What is AviClear
AviClear is the first laser treatment designed to specifically treat mild, moderate, and severe inflamed and cystic acne lesions. The treatment emits wavelengths that target the sebaceous glands to reduce the sebum production. By decreasing your skin’s sebum (aka oil) production, you’re less likely to experience acne following treatment.
What can I expect with AviClear:
The AviClear device contains a cooling tip that helps make the treatment more comfortable for patients. It typically doesn’t require anesthetic and it’s generally well tolerated. Most patients require three treatments spaced one month apart, with treatments usually lasting about 30 minutes. The treatment has minimal downtime and after care consists of diligent sunscreen application. You may experience some skin purging a week or two weeks after treatment.
Isolaz is a safe and effective acne treatment. It purifies pores deep down to attack acne causing bacteria at the source. Isolaz treatment is great for all acne, except cystic lesions, and can treat all skin types, light and dark. During your consultation, the physicians will evaluate your acne and determine which acne treatment is right for you.
What can I expect with Isolaz?:
The Isolaz technology was first introduced in 2005. Dr. Anne Chapas and Dr. Jennifer Chwalek have been using the device since it was first introduced. Isolaz technology combines vacuum with a broadband light to deliver effective acne treatments. The vacuum helps loosen and extract dirt, blackheads and excess oil from deep within your pores. Then the light helps destroy acne causing bacteria, as well as reducing facial redness.
After cleansing and steaming the skin, the laser treatment on the face takes 15 to 20 minutes, whereas treatments on the back and chest may take a little longer. Typically, two to six treatments are needed. However, the exact number of treatments varies from patient to patient and will be determined by your physician.
Typically, patients can see a visible improvement in the redness or severity of their acne after the first treatment. It’s important to stick to the treatment plan that we will outline for you to see the full effects of treatment. Recent reports have shown that Isolaz can make prescription treatment work more efficiently.
In a clinical study, 100% of patients noted Isolaz treatments were painless*. For this reason, Isolaz is easily performed on teens as well as adults. * Reference: Vic Narurkar, MD. Novel Photopneumatic Therapy Delivers High-Efficiency Photons to Dermal Targets. Vol 18, No. 2, Cosmetic Dermatology, February 2005.
While everyone’s skin is different, many patients who have not responded to other acne treatments, including Accutane, other antibiotics, topical creams or even lasers have responded to Isolaz treatments. In fact, studies have shown that 85%* of people who have an Isolaz treatment will experience clearer skin. * Reference: Shamban, Ava T. MD. Photopneumatic (PPx) Pore Cleansing Acne Treatment. A breakthrough treatment option for non-responders to acne therapies. White Paper, August 2006.
Types: Levulan Kerastick®, Metvixia®, Allumera™, Red light, blue light, V-Beam Perfecta®, Intense pulsed light
What is Photodynamic therapy?:
Photodynamic therapy is a revolutionary two-step process to treat a variety of skin diseases including actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous lesions), acne, enlarged pores, and some skin cancers. Photodynamic therapy specifically treats the problem skin while leaving normal skin unaffected. Multiple lesions are simultaneously treated at each session and treatment may also prevent the development of new lesions.
What can I expect with Photodynamic therapy?:
In the first step, a photosensitizing solution (Levulan Kerastick®) or cream (Metvixia® or Allumera™) is applied to the skin and is taken up by the targeted cells. While the patient is resting in a darkened room, these cells convert the photosensitizer to a light sensitive pharmaceutical compound. Laser or light source exposure activates the light sensitive compound to eliminate the targeted cells, such as cancerous, precancerous cells, oil glands or acne causing bacteria. Photodynamic treatments are safe, effective and well tolerated by most patients, but typically care must be taken to avoid exposure to sunlight for 48 hours following the treatment.
