Dear Dr. Seckel, Thank you so much for your response. I very much appreciate the service that you are providing. I have a couple of more questions regarding lasers. Would an IPL laser be a good option? Which would you recommend for oriental skin–the microlaserpeel or IPL. I would like to minimize my pores, but also I have a problem with excess fat in parts of my cheek that I would like to remove. I am planning to go for mesotherapy for removal of fat in my face. Would you recommend this treatment? Is it effective and safe? Thank you. Dee
Dear Dee,
If the main problem you want to correct is enlarged skin pores I recommend a laser skin treatment called Lasergenesis®. It is very safe treatment that does not ablate or remove skin and there is no contact by the laser with the skin. Thus I feel it is safer for Asian skin. Since Lasergenesis is a gentle treatment you will need multiple treatments, perhaps 5-7 over the course of 3-4 months and you will not see results until 5-7 months have passed. This is because the treatments stimulate the skin to form new collagen in the deeper skin layers. The new collagen compresses the pores making them smaller. An added benefit of this treatment is improvement in skin texture and very fine wrinkles.
The IPL called Intense Pulsed Light or photo facial is actually not a laser. IPL or photo facial is a more aggressive treatment than Lasergenesis®. If you have brown spots and pigment, or small blood vessels or flushing on the skin, the IPL or photo facial is very effective. The IPL or photo facial is more powerful and is placed in direct contact with the skin. Improper usage can create skin injury so it is crucial that you find a board certified physician who is experienced in the use of IPL. You can check the Cutera® website to find a physician who has the Lasergenesis® machine. Often this machine also has an IPL
I would not use Microlaserpeel® or any ablative laser such as the CO@, Erbium, or Fraxil® to treat enlarged pores. These lasers are ablative-which means they remove skin, and removing skin could actually enlarge pores, initially at least.
I do not personally have experience with mesotherapy. It is gaining in popularity as an alternative to liposuction. If you do choose to have mesotherapy it is very important to find a board certified physician who is experienced in its use. Mesotherapy involves injecting a fat dissolving solution into the fat beneath the skin and waiting for the fat to dissolve.
One word of CAUTION-the fat deposits in the face surround very important facial nerves. If these nerves are injured as the needle is passed into the face, or if the fat dissolving solution injures the nerves the face could be paralyzed-a disastrous result. I have not heard of this happening but it is a concern of mine. If you are contemplating mesotherapy in your face I certainly would find an experienced board certified physician and ask him if this could happen to you.
For further information on facial rejuvenation and non-surgical facial rejuvenation visit my Boston Plastic Surgery Practice, read Save Your Face or contact me.
Dr Seckel
Boston, Massachusetts
Peabody, Massachusetts