The February 2013 issue of Marie Claire magazine reports on the use of topical skin treatments to improve the results of cosmetic laser patients. Epione Beverly Hills’ Simon Ourian, M.D. explores and comments on this new development.
Lasers and Skin Care
There is seemingly no limit to the amount of money one can spend on elixirs and creams to treat the skin. But no matter the cost, these products have one common issue to surmount before they can be effective: penetrating the skin so that they can be absorbed. The skin’s primary function is to act as the body’s protective barrier and that means keeping out the bad (pollutants, for example) and the good (your $300 face cream with growth factor).
Marie Claire
“Sometimes magazines like Marie Claire pick up on the latest crazes in cosmetic medicine, fads really, with stories about the newest device that’s going to ‘revolutionize’ the industry. Unfortunately the device often doesn’t live up to the hype. But this story hits the nail right on the head. Every day in my practice we use topical creams to enhance the results of the laser treatments we offer.”
Anti-Oxidants
The concept is simple enough: after lasering the skin is no longer impermeable, enabling the active ingredients topically applied treatments to be more readily absorbed. The goal, according to the article, is to shorten recovery time and maximize treatment benefits. Anti-oxidants are a common ingredient in these topical treatments, added to reduce inflammation and hopefully speed up the time needed for healing. One physician reports that her patients are seeing enough improvement after one treatment session that they may be able to forego the multiple sessions normally required to achieve maximum results.
Cosmetic Lasers
“I’ve been working with cosmetic lasers for more than a decade,” says Dr. Ourian, “and the progress we’ve made over that time is astonishing. Other than the improvement in the devices themselves, I’d say the biggest change is the evolution of our pre- and post-treatment protocols.” Dr. Ourian goes on to explain that he’s been using various lasers to treat a myriad of skin conditions on the body and the face and that he began formulating creams to enhance the benefits of these treatments years ago.
Stretch Mark Removal and Laser Skin resurfacing
“At Epione, I use lasers for stretch mark removal and a few years ago we started applying an activator to the skin prior to lasering and the improvement in results is apparent. I’ve also developed a post-treatment cream for my stretch mark removal and laser skin resurfacing patients to use post-treatment.”
Another ingredient touted in the article is growth factor. The idea is that growth factor can repair damaged DNA, elastin, and collagen and support the propagation of new skin cells. “I’ve been a proponent of growth factors for some time,” says Dr. Ourian, “I’ve included them in my Signature Series line of skin care products.”
Category: Articles, Lasers/Skin Damage/Dark Circles, Stretch Marks
Tagged with: laser skin resurfacing | laser treatment | stretch marks
