Even though treatment technology and techniques have made aesthetic procedures more accessible, there continues to be a sense of caution among patients with darker skin types seeking light and energy based aesthetics treatments.
April 27, 2018
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As a medical aesthetics professional, you know there can be a big difference between skin resurfacing treatment modalities. The outcomes of each modality and the long-term treatment plans you prescribe to your patients can vary dramatically. To help determine the best uses for each modality based on a patient’s skin type and desired outcome, refer to this quick reference guide to the top skin resurfacing procedures to help you deliver optimal results.
How it works: Microneedling utilizes tiny needles that are applied to the skin with gentle pressure or pulses, creating thousands of microdermal wounds. These microdermal injuries send a signal to the skin to kickstart the healing process, increasing collagen production and promoting healthy skin cell turnover. Because this process relies on a healthy skin response, it is best used on younger patients who are likely to have a faster cell renewal cycle.
Pros and cons: Depending on needle depth, microneedling often affords a quick recovery time, from a couple days to a week. Skin may appear slightly sunburnt and beauty products or makeup application should be avoided prior to scabbing, meaning this may not be the best treatment for patients with busy schedules. Finally, microneedling is best used to achieve less, targeted, all-over results and will require multiple sessions to obtain an optimal outcome.
Contraindications: Because the treatment does not utilize heat, it is generally safe for all skin types, with three significant contraindications being active acne breakouts, a high level of active inflammation, and any active skin infections. Having said that, it’s important to consider more than a patient’s skin color when assessing protocols; ethnicity, past and current health records, and even history of sun exposure are other factors that can weigh in on your decision. In all cases, test spots are imperative.
How it works: Fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing devices utilize infrared light delivered through a carbon dioxide-filled tube to create microthermal wounds in targeted tissue. As the light is absorbed by the skin, tissue is vaporized, leading to the removal of aged and damaged skin cells from the outer layer of the treated area. Thermal damage caused by the laser also contracts existing collagen, which firms up skin and boosts new collagen production alongside a spike in healthy cell renewal.
Pros and cons: While non-surgical, this treatment modality is more invasive than many other skin resurfacing treatments, which can translate to more noticeable results. That being said, the fact that it is more invasive also means that partial or complete sedation may be necessary for patient comfort and treatment times often average between 60 to 90 minutes. Skin will be red and warm to the touch, and at least one week of downtime is expected.
Contraindications: There are several standard contraindications, such as active infections in the desired treatment area. In addition, patients who have used isotretinoin in the past six months should wait to be treated. CO2 laser resurfacing is also not recommended for darker skin types.
How it works: Erbium, or YAG, lasers utilize infrared light to deliver thermal energy deep below the skin’s surface. Fractional erbium laser resurfacing creates tiny microthermal patches (injuries) in the dermis, the middle layer of skin, damaging collagen and aged skin cells and prompting the production of new collagen and healthy cell renewal. In other words, this treatment modality performs a sort of controlled tissue vaporization to treat and heal damaged skin for an improvement in skin’s texture, tone, and elasticity.
Pros and cons: Fractional erbium laser treatments are better suited to older patients, since, compared to microneedling, they target tissue that is deeper below the surface for an improved boost in collagen production. However, there isn’t a firm guideline to determine who may be too young for these particular treatments. This treatment also requires significant downtime with redness lasting for several days. Erbium fractional laser treatments are not ideal for darker skin tones due to a high risk of discoloration.
Contraindications: Because lasers heat the skin, there are more side effects to consider, including concerns regarding post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, alongside a longer downtime and post-treatment care.
How it works: Advances in medical aesthetics are beginning to see the advantages of combining modalities for improved aesthetic results. Fractional ablative radio frequency (RF) skin resurfacing technologies are one such example. These devices combine the benefits of ablation with RF’s proven track record, it offers treatment providers with improved control over treatment outcomes. For example, Venus Viva™ MD, a customizable skin resurfacing device, offers complete control of ablation, coagulation, and resurfacing with two applicators optimized for specific outcomes. Powered by NanoFractional Radio Frequency (RF) technology, the first applicator features a tip with tiny pins that penetrate through the epidermis, delivering RF energy to the deeper layers of the skin to effectively improve the appearance of scars (including acne scars), striae, rosacea, dyschromia, deep wrinkles, enlarged pores, and other uneven skin texture and pigmentation concerns.
The second DiamondPolar™ applicator utilizes proprietary (MP)2 technology, a combination of Multi-Polar RF and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields (PEMF), for the improved treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles and rhytides for tighter skin. Both applicators improve the natural proliferation of collagen, blood cells, fibroblasts, and growth factors deep within the skin to even out texture and tone.
Pros and cons: An alternative modality such as radio frequency can deliver the benefits of an energy therapy in a way that is safe for darker skin tones, unlike other fractional laser treatment options. Also, because of the ability to control ablation and coagulation, Venus Viva™ MD skin resurfacing treatments are able to resolve mild to severe skin damage, making it suitable for a wide range of patients. Another major benefit is that these treatments offer a non-surgical solution that is more comfortable than alternatives like the CO2 laser and require little to no downtime with quick 15- to 30-minute sessions, making it the ideal solution for busy patients. Patients can resume their regular skin care routine after only 24 hours.
Contraindications: Most standard skin resurfacing contraindications apply, including cosmetic injections within the last two weeks, tattoos or permanent makeup, or excessively tanned skin in or immediately around the treatment area.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of Venus Viva™ for your patients or how you might be able to incorporate fractional RF resurfacing into your practice? Contact us today!
For more information call: (888) 907-0115 // info@venusconcept.com // 235 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 900, Toronto, ON, M2J 4Y8 Canada
REGULATORY CLEARANCES [ More ]
Venus Bliss™ is cleared by the FDA and licensed by Health Canada for non-invasive lipolysis of the abdomen and flanks in individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or less, with the diode laser applicators. The (MP)2 applicator is cleared by the FDA for temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite, and licensed by Health Canada for temporary increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and temporary cellulite reduction. Venus Bliss™ has CE Mark as a non-invasive medical aesthetic device enabling a comprehensive approach leading to body contouring, addressing fat reduction, skin tightening, circumference reduction, and cellulite reduction.
Venus Versa™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark as a multi-application device intended to be used in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. The SR515 and SR580 applicators are cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and have CE Mark for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions and treatment of benign cutaneous vascular lesions. The HR650/HR650XL and HR690/HR690XL applicators are cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and have CE Mark for the removal of unwanted hair and to effect stable long-term or permanent hair reduction for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The AC Dual applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators on the Venus Versa™ system are cleared by the FDA for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The DiamondPolar™ applicator is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The OctiPolar™ applicator on the Venus Versa™ system is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for temporary body contouring via skin tightening, circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction. The NanoFractional RF™ (Viva) applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin.
ARTAS iX™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark with indication for use for harvesting hair follicles from the scalp in men diagnosed with androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) who have black or brown straight hair. ARTAS iX™ is intended to assist physicians in identifying and extracting hair follicular units from the scalp during hair transplantation; creating recipient sites; and implanting harvested hair follicles.
NeoGraft® is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark with indication for use in suction-assisted follicular extraction and re-implantation. NeoGraft® is an auto-graft system and can be used on both male and female patients.
Venus Legacy™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the OctiPolar™ and DiamondPolar™ applicators, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite with the 4D Body (LB2) and 4D Face (LF2) applicators. It is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the temporary increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, temporary cellulite reduction, and temporary wrinkle reduction.
Venus Velocity™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types.
Venus Fiore™ received regulatory approval in Israel for aesthetic and functional treatment of the vagina, labia and mons pubis. Venus Fiore™ is available for sale in India, Hong Kong, and other selected Asian countries.
The Venus Viva™ MD is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the use in dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin using the Viva™/Viva™ MD applicator, and the non-invasive treatment, reduction in the appearance of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides for females in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the DiamondPolar™ applicator.
The Venus Viva™ MD is cleared by the FDA for the use in dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin, and the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides for females in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the DiamondPolar™ applicator.
Venus Epileve™ is cleared by FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types. Venus Epileve™ is also CE-Marked for hirsutism.
Venus Freeze Plus™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. It is licensed by Health Canada for temporary skin tightening, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite on the abdomen and flanks, using the DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators. The DiamondPolar™ applicator on Venus Freeze Plus™ has CE Mark for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides, and the increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction with the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Heal™ is licensed by Health Canada and can be used for the treatment of both acute and chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system, such as muscle spasms, back pain, and soft tissue injuries, and results in effects such as pain relief, myorelaxation, increase of local blood circulation, and edema reduction. In the U.S., Venus Heal™ is cleared by the FDA for the relief of minor muscle aches and pain, relief of muscle spasm, and temporary improvement of local blood circulation. These indications enable the treatment of certain soft tissue injuries and conditions.
Venus Glow™ is cleared by the FDA as a Class I motorized dermabrasion device. It provides a dermal rejuvenation treatment that works to open up and deep-clean pores. Venus Concept is the exclusive distributor for Venus Glow™.
Venus Skin™ is a skin care line of various lotions and creams intended to improve different aspects of skin appearance, skin serums, and skin nourishment solutions.
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