PhotoFacial^TM Treatment
Advanced Medical Skin Care

What is a PhotoFacial Treatment?

A PhotoFacial^TM Treatment is a series of full face, pulsed light treatments intended to improve the appearance of sun damaged and aged skin, as well as reduce facial and neck redness and flushing. PhotoFacial treatments result in a more youthful-appearing skin. PhotoFacial treatments were developed by dermatologist, Patrick Bitter Sr., MD to consistently and predictably improve the visible appearance of the skin with no down time.

PhotoFacial^TM treatments also help patients who suffer from photo-aging of the skin, pigmentation from sun exposure (Age Spots), irregularities of skin texture. It also improves some mild acne scars, reduces large pores and dark circles around the eyes and helps reduce fine lines.

How does the treatment work?

An intense light is emitted in a series of pulses over the entire face. These treatments are repeated at intervals of approximately three weeks for a series of five treatments. This special light, which is different than laser treatments, emits light over many wavelengths allowing the light to penetrate to all the levels of the skin where abnormal dilated vessels can be found. Lasers produce only a single wavelength of light and are limited in depth of penetration and what they can treat.

Who will administer the treatments?

The New Mexico Board of Medical Examiners requires that only physicians administer this treatment. Dr. Hertzman has received advanced training from Dr. Patrick Bitter, the creator of the PhotoFacial^TM. Dr. Hertzman is the only physician in New Mexico who is licensed by Dr. Bitter to perform this procedure.

What are the causes of red faces?

As many as seventy million Americans have an undesirable redness of the face. The more common causes are Rosacea (a condition in up to 13 million people), sun exposure, alcohol, medications, stress, and aging of the skin. Repeated blushing or flushing of the skin is seen most commonly in fair skinned individuals. Rosacea is a common chronic condition of the face characterized by redness, dilated blood vessels and frequently pustules and swelling, Blushing can be a devastating characteristic. In 1975, the British Journal of Medicine called rosacea the most embarrassing disease. It affects those who blush in an area that cannot be covered. Unfortunately no successful treatment existed until now to help stop or even diminish the blushing.

What if I don't have visible vessels only general skin redness. Can I still be treated?

Yes! The intense light because of its unique nature of emission, can find even the tiniest of vessels, some of which are packed so densely that they are not easily seen.

How much improvement will I see?

Typically 75-95%, on average 90% improvement is seen in most patients.

Will I need additional treatments?

After your initial series of 3-5 treatments it is possible to require a follow-up treatment in 2 or more years. We will educate you in ways of caring for your skin to help diminish the likelihood of future treatments.

Are there any conditions that this treatment won't help?

It won't treat frown lines, sometimes known as lines of expression on the face, especially the forehead and between the brows. It is not a substitute for a face-lift and will not help baggy or sagging skin. It won't cure the puffiness around the eyes for which blepharoplasty surgery is needed. It is not a treatment for skin cancer, but can treat pre-cancers called actinic keratosis. It won't remove bumpy moles, but can remove their pigment. It will remove, however, acquired freckling. Genetic freckles usually return after treatment. It will not remove seborrheic keratosis including the tiny genetic ones on the upper cheeks and around the eyes sometimes called dermatosis papulosa nigra. It also won't remove sebaceous hyperplasias a benign growth of some oil glands in mid life.

Are there any contraindications to this procedure?

Yes, it is not recommended for patients with connective tissue disease or auto immune disorders. It cannot be done during pregnancy, or on recently suntanned skin. It cannot be used on patients taking Accutane or for six months after stopping Accutane. The procedure is not usually done on patients with active acne cysts and large pustules. Care must be taken in patients who get fever blister attacks on the face. An anti-herpes medication can be taken thus avoiding the problem.

Are there any side effects?

Yes. Most side effects are mild and of short duration. These can consist of short-term discomfort during the actual treatment. There is usually additional redness immediately following treatment, lasting less than 24 hours in most people, on rare occasions it may last up to three days. Mild blistering and bruising is possible but in our experience occur in less than 1% and usually clear very quickly. Post treatment pigmentation has been noted on occasion, but is highly treatable and fortunately very rare. Even more rare is a decrease in pigmentation of the skin after treatments. This also clears in time as well. Scars or infection of the skin after treatment is rare. Swelling of the face for 3-5 days occasionally occurs and is most common in severely sun-damaged skin due to reduced quality of connective tissue around the blood vessels.

What are the requirements to having this procedure?

All patients must have a consultation prior to the procedure. They must complete a general medical questionnaire on the nature of their skin. At the time of the first treatment, each patient will be tested to properly evaluate the correct settings for the patient's skin condition and skin type. These parameters will then be stored in a database and in the patient's chart for future reference. Pretreatment, mid-treatment and post-treatment photos will be taken. An informed consent sheet and photographic permit form must be signed.

What if I have a low pain threshold or sensitive skin - can I still be treated?

Yes, most patients need no pretreatment anesthesia, but a topical cream can be applied 30-60 minutes prior to the treatment eliminating most discomfort.

How long does each treatment last?

Each treatment lasts approximately thirty minutes. Prior to your appointment, all make-up or creams must be removed. Men will be asked to shave on the day of treatment, prior to their arrival at the office. If any herpes lesions or bacterial infections are noted on the day of the procedure the treatment will be canceled until the condition has been treated and completely healed. Eye shields/goggles will be applied to protect the eyes. A cool gel will be placed on the skin prior to treatment, which will help reduce discomfort.

Can I accomplish this result with laser resurfacing?

No. Laser Resurfacing may very well help fine lines and pigmentation but it does not affect or remove blood vessels or flushing. In fact it can worsen this condition. It usually requires time away from work and your usual every day activities. Downtime is at least two weeks and up to a few months of redness in the treated areas can occur. Laser resurfacing has a valuable place in the treatment of certain conditions of the face, but it is not a substitute for PhotoFacial^TM.

What are the advantages of PhotoFacial^TM?

You can have glowing, smooth, blush-free, and more youthful looking skin with NO DOWN TIME from work or play. You can usually go to work the same day or the following day without the stares of friends and strangers. No procedure has ever been developed that can accomplish so much with such low risk and no down time. PhotoFacial^TM treatments were developed for the active, busy patients for whom time and appearance are important.

Can I accomplish the same results with chemical peels, microdermabrasion (Power Peel, Parisian Peel, Derma Peel )?

No, although PhotoFacial^TM treatments can be used in conjunction with certain types of Peels and microdermabrasion.

My doctor tells me he can perform this treatment with his laser. Is this true?

No. Currently there is no laser that can duplicate the efforts of intense light therapy. The laser cannot reach all the levels of the skin in a manner similar to intense light. Intense light for now is an exclusive mode of treatment. It has no peer.

Will PhotoFacial^TM treatments help my acne scars?

Certain more shallow scars including fine lines will be improved, but ice pick type acne scarring and deep scars will not be helped. If the scars are milder and do not respond to PhotoFacial^TM alone then we often add another procedure called microdermabrasion to the treatment schedule.

What if I don't have very much redness and only have pigmented areas from sun exposure (weather beaten appearance), can I benefit?

Yes, these patients can also be treated with great results. Some of the most gratified patients are those who have shown the ravages of sun and time on the face.

What if the redness and sun damage extends to my neck and chest as well, can these areas be treated?

Yes, these areas can also be treated successfully, much like the face. Many women especially are delighted to get rid of the "V-neck" effect of sun-damage that has accumulated in these areas from years of sun exposure.

What is the cost?

The cost of this package will be discussed with you prior to treatments. The cost in most cases is less than half of a full-face laser resurfacing procedure.