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They say that eyes are the windows to the soul. If that's true, then how much more can people tell about you by looking at your skin, especially those areas that get noticed first? Your face, hands, and neck, and-depending on the outfit-your upper chest are almost always exposed. Your skin speaks volumes about you and your general health and lifestyle before you ever have the chance to utter a word. What your skin says is only part of your story, but that story gets more complex as the years go by, leaving telltale signs of the ups and downs of your life right there on the surface for everyone to see. And time marches ever onward.

Fortunately, so does the science of skin care technology! While this science has brought a plethora of skin rejuvenating and resurfacing options in recent years, there's a brand new one that promises to create quite a buzz in the medspa And medical community. Recently, at the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference held in Las Vegas, June 2-4 a new treatment was introduced, the Ultimate MicroLaser Peel . This revolutionary laser system offers spa clients a safe and effective treatment for pigmentation, texture, tone and fine eye lines with little to no downtime or discomfort. The Ultimate MicroLaser Peel laser system is designed for medspa and medical clients who are looking for simple, preventive, topical skin treatment options, without much downtime.

What is a medspa? Think of it as your typical day spa'with advanced options. Short for medical spa, a medspa operates under the full-time supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. Spa therapists and medical personnel work together, integrating clinical-grade aesthetic enhancement and spa treatments/concepts. Most services are minimally invasive and require little downtime, though guests may be able to meet with an on-site surgeon to discuss more in depth treatments.

How does the Ultimate MicroLaser Peel Treatment work? The best way to answer this question is to think of your skin as an image on a television screen. TV images are actually made up of millions of tiny pixels, the sum of which makes up the entire picture. Like so many pixels, Ultimate MicroLaser Peel affects only a fraction of your skin at a time with microscopic laser columns no wider than the width of a hair. This process creates a pattern of evenly spaced microscopic laser "spots" that are actually pinpointed single skin cells. Because the skin surrounding the spots is not treated, healing occurs quickly, leaving virtually no telltale signs. Repeated treatments create additional spots, until the entire skin surface is treated. According to Dr. Lycka, "the precise treatment eliminates old, damaged surface cells and penetrates deep into the inner layers of the skin (dermis) to initiate and encourage the body's own natural healing process. As healing begins, the damaged skin is replaced with fresh, healthy skin and new collagen is formed deep in the subsurface layers."

It is the perfect way to improve texture, tone and pores; erase unwanted brown spots; smooth wrinkles and acne scars; and rejuvenate your neck, chest and hands'all with minimal downtime.

Does it hurt? This laser treatment is relatively painless, though a topical anesthesia may be applied prior to the treatment. If a significant area will be treated, your doctor will consult with you to develop a pain management approach.

How many treatments will I need? Because roughly 20-25% of the skin in any treated area is affected with each application, 3 to 5 sessions are generally required to reap the greatest results. Sessions are optimally scheduled 2-4 weeks apart, which means that your skin will enjoy a subtle, ongoing journey toward gaining a youthful, vibrant glow.

What about recovery? Most likely, you'll find yourself back at work or play within a few days of your treatment. Of course, it all depends on your skin condition and the scope of your treatment. For about 5-7 days, you'll look and feel like the affected area has a mild sunburn. This is actually a normal sign that your skin is healing. If you have any swelling at all, it will be mild and will disappear within a couple of days or so. New epidermal skin forms in about 24 hours. Essentially, the Ultimate MicroLaser Peel treatment will expedite an extended healing process. Following the initial redness, your skin will have a bronze appearance lasting anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on your treatment level. All the while, your skin will flake, naturally and vigorously exfoliating as new skin cells replace dead ones. Moisturizer can lessen the signs of flaking. Of course, you should continuously wear sunscreen, too, for several months after treatments and wear hats when in direct sunlight. Give your skin ample time to heal. Remember, your skin is a veritable billboard that travels with you everywhere you go, telling everyone you meet about your health and lifestyle. Why not make it your greatest asset when it comes to the image you project?

Copyright (c) 2007 Barry Lycka