Laser tattoo removal has become a very popular cosmetic treatment in large part because there are so many consumers with tattoos.  As the procedures have grown in popularity so too have physicians and consumers interest in finding out which lasers are best for their particular tattoo and skin type.

When speaking on the issue of which lasers are best for tattoo removal, it's important to understand that there is a distinction between the TYPE of laser being used and the BRAND name of laser being used.  The TYPE of laser refers to the type of light being used for the treatment and the BRAND name of the laser refers to the manufacturer that produces the laser.  This is an important distinction to understand when search for a tattoo removal facility.  Also important to understand is the fact that some q-switched types of lasers are better at some colors than others. 

First let's discuss the TYPES of lasers used for tattoo removal and which colors they are ideal for:

• Q-switched Nd:Yg laser (and double frequency Nd:Yg).  This laser type is most commonly used for laser tattoo removal because it has two wavelengths, 1064 (Nd:Yg) for dark colors and 532 (Double Frequency Nd:Yg) for lighter colors.  The 1064 wavelength of light is best on black, brown, blue, deep purple and other dark colors, while the 532 wavelength is best on red.  There are a lot of colors in between including yellow, orange, pale blue, green, etc.  While the 1064 and 532 can usually remove these colors, it can take many treatments (5-15 is the expectation we set at our practice).
• Q-Switched Ruby laser.  This laser is uses 694 nanometer wavelength of light and is effective at removing green and darker colors.
• Q-Switched Alexandrite laser.     This laser is uses 694 nanometer wavelength of light and is effective at removing green and darker colors.

Los Angeles, CA Laser Tattoo Removal 

Los Angeles Laser Tattoo Removal Free Consultation

Los Angeles Laser Tattoo Removal Before and After Pictures 

The following are manufacturer's BRANDs of Tattoo Removal Devices:

• Hoya Conbio Medlite (C3, C4, C6 and Revlite), Q-Switched Nd:Yg (and Double Frequency Nd:Yg). The Hoya Conbio 1064/532 combination lasers is one of the leaders in tattoo removal equipment and has been producing top quality, high energy Q-switched lasers for many years.
• Palomar Q-Yag V Q-Switched Nd:Yg (and Double Frequency Nd:Yg).  This machine is similar to the Hoya Conbio lasers but has an added feature that allows the practitioner to mix 1064 and 532 wavelengths of light, adding more flexibility to the treatment program.  It is especially useful for tattoo removal in darker skin types because of this mixing functionality.
• Cynosure Affinity QS, Q-Switched Nd:Yg (and Double Frequency Nd:Yg).

The answer to this question is not as easy as it may seem because there are many different types of chemical peels and laser peels.  There are very superficial chemical and laser peels that will result in modest resurfacing of the skin (10 microns or 1/100th of an inch) and have no healing time associated with them.  There are also very deep chemical peels and laser resurfacing that can resurface up to 300 microns (or 3/10ths) of an inch and require several weeks of healing.  Generally speaking, the more healing time needed for the procedure, the more dramatic the results will be for conditions like wrinkles, sun damage and acne scars.  Some common light chemical peels include glycolic acid peels (less than 30% acid) and Jessner's peels.  A common light laser resurfacing is the Erbium laser.  Deeper and more dramatic chemical peels include the phenol peel and a common deep laser resurfacing peel is the CO2 laser.

Los Angeles, CA Laser Peel

Los Angeles Laser Peel Free Consultation

 Los Angeles Laser Peel Before and After Pictures 

Both chemical peels and laser peels can be effective, but it depends on your condition and lifestyle.  For example, a 50 year old person that has been smoking for 35 year, has never been out of the sun and has wrinkles that are measured in 1/8ths of an inch deep is not a candidate for a light laser peel or chemical peel.  This type of candidate would need a heavy (phenol) or laser resurfacing peel (CO2) because of the depth of wrinkles.  On the other end of the spectrum, if a patient is looking for very mild improvement in the tone and texture of their skin then a light chemical peel or laser resurfacing can do just that, remove the very outermost layers of skin, making it appear fresher and softer.

The one significant and measurable difference between chemical peels and laser peels is that lasers (ex: Erbium YAG, Fractionated, CO2) have the ability to very precisely remove the sin tissue to an exact depth.  This kind of depth control cannot be achieved with a chemical peel because the peel is manually applied by the practitioner and the depth of penetration of the peel depends on a number of factors including the type of skin and the time left on the face.  These variables make chemical peels much harder to control compared to laser technology.  Although both chemical peels and laser peels can be effective treatments, the more aggressive types (phenol and CO2) also carry a higher risk for adverse side effects.  Certain skin types - those with darker pigmentation or those with sensitive skin - may not tolerate chemical peels well and may be higher risk for a poor outcome.

Deciding between a chemical peel vs. a laser peel will be dependent on one’s skin type, condition, goals, lifestyle, budget, and whether or not they are able and willing to have recovery time.   Find a practitioner that knows the answers to the above questions and tailors the treatment plan your situation.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

At Celibre, we take much pride in being advocates for patients and consumers.  First and foremost, we value the teaching process and believe most consumers do as well.  It is not unusual for patients to come to us with very little or incorrect information on how to manage their skin condition - even when they are being managed by a dermatologist.  Many describe wasting time and money on treatment methods that don't work or, as is often the case, make their skin condition worse.

One of our female acne patients was diagnosed with acne by one dermatologist and then diagnosed by a second dermatologist with “acne rosacea.”   For the last two years, she has been on a long, frustrating journey of harsh topical products such as retinoids, complicated skin care regimens, and a host of oral medications.  She came to us with skin that was inflamed, dry, irritated, and just plain hurt. She realized that there had to be a better way to manage her skin and became intrigued with the concept of laser treatments.  While laser treatments are not the answer for every patient, in this particular case, they helped immensely.  What also helped was taking the time to sit down, evaluate all the products that the patient was using (from both dermatologists) and then eliminate those that were contributing to some of the problem.  Without spending a good amount of time with the patient, neither physician would have been able to get the whole story that we did.  The time spent on patient education makes a world of difference to our patients.

Los Angeles, CA Acne Rosacea Treatments.

Acne Rosacea Free Consultations.  

 Los Angeles Rosacea Before and After Pictures.    

Within two weeks, we were able to quiet her skin down (see the photos above).  Was it the work of lasers?  Partially.  However, I give most of the credit to providing our patient with good baseline knowledge of how to care for her skin – something that had not been addressed on numerous visits to her previous practitioners.  What the patient does on a daily basis is always far more valuable when combined with what we are able to accomplish on her weekly visits.  By equipping her with knowledge and gentle skin care products, we were able to make early progress to bring her skin into a better balance.

Although we recognize the role of many available treatments whether we utilize them or not – we are firm believers that patient education and involvement must always be at the top of any treatment plan.  You and your appearance are worth investing in – find a practitioner that believes the same. 

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

For lack of a better term, “road rash” is often used to describe traumatic injuries that occur when someone has contact with the ground such as gravel, sand, pavement, and asphalt.  Even when a cut or wound is irrigated after injury, there may be some staining or color left in the skin and tissue well after healing has taken place.  This condition may be referred to as “traumatic tattoos” or "road scars".  With this condition, early laser treatment leads to improved outcomes.  Class IV medical lasers are an excellent option to resolve discoloration related to road rash scars.  Outcomes can be dramatic with laser treatments being safe for all skin types.  Many consumers and medical professionals are unaware of the cosmetic concerns that a patient may have once an injury has healed.  Knowing which laser options are available to treat road rash is a good place to begin.

Los Angeles, CA Road Rash Scar Removal Treatments.

Scar Removal Consultations.  

 Los Angeles Scar Removal Before and After Pictures.  

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Brown spots or sun spots can be found anywhere on the body.  Although common on the face, it is not too unusual to find them on the lips as well.  For some patients, this represents a cosmetic concern because they are not easily covered.  Sun spots on the lips are effectively treated with Q-switched lasers.  At Celibre, we use Q-switched Yag lasers to resolve these lesions in as little as 1 to 3 treatments performed every 4 weeks.  There is very little discomfort and most treatments are completed in fifteen minutes.  Treatments are safe for all skin types.

Los Angeles, CA Sun Spot Removal Treatments.

Sun Spot Removal Free Consultations.  

 Los Angeles Sun Spot Removal Before and After Pictures.  

When protecting your face with sunscreen, don’t forget the lips.  Lip balms that provide SPF are a good source of protection.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Botox Cosmetic and Dysport are both classified as botulinum type A products that are used for not only cosmetic purposes but medicinal as well.  Botox is manufactured by Allergan, and Dysport is produced by Medicis.  Both are well-known companies with an excellent reputation for products.   Both products have FDA approval for the treatment of glabella (frown) lines for cosmetic indications.

 Orange County Botox Before and After Pictures.

Regardless of which product the patient and practitioner decide upon, healthy competition in this arena is a win-win situation for consumers.  This is clearly demonstrated by first-time consumer rebates being offered by Allergan with promotional incentives as well by both companies. 

Be sure to discuss your treatment goals and the available options with your practitioner.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Most of us have heard the saying, “You can tell a woman’s age by her hands.”  The older we get, the more we understand what this means.  Changing hands are a result of a combination of factors including age, sun exposure and weight.

As we age, our skin thins.  The fatty layer that supports the upper layers of skin can lose volume and the collagen and elastin that form the building blocks of our skin become less plentiful.  Thinning skin combined with the loss of collagen and elastin leads to the appearance of pesky age spots (also called liver spots or sun spots). Q-Switched YAG lasers are an excellent answer to this common problem by resolving pigmentation as well as improving skin texture.  These treatments are safe for all skin types and have no downtime involved.

However, what can we do for our hands when we’ve lost volume?  As volume is lost the hands start to show "ropey" looking veins and protruding ligaments.  In addition, the voids between veins and ligaments become hollowed.  Although lasers are great for getting rid of age spots, they are not so good at restoring volume.   This is where dermal fillers come in.  Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and other dermal fillers can have an immediate effect on making hands look younger.  By plumping the hands, filling voids and make the veins and ligaments less noticeable, we are able to turn back the clock on aging hands. 

Until recently, we had not been impressed with the techniques and products that were being promoted for injection hand rejuvenation.  We have since found a much better way to use our dermal fillers (hyaluronic acids such as Juvederm, Restylane) to create a less expensive but still dramatic solution for the problem of aging hands.  Injection benefits are immediate and outcomes continue to improve over a two week period.  Results typically last for a minimum of six months.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Laser tattoo removal is a safe and effective method for removing unwanted tattoos.  Unfortunately, the process may take numerous treatments, even when done correctly.  Patients often have to wait a period of 1-2 years to complete the process because of the time it takes the body to remove tattoo ink that has been broken down during a laser treatment.

The expectation we set for our patients at Celibre is that the average tattoo will require between 5 and 15 treatments.  The number of treatments depends on the skin type, the type of ink, the laser used, the laser energy used, the skill of the practitioner and the depth of the ink.  A common misconception among patients (and some practitioners) is that it is better to use consistently higher laser energies with each treatment to speed the removal process.  While it is true that less treatments may be required to completely remove the tattoo when using higher (ablative) energy levels, this method also carries risk.  The problem is that using extremely high energy to "carve out" the tattoo ink can lead to scarring or depigmentation (lightening of the skin) at the tattoo site once it is removed.  Your skin type will have a large effect regarding the risk of scarring with darker skin types more prone to scarring or depigmentation.  At Celibre Medical, we do not perform treatments in this manner because we want to remove the tattoo with no permanent scarring or skin lightening left behind after it is removed.

In some situations, a tattoo may become unresponsive to lasers after repeated treatments because the ink has faded so much as to make it difficult for the laser to interact with the ink.  At this point, most patients will continue to observe excellent, continued fading over time as their bodies continue the remove the pigment over time.  See photos (there were no laser treatments between the second and third photos, just fading over time).

At Celibre, we utilize two types of Q-switched lasers for tatto removal.  Because we use two different machines, we have the ability to access much higher energies (using the Medlite C6) if and when when tattoos become unresponsive due to fading.  Although uncommon, tattoos may also become unresponsive to even the most powerful Q-switched lasers.  When this happens, our bodies take over to continue the fading process over time.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Bikini shaving bumps (razor bumps) is a very common problem for women.  When growing in, coarse, curly pubic hair can often curl before it exits the skin causing the hair to "burrow" into the upper layer of skin, causing a razor bump.

Los Angeles Laser Hair Removal Removal Free Consultations. 

 Los Angeles, CA Laser Hair Removal Before and After Pictures.    

The only permanent treatment for bikini razor bumps is laser hair removal.  Removing bikini hair permanently with laser hair removal makes shaving unneccesary thereby eliminating razor bumps.  Contrary to waxing, laser hair removal is generally more comfortable, only needed every six weeks, is a better financial and time investment in the long run, and is better tolerated by the skin.  Laser hair removal to the bikini area is one of the most common treatments we perform at Celibre Medical.

When doing your laser hair removal research, make certain you find a laser practitioner that has the right technology for your skin type and is trained in this service.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Brown spots (sun spots, birthmarks or pigmented lesions) can be found anywhere on the face or body.  Although somewhat uncommon these lesions can be found on the lips.  Almost always these lesions are benign and are classified as sun spots or moles.  If these brown spots to the lips are flat and non-cancerous, they are easily treated with Q-switched YAG lasers.  There is no downtime, little discomfort, and treatments are safe for all skin types for this type of laser treatment.  Most of these types of brown spots may be effectively removed in 1 to 3 laser treatments.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles, CA Sun Spot Removal.

Los Angeles Sun Spot Removal Free Consultations.

Los Angeles, CA Sun Spot Removal Before and After Pictures.  

After laser brown spot removal, consider wearing lip protection that has SPF (sun protection factor) in it if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

It is not uncommon for those with acne to also have irritated skin.  What does irritated skin look like?  Red, dry, flaky, tight, and painful looking.  Many times, acne patients believe that their condition improves when their skin overly dry.  If so, this is usually a very short term response to their acne condition.  In most cases, skin that is kept too dry for too long will suffer a rebound effect wherein the acne becomes much worse over time.  This behavior creates a vicious cycle where the patient makes the problem worse because of the perception that drying the skin leads to improved acne.

Our bodies strive to maintain a state of balance.  This includes our skin which is the largest organ we have.  When we strip our skin of its natural acid mantle – pH balance becomes disrupted.  In response to this, our sebaceous (oil) glands “wake up” and begin to make more oil to compensate for the dryness.  This over activity of the glands then leads to a cascade of events that contributes to the acne condition.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles, CA Acne Laser Treatment.

Acne Laser Treatment Los Angeles Free Consultations.

Los Angeles, CA Acne and Laser Before and After Pictures.  

The best way to prevent this endless cycle is to pay attention to the cues that our skin gives us.  Dry skin needs to be moisturized to maintain proper pH.  Changing the daily skin care regimen to include more moisturizer may seem counterintuitive and time consuming, but eventually the skin will respond positively.  A regimen of oil-free moisturizers, green tea products, and gentle face washes are a good place to start to restore pH balance.  The use of low strength Glycolic Acid products are also a good way to utilize an exfoliating ingredient without overly drying or irritating the skin.  For those patients that cannot tolerate Retin A and high percentages of Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic Acid is a good option.

Besides healthy skin looking better, it feels better as well.  Trust what your skin is telling you, and the acne condition will have a better environment to respond.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Demand for fat removal, cellulite reduction, and body contouring treatments have grown exponentially in recent years and so too has the multitude of treatments available to treat them.  For the average consumer, finding the appropriate treatment represents a big  challenge.

Some of the newer technologies that have made their way onto the scene utilize radiofrequency, deep dermal tissue heating, laser-assisted liposuction, injections of fat dissolving substances, tissue massage, or a combination of these modalities. 

One service that is obtaining renewed interest is VaserLipo System and Vaser HD (Vaser High Def) by Sound Surgical Technologies.  VASER is an acronym for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance.  With the first generation being introduced in March 2001, Sound Surgical Technologies received FDA approval in September 2002 for their third generation system for body contouring with sound waves. 

Unlike traditional fat removal and body contouring treatments, VaserLipo utilizes ultrasonic energy (sound waves), not laser energy, to break apart fat particles to emulsify the fat for easier removal by traditional methods. The key component of this method is the ability to emulsify the fat prior to removal which results in decreased aspiration/suction time.  One VaserLipo practitioner likened this ultrasonic technology to a tuning fork placed on a soap bubble. 

Those that promote VaserLipo claim that the body sculpting and fat reduction capability is superior to other systems because of the selectivity of the fat tissue being targeted (selective emulsifying) combined with improved fluid management, results in less bruising, less post-procedure swelling, and overall less pain with improved recovery.

Many VaserLipo users combine technologies for improved outcomes.  For example, practitioners will utilize VaserLipo for larger areas of fat debulking, followed by SmartLipo (laser-assisted liposuction) for smaller areas.  Like most modalities, VaserLipo is marketed for those patients that are concerned with areas of fat deposits that do not respond to diet changes and exercise. Therefore, most areas of the body are treatable with VaserLipo.

VaserLipo and Vaser HD  are not without valid concerns.  Some practitioners remember the complications from the older generation system that lacked consistent control over the heating of the tissue.  Although most acknowledge that the treatments work, some are concerned over complication rates.  Consistent with the “gold standard” of traditional liposuction, VaserLipo still requires heat, motion, and suction with the only different variable being the ultrasonic component for emulsification of the fat particles.

Despite which side of the fence one sits on when it comes to Vaser technology, all will agree that any fat reduction or body sculpting procedure relies heavily on technique and experience.  Equally important is whether or not the patient is an appropriate candidate for the procedure.  These treatments are not a substitute for a weight loss program and should never replace the benefits of weight loss through diet and exercise.   

Although we do not offer liposuction treatments at Celibre Medical we are committed to providing our patients with the best information possible to make informed decisions about their cosmetic treatments.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Because we spend a lot of time treating acne and acne scars, we are passionate about staying on the forefront of research to deliver best practices and outcomes for our acne patients.  But just as important as the actual procedures is the manner in which we deliver our acne treatments.  Because there is no “ acne cure”, it is one of the most emotional conditions we treat.  We never lose sight of that fact whether we are treating someone with a mild case of acne or an individual with severe lesions and acne scars.

One common thread in the thousands of patients we’ve treated is the story behind the acne condition – the turning point where an acne patient decides to seek treatment or research their options.  There is usually one event that triggers a patient into action like a birthday, graduation, wedding or other that forces them to work harder to find an acne solution.  We have grown to appreciate how important it is to hear of the emotional impact of the many tried and failed treatments and to acknowledge the skepticism patients have after trying and failing many different acne treatment programs.  We often hear patients describe how they “just want to not have to worry about their acne all day long.”  Many acknowledge that their daily habits of picking or layers of thick make up are worsening their condition but they find themselves in a vicious cycle that can’t be broken.

Celibre Medical Orange County, CA Laser Acne Treatments.

Orange County Laser Acne Treatment Free Consultations.

Orange County Acne Laser Treatment Before and After Photos.

Granted, there are any number of acne treatment facilities, and trying to determine which one to pick can be overwhelming – especially to those that do not have a strong knowledge of the acne condition or understand which acne treatments are available to them.  You may ask yourself, “Well how is Celibre different?”  For starters, we listen to your concerns.  From that point onward, we develop an acne treatment plan with you by taking into consideration your goals, skin type, budget, condition, previous failed acne treatments, and your work/school schedule.  We are strong advocates for patient education and encourage your involvement and feedback throughout the acne treatment program.

Unfortunately, all of the above does not suggest or guarantee an “acne cure” because that does not exist.  However, it will most certainly assure patients that we will partner with them to set realistic expectations and then attempt to over-deliver on those expectations. 

When considering acne treatments, find a practitioner that not only offers several viable acne treatment options, but one that also listens to and respects “the story behind the acne”.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

A commonly asked question about the under eye area is “Why is my skin around my eyes so crepey?”  We’ve often referred to the eyes as the window to the soul and the frame of the face.  It is this area that thirty and forty-something women begin to focus on as they age.  The eye area begins to experience many changes not only in the shape but also the texture of the skin.

The wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes tend to be the most obvious and disliked of anywhere on the face.  As we age, sun damage (photodamage), leads to thinning of the epidermis and skin laxity (drooping).  Sun damage also leads to a decrease in the skin's collagen and elastin, two components of the skin that are responsible for repairing sun damage in the epidermis.   The outcome of collagen breakdown is a decrease in the resilience of the skin.  It is this change in resilience that decreases the ability for the skin to retain its original shape and causes the crepiness around the eyes mentioned above.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Restylane Injections.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Botox Injections.

Los Angeles Botox and Restylane Free Consultations. 

Los Angeles Restylane Before and After Photos.        

What are effective treatment options for wrinkles around the eyes?  Besides topical regimens, ablative and non-ablative laser treatments are extremely valuable in softening fine lines and promoting collagen stimulation.  Botox Cosmetic and Dysport are effective in minimizing the repeated muscle contraction that leads to wrinkling at the sides of the eyes (crow's feet).  And using fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm help to add volume to the lower eye area which may improve skin texture as well as minimizing the darkening effects (dark circles under eyes).  Upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may also be a good option when the above laser and injection treatments for the eyes are not appropriate or effective enough.

An experienced practitioner will see the value of using a combination of treatments to tailor a plan to help you meet your goals.  More importantly, what one does on a daily basis (sunscreen, sunglasses, and good, affordable skin care products) will go far in protecting the delicate area around the eyes.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Erbium laser resurfacing treatments involve some downtime – meaning the amount of time before someone feels comfortable to return to their usual activities such as work or school.  As with all ablative laser resurfacing procedures, downtime must be factor considered when choosing the appropriate laser treatment plan.

With the Erbium laser resurfacing (micropeel, most people require five to seven days of downtime to recover completely from the procedure.  After the first 72 hours, we prefer the term “social downtime.”  This implies that the skin has progressed nicely; however, one may not be comfortable with their appearance for the next few days.  In our experience, most patients return to work/school on days 4 and 5.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Laser Resurfacing Treatments.

Los Angeles Laser Resurfacing Free Consultations. 

Although Erbium laser resurfacing results in extreme redness immediately following the treatment, the redness progressively fades with each passing day which enables most to return to their activities within 5 days.  When preparing for any ablative laser resurfacing procedure, make certain that you are provided with the necessary information to plan your schedule accordingly to fully recover.  Observing photos of how you may look during the healing phase is also a good idea.

One word of caution, even though your skin may be completely healed and several days (if not weeks post-treatment), do not forget to be diligent with sunscreen and sun avoidance to protect your investment – your skin.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

Many times consumers have asked us about the difference between our Cosmelan MD topical program and TriLuma for Melasma. Both products are known to treat many pigmentation conditions such as melasma, sun damage, and brown acne scarring.

TriLuma has three active ingredients – a topical corticosteroid (reduces inflammation/redness/swelling), hydroquinone (fades pigment), and tretinoin (which removes the outer dead skin cell layer and helps the other ingredients penetrate). This product is based on the theory that there is an inflammatory component to the non-curable condition of Melasma. Although many consumers have had success with this TriLuma, it is quite expensive ($160 to over $200) and can be irritating to the skin because of the ongoing use of the tretinoin. In our experience, many consumers with medium to darker skin types have been unable to tolerate this treatment, and in many cases, their condition has worsened.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Melasma Treatment.  

Los Angeles Melasma Treatment Free Consultations.

Los Angeles Melasma Treatment before and after pictures.  

Cosmelan MD has many effective ingredients with the main active ones being Retin-A and hydroquinone, which are essentially the same two ingredients as are contained in TriLuma. For this reason, a commonly question asked by our patients is how Cosmelan MD and TriLuma are different.  They ask "Why should I try Cosmelan MD if TriLuma didn't work for me?".   This is an excellent question and one that has some obvious answers and other that may be more subtle.  The most glaring reason to try Cosmelan MD is that the % of Hydroquinone in Cosmelan MD is higher than in TriLuma (4% for TriLuma vs. 8% for Cosmelan MD).  This in and of itself is very important as the most important depigmentation active ingredient is twice as strong in Cosmelan MD as it is in TriLuma.  In addition to this obvious difference, the chemical makeup of the two products is very different with Cosmelan MD also containing other depigmentation agents besides Hydroquinone. 

Finally, we know from our acne treatment programs that some of our patients have responded well to doxycycline and not well to minocycline before coming to see us, something that is confusing given the similarity of the two drugs.  Even when two drugs or treatment programs are very similar the outcome they produce may be very different.  Most of our Melasma patients have tried hydroquinone based programs in the past before coming to us and we understand the frustration that has led them to the point where they come see us for another alternative. 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for melasma, and the condition is considered chronic but may be – not only improved – but managed. Finding the right “recipe” may be a frustrating journey for this emotional pigmentary condition. However, knowing what options are available is a good starting point. Make certain your practitioner involves you in the treatment plan, knows your history of tried and/or failed modalities, monitors your progress, and equips you with the right knowledge to manage your condition.  While there is always a possibility that the Cosmelan MD program will not work, it is one more option for our Melasma patients that are eager to find another alternative.

Lori Haney, RN , MEP-C

Erbium MicroLaserPeel laser resurfacing is an excellent treatment for many conditions to improve the texture, tone, and color of the skin.  The Erbium laser is a tried and true laser technology, and we are pleased with the consistent, predictable outcomes the treatments offer. 

With the Erbium MicroLaserPeel treatment, the recovery period is often referred to as “social downtime” which refers to the time away from usual activities such as work and outdoor activities.  Social downtime implies that, although one is healing, they may not be comfortable with their appearance and may wish to forego public activities for a certain period after the laser resurfacing treatments.  In our experience, most patients that undergo Erbium laser resurfacing treatments will return to work or school within 5-7 days.  More patients are closer to the fifth day than the seventh.

Celibre Medical Carson California Laser Resurfacing Program.

Carson California Laser Resurfacing Free Consultations. 

Carson California Laser Resurfacing Before and After Photos.  

The healing process after Erbium laser resurfacing is generally uneventful with redness and peeling resolving dramatically with each passing day.  The skin care regimen in the first 3 days takes some diligence and adherence to it will directly improve and hasten the healing process.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

All too often, we are contacted by consumers only asking about pricing of our services or asking why we aren’t as “cheap” as the “other place.”  We try to use this opportunity to educate these consumers about the importance of being concerned not only with price of services, but more importantly, the safety and efficacy of the services they are purchasing.

For example, we choose not to compete with the $29 laser hair removal special offered in community coupon books.  All too often in advertisements like these, there is some "catch" that's used by the office providing the procedure to wiggle out of honoring the advertised price.  Maybe it's that you have to come in on Wednesdays or have a certain skin type or some other wacky requirmente.  The bottom line is that we have found these " laser promotions" more often to be sales gimmicks and would rather be straightforward with our patients from the start about the price of our services.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Laser Hair Removal Prices.

Los Angeles Laser Hair Removal Removal Free Consultations. 

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Laser Hair Removal Before and After Pictures.

We have also found that many other facilities sell "packages" of treatments.  While we do offer some packages of laser hair removal treatments at a discount and generally do not have a problem with selling treatments this way, we have seen a higher volume of patients that had previously prepaid for a package of procedures only to find out that their facility is no longer in business.  For this reason, we sell our treatments primarily one at a time to give our patients confidence in our facility. 

When considering a cosmetic dermatology facility on price alone, you may be better served by inquiring as to the laser technology being used, who performs the treatments, and how experienced they are at the treatments being offered?   Does the facility have lasers and protocols that are safe and effective for your skin type?  Does the facility offer patient education, pre and post treatment instructions?  If you haven’t thought to ask – you might consider it.

Many consumers assume (understandably but mistakenly) that only physicians are able to render safe laser hair removal or injectable treatments.  Our position is that it is training, not title, that makes for a safe and effective laser hair removal treatment.  Whether a physician or registered nurse performs the procedure and regardless of price – be more concerned with the training and experience of the practitioner rather than the abbreviations after the name.  And be as concerned about the expected outcome as the cheapest price.

Keep in mind that your face, your body, your appearance are all important assets.  Place value on experience and training rather than pricing alone.  A little bit of research will make you an educated consumer and will go a long way in protecting your most valuable asset – you.

Lori Haney, RN, MEP-C

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

We all realize that our chronological age coincides with the aging process.  This hard reality is what drives a multimillion dollar industry in products and procedures. 

Although we accept aging as a natural process, it is involves many factors and influences.  For example, there are “extrinsic” and “intrinsic” aging factors.  Extrinsic aging factors are what affect us from our outside environment.  This would include lifestyle factors – sun exposure, pollution, smoking, etc.  Some researchers now propose that marital status, stress, and depression are significant extrinsic factors with the aging process as well.

Intrinsic factors (inside) for aging refer to a genetic predisposition for disease as well as how hormones affect the body.  This may explain why it is now recognized that Asian smokers have a higher predisposition for facial lines and wrinkles than non-Asian smokers.  I would even suggest that stress, depression, and such have a hormonal role that may also be considered intrinsic factors as well as extrinsic.

Celibre Medical Los Angeles Laser Treatments for Age Spots.

Los Angeles Laser Age Spot Removal Free Consultations. 

Los Angeles Age Spot Removal Before and After Photos.      

Most of us that would take the time to read this have already been motivated to try and modify, halt, slow down, and reverse the aging process.    With that said, it is now formally recognized by scientists that the number one extrinsic aging factor is photodamage.  Quite simply, UV sun exposure.  We all know the benefits of sunscreen, but many of us don’t give this the attention it deserves.

Whether we age gracefully/gracious or fight it every step of the way…don’t underestimate the benefits of daily sunscreen.  Remember, UV exposure occurs even on a cloudy day.  Broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection is the most cost effective and easiest anti-aging treatments one can participate in!

Los Angeles Laser Tattoo Removal Before and After Photos.