All Laser Treatments -Laser Surgery Information

Laser Hair Removal

2006-02-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

Laser Hair Removal

Hair Removal Techniques:

Depilation is a generic term for hair removal which affects the part of the hair above the surface of the skin. The most common form of depilation is shaving. Another popular option is the use of chemical depilatories, which work by breaking the disulfide bonds that link the protein chains that give hair its strength, making the hair disintegrate. Hair is also sometimes removed by plucking.

Epilation is removal of the entire hair, including the part below the skin. Some individuals may use waxing, sugaring, epilation devices, lasers, intense pulsed light or electrology.

Laser hair removal is a non-invasive method of photoepilation, which does not require needles or messy chemical creams. Laser hair removal effects is usually permanent after several treatments.

Types of Lasers and Light Sources Used in Hair Removal?
Alexandrite Laser
The long-pulse alexandrite laser penetrates deeply into the dermis where the hair follicles are located. The heat build-up in the hair shafts which disables hair-follicles in the active growth phase.
Diode Laser
The diode laser contains small diodes or semiconductors that are arranged together to produce light. The diode laser has a longer wavelength compared to other lasers, which may improve treatment results on darker skin types.
Light-Based Sources
Intense pulsed light device operates on similar principles to other lasers. Using the photoepilation process, the device emits a broad spectrum of light to treat different kinds of hair and skin colors as well as hair depths.
Q-Switched Nd:YAG
YAG delivers two different wave lengths of light. One is an invisible infrared light used for deeper penetration. The other wavelength, a green light, is used for treating hair follicles closer to the surface.

Advantages of Laser Hair Removal
- Laser hair removal is a non-invasive method of photoepilation
- Not requires needles or messy chemical creams
- Thousands of hairs can be zapped in a single treatment session

Disadvantages of Laser Hair Removal
- Requires multiple sessions.
- May have to use specially formulated skin care products.
- Sunscreen is recommended for any treated areas exposed to the sun.
- Patients with darker pigmentation may not respond well.
- Blonde, white or gray hairs are less responsive to laser treatments.

Possible Side Effects :

-hair regrowth
- scarring
- change in skin color

carbon dioxide laser co2laser

2006-01-13T21:23:00.000-08:00

The carbon dioxide laser - Co2 Laser Therapy

What is The carbon dioxide laser?
The carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser) was one of the earliest lasers to be developed,and is still one of the most useful. Carbon dioxide lasers are the highest power continuous wave lasers that are currently available.
The CO2 laser produces a beam of infrared light with the principal wavelength bands centering around 9.4 and 10.6 micrometers.

The carbon dioxide laser is used for laser surgery and skin resurfacing laser facelifts (which essentially consist of burning the skin to promote collagen formation) and dermabrasion.

Co2 Laser could be used in :
Removal of benign skin lesion, such as moles, warts
As a "laser scalpel" in patients or body areas prone to bleeding
Removal of tumors, especially of the brain and spinal cord.
Snoring Treatment
Shaving, dermabrading, and resurfacing scars, rhinophyma, skin irregularities
Cosmetic Laser Resurfacing for Wrinkles

What is Laser?
Laser stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation(LASER).
A laser is a light beam that can be precisely focused. It is used to treat tissues by heating the targeted cells until they "burst". It may also be used for cosmetic purposes, including removal of wrinkles, tattoos, or birthmarks.

There are several types of lasers, including the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, the YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser, and the pulsed dye laser. Each laser has specific uses. The color of the light beam used is directly related to the type of procedure being performed and the color of the tissue being treated.

Laser may be used to:
Remove tumors
Seal blood vessels
Seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and decrease the spread of tumor cells
Seal nerve endings to reduce postoperative pain
Remove warts, moles, and tattoos
Reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles
Remove hair

Possible side effects of laser therapy:
Bleeding
Infection
Pain
Scaring
Skin color changes

Laser Cancer Treatment

2006-01-13T21:12:00.000-08:00

Laser Cancer Treatment - Laser Cancer Therapy

What is laser light?
The term “laser” stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Ordinary light, such as that from a light bulb, has many wavelengths and spreads in all directions. Laser light, on the other hand, has a specific wavelength. It is focused in a narrow beam and creates a very high-intensity light. This powerful beam of light may be used to cut through steel or to shape diamonds. Because lasers can focus very accurately on tiny areas, they can also be used for very precise surgical work or for cutting through tissue (in place of a scalpel).

What is laser therapy, and how is it used in cancer treatment?
Laser therapy uses high-intensity light to treat cancer and other illnesses. Lasers can be used to shrink or destroy tumors. Lasers are most commonly used to treat superficial cancers (cancers on the surface of the body or the lining of internal organs) such as basal cell skin cancer and the very early stages of some cancers, such as cervical, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and non-small cell lung cancer.

Lasers also may be used to relieve certain symptoms of cancer, such as bleeding or obstruction. For example, lasers can be used to shrink or destroy a tumor that is blocking a patient’s trachea (windpipe) or esophagus. Lasers also can be used to remove colon polyps or tumors that are blocking the colon or stomach.

Laser therapy can be used alone, but most often it is combined with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. In addition, lasers can seal nerve endings to reduce pain after surgery and seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and limit the spread of tumor cells.
How is laser therapy given to the patient?

Laser therapy is often given through a flexible endoscope (a thin, lighted tube used to look at tissues inside the body). The endoscope is fitted with optical fibers (thin fibers that transmit light). It is inserted through an opening in the body, such as the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina. Laser light is then precisely aimed to cut or destroy a tumor.

Laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) (or interstitial laser photocoagulation) also uses lasers to treat some cancers. LITT is similar to a cancer treatment called hyperthermia, which uses heat to shrink tumors by damaging or killing cancer cells.During LITT, an optical fiber is inserted into a tumor. Laser light at the tip of the fiber raises the temperature of the tumor cells and damages or destroys them. LITT is sometimes used to shrink tumors in the liver.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is another type of cancer treatment that uses lasers. In PDT, a certain drug, called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent, is injected into a patient and absorbed by cells all over the patient’s body. After a couple of days, the agent is found mostly in cancer cells. Laser light is then used to activate the agent and destroy cancer cells. Because the photosensitizer makes the skin and eyes sensitive to light for approximately 6 weeks, patients are advised to avoid direct sunlight and bright indoor light during that time.

What types of lasers are used in cancer treatment?
Three types of lasers are used to treat cancer: carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, argon lasers, and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers. Each of these can shrink or destroy tumors and can be used with endoscopes. CO2 and argon lasers can cut the skin’s surface without going into deeper layers. Thus, they can be used to remove superficial cancers, such as skin cancer. In contrast, the Nd:YAG laser is more commonly applied through an endoscope to treat internal organs, such as the uterus, esophagus, and colon. Nd:YAG laser light can also travel through optical fibers into specific areas of the body during LITT. Argon lasers are often used to activate the drugs used in PDT.

What are the advantages of laser therapy?
Lasers are more precise than standard surgical tools (scalpels), so they do less damage to normal tissues. As a result, patients usually have less pain, bleeding, swelling, and scarring. With laser therapy, operations are usually shorter. In fact, laser therapy can often be done on an outpatient basis. It takes less time for patients to heal after laser surgery, and they are less likely to get infections. Patients should consult with their health care provider about whether laser therapy is appropriate for them.

What are the disadvantages of laser therapy?
Laser therapy also has several limitations. Surgeons must have specialized training before they can do laser therapy, and strict safety precautions must be followed. Also, laser therapy is expensive and requires bulky equipment. In addition, the effects of laser therapy may not last long, so doctors may have to repeat the treatment for a patient to get the full benefit.

is LASIK for me

2006-01-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

When is LASIK not for me?

You are probably NOT a good candidate for refractive surgery if:

o You are not a risk taker. Certain complications are unavoidable in a percentage of patients, and there are no long-term data available for current procedures.
o It will jeopardize your career. Some jobs prohibit certain refractive procedures. Be sure to check with your employer/professional society/military service before undergoing any procedure.
o Cost is an issue. Most medical insurance will not pay for refractive surgery. Although the cost is coming down, it is still significant.
o You required a change in your contact lens or glasses prescription in the past year. This is called refractive instability. Patients who are:

o In their early 20s or younger,
o Whose hormones are fluctuating due to disease such as diabetes,
o Who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or
o Who are taking medications that may cause fluctuations in vision,

are more likely to have refractive instability and should discuss the possible additional risks with their doctor.

o You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.
o You actively participate in contact sports. You participate in boxing, wrestling, martial arts or other activities in which blows to the face and eyes are a normal occurrence.
o You are not an adult. Currently, no lasers are approved for LASIK on persons under the age of 18.

Precautions
The safety and effectiveness of refractive procedures has not been determined in patients with some diseases. Discuss with your doctor if you have a history of any of the following:

o Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster (shingles) involving the eye area.
o Glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, or ocular hypertension.
o Eye diseases, such as uveitis/iritis (inflammations of the eye)
o Eye injuries or previous eye surgeries.
o Keratoconus

Other Risk Factors
Your doctor should screen you for the following conditions or indicators of risk:

o Blepharitis. Inflammation of the eyelids with crusting of the eyelashes, that may increase the risk of infection or inflammation of the cornea after LASIK.

o Large pupils. Make sure this evaluation is done in a dark room. Younger patients and patients on certain medications may be prone to having large pupils under dim lighting conditions. This can cause symptoms such as glare, halos, starbursts, and ghost images (double vision) after surgery. In some patients these symptoms may be debilitating. For example, a patient may no longer be able to drive a car at night or in certain weather conditions, such as fog.

o Thin Corneas. The cornea is the thin clear covering of the eye that is over the iris, the colored part of the eye. Most refractive procedures change the eye’s focusing power by reshaping the cornea (for example, by removing tissue). Performing a refractive procedure on a cornea that is too thin may result in blinding complications.

o Previous refractive surgery (e.g., RK, PRK, LASIK). Additional refractive surgery may not be recommended. The decision to have additional refractive surgery must be made in consultation with your doctor after careful consideration of your unique situation.

o Dry Eyes. LASIK surgery tends to aggravate this condition.

Source: fda.gov

LASIK Risks

2006-01-13T18:02:00.000-08:00

LASIK Risks

Risks of LASIK and other refractive surgeries:

o Some patients lose vision. Some patients lose lines of vision on the vision chart that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery as a result of treatment.

o Some patients develop debilitating visual symptoms. Some patients develop glare, halos, and/or double vision that can seriously affect nighttime vision. Even with good vision on the vision chart, some patients do not see as well in situations of low contrast, such as at night or in fog, after treatment as compared to before treatment.

o You may be under treated or over treated. Only a certain percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision without glasses or contacts. You may require additional treatment, but additional treatment may not be possible. You may still need glasses or contact lenses after surgery. This may be true even if you only required a very weak prescription before surgery. If you used reading glasses before surgery, you may still need reading glasses after surgery.

o Some patients may develop severe dry eye syndrome. As a result of surgery, your eye may not be able to produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. Dry eye not only causes discomfort, but can reduce visual quality due to intermittent blurring and other visual symptoms. This condition may be permanent. Intensive drop therapy and use of plugs or other procedures may be required.

o Results are generally not as good in patients with very large refractive errors of any type. You should discuss your expectations with your doctor and realize that you may still require glasses or contacts after the surgery.

o For some farsighted patients, results may diminish with age. If you are farsighted, the level of improved vision you experience after surgery may decrease with age. This can occur if your manifest refraction (a vision exam with lenses before dilating drops) is very different from your cycloplegic refraction (a vision exam with lenses after dilating drops).

Source: fda.gov

LASIK Surgery Checklist

2006-01-13T18:00:00.000-08:00

LASIK Surgry Checklist

1- Know what makes you a poor candidate

Career impact - does your job prohibit refractive surgery?
Cost - can you really afford this procedure?
Medical conditions - e.g., do you have an autoimmune disease or other major illness? Do you have a chronic illness that might slow or alter healing?
Eye conditions - do you have or have you ever had any problems with your eyes other than needing glasses or contacts?
Medications - do you take steroids or other drugs that might prevent healing?
Stable refraction - has your prescription changed in the last year?
High or Low refractive error - do you use glasses/contacts only some of the time? Do you need an unusually strong prescription?
Pupil size - are your pupils extra large in dim conditions?
Corneal thickness - do you have thin corneas?
Tear production - do you have dry eyes?

2- Know all the risks and procedure limitations

Overtreatment or undertreatment - are you willing and able to have more than one surgery to get the desired result?
May still need reading glasses - do you have presbyopia?
Results may not be lasting - do you think this is the last correction you will ever need? Do you realize that long-term results are not known?
May permanently lose vision - do you know some patients may lose some vision or experience blindness?
Dry eyes – do you know that if you have dry eyes they could become worse, or if you don’t have dry eyes before you could develop chronic dry eyes as a result of surgery?
Development of visual symptoms - do you know about glare, halos, starbursts, etc. and that night driving might be difficult?
Contrast sensitivity - do you know your vision could be significantly reduced in dim light conditions?
Bilateral treatment - do you know the additional risks of having both eyes treated at the same time?
Patient information - have you read the patient information booklet about the laser being used for your procedure?

3 Know how to find the right doctor

Experienced - how many eyes has your doctor performed LASIK surgery on with the same laser?
Equipment - does your doctor use an FDA-approved laser for the procedure you need?
Informative - is your doctor willing to spend the time to answer all your questions?
Long-term Care - does your doctor encourage follow-up and management of you as a patient? Your preop and postop care may be provided by a doctor other than the surgeon.
Be Comfortable - do you feel you know your doctor and are comfortable with an equal exchange of information?

4 Preoperative, operative, and postoperative expectations

No contact lenses prior to evaluation and surgery - can you go for an extended period of time without wearing contact lenses?
Have a thorough exam - have you arranged not to drive or work after the exam?
Read and understand the informed consent - has your doctor given you an informed consent form to take home and answered all your questions?
No makeup before surgery - can you go 24-36 hours without makeup prior to surgery?
Arrange for transportation - can someone drive you home after surgery?
Plan to take a few days to recover - can you take time off to take it easy for a couple of days if necessary?
Expect not to see clearly for a few days - do you know you will not see clearly immediately?
Know sights, smells, sounds of surgery - has your doctor made you feel comfortable with the actual steps of the procedure?
Be prepared to take drops/medications- are you willing and able to put drops in your eyes at regular intervals?
Be prepared to wear an eye shield - do you know you need to protect the eye for a period of time after surgery to avoid injury?
Expect some pain/discomfort - do you know how much pain to expect?
Know when to seek help - do you understand what problems could occur and when to seek medical intervention?
Know when to expect your vision to stop changing - are you aware that final results could take months?
Make sure your refraction is stable before any further surgery - if you don't get the desired result, do you know not to have an enhancement until the prescription stops changing?

Source: fda.gov

Laser Lithotripsy

2006-01-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

Laser Lithotripsy (Bladder stones - Kidney Stones)

About 90 percent of stones pass through the urinary system without treatment. In cases where this does not occur, treatment to remove stones may be needed. Some stones may be dissolved by medicines. In other cases, one of the following methods of stone removal may be needed:
YAG Laser Lithotripsy
YAG pulsed solid state laser operating at the infrared wavelengths has been approved for laser lithotripsy of urinary calculi. Because of the difference in wavelength and pulse duration, the stone is primarily drilled and not fractured. Unlike the pulsed dye laser, fragmentation is achieved by drilling a number of holes in the stone, which ultimately results in stone fragmentation. Additionally, the YAG's laser pulse is readily absorbed in the ureter wall.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most frequently used procedure for the treatment of kidney stones. In ESWL, shock waves that are created outside the body travel through the skin and body tissues until they hit the denser stones. The stones break down into sand-like particles and are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine.

There are several types of ESWL devices. In one device, the patient reclines in a water bath while the shock waves are transmitted. Other devices have a soft cushion on which the patient lies. Most devices use either x rays or ultrasound to help the surgeon pinpoint the stone during treatment. For most types of ESWL procedures, anesthesia is needed.

In most cases, ESWL may be done on an outpatient basis. Recovery time is short, and most people can resume normal activities in a few days.

Complications may occur with ESWL. Most patients have blood in their urine for a few days after treatment. Bruising and minor discomfort in the back or abdomen from the shock waves are also common. To reduce the risk of complications, doctors usually tell patients to avoid taking aspirin and other drugs that affect blood clotting for several weeks before treatment.
Another complication may occur if the shattered stone particles cause discomfort as they pass through the urinary tract. In some cases, the doctor will insert a small tube called a stent through the bladder into the ureter to help the fragments pass. Sometimes the stone is not completely shattered with one treatment, and additional treatments may be needed. ESWL is not ideal for very large stones.
Other therapies
Percutaneous Stone Removal
When stones are quite large (more than 2 cm) or in a location that does not allow effective lithotripsy, a technique called percutaneous stone removal may be used. In this method, the surgeon makes a small incision in the back and creates a tunnel directly into the kidney. A tube is inserted and the stone is removed through this tube.

Ureteroscopic Stone Removal
For stones found in the lower part of the urinary tract, the surgen may pass a ureteroscope (a hollow tube-like device) up into the bladder and ureter. A basket-like device may be passed through the tube to grasp and withdraw the stone.

Photofacial Laser

2006-01-13T13:54:00.001-08:00

Photofacial Laser

Soft Laser

2006-01-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

Soft Laser

Photodynamic Laser

2006-01-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

Laser Photodynamic Treatment

What is photodynamic therapy(PDT)?
Photodynamic therapy is a kind of ternary treatment for cancer involving three key components:A photosensitising drug, light, and tissue oxygen. It is also being investigated for treatment of psoriasis and acne, and is an approved treatment for wet macular degeneration.

In photodynamic therapy, first a photosensitising drug is administered to the patient.Approximately 24 to 72 later, the cancerous tissue to be treated is exposed to laser light which targets cancerous cells. The laser light activates the photosensitising drug destroying the cancerous cells without damaging the surrounding normal tissue.

In addition to directly killing cancer cells, PDT appears to shrink or destroy tumors in two other ways. The photosensitizer can damage blood vessels in the tumor, thereby preventing the cancer from receiving necessary nutrients. In addition, PDT may activate the immune system to attack the tumor cells.

What types of cancer are currently treated with PDT?
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been approved the photosensitizing agent called porfimer sodium, or Photofrin®, for use in PDT to treat or relieve the symptoms of esophageal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Porfimer sodium is approved to relieve symptoms of esophageal cancer when the cancer obstructs the esophagus or when the cancer cannot be satisfactorily treated with laser therapy alone. Porfimer sodium is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer in patients for whom the usual treatments are not appropriate, and to relieve symptoms in patients with non-small cell lung cancer that obstructs the airways. In 2003, the FDA approved porfimer sodium for the treatment of precancerous lesions in patients with Barrett’s esophagus (a condition that can lead to esophageal cancer).

Advantages
It is relatively pain free so little sedation is required.
It is much less riskier than conventional laser therapy.
It has minimal side effects.
PDT does not generate any heat so normal tissue is less prone to injury.

Possible side effects
swelling and inflammation
around the region where the surgery occurred which can be slightly uncomfortable. Also, due to the nature of the
sensitivity to light(skin photosensitivity)
Transient depression

Laser Ultrasound

2006-01-13T12:38:00.001-08:00

Laser Ultrasound

Low Density Laser

2006-01-13T12:38:00.000-08:00

Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment - Pulsed Dye LaserTherapy

A dye laser is a laser that uses an organic dye as a lasing medium, usually as a liquid solution. Compared to gases and most solid-state lasing media, a dye can usually be used for a much wider range of wavelengths. The wide bandwidth make them particularly suitable for tunable lasers and pulsed lasers. Moreover, the dye can be replaced by another type in order to generate different wavelengths with the same laser, although this usually requires replacing other optical components in the laser as well.

Pulsed Dye Laser: Because the yellow light at 577-585 nm coincides with the peak absorption of hemoglobin in blood, the Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) is useful to treat vascular lesions.

Pulsed Dye Laser Uses
* Port Wine Stains, especially in infants and children
* Laser treatment of thick, red scars

Pulsed Dye Laser

2006-01-13T12:37:00.001-08:00

Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment - Pulsed Dye LaserTherapy

Fraxel Laser Therapy

2006-01-13T12:37:00.000-08:00

Fraxel Laser Therapy

Fraxel Laser
Approved by FDA, Fraxel laser is one of the best laser devices for treatment of sun-related changes such as wrinkles, superficial pigment and vascular changes.The Fraxel Lasers utilize a new technology called Fractional Resurfacing. With Fractional Resurfacing Technology, only a fraction of the skin receives the laser beam. This preservation of healthy skin results in a fast healing following the laser treatment. The entire face can be treated with the laser in approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Side effects are minimal, usually inflammation and redness, with little risk of infection or scarring.

Titan Laser Therapy

2006-01-13T12:36:00.001-08:00

Titan Laser Therapy

YAG Laser Therapy

2006-01-13T12:36:00.000-08:00

YAG Laser Treatment - YAG Laser Therapy

Nd:YAG is an acronym for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:Y3Al5O12), a compound that is used as the lasing medium for certain solid-state lasers. The YAG crystal is doped with an active medium, in this case triply ionized neodymium, which replaces another element of roughly the same size, typically yttrium. Generally the crystalline host is doped with around 1 % neodymium by weight.

Types of YAG Laser
* Nd:YAG Laser
* KTP Laser
* Er:YAG Laser
* Ho:YAG Laser

Cold Laser Therapy

2006-01-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

Cold Laser Therapy

Laser Side Effects

2006-01-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

Laser Side Effects, Advantages and Disadvantages

What are the advantages of laser therapy?
It takes less time for patients to heal after laser surgery.
Lasers are more precise than standard surgical tools.
Less damage to normal tissues.
Less likely to get infections.
patients usually have less pain, bleeding, swelling, and scarring. With laser therapy,
Laser operations are usually shorter. In fact, laser therapy can often be done on an outpatient basis.

What are the disadvantages of laser therapy?
Laser therapy also has several limitations.
Strict safety precautions must be followed. Also, laser
Surgeons must have specialized training before they can do laser therapy.
Therapy is expensive and requires bulky equipment.
Effects of laser therapy may not last long, so doctors may have to repeat the treatment for a patient to get the full benefit.

Laser may be used to:
Remove tumors
Seal blood vessels
Seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and decrease the spread of tumor cells
Seal nerve endings to reduce postoperative pain
Remove warts, moles, and tattoos
Reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles
Remove hair

Possible side effects of laser therapy:
Bleeding
Infection
Pain
Scaring
Skin color changes

Laser Physical Therapy

2006-01-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

Laser Physical Therapy

Physical therapy (also known as physiotherapy) is a health profession concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and disability through physical means. It is based upon principles of medical science, and is generally held to be within the sphere of conventional (rather than alternative) medicine. Physiotherapy is practiced by physiotherapists (also known as physical therapists), though aspects may also be practiced under supervised delegation by physiotherapy assistants or other health professionals.

Recently cleared by the FDA,Low Level Laser Therapy - (LLLT) light-emitting medical devices have been used in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Relief of Muscle and Joint Pain, Arthritis, Muscle Spasm, Relief of Stiffness, and the Promotion of Muscle Relaxation.

In contrast to general surgical or cosmetic lasers that produce heat and thermo-destructive laser energy, Low Level Laser Therapy - (LLLT) produces no harm to human tissue in normal use.

Home Laser Treatments

2006-01-13T12:32:00.001-08:00

Home Laser Equipments - Home Laser Therapy

The Home Soft Touch Laser
The Home Soft Touch Laser is an advanced dermatological breakthrough that uses low level Laser Light Technology to assist in the natural skin. Simple and easy to use,you can improve your skin's health with professional results at home.

Laser Heat Treatment

2006-01-13T12:32:00.000-08:00

Laser Heat Treatment - Interstitial Laser Photocoafulation

What is hyperthermia?
Hyperthermia (also called thermal therapy or thermotherapy) is a type of cancer treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures (up to 113°F). Research has shown that high temperatures can damage and kill cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to normal tissues. By killing cancer cells and damaging proteins and structures within cells , hyperthermia may shrink tumors.

Recentely laser has been used in hyperthermia to treat cancer. Laser therapy is often given through a flexible endoscope (a thin, lighted tube used to look at tissues inside the body). The endoscope is fitted with optical fibers (thin fibers that transmit light). It is inserted through an opening in the body, such as the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina. Laser light is then precisely aimed to cut or destroy a tumor.

Laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) (or interstitial laser photocoagulation) also uses lasers to treat some cancers. LITT is similar to a cancer treatment called hyperthermia, which uses heat to shrink tumors by damaging or killing cancer cells.During LITT, an optical fiber is inserted into a tumor. Laser light at the tip of the fiber raises the temperature of the tumor cells and damages or destroys them. LITT is sometimes used to shrink tumors in the liver.

What is Laser?
Laser stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation(LASER).
A laser is a light beam that can be precisely focused. It is used to treat tissues by heating the targeted cells until they "burst". It may also be used for cosmetic purposes, including removal of wrinkles, tattoos, or birthmarks.

There are several types of lasers, including the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, the YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser, and the pulsed dye laser. Each laser has specific uses. The color of the light beam used is directly related to the type of procedure being performed and the color of the tissue being treated.

Laser may be used to:
Remove tumors
Seal blood vessels
Seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and decrease the spread of tumor cells
Seal nerve endings to reduce postoperative pain
Remove warts, moles, and tattoos
Reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles
Remove hair

Possible side effects of laser therapy:
Bleeding
Infection
Pain
Scaring
Skin color changes

Laser Ablation

2006-01-13T12:31:00.001-08:00

Laser Ablation

Laser Smoking Quit

2006-01-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

Laser Smoking Quit (Smoking Cessation)

Nicotine is highly addictive. Nicotine provides an almost immediate “kick” because it causes a discharge of epinephrine from the adrenal cortex. This stimulates the central nervous system and other endocrine glands, which causes a sudden release of glucose. Stimulation is then followed by depression and fatigue, leading the abuser to seek more nicotine.

How Laser affects smokers
laser seems, by stimulating the pressure points, to increase the release of endorphine and reverse the nicotine induced chemical changes in body.

Five key steps will help you to quit for good:

1-Get ready to quit by picking a date to stop smoking. Before that day, get rid of all cigarettes, ashtrays, and lighters in your home, car, and workplace. And make it a rule never to let anyone smoke in your home. Write down why you want to quit and keep this list as a handy reminder.

2-Get support and encouragement from your family, friends, and coworkers. Studies have shown you will be more successful when you have help. Let the people important to you in your life know the date you will be quitting and ask them for their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out around you.

3-Learn new skills and do things differently. When you get the urge to smoke, try to do something that's different - talk to a friend, go for a walk, or do something you enjoy like gardening or going to the movies. Try to reduce your stress with exercise, meditation, hot baths, or reading. It's helpful to plan ahead for how you will deal with situations or triggers that will make you want to smoke. Have sugar free gum or candy around to help handle your cravings. Drinking lots of water or other fluids also helps. You might want to change your daily routine as well - try drinking tea instead of coffee, eating your breakfast in a different place, or taking a different route to work.

4-Talk to your doctor or nurse about medicines to help you quit. Some people have symptoms of withdrawal when they quit smoking, such as depression; not being able to sleep; feeling cranky, frustrated, nervous, or restless; and trouble thinking clearly. Even though smoking doesn't suppress appetite, you may also feel hungry. There are medicines to help relieve these symptoms. Most medicines help you quit smoking by giving you small, steady doses of nicotine, the drug in cigarettes that causes addiction. Talk to doctor or nurse about which of these medicines is right for you:

nicotine patch: worn on the skin and supplies a steady amount of nicotine to the body through the skin
nicotine gum: releases nicotine into the bloodstream through the lining in your mouth
nicotine nasal spray: inhaled through your nose and passes into your bloodstream
nicotine inhaler: inhaled through the mouth and is absorbed in the mouth and throat, but not in the lungs
Bupropion SR: an antidepressant medicine that helps relieve nicotine withdrawal and the urge to smoke

5-Be prepared for relapse. Most people relapse, or start smoking again, within the first three months after quitting. Don't get discouraged if this happens to you or has happened to you before when you've tried to quit. Remember, many people try to quit several times before quitting for good. Think of what helped you and what didn't the last time you tried to quit - figuring these out before you try to quit again will increase your chances for success. Certain things or situations can increase your chances of smoking again, such as drinking alcohol, being around other smokers, gaining weight, stress, becoming depressed or having more bad moods than usual. Talk to your doctor or nurse for ways to cope with these situations.

Laser Pain Relief

2006-01-13T12:30:00.001-08:00

Laser Pain Management

Pain Coping Strategies:
Physical Methods of Pain Management
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Exercise or Physical Therapy
Exercise or physical therapy
Heat and Ice
Massage Therapy
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Electrical therapy( high volt, low volt, micro stimulation, bipolar, interferential, and Russian stimulation)

Psychological Methods of Pain Management
Relaxation training
Biofeedback
Visual imagery or distraction
Hypnosis
Individual or family therapy

Medications for Pain Management
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
Topical Pain Relievers
Narcotic pain medication
Antidepressant medications
Nerve block

Biostimulation lasers, also called low level laser therapy (LLLT), cold lasers, soft lasers, or laser acupuncture devices have been approved to be effective for pain relief.
What is Laser?
Laser stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation(LASER).
A laser is a light beam that can be precisely focused. It is used to treat tissues by heating the targeted cells until they "burst". It may also be used for cosmetic purposes, including removal of wrinkles, tattoos, or birthmarks.

There are several types of lasers, including the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, the YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser, and the pulsed dye laser. Each laser has specific uses. The color of the light beam used is directly related to the type of procedure being performed and the color of the tissue being treated.

Laser may be used to:
Remove tumors
Seal blood vessels
Seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and decrease the spread of tumor cells
Seal nerve endings to reduce postoperative pain
Remove warts, moles, and tattoos
Reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles
Remove hair

Possible side effects of laser therapy:
Bleeding
Infection
Pain
Scaring
Skin color changes