with repeated exposure to sunlight, ultraviolet rays or indoor tanning. Sun exposure is the primary factor in premature aging of the skin. The first appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and discolouration may appear as early as in the mid- 20s, and become more prevalent with age. Use of sunscreen is extremely important, as discolouration – presenting commonly as freckles, sun spots or melasma – may become more pronounced when exposed to sunlight.
Sun spots are characterized as harmless, flat or slightly raised skin lesions with clearly defined borders. Sun spots range in color from light to dark brown, red, gray or black. Appearing mainly on the nose, cheeks, forehead, neck, chest, forearms or back of the hands. Contributing factors include the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, indoor tanning, sunburns or PUVA photo therapy.
Treatment Options
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a gentle, non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment. Fine mineral crystals are projected against the skin’s surface with Silhouet-Tone’s patented Turbo Flow System, for gentle resurfacing of the epidermal layer with immediate improvement in overall skin appearance.
Microdermabrasion improves the absorption rate of the optical energy and micro-current conductivity by removing up to 30% of the epidermis.
Optical energy and micro-currents stimulate circulation, lymphatic drainage and oxygenation to prepare the target tissues – epidermis, dermis and muscle layer – for transfer of energy.
The repair process is initiated by stimulation of the body’s natural bio–electrical currents, resulting in accelerated cellular renewal, fibroblast activation and dermal remodeling, without causing injury to the epidermis. The transdermal delivery system increases penetration of active ingredients deeper into dermal layers.
Microdermabrasion can be combined with other treatments, including Purelight B, Purelight G, Kinelift, Dermalift, and transdermal delivery for optimum penetration of active ingredients.
Treatment Indication:
Fine lines and wrinkles, stretchmarks, skin rejuvenation, skin resurfacing, acne, and mild to moderate acne scarring.
Treatment Protocol:
Requires a minimum of 5-6 consecutive treatment sessions, between 7-10 days apart.
Monthly maintenance treatments are recommended.
Chemical Peels
The Miracle 10 is a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment. Lactic and glycolic acids (AHA) of differing strengths are combined with an enzyme exfoliant for effective treatment of acne, dehydration, discolouration, dullness and signs of aging. Chemical exfoliation initiates cellular renewal, increases collagen production and epidermal density as a natural response to the healing process.
The Miracle 10 Peel Treatment
The Miracle 10 is a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment that provides dramatic results with minimum downtime. Chemical exfoliant is applied to the face, neck or décolleté – the areas most frequently exposed to ultraviolet rays.
Lactic and glycolic acids (AHA) of differing strengths are combined with an enzyme exfoliant for effective treatment of acne, dehydration, discolouration, dullness and signs of aging.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) are light to medium strength chemical exfoliants with a blend of powerful ingredients.
They are applied directly to the skin’s surface to reduce the accumulation of damaged skin cells in the outer layer of the epidermis.
Chemical exfoliation initiates cellular renewal, and increases collagen production and epidermal density as a natural response to the healing process.
Skin type, the severity of the condition, and the desired outcome are considered when selecting the appropriate treatment. Miracle 10 treatments provide an immediate improvement in the skin’s appearance.
For additional benefits Miracle 10 can be combined with other treatments.
Treatment Indications:
Acne, dehydration, discolouration, dullness and signs of aging
Treatment Protocol:
Requires a minimum of 5-6 consecutive treatments sessions, between 7-10 days apart.
Monthly maintenance treatments are recommended.
Purelight G
PURELIGHT G – controlled wavelengths of green light stimulate photo receptors in dermal layers by directly targeting melanocytes- melanin producing cells located in the epidermal layers. The rise of melanin to the skin surface is prevented by breaking down the melanin deposits in the epidermis. In addition, melanin production and tyrosine activity are minimized, resulting in visible improvement in the appearance of existing discoloration.
Optical energy stimulates circulation, lymphatic drainage and oxygenation to prepare the target tissues – epidermis, dermis and muscle layer – for transfer of energy.
The repair process is initiated by stimulation of the body’s natural bio–electrical currents, resulting in accelerated cellular renewal, fibroblast activation and dermal remodeling, without causing injury to the epidermis. The transdermal delivery system increases penetration of active ingredients deeper into dermal layers.
PURELIGHT G can be combined with other procedures, including microdermabrasion and chemical peels – for gentle skin resurfacing and transdermal delivery – for optimum penetration of active ingredients.
Treatment Indications:
Hyperpigmentation, freckles, melasma, discoloration, uneven skin tone, sun damage and sun or age spots.
Treatment Protocol:
Requires a minimum of 6-8 consecutive treatment sessions, 1-2 times per week. Monthly maintenance sessions are recommended.
PIGMENTED LESIONS – ELOS PLUS
Fractional radiofrequency and optical energy are optimally combined in each pulse and delivered to target tissues.
Pre-heating the area with optical energy allows bi-polar radiofrequency to penetrate deeper into the skin’s dermal layers, without causing injury to the epidermis, and ensuring a safe and effective treatment outcome.
Optical energy is converted into thermal energy, selectively absorbed by target chromophores – melanin or hemoglobin – for destruction of pigmented and vascular lesions in target tissues.
Elos Plus uses an integrated contact cooling system for enhanced patient tolerance.
Elos Plus is a state of the art multi-application platform from Syneron-Candela, a leading manufacturer in noninvasive aesthetic procedures.
ELOS (electro optical synergy) – fractional radiofrequency and optical energy are optimally combined in each pulse and delivered to target tissues. Pre-heating the area with optical energy allows bi-polar radiofrequency to penetrate deeper into the skin’s dermal layers, without causing injury to the epidermis, and ensuring a safe and effective treatment outcome.
Optical energy is converted into thermal energy, selectively absorbed by target chromophores – melanin or hemoglobin – for destruction of pigmented and vascular lesions in target tissues.
Thermal impact also stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts cells, and induces them to produce more collagen.
Elos Plus uses an integrated contact cooling system for enhanced patient tolerance.
Treatment Indications:
Pigmented or vascular lesions
SR Treatment Protocol:
Requires minimum of 5-6 treatments consecutive treatment sessions, 3-4 weeks apart. Maintenance treatment every 3-6 months is recommended.
SRA Plus – Treatment Protocol:
For severe photo-damage or dark diffused pigmentation, a minimum of 2-4 consecutive treatment sessions, 3-4 weeks apart, are required after completing the initial SR treatment series (refer to SR treatment protocol listed above). Maintenance treatment is recommended every 4-8 months.
Sublative RF – Skin Resurfacing
Fractional radiofrequency and optical energy are optimally combined in each pulse and delivered to target tissues. Pre-heating the area with optical energy allows bi-polar radiofrequency to penetrate deeper into the skin’s dermal layers, without causing injury to the epidermis, and ensuring a safe and effective treatment outcome. Thermal impact stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts cells and induces them to produce more collagen. Elos Plus uses an integrated contact cooling system for enhanced patient tolerance.
Elos Plus is a state of the art multi-application platform from Syneron-Candela, a leading manufacturer in noninvasive aesthetic procedures.
ELOS (electro optical synergy) – fractional radiofrequency and optical energy are optimally combined in each pulse and delivered to target tissues. Pre-heating the area with optical energy allows bi-polar radiofrequency to penetrate deeper into skin’s dermal layers, without causing injury to the epidermis, and ensuring a safe and effective treatment outcome.
Optical energy is converted into thermal energy, selectively absorbed by target chromophores – melanin or hemoglobin – for destruction of pigmented and vascular lesions in target tissues.
Thermal impact also stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts cells and induces them to produce more collagen.
Elos Plus uses an integrated contact cooling system for enhanced patient tolerance.
Treatment Indications:
Skin resurfacing, ablation, wrinkles, stretchmarks, moderate to severe acne scarring.
Treatment Protocol:
Requires a minimum of 3-5 consecutive treatments sessions, 4-6 weeks apart. Maximum results are generally noticeable 2-4 months post treatment. Maintenance treatment every 6 months is recommended.
PIGMENTED LESIONS – GENTLEMAX PRO
GentleMax Pro is a dual wavelength laser platform that combines two separate laser sources, a 755 nm Alexandrite laser and a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, in a single delivery system.
A controlled amount of therapeutic energy is delivered individually, or optically combined in each pulse and delivered to target tissues.
Thermal energy is also selectively absorbed by target chromophores – melanin or hemoglobin – for destruction of pigmented lesions in target tissues.
A cryogen cooling system is integrated for enhanced patient tolerance.
GentleMax Pro has been established as cutting-edge technology from Syneron-Candela, a leading manufacturer in non-invasive aesthetic procedures.
GentleMax Pro is a dual wavelength laser platform that combines two separate laser sources, a 755 nm Alexandrite laser and a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, in a single delivery system.
A controlled amount of therapeutic energy is delivered individually (Alexandrite or Nd:YAG), or optically combined (Alexandrite and Nd:YAG) in each pulse and delivered to target tissues.
Thermal energy is also selectively absorbed by target chromophores – melanin or hemoglobin – for destruction of pigmented lesions in target tissues.
A cryogen cooling system is integrated for enhanced patient tolerance.
Treatment Protocol:
A minimum of 6 consecutive treatment sessions, 4-6 weeks apart, are required. Maintenance treatments are recommended.