Lasers, which are essentially a form of pure light, have been used to treat skin problems for over twenty years. They continue to improve and become more specialized and they do not cause cancer. The table below list examples of the conditions that can be treated both by laser and other procedures.
Silk-Touch Laser Resurfacing
Used to treat facial lines and wrinkles, lines on and around the lips, facial acne scars, other scars and blemishes, warts, moles (with biopsy), sun-damage, and actinic chelitis (pre-cancerous condition of the lips). For facial wrinkles, it is generally advised to pre-treat the area with Retin-A or glycolic acid for at least 2 weeks before laser surgery. The procedure is done under local anesthetic, and may be repeated until the desired effect is achieved. Because the skin is resurfaced, it is important to closely follow post-op care and dressing instructions to minimize the chance of infection or scarring.
Facial Peels/Power Peels
A non-invasive method for restoring the skin's vitality and freshness, treating fine lines, and correcting pigment and texture problems. Acne scarring is often minimized. The peels are essentially painless and most people can return to work after the procedure. Two methods are used, either separately or together. The Power Peel microdermabrasion technique uses fine crystals, and is safe in any skin type. Alternatively, glycolic acid (alpha-hydroxy) is used. A series of 3 to 6 peels are generally required for the desired effect. Arbutus Laser Centre is the first in Canada to offer Power Peels.
Collagen/H.A./Artecoll Injections
Used to help build up and remove fine to deep lines of the face, depressed scars, and also to augment lip margins for a fuller appearance. Injections of collagen may begin one month after skin tests to the forearms; thereafter, regular maintenance injections at intervals of 3 to 12 months are required. New injectables include hyaluronic acid (Restylane/Hylaform) which are used in a similar manner but do not require skin tests. Artecoll consists of both collagen and acrylic microspheres which are capable of giving a long-lasting or even permanent effect.
Tattoo Removal
Tattoos are removed using the Q-swithed Ruby and YAG(Medlite) lasers. The chance of scarring in under 5%, and the treatment does not require anesthetic. Dark colors respond best and multiple treatments are required to rid the skin of most of the tattoo pigment. After an initial consultation, either a test site or the entire area is treated. This is evaluated in about 6-8 weeks, at which time further treatment is given. Tattoos may require 2 to 8 or more treatments. Amateur tattoos generally respond more quickly than professional tattoos. Some inks are very difficult or impossible to remove.
Port Wine Stains Removal
A Port Wine hemangioma is an abnormal collection or network of blood vessels present beneath a layer of otherwise normal skin. The skin appears as though a red, pink, or purple liquid such as port wine had been poured on it. In the past, treatment has consisted of surgery, cryotherapy, electocautery, X-ray irradiation, and tattooing. The Pulsed Dye laser is still the internationally accepted treatment of choice for this congenital type of birthmark. It utilizes selective photothermolysis (selective reduction of red tissue only). After the test area is evaluated, treatment may begin. The procedure is relatively painless and may be given at any age. For some resistant areas, other lasers such as the Vasculite and CO2 lasers are used. Generally, multiple treatments are required.
Vein Treatment
Treatment for veins of the face is with the KTP laser, Pulsed Dye laser, Vasculite, or a long-pulsed YAG laser. It is important not to be tanned, and usually only one or two treatments are required. For the legs, treatment is either by sclerotherapy alone or in combination with the leg vein lasers (Sclerolaser, V-Beam, Alexandrite, Long-pulsed YAG, or Vasculite). If a laser is to be used, a test area is first given and if there are no problems and the response is good, treatment may begin in a few weeks. Multiple treatments are often required. A tan cannot be present.
Warts Removal
These lesions are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and may appear on almost any part of the body. Usual treatment is by cryosurgery (cold therapy with liquid nitrogen), but options include special injections, the CO2 laser or the pulsed dye laser.
Scar Resurfacing
There are many types of scars; some are red and raised, some are white and depressed, and others are simply flat and pigmented. The treatment varies with the scar type, and may include resurfacing with the Erbium laser, flattening with the Pulsed Dye laser, or smoothed with microdermabrasion.
Mole Removal
There are many types of moles. Some are removed for medical reasons and some for cosmetic reasons. Different techniques are used depending on the type of mole. The CO2 , ruby or Erbium:YAG lasers are used in various cases.
Skin Tags Removal
Skin tags or polyps, and other wart-like skin growths are treated by either cryosurgery (cold therapy with liquid nitrogen) or the CO2 laser. Scarring is minimal.
Age Spots and Freckles
Lentigenes, also known as sun or age spots, are benign pigmented (dark) lesions commonly affecting sun-exposed areas such as the face, upper chest, arms, and hands. The Ruby and Medlite lasers actually destroy the pigment in the skin without damaging the skin itself. After initial consultation, a test area or the entire area is treated. The response is evaluated in 6 to 8 weeks and further treatment may be administered. It is important to keep the area covered when outdoors for at least the first 10 days after treatment and to always use a sunscreen in the future. To prevent re-pigmentation, sometimes a bleaching agent such as Neostrata HQ or Ultraquin is used once the area has healed. Power Peels (microdermabrasion) can be used for lighter spots or melasma.
Otolaryngology (ENT) Procedures
Snoring
Snoring, a problem which afflicts millions of people and their partners, occurs when there is obstruction of the free flow of air through the passages of the back of the mouth and nose. Two doctors who work at the Arbutus Laser Center, Dr D. Mintz and Dr R. Dickson have modified, perfected, and published a revolutionary new one-staged Laser Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP). Their one step method involves removal of the same amount of tissue as with standard UPPP (the standard surgery done for sleep apnea since the early 80's). Standard LAUP treatment done in most centers requires three to five treatments to slowly shrink the floppy palate. This procedure is done in one session in over 95% of cases. We can remove more tissue with no increased pain because we also use a cold laser (not available in the US) and inject cortisone with local anaesthetic. One step laser treatment is performed under topical and local anaesthetic, with the patient sitting upright and fully awake. For more detailed information on the new one-staged treatment for snoring and sleep apnea and how you and your partner can get a better night's sleep go to http://www.interchange.ubc.ca/mintz/drmhome.htm. Also find a copy of the original scientific article on the technique at http://www.islandnet.com/~sreid/onestage.html
Nasal Obstruction
Chronic Nasal Obstruction can be due to swelling of the membranes in the nose. Medically this is referred to as Chronic Rhinitis. Generally patients complain of "sinus congestion" and until now not much could be done to give patients relief from this condition. There are baffle-like structures in our noses on the side walls called the turbinates. A new side-firing laser probe has recently been introduced which can now treat the entire length of the turbinates. This reduces the size of these structures thereby opening up the airway obstruction to air flow and the sensation of congestion.
Tonsillitis
Chronic Tonsillitis often produces "pellets" of white cheesy material from the tonsil pits and pockets. These are often mistaken for trapped foul-smelling food particles. The "pellets" have a very disagreeable smell and can lead to chronic halitosis (bad breath). This condition can now be alleviated by doing laser treatments to the tonsils. The laser partially vaporizes the tonsil tissue in one or more treatments to prevent the formation of the particles. Complete tonsillectomy for recurrent acute tonsillitis and strept throat is also performed with laser but this is done in hospital under a general anesthetic similar to conventional surgery.
Laser Hair Removal
The light emitted by the GentlelaseTM, Lyra, Epilight and Medlite IV is absorbed mainly by the pigment located in the hair shaft and follicle. The laser is pulsed, or "turned on" for only a fraction of a second. The duration of each pulse is long enough to injure the follicle but not long enough for excess heat to be transferred to the skin surrounding the hair follicle. The result is safe and effective hair removal. Most of our lasers are designed for permanency, and the Medlite is designed for cost-effective temporary removal.
Please remember that this is introductory information
only, and should not replace a consultation with your
doctor.