Safe, Effective Skin Care: Laser Hair Removal, Sclerotherapy, and More

Skin rejuvenation is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in cosmetic medicine today. New products and treatments are being developed constantly to offer better results without compromising on safety or convenience. Dr. Martin O'Toole is committed to offering a comprehensive selection of skin rejuvenation options to meet the needs of his patients. Our patients from Pasadena and elsewhere in Los Angeles use sclerotherapy, laser hair removal, skin care products, and more to maintain healthy, youthful, and radiant skin.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is a laser skin care procedure developed to rejuvenate the skin by minimizing the aging effects of time, sun exposure, and environmental pollutants. The procedure achieves such remarkable effects by stripping away damaged outer layers of skin cells to expose the healthy, undamaged layers beneath them. With laser skin resurfacing, it is possible to treat wrinkles, lines, acne scarring, pigmentation problems, and a host of other minor skin imperfections that add up to create the premature appearance of aging. Laser skin resurfacing is an outpatient procedure that takes no more than two hours to complete. Full recovery takes about two weeks. Dr. O'Toole uses only the safest, most advanced treatments, including the ActiveFX™ and DeepFX™ treatments, which are both performed with the UltraPulse® Encore™ Total FX CO2 Laser System made by Lumenis®.

>>Read the Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery laser skin resurfacing newsletters:

>>Watch a 3D video of laser skin rejuvenation


The Classic Cure for Aging and Damaged Skin:

      

CO2 Laser Resurfacing

© Practice Helpers

There are lots of facial rejuvenation treatments on the market these days, but the gold standard for skin resurfacing remains the CO2 laser.

It’s been giving great results for years, clocking in high levels of patient satisfaction. We’ve just purchased the UltraPulse® EncoreTM CO2 laser system, widely regarded as a top-of-the-line system for CO2 laser resurfacing.

I like it for its versatility. It’s got a wide range of settings, giving me the kind of finely calibrated control that lets me tailor your treatment precisely to your particular skin issues.

Which skin issues does it treat best?

The CO2 laser is most commonly used to treat mild to severe wrinkles, pigmentation changes (discoloration), acne scars, pucker marks and photo damage. While removing damage, it also stimulates the formation of new underlying collagen.

Over time, its collagen-stimulating properties will improve your skin’s elasticity and help you retain fullness where you need it, resulting in a more rested, youthful appearance. Collagen, as you probably know, resides in the substructure of the dermis, supporting the upper layers. When there isn’t enough of it, you get that tired, drawn look. When restored, healthy collagen adds a certain brightness and radiance to your features.

How do CO2 laser treatments work?

A high-energy beam of CO2 light is sent through a handpiece that I will apply gently to the surface of your skin. The light vaporizes lines, wrinkles, scars, dark spots and other irregularities, layer by layer. As with all resurfacing techniques, the deeper the penetration, the more efficacious the procedure. (And the longer the recovery period.)

Depending on the severity of your skin problems, I will choose different settings, and use my judgment regarding the number of times to pass the handpiece over each area.

What results can I expect?

Laser resurfacing restores your skin to a healthy state, similar to that of skin that has not experienced sun damage or scarring.

Are there skin types that don’t respond well to CO2 laser treatments?

I don’t like to use this resurfacing technique on olive complexions and darker types of skin. There’s a danger of lightening the skin pigment.

Is this treatment completely safe?

If post operative care is not followed carefully, scarring, infection and color changes can appear. It’s important that you follow my post-operative instructions to the letter.

How long is the recovery period?

The recovery time is approximately two weeks, but if you need deeper penetration to address your skin issues you may require up to 30 days’ healing time. Since this technique causes thermal injury to the skin, I will be monitoring your recovery closely.

How long will the benefits of treatment last?

With proper sun protection, results can last for more than five years. In areas where muscle activity is strong, lines may begin to reappear sooner. As skin continues to age at a normal rate, you may want to maintain your results with occasional 'touch-up' resurfacing treatments.

Are there dangers?

Prolonged redness and hypo-pigmentation are possible complications with these lasers.

What’s the biggest benefit of laser resurfacing over less invasive skin rejuvenation treatments?

While all rejuvenation treatments have different benefits, CO2 laser resurfacing is known to be a very thorough treatment for blemished skin. You will find at the end of your healing that you’ve definitively “turned back the clock.”

While intense, it’s an extremely effective way to undo the damage caused by sun exposure and the passage of time.

back to top

Chemical Peel

Like laser skin resurfacing, a chemical peel is a skin care procedure designed to strip away damaged outer layers of skin from the body to reveal healthy layers beneath. Rather than relying on laser light, the chemical peel uses one of a number of chemical solutions formulated to penetrate the outer layers of skin without causing permanent damage. A chemical peel is an effective treatment for wrinkles, lines, acne, scarring, and uneven pigmentation. Temporary redness is a normal side effect, but it almost always fades quickly. The actual time of recovery varies depending on the specific chemical solution used and the condition of the patient's skin. Many patients choose to combine their chemical peels with a facelift in order to enjoy a complete and transformative facial treatment.

Our licensed esthetician is available to evaluate your skin, make recommendations for in-office facial treatments, and suggest appropriate products for in-home use.

>>Read the Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery chemical peel newsletter

>>Watch a 3D video of chemical peels

back to top

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a popular skin care procedure among those who are tired of relying on temporary hair removal methods such as waxing, shaving, and plucking to control unwanted facial or body hair. A series of laser hair removal treatments is safe and effective enough to significantly reduce or eliminate unwanted hair growth on almost any area of the body.

Laser hair removal treatment at our practice involves applying light from our Lumenis® LightSheer® laser to hair follicles in the affected area. The hair absorbs energy from the laser, permanently impairing the follicle while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. The treatment works best on darker, coarser hair and paler skin, but many different lasers are available to treat different hair and skin tones.

It is normal for laser hair removal patients to experience some minor swelling and redness, similar to a sunburn, after a treatment session. These side effects typically fade within 24 hours. Patients usually  achieve an 80 to 90 percent reduction in unwanted hair growth with the aid of laser hair removal, though some of our Pasadena-area patients report even more dramatic results.

Laser hair removal treatments are available during our normal business hours.

>>Watch a 3D video of the laser hair removal treatment

back to top

Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser skin care technology is also an invaluable tool for tattoo removal. During treatment, the tattoo ink absorbs energy from the laser beam. The ink molecules are destroyed, and the body gradually absorbs them. Different tattoos require different numbers of treatment sessions depending on their size, their age, and the color of ink used. Darker colors tend to respond better than lighter ones. After a treatment session, most patients experience some minor redness and irritation, which should fade within a week.

back to top

Advanced Skin Care Products

For patients who prefer the convenience and flexibility of in-home skin care, Dr O'Toole offers a variety of conventional and prescription-only skin care products. These products are chosen for their safety and strength, making dramatic results possible in the comfort of your own home. Some of the product lines we offer include Jan Marini®, VIVITÉ®, and Kinerase®, as well as the Vitalize Peel® and other products from SkinMedica®.

>>Read the Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery skin care products newsletter

back to top

Sclerotherapy (Vein Treatment)

Spider veins and varicose veins can be treated non-surgically through sclerotherapy. This safe, convenient skin care procedure is minimally invasive, involving a series of injections that cause the unwanted veins to shrink, fade, or disappear. Sclerotherapy is ideal for patients who are generally healthy and do not smoke. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait before having sclerotherapy performed.

The actual treatment process for sclerotherapy simply requires micro-injections made directly into the problem veins. Over time, the treated veins harden and fade. Most patients require two sclerotherapy treatment sessions lasting between 30 and 60 minutes to achieve the best possible effect. Treatment is essentially painless, so most patients do not need anesthesia.

After treatment, minor swelling and bruising are common. Most patients should wear a compression garment to promote vein shrinkage. Moderate exercise is also important to increase circulation and improve treatment results. Skin care patients who undergo sclerotherapy at our Pasadena practice in the Los Angeles area typically see their final results within two weeks of treatment and are pleased to enjoy smoother, clearer skin where they once had unsightly spider or varicose veins.

>>Watch a 3D video of the sclerotherapy treatment

back to top

Contact Our Los Angeles and Pasadena-area Cosmetic Surgery Practice

Contact Dr. O'Toole at his practice serving Pasadena and Los Angeles for skin care products, laser hair removal, sclerotherapy, and more. As one of the area's leading authorities on cosmetic medicine, Dr. O'Toole is qualified to help you enjoy healthy skin and natural-looking beauty.

back to top

If you reside anywhere in Los Angeles, including Pasadena, contact Dr. O'Toole for skin care treatments such as sclerotherapy and laser hair removal.






When do you want the procedure?

Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery
10 Congress Street, Suite 502
Pasadena, California 91105
Tel: 626-377-9420



For Email Marketing you can trust