The Halo laser by Sciton is a dual-wavelength laser that is used to treat many types of skin conditions.

It can be used to treat skin pigmentation, uneven skin contours, scarring, lines & wrinkles, sun damage and more.

The dual-wavelength nature of the laser means that there are two colours of light used during the treatment session.  One wavelength (Erbium:YAG) is used to vaporize skin and the other wavelength heats the skin.  This combination is believed to eliminate problem skin by vaporizing it and at the same time using the other colour of light to heat and tighten.

What happens during treatment?

Usually an anesthetic cream or injections are used to numb the skin prior to the procedures.  During the treatment the handpiece is rolled over the skin while the laser energy is deposited into the skin.  This can be uncomfortable hence numbing agents are always used.

Is there really less downtime with this procedure?

Well, that is a good question and the simple answer is the more downtime you have afterwards, the better the results you will have.  If there is little to no downtime, you will have very little in terms of results.  Other lasers like the Fractional CO2 laser (the gold standard in skin resurfacing) can leave you will very little downtime, depending on the treatment settings, but you will also have very little results.  There is no magic laser that can give you amazing results with little to no downtime, it’s just not possible regardless of what the marketing brochures may tell you.

How many treatments are required?

As with Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, more treatments will give you better results.  One session can be adequate for someone with mild skin issues, but for those people who need more change, more treatments may be required.  We always let our patients know that improvements after fractional CO2 laser is gradual and if you need more improvement, we need more sessions to achieve that permanent result.

Are results long-lasting?

As with Fractional CO2 resurfacing, results are permanent and do not need to be repeated at regular intervals if you are happy with the appearance of your skin.  Clearly your skin will age over time and further treatments may be desirable down the road, but once the skin looks good, these results are indeed permanent and long-lasting.

Who will perform my Halo Laser Treatment in Kelowna?

We do not have a “Halo” laser at our Kelowna clinic.  We use other devices that we feel are superior to the Halo laser in terms of results you will see afterwards.  Dr. Crippen prefers the gold standard Fractional CO2 ablative devices because they offer optimal results and have many years of research and study behind them.  We use this device all the time and our patients are exceptionally happy with their results.  Do your research before selecting the right procedure for you.

The Halo laser is simply a marketing name for an Ebium and IR laser device.  We have all these devices but choose to use them individually depending on the specific situation.  Additionally, at DermMedica, Dr. Crippen performs all fractional CO2 laser treatments.

Dr. Crippen is certified by the American Board of Laser Surgery in Cosmetic Procedures and has extensive experience with many different laser modalities and devices.  Make sure  your treatment is performed by a qualified physician who uses CO2 devices regularly to ensure the best results possible.

If you would like to read more about fractional CO2 technology and the decades of research behind them, follow this link.  Alternatively, just give us a call and we’ll give you the coles notes.

Fractional CO2 Lasers

“Fractional CO₂ resurfacing represents one of the most useful devices produced by 50 years of research into laser-cutaneous interactions. Patients can expect excellent results with few complications. Additional research will further improve our ability to provide the best of care for our patients.”

It is that time of year again.  Time to start the Back to School planning!  For many people, particularly teenagers and young adults heading back to high school, college or university, it can be a very stressful time, especially if they have a breakout in acne and blemishes.  Therefore, NOW is the time to take preventative steps to have a glowing complexion on the first day of school.

Top 5 Treatments

Our top 5 treatments in treating acne, blemishes and acne scarring are:

1. A Good Skincare Regime – Although the above acne treatment options are great, we highly recommend following a proper skincare regime to reduce whiteheads and blackheads, maintain a clear and more unified skin tone, and decrease the frequency and severity of acne breakouts. Using a cleanser and toner that deep cleans pores and removes surface impurities such as dirt, oil and bacteria will help prevent new acne pimples.
2. Laser Treatments – A significant number of people who suffer from acne end up with visible acne scarring, which can be just as stressful as acne itself. Acne scars can vary from being small and barely noticeable to large and prominent.  Discolouration is also quite common, often highlighting the problem.  Laser treatments can be used to dramatically reduce the appearance of these scars.  Treatments are comfortable and can leave the skin smooth, even-toned and, of course, much improved.  Most patients will require more than one laser treatment or a combination of laser treatments for optimal results.
3. Chemical Peels – Chemical Peels have been used for many years in medical cosmetology. They work by chemically removing the outermost layer of the skin to give a healthier appearance –  decreasing acne breakouts, reducing the appearance of acne scars and shrinking the size of pores.  Chemical Peels can be used as a stand-alone acne treatment or in combination with other procedures.
4. Light Therapy – Blue-light acne treatment is a non-invasive procedure that uses light to kill the Propionobacterium acnes, or P-acnes bacteria, in the skin that causes acne. The procedure simply involves a patient sitting in front of a blue light lamp for 15-30 minutes weekly.  Studies have shown that blue light acne treatment appears to improve acne vulgaris with a reduction in inflammation and the number of pustules and papules. Blue-light treatments help get control of acne, but a complete acne care system helps to maintain that control.
5. Steroid injections – Oftentimes injections are used to treat the types of acne that cause painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin (nodules and cysts). This cystic acne can take months to heal on their own.  After steroid injections, the lumps flatten, and the skin can clear up in a few days.  Steroid injections are typically used as a temporary or occasional fix for stubborn cysts and nodules.

If you have acne, it is best not to wait for the problem to disappear by itself. Early treatment may offer great results in the short term and prevent complications later on. Patients who chose to ignore their acne and let it resolve on its own regretted not dealing with it sooner.  Don’t be one of them!

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!  Call 250-868-3070 or email patientcare@dermmedica.ca

Tattooing has been a part of human culture for centuries.  Although the art form has been around for decades, it has evolved.   Tattoos are a personal form of self-expression, and what have changed over the years are the countless colours and designs we can use to express our thoughts and feelings through this type of body art.  What has not changed is our tendency to change our minds about what we think, feel, and wish to express on the canvas that is our skin.  Our shifting opinions results in the desire to change what has been placed as a permanent reminder of a friend, spouse, or as a work of art on our bodies.

When people decide to get a tattoo, they undoubtedly put a lot of thought into what artwork they would like.  However, we all know that sometimes reality does not match what we have envisioned and the results are not always ideal.

People change their minds about their tattoos for many different reasons.  But, because the love for tattoos remains strong, even if they do not like the original design, many people would prefer to cover up an old tattoo rather than have it completely removed.  However, this can be difficult sometimes because not all tattoos can be easily covered up with a new tattoo.

Tattoo Cover-Up With Another Tattoo

One option that may help fade the original tattoo is Laser Tattoo Treatments.  Tattoo removal can be used to lighten the entire original tattoo, or to reduce the appearance of the darkest or most troublesome areas making it easier for a tattoo artist to do a cover-up.

Fading a tattoo does not require as many treatment sessions as completely removing it, and laser tattoo removal can make the new artwork look better because the tattoo artist will not have to worry about incorporating as much of the old tattoo into the new cover-up tattoo or blending the new tattoo ink colours with the old colours.  Not all colours can be changed into another colour and therefore the tattoo artist must consider the merging of the pigments from the old tattoo with the new one.

Pain-Free Laser Tattoo Removal

Many people opt for a cover-up tattoo without fading the original tattoo because they may think that the treatments can be more painful than getting a tattoo.  However, at DermMedica, we are the ONLY clinic in the BC Interior to offer completely comfortable laser tattoo removal.  You shouldn’t suffer when you don’t have to!

Contact us to book your consultation to fade the body art you dislike in order to get something you do like!  Call 250-868-3070 or email patientcare@dermmedica.ca