Cosmopolitan – No Downtime Facelift
COSMOPOLITAN (03-Dec-01)
NO “DOWNTIME” FACELIFT
Would you have a face-lift if you didn’t have any down time, experienced no pain and looked natural afterward? What if there were no scars and no telltale signs, and your skin would continue to improve for months after your facelift? Sounds too good to be true? Perhaps not. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new laser for the reduction of facial wrinkles. But unlike its predecessors, this new generation of lasers does not wound the surface of the skin, thus eliminating the need for post-treatment care. With a focus on minimally invasive procedures, one revolutionary cosmetic surgery technique using these lasers has caught the attention of many.
The procedure, called the Coolaser is being heralded as the future of cosmetic surgery for the new millennium.
It was developed by the cosmetic surgery team of brothers Simon Ourian, MD, and Bob Ourian, MD, of Epione Aesthetic Laser Clinic Inc., in Beverly Hills, California (888.928.2244). The device is getting good reviews for its ability to smooth fine lines and wrinkles without burning the overlying skin, becoming known as a safe and fast alternative to traditional laser skin resurfacing.
Coolaser treatment is performed without general anesthesia (it is not necessary), making it safer than procedures that implement it. First, the skin is numbed with the spray of a super cooled air through the specially designed handpiece, then a series of rapid-pulse Nd-YAG and yellow beams are directed at problem areas. Discomfort is described as minimal due to the cooling effect. The treatment appears to be especially suitable for lines around the eyes and mouth. Skin texture improves and facial tightening continues for several weeks after the treatment resulting in subtle, natural rejuvenation. The procedure is repeated in a series of three to five visits. Unlike conventional laser surgery or facelift that can leave patients with undesirable scars and pulled looks, the result of the newer technique is “a natural appearance with virtually no pain,” explains Dr. Simon Ourian.
When the yellow beam targets the tissue under the skin’s surface and stimulates growth, the new collagen fills in the depression under the wrinkles, reducing the creases in the wrinkled surface. Treatments take approximately 10 to 30 minutes.
According to Dr. Ourian, early studies show results with as little as one treatment. The total cost of a series of treatments is about $2,500, about a half of the cost of other laser surgeries. Epione Institute in Beverly Hills is currently training other physicians in the technique with more than a dozen new sites to be in operation shortly. For more information contact 800-828-6466.
