Aesthetic Clinic in Singapore

WHAT IS LASER THERAPY?

One of the most common and widely used aesthetics treatments in Singapore are laser treatments. LASER, an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, utilizes sources of high intensity and monochromatic light, emitting light energy of only one wavelength or color.

Lasers target specific tissues in the skin without harming the surrounding tissue. Different lasers with various wavelengths target different skin concerns. While some lasers focus on melanin (brown pigments) by minimizing the appearance of dark spots or sun spots, others concentrate on red pigments, penetrating blood vessels, capillaries or acne scars, creating micro-sized wounds in order to stimulate the body’s repair and renewal response to generate new collagen to improve skin texture.   

As laser technology improves, so does the range of applications and indications. Today’s lasers can target and penetrate more deeply into the dermis of the skin, so much so that they are rivaling facelifts for results. And with the added advantage that patients do not have to endure the longer recovery times nor side-effects associated with surgical procedures, there is demand for non-invasive laser treatments.

HOW DOES LASER WORK?

Lasers use a unique single wavelength of light to treat different targets (chromophores) in our skin.  Our natural skin chromophores ares:    

1. Melanin (pigmentation and hair)
2. Hemoglobin (blood vessels)
3. Water (Skin cells and tissue)

By selecting the correct wavelength of light, we can target the specific problem on the patient's skin.

At IDS clinic, we have a wide range of lasers to treat the different problems on the skin.

The underlying concept is that specific laser wavelengths can be delivered to the skin in order to treat targeted structures while leaving the surrounding skin structures (hair, collagen, pigment, etc.) undamaged. 

The benefits of laser therapy are:

1. Lightening or removal of pigmentation(eg. lentigines, freckles or melasma)
2. Lightening or removal of unsightly blood vessels
3. Tightening of the skin by heating of the middle layers of the skin
4. Permanent hair removal
5. Removal of skin growths on skin

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LASERS?

Scientists have found that different wavelengths of light are selectively absorbed by different components in the skin.  Therefore by selecting a unique wavelength, one can target a specific part of the skin with minimal collateral damage to the surrounding structures.  So, lasers can be roughly divided into several main categories:

1. Pigment removal lasers: Lasers like the QS-Nd:YAG and the pico-lasers use wavelengths to target melanin (pigment) or tattoo inks in the skin. Because of their unique properties of the light, they are able to fragment the pigment/ink particles into smaller particles for the skin's immune system to remove. 
2. Hair removal lasers: These are a subset of the pigment lasers and they can reach deeper into the skin, where the bulb of the hair is located, to selectively heat and destroy the cells around it. 
3. Vascular lasers: These lasers target the red pigment in the blood vessels and destroy the blood vessels.  Again the removal is done by the immune cells in the skin. 
4. Skin-tightening lasers: These lasers target water in the skin.  They are divided into the ablative (those that vaporize the outer layer of the skin) and the non-ablative (those that leave the outer layer of the skin intact) lasers. 

The Erbium YAG and the carbon dioxide lasers are ablative lasers.  These lasers produce a controlled injury to the skin and heat up the inner layers of the skin, in turn, stimulating a healing response of the skin to produce more collagen and elastin.  The ablation can be continuous, where the whole outer layer of the skin is removed, or it can be fractional, where interrupted columns of the skin are removed.  In fractional lasers, where some intact skin is left in between the ablated skin, this allows for a faster recovery time and reduces the side-effects and complications of the laser treatment. 

These lasers are great for treating visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, acne scars, unwanted lesions, warts, enlarged oil glands on the nose, and the results generally last for a few years. However, a longer recovery and higher degree of risk are expected compared to non-ablative lasers.  There is less downtime and discomfort compared with the non-fractionated or continuous ablative lasers. 

The non-ablative lasers(eg.  Erbium Glass lasers, long-pulse Nd:YAG, pico-lasers) penetrate into the middle layer of the skin without vaporizing the outer layers of the skin.  This induces a heat injury and stimulates a healing response.  There may be visible improvement after one treatment session, but most patients take several laser treatments to achieve the end results.

WHAT CAN LASER DO FOR YOU?

1. Rejuvenation of the skin on the face and neck:

A series of monthly treatments are specially designed by our doctors to improve the quality of the skin.  These treatments stimulate remodelling (tightening and smoothing) of the skin and also target pigmentation(eg. sun-spots, freckles, melasma) and redness (facial telangiectasia or persistent redness) of the skin.  At IDS clinic, we use a combination approach (eg. Mosaic laser, Aerolase, Dual Yellow laser and the Pico-laser) to achieve these objectives.  This combination approach allows our patients to experience IDS's full range of laser equipment to tackle the aging skin and experience the full benefit of our latest equipment. 

2. Laser for targeted pigmentation/tattoo removal:

A series of monthly treatments using pigment specific lasers to break down stubborn pigmentation of the skin.  In IDS, we have both the Q-switched lasers and the Pico-lasers to deal with pigmentation. 

A quality-switched laser (Q-Switched) creates high-intensity pulsed beam light that lasts just a billionth of a second. The energy emitted from this laser is concentrated enough to shatter tiny fragments of pigmentation or ink, and stimulate collagen production. Q-Switched lasers are best used for tattoo removal, freckles, birthmarks, moles and related pigmentation issues.

A newer type of laser is also used in the IDS Clinics – the “picosecond” laser.

The “Pico” in “PicoLasers” refers to Picosecond, which is one trillionth of a second. It differs from traditional Q-switched Lasers which fire laser beams in the nanosecond (billionth of a second) duration. Picosecond lasers are approximately ten times faster than nanosecond Q-switched lasers. This laser technology theoretically works more efficiently in targeting the specific tissues with less surrounding tissue damage.

3. Laser for permanent hair removal:

A series of monthly treatments using the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser, which is the gold standard for laser hair removal, to address unwanted hair in the armpits, legs and the face.

4. Laser ablation of harmless skin growths (eg. seborrhoeic keratosis, benign moles, sebaceous hyperplasia).

Usually 1-2 treatments with the Erb: YAG laser will treat these problems.  There is 1 week of downtime for the healing of the skin and patients need to stay away from prolonged sun-exposure for about 2 weeks.  Makeup and topical sunscreen can be applied to the skin after 1 week. 

5. Laser for unwanted blood vessels on the face:

The Dual Yellow laser or the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser can be used to target cherry pink spots or purple tiny veins on the face, especially around the nose.  A series of monthly sessions are arranged. 

6. Laser for treatment of acne scarring on the face:

A combination of ablative or nonablative lasers can be used to stimulate collagen remodelling of the skin causing tightening and smoothing of the scars.  At IDS clinic we can use a combination of the fractional Erb;YAG laser with the Pico-laser in fractionated mode to treat the scars.  Again a series of monthly sessions are required. 

Picosecond lasers have also been found to be effective in treating skin texture problems such as acne scars and wrinkles. This is due to its ability to stimulate collagen at deeper layers of the skin which is the result of stimulating the body’s natural healing process. There are a number of theories as to why this laser technology helps remodel and produce collagen. One of the most interesting is that the rapid delivery of laser light might stimulate a vibration throughout the surface of the skin, triggering the collagen response.

The Mosaic laser, a fractional erbium glass laser, is able to deliver tiny columns of laser into the skin at spaced intervals.  These columns of skin get coagulated by the heat from the laser and heal with production of collagen. This remodelling tightens the skin and smoothens the acne scars on the face. 

More severe acne scars can be treated with our erbium YAG lasers at IDS.  A combination of the continuous ablation and fractional ablation is down in the same sitting.  The fractional mode allows the laser to penetrate deep into the dermis of the skin to vaporise and breakdown the scar tissue.  The downtime and discomfort level is higher than the other 2 lasers mentioned above.

PROCEDURE AND TREATMENT

Before the procedure, do inform your doctor if you are taking medications such as isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne as it may increase your risk for scars, or even aspirin as it can increase your risk of bleeding.

Laser treatments are generally safe when administered by a qualified practitioner or medical doctor in a licensed clinic. However, anyone considering the procedure should be aware that laser skin resurfacing complications such as abnormal healing and infection (though quite rare) may occur. Laser treatments may cause burns or other injuries due to the heat of the laser. Those who undergo the procedure are also more prone to outbreaks of cold sores or acne, and some itching. There is also a risk of viral, bacterial and fungal infections following the treatment. You need to be aware of such risks even if they are not common and you may not experience any of these complications.

As a general rule, the bigger the area and the deeper the laser energy penetration, the longer will the recovery time be. During recovery, your skin may be red and scab over with slight peeling. Ice packs may help to reduce any swelling. While you don’t need to be at home during the entire recovery process, do avoid public places where there is greater risk of infection. 

Mild lower powered lasers have fast recovery times, generally a few days as they do not result in any side effects such as peeling or crusting of the skin. However, the more aggressive (ablative) lasers require a longer recovery period, with skin typically experiencing various stages of redness, crusting and peeling for one week. Risk of other side effects include burning, bumps, rash, swelling, infection and scars. After that, the skin may remain pink for up to another one to two weeks.

RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS

Before procedure, do inform your doctor if you are taking medications such as isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne as it may increase your risk for scars, or even aspirin as it can increase your risk of bleeding.

Know that it is generally safe when handled by a board-certified healthcare practitioner or medical doctor in a proper clinic. However, anyone considering the procedure should be aware that laser skin resurfacing complications such as abnormal healing and infection (though quite rare) can happen. It can cause burns or other injuries due to the heat of the laser. Understand that those who undergo the procedure are also more prone to outbreaks of cold sores or acne, and some itching. There is also a risk of viral, bacterial and fungal infections following the treatment. You need to be aware of such risks even if they are not common and you may not experience any of these complications.

As a general rule, the bigger the area, the deeper the laser, and longer the recovery time. During recovery, your skin may be red and scab over with slight peeling. Ice packs may help to reduce any swelling. While you don’t need to be at home during the entire recovery process, do avoid places like the gym where there is greater risk of infection as there are more germs in such places.

Mild lower powered lasers have fast recovery times, generally a few days as they do not result in any side effects such as peeling or crusting of the skin. However, the more aggressive (ablative) lasers require a longer recovery period, with skin typically experiencing various stages of redness, crusting and peeling for one week. Risk of other side effects include burning, bumps, rash, swelling, infection and scars. After that, the skin may remain pink for up to another one to two weeks.

WHO IS NOT SUITABLE FOR LASERS?

• Currently pregnant or breast-feeding, however, there are some types of laser suitable (arrange a consultation with doctor for more information) 
• Those who are prone to scarring even after a minor injury
• People with acne, cold sores, as well as other skin disorders as the skin condition may worsen after laser resurfacing
• Heavy smokers as smoking decreases the capacity of the damaged skin to heal - smokers will be advised against smoking for at least two weeks pre and post laser skin resurfacing
• Those with very tanned or dark skin

HOW MUCH IMPROVEMENT CAN I SEE AFTER LASER TREATMENT?

Generally, you can expect visible improvements of about 50% - 90%, depending on the type and severity. Having said that, if you have an extremely severe case of pigmentation, you are advised to moderate your expectation and not to expect completely clear, smooth skin after the treatment program. Do talk to your physician in-charge because compliance to their instructions is very crucial to getting the best results.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

Depending on the extent of your pigmentation and the treatment level of your sessions, you may need anywhere from 5 to 10 sessions. The treatment may be repeated every 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the type, extent and severity of your pigmentation.

WILL THERE BE ANY BLEEDING OR DOWNTIME?

Most of the laser treatments result in minimal to no downtime.  There can be some redness of the skin for 1-2 days after a session. 

Lasers used to treat acne scars can result in longer downtime(eg 1 week).  After the pico-laser treat there is swelling and pin-point bruising of the skin for about 1 week.  The erbium YAG laser can result in scabbing of the skin for 1 week, followed by redness of the skin for another 2 weeks during the healing process.

Ablation of skin growth can result in mild oozing of the treated areas.  Gentle pressure for 3 minutes will stop the oozing. 

ARE PICO LASER TREATMENTS FOR HYPERPIGMENTATION PAINFUL?

Contrary to belief, Pico Laser treatments are actually very comfortable. To reduce any sensation, a numbing cream can be applied on the skin prior to the laser session. It feels like a warm and gentle pricking sensation on the skin.

PRICE LISTS

10 sessions for $3,200