atlanta birthmark removal

July 21, 2015

Popular Aesthetic Treatments for Kids and Teens

Uncategorized Atlanta acne scar removal, Atlanta acne treatments, atlanta birthmark removal, Atlanta chemical peels, atlanta cosmetic treatments, atlanta facials, Atlanta hemangioma removal, atlanta laser treatments, Atlanta micro-needling, Atlanta microdermabrasion, Atlanta Rejuvapen

When many people think about cosmetic laser treatments, they think of wrinkle reduction, hair removal, and other services that are generally used by adults only. But there’s no age limit for the benefits of healthy self-confidence, which is why some laser services (as well as non-laser services) can be great ways to address several cosmetic concerns in children and teenagers.

Hemangioma Removal
Hemangiomas are abnormal blood vessel growths which tend to appear in infants and children. They can be bright red (like a strawberry) or, if they’re deeper beneath the skin, they can resemble a blue swell. While they’re quite common and generally harmless, these growths often appear in prominent areas like the neck, so they can be embarrassing for a child. Our specialized laser treatments can remove most hemangiomas after one treatment with no downtime, although two treatments are occasionally needed for larger growths.

Birthmark Removal
There are many forms of birthmarks—some are light brown and smooth (café au lait), some are darker and bumpy (congenital nevus), some are dark red (port wine stains), and some are even blue (Mongolian blue spots). For children (or patients of any age) who are self-conscious about their birthmark, laser treatments can effectively remove the mark by targeting the pigments or blood vessels beneath the skin.

Acne Treatments
Given how important self-esteem is for teens, acne can be a heartbreaking condition, especially considering that most teens will feel its effects. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, as many as 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 have some degree of acne. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of treatments that can help. Our acne facials are a gentle yet effective way to clear excess oil and other pore-clogging culprits. Some chemical peels, as well as our popular Silk Dermalinfusion® microdermabrasion-like treatment can also help to minimize pimples, inflammation, and other symptoms of acne.

Acne Scar Reduction
For many teens, the effects of pimples can last long after they’ve disappeared. When pimples cause damage to the skin, they can leave behind a scar, whether it’s an indentation, a raised bump, or an area of darker skin. The treatment for acne scars depends on the type of scar, as well as the patient’s individual needs. Many chemical peels can minimize scars by removing the damaged surface skin to reveal fresher, younger skin beneath, and Silk Dermalinfusion® microdermabrasion uses a similar approach. Réjuvapen® facial rejuvenation is another effective acne scar removal treatment, which uses tiny micro-needles to break up the scar tissue and allow new collagen to form, creating a smoother complexion.

Every parent wants the best for their child and wants their child to feel confident in their appearance. While the idea of cosmetic procedures for children and teens may be concerning, at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, we’ve served the Atlanta area since 1999 and we only utilize lasers and treatments that have been proven safe and effective for our patients. To learn more about helping your child be more comfortable in their own skin, schedule a consultation at Laser Lights. Or, to stay up-to-date on the latest cosmetic treatments, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

March 2, 2015

Birthmark Removal: Types of Birthmarks and How We Minimize Them

Uncategorized atlanta birthmark removal, Atlanta café au lait birthmark, Atlanta hemangioma, Atlanta Mongolian blue spot, Atlanta pigmented birthmark, Atlanta port wine stain, Atlanta salmon patches, Atlanta stork bites, Atlanta vascular birthmark

When we think about it, birthmarks are truly fascinating—they’re little anomalies that happen for no known reason, and many of them form before a baby has even been born. However interesting they are, though, it still doesn’t change the fact that many people find their birthmarks to be undesirable. The birthmark may be a unique part of their physiology, but it can lead to embarrassment and make the patient feel like their personality is being overshadowed by the distraction. Fortunately, significant progress has been made in birthmark removal by finding out exactly what birthmarks are and how they can be safely removed.

Pigmented Birthmarks
There are two general categories of birthmarks: pigmented and vascular. Pigmented birthmarks are areas of skin that appear as a different color than the remainder of the skin. This occurs when one area of the skin simply has more pigment than the surrounding skin, or when an area of the skin has a different color of pigment than the surrounding skin. There are three primary types of pigmented birthmarks:

Café au Lait birthmarks – These spots are named for the French translation of “coffee with milk,” because that is the color they often appear in individuals with light skin. These patches of skin that are slightly darker than the natural skin tone are often oval-shaped.
Moles – Moles vary in size and shape, but most often, they are small and dark brown in color, and create a slight bump on the skin’s surface. These are extremely common, and nearly everyone has at least one or two.
Mongolian Blue Spot – A common birthmark among those of Asian, East Indian, and African descent, these spots are quite literally blue in color and typically appear on a baby’s back or bottom.

How are pigmented birthmarks removed?
At Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center, we utilize lasers that send short pulses of energy into the layers of the skin. This causes the pigments to break up microscopically so that the body can naturally absorb them. The exact course of treatment depends on the individual patient, as well as the color and size of the birthmark, but most patients require three or more treatments for complete removal.

Vascular Birthmarks
While vascular birthmarks often appear as a patch of skin that simply is a different color than the surrounding skin, their color variation is not caused by excess pigment. Instead, it is caused by blood vessels that have grown abnormally or excessively. This may sound dangerous, but these birthmarks are just as benign as pigmented ones. There are three primary types of vascular birthmarks:

Port Wine Stains – Appearing most often on the face, port wine stains are identified by their deep red or purple color which, as the name suggests, can resemble the color of port wine.
Hemangiomas – Unlike port wine stains, hemangiomas usually protrude from the skin. They can form on the surface of the skin (in which case they appear bright red in color) or below the skin (in which case they have a blue/purple tone).
Salmon Patches – With their pink or light red hue, these are typically the most subtle of the vascular birthmarks. Also called “stork bites,” salmon patches appear on 30-50% of newborns and are usually seen on the face or the back of the neck.

How are vascular birthmarks removed?

While some vascular birthmarks disappear eventually, laser therapy is highly effective in vascular birthmark removal. A specialized laser is used to selectively clot and seal off the unwanted blood vessels, which are then absorbed by the body so they are no longer visible.

Although birthmarks generally do not carry physical risk, the effects on a person’s self-esteem (especially if the birthmark is significantly noticeable) can be challenging. Birthmark removal can be performed on nearly any skin type and on children and adults of nearly any age. To take the first step toward a birthmark removal treatment plan that is customized to you, simply schedule an appointment online so we can help you achieve a clearer complexion that lets your personality shine through.

February 21, 2015

Breaking Down Skin Spots

Uncategorized Atlanta age spot removal, Atlanta birthmark, atlanta birthmark removal, Atlanta hemangioma removal, atlanta laser treatment, Atlanta melasma removal, Atlanta port-wine stain removal

Every person’s skin is very unique – it has its own patterns, markings, and pigmentations. Skin variances come in more types than most people realize, so the guide below can help you find out what your skin spots may be and how they got there. Many of our patients at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center come to us because they want a smooth, even complexion that lets their personality be the first thing others notice, rather than a distracting spot on their skin, so we’ve also included some of the treatment options we can use to treat skin spots.

Age Spots and Melasma
Age spots and melasma are similar in that they both appear as slightly darker patches of skin, typically on areas that receive more sun exposure like the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. Age spots are caused by sun exposure over time, which is how they earned the nickname “age spots.” Melasma, on the other hand, is caused by a combination of exposure to the sun and the presence of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, so it is commonly seen in pregnant women, women who use contraceptive pills, and menopausal women who are using hormone replacement therapy. Both age spots and melasma are treated with laser treatments that break up the skin pigment (or melanin) to allow the body to naturally absorb and eliminate the pigments.

Freckles
Freckles are simply benign spots of excess skin pigment. They can appear as spots that are only slightly darker than the natural skin tone, or they may be significantly darker and more noticeable. While freckles often become darker or more pronounced when exposed to the sun, they are the result of a genetic trait. While they cannot be prevented from forming, freckles can be treated rather easily with laser treatments that allow the pigments to be absorbed by the body.

Hemangiomas
Also called vascular lesions, hemangiomas are harmless red spots that are especially common in children and infants. They are caused by a buildup of blood vessels that can either be on the top layers of skin (appearing bright red, like the color of a strawberry), or deeper in the skin (often appearing with a more purple or blue tone). Though a direct cause of hemangiomas has not been identified, they do appear to run in families. Hemangiomas are benign and often go away on their own, but for some patients who are embarrassed about their appearance, laser treatments can be used for hemangioma removal, often with no downtime.

Birthmarks
Birthmarks can be highly varied in appearance and type. From simple patches of excess pigment that cause darker patches of skin, to port-wine stains that are the result of swollen blood vessels and appear as pink, dark red, or purplish discoloration, birthmarks are benign and typically form before the infant is even born. At Laser Lights, we offer a variety of laser treatments to eliminate the pigments or excess blood vessels and minimize or resolve the appearance of birthmarks.

Regardless of the origin or type of skin spot you would like to remove, the first step is to visit us for a complimentary consultation so that we can accurately determine what your skin spot is and what course of treatment will be best for your particular skin. You can schedule your appointment online and, for the latest on our ever-growing list of treatments and services, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

December 1, 2010

Laser Lights Offers Laser Treatment Specials Now Through December 31st, 2010

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November 30, 2010

Laser Lights Explains the Causes and Treatment of Spider Veins

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As you age, you may notice more and more blue and purple spider veins appearing on your legs and face. Spider veins, also known as superficial telangiectasias, are damaged blood vessels that are visible beneath the skin’s surface. Spider veins are named for their web-like formation, but can also appear as simple lines or tree-like branches. You can cover up spider veins on legs with long pants, but spider veins on the face may be harder to hide. Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center can eliminate spider veins on the legs and face with laser vein treatment.

Energy from lasers causes damaged veins to coagulate and shrink. Laser vein treatment works best on small to medium-sized veins; therefore, the treatment is more suitable for spider veins than larger varicose veins. During treatment, patients report feeling like they are being snapped by a rubber band. While the treatment may be temporarily uncomfortable, it requires no sedatives, anesthesia, or pain medicine. Your veins may be more visible directly following treatment, but they will quickly fade. Repeat treatments may be necessary to eliminate spider veins completely. Certified laser technicians recommend spacing laser vein treatment sessions a month apart from each other to allow for optimal results.

Spider veins are difficult to prevent because their causes are numerous including: pregnancy, hormone fluctuation, weight gain, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, trauma, and weight gain. By paying attention to the pressure placed on legs, exercising, controlling weight, wearing sunscreen, and eating a fiber-rich diet, you can help prevent the ugly veins from appearing. Spider veins are not usually serious, but they can become uncomfortable. If you are interested in eliminating unwanted spider veins, schedule a consultation with us today. Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center’s technology can also take care of other blemishes, like acne, scars, age spots, freckles, and birthmarks. For more information on our laser procedures and cosmetic skin procedures, visit our website and continue to read our blog.