Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LASER AND IPL? A: IPL and Laser are light-based treatment methods used in the skincare and med esthetics industry to treat a variety of common skin conditions and permanent hair reduction.
The IPL and Laser equipment deliver their results by emitting a specific range of light energy towards a specific target in the skin. In a successful treatment the light energy is absorbed by water, blood, or pigment in the skin, which are eradicated without causing disruption the surrounding tissue.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
IPL technologies project flashes of light energy onto the surface of the skin. The handheld device is placed directly on the skin and flashed at set intervals. The device emits a broad band of light energy into the skin, which is then quickly absorbed by the target. The diameter covered by the spot size varies and is ideal for larger areas.
IPL treatments are said to have less discomfort involved during the procedure, and require shorter recover periods and visible down-time. The peak temperature during these sessions is typically lower than that of Laser, making it ideal for treating heat sensitive skin conditions such as Melasma and Rosacea.
LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
Lasers operate by emitting a single wave of steady or pulsed laser light into their target. Depending on the manufacturer of the Laser equipment, some lasers are not suitable for all skin tones or skin conditions; therefore the technician is required to use different attachments or machines for treatment.
The spot size used to treat with laser is more concentrated, therefore smaller, and procedure time can be longer. For treatment of skin conditions, Laser tends to have a longer period of recovery and visible down-time following sessions. Lasers are said to be ideal for treating leg veins and tattoo removal.
IPL and Laser are both safe and effective treatment methods for treating skin conditions and permanently reducing unwanted hair. It is important to remember that results vary with both methods, there are specific guidelines to follow pre/post treatment, and number of sessions can range from 4-12.
For clients who meet the skin and/or hair criteria for IPL or Laser, the success of treatment is also influenced by the quality of equipment being used, and the technician’s knowledge of operating light-based technology.
In summary, the major difference between the two IPL and Laser is the range of light energy emitted by the device. Regardless of whether you choose IPL or Laser, it is always best to do your research.
Love, Peace, and Great Skin! Dérmica MedEsthetics
(780) 885 7108
dermica.ca
As some of you may know, “Ask Dermica” is featured on our website, dermica.ca, as a way to answer any Skincare questions you may have.
Here is an interesting submission:
Q: I have had good skin for most of my years, but over the past few months it has been acting up and breaking out. I haven’t been using anything different on my skin or stopped using my regular products. I have though, been going through an ugly break-up. Could this be the reason for my sudden break-outs?
A: As if dealing with the emotional uppercut break-up thrusts your way isn’t enough, most of us will also experience changes in our physical appearance, including the decline of our skin health. The endless nights sobbing will leave your eyeballs and under eyes feeling like a bad rug burn, your complexion starts to resemble the pepperoni pizza you’ve been stuffing your face with, your nose as red as the sorrow drowning wine you’ve guzzled, and your skin feels as tender as the heart that’s been shattered. Now take a moment, dry those tears and listen up!
For those of you going through this emotional rollercoaster, we may not be able to mend a broken heart but we sure can help you mend a broken complexion…
Think of your skin as a reflection of the emotional storm brewing inside your body, it too is suffering with you and needs a little extra TLC. During times of distress we tend to stray away from our daily routine and our “me time” or self-care routine drops down the list of priorities.
Poor diet, skin hygiene, lack of sleep, constant crying, and nervous habits take control of your skin, so what can you do to help your skin through this time? Let’s begin by examining some of the most common skin issues during this period.
ACNE or BLEMISHES
This can be one of the worst things that can happen to your skin during this period. Not only does it take a toll on your self-esteem, but it can leave you scarred for weeks. Diet can play a role in this department, so if you know there are certain foods or food groups that cause you to break out; this is the time to AVOID them.
If your skin has already taken a turn for the worst, you can help reduce and heal the damage by following a regular skin care routine.
HOW-TO TIPS:
Start off with a fresh cleanse using the Purifying Gel Cleanser in the morning, and finish your day with a double cleanse in the evening.
If you normally have a normal or combination skin, use Purifying Gel Cleanser for your evening wash only.
Spot treatment are also great for a quick fix, just be sure to stick only to the areas affected as these products have a higher concentration of active ingredients and can have an extremely drying effect on the skin.
Take a small amount of the Daily Polishing Cleanser and rub into a paste, leave on overnight. The Salicylic Acid will help banish blemish!
A relaxing facial will treat your skin and mind to a much needed “me time”. Your skin will feel refreshed and nurtured after having been purged of the impurities, build-up, and infused with nutrients.
Book your FIX Facial or LUX Facial.
SENSITIVITY OR DRY SKIN AROUND THE EYES
The constant flow of tears, friction, and pressure on your eyes leaves your skin feeling tender and looking tired. This fragile skin is easily irritated and can become puffy or sunken, magnifying fine lines and wrinkles.
It is important to protect and nourish your eye area by using proper eye care products and application.
HOW-TO TIPS:
If you already using eye care, add an extra dab of Eye Restore (dry/mature), or Vital Eye Cream (combo/oily) after applying moisturizer for added barrier. When applying, ensure you are only applying on the ocular bone using your ring fingers in a dabbing motion. Use day and night before applying your moisturizer, and possibly once in between if your eyes are feeling really dry.
Keep products in a cool dark cupboard or fridge for added soothing effects.
REDNESS and BROKEN CAPILLARIES
For those of you that are prone to broken capillaries and Rosacea or Rosacea like symptoms, your skin may flare up during this stressful period.
Soothing skin masks such as Cucumber Recovery Mask , are an excellent way to keep your skin calm and prevent further damage. This step will add hydration, calm redness and inflammation.
HOW-TO TIPS:
After a night of water work, try giving your skin a nice thorough cleanse with Gentle Cream Cleanser based cleanser, then follow up with soothing mask, focusing on the cheek and nose area, as these tend to be the most sensitive. You can also try storing your products in the fridge for added calming and cooling effect.
If the symptoms persist even after you broken heart has mended a great option is the ALIVIA IPL Photofacial. Not only will it help reduce the vascular appearance present in the skin at the time of treatment, but it will also help reduce the severity of symptoms in the future. Book your ALIVIA IPL Photofacial .
Book you and a friend
& each receives 20% OFF
ANY MedEsthetics service!
Just in time for Mother’s Day, have a spa day with a friend and each receives 20% off any MedEsthetics service!
Our advanced treatments are tailored to treat major skin conditions and deliver maximum results. With our MedEsthetics menu, we can smooth skin, diminish brown spots, redness, broken capillaries, and remove unwanted facial and body hair.
Try our TREATMENT SELECTION GUIDE to see which MedEsthetics service is best suited for your skin concerns.
Offer ends May 31, 2016. This special is not valid with any other offer/promotion. No pre-purchasing.
Visit our Online Store to shop for professional Skincare products.
Try our Home Care Selection Guide to choose the right products to target your skin type and concerns!
At Dérmica, we are proud to work with SharpLight Technologies to provide our clients with the best laser technology available in today’s market
February Special: Photofacials YEG
Our advanced photo facial treatments are tailored to treat major skin conditions and deliver maximum results. With just a quick pulse of light we can smooth skin, diminish brown spots, redness, and broken capillaries.
Back by popular demand, throughout February, we have a BOGO special on our photofacials:
Combine any 2 photofacials for the price of 1.
This special is limited to one area and is delivered in the same session. Not valid with any other promotion.
Browse through our selection and descriptions to see which treatment suits your skin’s needs most.
Try our Treatment Selection Guide to help you choose the best course of action for your skin. We offer free consultations with our Skin Expert who will analyze your skin condition, outline the benefits, and help you select the best treatment option.
We use the Sharplight Formax system that features a patented Dynamic Pulse Control (DPC) technology. It delivers quick pulses of light into the skin on areas of the face, neck, arms, hands, and legs. The depth of light penetration is measured according to the condition being treated, thereby targeting only selected areas and layers of the skin.
You may have heard that laser treatment can be painful, but with our Sharplight Formax system, you can rest assured that your photo facial will be a breeze. All hand pieces for the system feature a cooling window that cools your skin to a safe temperature during the service, meaning your skin feels cool and comfortable throughout!
Book now and begin your journey to fresh smooth skin!
Also, visit our Online Store to shop for professional Skincare products. Try our Home Care Selection Guide to choose the right products to target your skin type and concerns!
Our advanced photo facial treatments are tailored to treat major skin conditions and deliver maximum results. With just a quick pulse of light we can smooth skin, diminish brown spots, redness, and broken capillaries.
Throughout January, we have a BOGO special on our photo facials:
Combine any 2 photofacials for the price of 1.
This special is limited to one area and is delivered in the same session. Not valid with any other promotion.
Browse through our selection and descriptions to see which treatment suits your skin’s needs most.
Try our Treatment Selection Guide to help you choose the best course of action for your skin. We offer free consultations with our Skin Expert who will analyze your skin condition, outline the benefits, and help you select the best treatment option.
We use the Sharplight Formax system that features a patented Dynamic Pulse Control (DPC) technology. It delivers quick pulses of light into the skin on areas of the face, neck, arms, hands, and legs. The depth of light penetration is measured according to the condition being treated, thereby targeting only selected areas and layers of the skin.
You may have heard that laser treatment can be painful, but with our Sharplight Formax system, you can rest assured that your photo facial will be a breeze. All hand pieces for the system feature a cooling window that cools your skin to a safe temperature during the service, meaning your skin feels cool and comfortable throughout!
Book now and begin your journey to fresh smooth skin!
Also, visit our Online Store to shop for professional Skincare products. Try our Home Care Selection Guide to choose the right products to target your skin type and concerns!
The holiday party season has arrived and your skin has taken a turn for the worst!
Getting along with your skin during the winter months can be difficult, and with the festivities just around the corner you need a remedy ASAP! With a couple weeks to go before the big FIESTA we can help you recover the glow and maintain it throughout the New Year. :)
Customizing your winter skin care routine will help you combat the drying effects of the season and keep your skin happy and healthy throughout. To be most effective with your treatment, you must first understand the signals your skin is displaying which will allow you to respond appropriately. So let us address some common winter skin care concerns.
My skin is oilier than usual and I’ve been breaking out…
Your skin is constantly fluctuating with changes in the temperature and moisture levels in the air. With the winter being a dry season both indoors and outdoors your skin is under an accelerated rate of trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), an evaporation and diffusion of skin hydration. Although water is what your skin requires, it compensates for the lost moisture by producing more oil. This causes a buildup of dead cells saturated in excess surface oils, clogged pores, and frequents breakouts.
In order to restore your skins moisturizer balance and hydration, choose products containing hydrating (water) ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E. Stay away from heavy creams and oil based products as these will only block and clog further.
Photofacials , AHA/BHA peels , and traditional facials are a great way to give your skin a fresh start, balance pH levels, and deliver a much needed boost of nutrients for the season. They also help clear clogged pores, excess oil, remove painful blemishes before they spread, and diminish existing scars.
Try our Treatment Selection Guide to learn more and find the right treatment program for you.
TIPS for taming OILY Winter Skin…
Use light gel cleansers free of parabens and sulfate. A thorough cleanse in the morning and double cleanse at night gives your skin the fresh cleanse it desires without stripping away vital moisture. Try GLO Purifying Cleanser with Salicylic Acid(BHA) to help clear breakouts and balance pH.
Using a hydrating toner or mist. This gives your skin a boost of hydration which helps your skin absorb moisture from deeper into the skin. Try GLO Conditioning Tonic with Hyaluronic Acid, Rose Hip, and soothing Chamomile.
Moisturize regularly. Using a lightweight oil-free moisturizer morning and night while skin is still moist will provide the right amount of moisture without leaving your skin feeling heavy or greasy. Try GLO Oil-Free Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid.
My skin is flaking non-stop no matter how much moisturizer I apply….
When faced with cooler temperatures your skins natural response is to slow its metabolic rate, which includes the rate at which your skin regenerates, this is known as the cell turnover rate. The cell turnover rate of your skin determines how frequently dried cells at the surface shed and regenerate. When this process slows down, you get a buildup of dead cells resulting in flaking skin, fine lines, and dry patches. These layers of dead cells also block vital nutrients and moisture from absorbing into the fresh cells, which is why no amount of product seems to relieve the dryness.
Introducing regular exfoliation to your skin care routine will help increase your cell turnover rate throughout the winter months and maintain it at an active level. Exfoliation is achieved using chemical or manual exfoliants, both offering resurfacing benefits, but differ in procedure and interaction with the skin. Manual exfoliants (skin scrubs) will give a great skin scrubbing massage while sloughing away dead skin cells. Manual exfoliants are not recommended for sensitive or acneic skin types.
Enzymatic exfoliants containing fruit enzymes, AHA, or BHA, react with the skin on a chemical level by dissolving the binding matter between the skin cells causing them to gently lift and rinse away. The active ingredients and intensity vary depending on concentration level and quality of the acids and enzymes.
Photofacials , AHA peels , and traditional facials are an excellent way to eliminate flaking skin and bring plump new cells to the surface. Amongst the many benefits these treatments offer, they also speed up the skins cell turnover rate, boost collagen production, resurface, brighten complexion, and restore vital moisture and hydration. Try our Treatment Selection Guide to learn more and find the right treatment program for you.
TIPS for smoothing FLAKING winter skin…
Exfoliate every 2-3 days. This ensures that your skin is always fresh and reaping the benefits of your skin care product ingredients. For those who enjoy a regular scrub try Glo Daily Polishing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid (BHA), amino acids, and gentle Jojoba beads.
Use skin scrubs that are made specifically for the face. It may be easy to reach for the body scrub in the shower, but the granules are not shaped or sized for use on sensitive skin such as the face. Facial scrubs contain micro beads that are smooth and will not cause tears in the skin.
Lactic Acid for AHA benefits. This hydrating milk acid is excellent for gently dissolving surface cells, boosting hydration, and balancing pH, and brighten dull complexion. Try Glo Refresh Facial Polish with nourishing benefits of Borage Oil, Acai Oil, and gentle Jojoba beads.
Hyaluronic Acid for added moisture. This excellent hydrating ingredient can attract and hold 1000 times its weight in water, making it a must have for dry skin. Try Glo Conditioning Hydration Cream with a powerful antioxidant combination of Vitamin E and Alpha Lipoic Acid.
Keeping your skin happy during the winter months is really quite simple…watch for the hints and DO as it asks! After all, your skin is your first line of defence and will show you who is BOSS when not tended to. ;)
Try our Home Care Selection Guide to select the correct skincare products for your skin type and concerns!
Visit our Online Skincare Store and view our section of Skincare lines and products.
Schedule your treatment online now!
Love, Peace, and Great Skin!
Dérmica MedEsthetics
(780) 885-7108
dermica.ca