Pearl Treatments

Pearl Laser Resurfacing | Pearl Fractional

Pearl

The Pearl procedure is a "Thermal Peel" laser treatment. The Thermal Peel reduces wrinkles, uneven texture and solar damage with fewer treatments and less overall downtime than other technologies.

How does the Pearl treatment work?

During treatment, a portion of the epidermis is removed. There is a simultaneous thermal effect to all or part of the remaining epidermis at a controlled depth. This creates a natural protective dressing on the skin to minimize "social" downtime during the restorative process.

What is a Pearl treatment like?

First, the area to be treated is cleansed. A topical anesthetic is applied to the skin for a prescribed amount of time. The anesthetic is cleaned off and protective eye goggles are placed on the patient.

The practitioner guides the Pearl laser over the skin, gently removing the top layer of the epidermis and heating a layer of tissue below it. The treatment takes approximately 15 minutes for a full face. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing pain, most people report the treatment feeling like a 2 or 3.

What can I expect after the treatment?

After treatment, the skin will look and feel like it is sunburned. The practitioner will apply ointment on the skin to keep it moist. The skin will need to be kept moist for 3 - 4 days.

Around day 3 or 4, thermally damaged epidermal tissue will peel or slough off, leaving fresh, new, healthy skin underneath. Additional minimal peeling may occur for another 2 - 3 days.

When will I see results?

Results are noticeable around day 3 or 4, when the damaged tissue has peeled off, leaving fresh, new, healthy skin underneath.

Why should I have a Pearl treatment?

Most patients will choose a Pearl treatment because it significantly improves the skin's texture and pigmentation and minimizes wrinkles, without clinical downtime and only 3 - 4 days of "social" downtime.

Patients may also choose to have a Pearl treatment followed by a separate visit for non-ablative skin rejuvenation procedures, such as Cutera's Titan or 3D Approach to Skin Rejuvenation.

Who is a candidate for a Pearl treatment?

Patients with skin types I - III who are looking for an aggressive treatment for facial lines and texture without the lengthy downtime associated with traditional ablative procedures.

What areas will respond best to a Pearl treatment?

Pearl will smooth the skin's texture, as well as soften fine lines and wrinkles, on the face.

How many treatments will I need?

Most patients will experience the best results after two treatments, spaced one month apart. However, some patients may only require one treatment.

How do I prevent a reoccurrence of my previous skin conditions?

The best way to prevent a reoccurrence of the conditions just treated: - Limit your time in direct sun - Always use sun screens - Avoid smoking

Does Cutera have an FDA clearance for the Pearl laser?

Yes, Cutera received FDA clearance in March 2007 for the treatment of wrinkles.

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	Before		After

	Before		After

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Pearl Fractional

What is the Pearl Fractional treatment?

Pearl Fractional is a new, volumizing fractional laser perfected for treating wrinkles and photoaging in as few as one treatment. Pearl Fractional offers the best combination of patient experience and recovery time. Pearl Fractional is used to treat deep wrinkles, photodamage, uneven tone and texture. It will also produce a noticeably smoother, brighter complexion.

What does "fractional" mean? How does the Pearl Fractional treatment work?

Fractional therapy describes a treatment that affects only a fraction or small percentage of the skin. With Pearl Fractional, laser pulses place tiny holes deep in the skin. Columns of damaged tissue are selectively removed, leaving surrounding skin intact. This fractional treatment shortens healing time and stimulates the body own natural process for creating new collagen, plumping the skin from below and reversing wrinkles, photoaging and other imperfections.

How many treatments are recommended?

Most patients will see significant improvement after just one treatment; however, some patients may require a second treatment to achieve their goals.

Who is a candidate for a Pearl Fractional treatment?

Patients with skin imperfections due to aging and sun damage will benefit from a Pearl Fractional treatment.

What areas of the face can be treated?

Pearl Fractional can treat the entire face and is uniquely effective in the delicate periorbital (around the eyes) and perioral (around the mouth) areas. These areas often show the first signs of aging and can be the most challenging to treat.

What can I expect during the Pearl Fractional treatment?

During the procedure, the laser uses heat to create tiny holes deep in the skin. The process removes sun-damaged tissue and then stimulates the growth of healthy, new skin, full of fresh collagen. This plumps the skin from below, repairing wrinkles, photodamage, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, uneven texture, and other skin imperfections.

How does a Pearl Fractional treatment feel?

Most patients describe the treatment as a series of fast, hot pinches. A topical numbing cream is applied to the skin prior to treatment to alleviate some discomfort. Practitioners may choose to augment topical creams with other medications based on patient need.

When will I see results? How soon can I wear make-up?

Many patients see improvement one week after treatment. Maximum results are visible in one to three months. Patients may apply make-up five days after treatment.

What can I expect after a Pearl Fractional treatment?

After treatment, the skin looks sunburned and may be slightly swollen. Patients report little or no discomfort post treatment. Your physician will recommend post-treatment care, including NeoCutis Bio-Gel to aid healing and Aquaphor to keep the skin moisturized for approximately four to five days. In addition, you should limit sun exposure and wear protective clothing.

Can Pearl Fractional be part of a combination therapy treatment?

Many patients have a Pearl Fractional treatment in combination with other cosmetic therapies. These include other laser and light procedures, such as Pearl, Laser Genesis, Titan and IPL, as well as injectable treatments such as Botox, Juvederm, and Sculptra. Combination treatment options should be discussed with your clinician or doctor.

How does Pearl Fractional compare to other fractional laser treatments?

Pearl Fractional unique laser wavelength offers a safe but intense treatment to reverse the signs of aging. This combination gives patients dramatic results in a single treatment with approximately one week of recovery. Other fractional devices require more treatments than Pearl Fractional, and may not be as effective in treating deep wrinkles.

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