Johnny Hutsell-Royster - Staff Writer

The Athens Medical Group has laser and therapy treatments for skin imperfections, small leg veins and removal of unwanted hair is offering free consultations to design customized treatments for their patients' individual needs.

"Our patients will be seen by both a nurse and a physician to discuss treatment options that are confidential," said Practice Administrator Patsy Sharp.

The breakthrough in technology originated in Europe and has resulted in a three-part therapy that has become the newest approach to skin rejuvenation. Therapy includes microdermabrasion and vasculight laser therapy that are followed by a regimen of skin care products containing high levels of glycolic acid available for purchase at Athens Medical Group.

Micro-dermabrasion is a technology in skin care in which upper skin layers are removed by the use of a vacuum that sprays inert crystals onto the skin in a gentle, controlled and progressive manner.

This method treats sun-damaged skin and areas of hyperpigmantation, such as sun spots, age spots and freckles. It can help acne and skin impurities, rough and uneven textured skin and scars.

The treatment is quick, painless and affordable. The patient is able to resume routine activity immediately with minimal side-effects, usually a slight temporary redness of the treated area.

Post-treatment care involves using a gentle cleanser and applying a moisturizer morning and night, avoiding the sun and tanning beds for at least 48 hours after treatments and using sunscreens at all times. Patients should also avoid the use of glycolic acid products for at least 48 hours and also avoid abrasive scrubs. A slight peeling during the first few days after treatment is normal.

"If a patient follows post treatment care, which especially involves staying out of the sun, they should not have any problems," said nurse Susan Kirksey, Athens Medical Group's laser and skin therapy consultant.

Kirksey recommends patients combine treatments with a skin care program that properly pretreats the skin by applying advance repair and hydrating products after treatments, such as Glytone or Well Skin Products.

A Recovery Kit is also available that should be used several days prior to and after treatments, and before resuming the use of other skin products.

The laser therapy, called vasculight, is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to treat numerous benign cosmetic conditions.

The treatment begins by wearing dark glasses for eye protection and having a chilled gel applied to the area to be treated. Then, a glass surface of the IPL hand piece is applied to the skin through which pulses of intense light will flash.

"This treatment is non-invasive and involves no cutting and no radiation. It is a gradual improvement with treatments occurring every three or four weeks for a large area depending on the skin type," Kirksey said.

Treatments are usually administered in a series of (usually five or six) procedures that lasts about 20 minutes each. There are minimal side-effects but a mild sting or pinch may be felt that subsides quickly. There may be a mild burning sensation lasting up to one hour, she said.

"The number of treatments required vary, depending on the severity and density of the conditions," Kirksey said.

Varicose veins, usually the deeper blue veins, need different treatment than the treatment provided for discolored clusters (known as "spider veins") that lie near the skin surface.

The vasculight system is equipped with two different light technologies that can be effective after a doctor determines the appropriate treatment that depends on the patient's veins.

"The intense light heats the veins and breaks up the tissue, causing it to disappear without damage to surrounding tissue," Kirksey said.

The IPL can also treat unwanted hair with a sequence of highly controlled flashes of light that are selectively absorbed by hair-filled follicles lying below the surface of the skin. The absorbed light heats the hair, which damages or destroys the regrowth potential of the follicle, also without damaging surrounding tissue.

The IPL procedure provides gradual improvement, minimal adverse effects and no "down time" and is used to treat small leg veins, birthmarks, age spots, scars, port wine stains, tattoos, hair removal, freckles enlarged pores, wrinkles, and rosacea, a condition that causes the skin to redden or appear to "blush" excessively.

This treatment offers benefits showing excellent long-term results with no interruptions of lifestyle. It can treat a range of concerns simultaneously and is an alternative to invasive and painful surgeries.

Treated skin will be sensitive for a few days, but makeup can be applied after therapy. Sun exposure must be avoided before and after treatments.

Kirksey recommends pretreating the skin by applying advance repair and hydrating products after treatment such as the Glytone and Well Skin Products and the use of a Recovery Kit several days before and after treatments before one day may resume the use of other skin products.

The Glytone and Well Skin products contains Glycolic acid or Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) the is a natural derivative of sugar cane. It is absorbed and utilized best in its smallest molecular size.

The AHA improves skin texture and fine wrinkling. By loosening dead skin cells, the skin is softer and retains moisture. Sloughing off of dead skin cells, makes pores appear smaller and regenerates collagen giving the skin more elasticity and firmness, but doesn't cause sun sensitivity. High levels of AHA are only available at a doctor's office.

Kirksey said these rejuvenation procedures can be like turning back the hands of time with benefits that were previously unavailable. However, the procedures still need to be followed up with a comprehensive skin care program.

"You can't depend solely on in office treatment to maintain healthy skin. The process consists of the in office procedures and effective skin care products used routinely at home staying out of the sun and using sun screens," she said.