skin
affirmative
New York dermatologist Dr Bruce Katz
has found a new laser can result in
more youthful-looking skin.
Christine Doggett reports.
to treat a broader range of medical conditions and
ensure a more rapid recovery time. The Affirm laser
offers a complete skin rejuvenation solution – including
wrinkle reduction and treatment of scars, redness
and pigmentation, as well as coagulation resulting in
tissue tightening.
New York dermatologist Dr Bruce Katz says, ‘The
Affirm laser has the ability to target all layers of photo-
damaged and aged skin, and to provide better and faster
results with less pain than any other product.’
The Affirm laser is the newest fractionated laser
resurfacing technology. ‘Unlike other lasers, this one has
a new headpiece with a grid that allows part of the skin to
be treated like an ablative resurfacing laser,’ Dr Katz says.
‘With this new technology, patients can get the benefits
of a resurfacing laser without the down time associated
with it. After treatment, the skin will have some redness
and swelling for a few hours but this can be covered
with makeup.’
216
AUSTRALIAN COSMETIC SURGERY
action
I ncreasingly advanced laser technologies are now able
skin
The Affirm laser offers a complete treatment in a
fraction of the time. Dr Katz typically performs four to six
treatments spaced two to three weeks apart.
‘Each treatment takes around 15 minutes for the whole
face,’ he says. ‘There is no down time, and although
patients may experience some redness and swelling
for a few hours, they can return to work the next day.
Furthermore, the Affirm laser can also be used to
dramatically improve the signs of ageing on the neck,
chest, décolletage and backs of hands. It can be
used quite safely on small areas such as the regions
around the eyes.’
Dr Katz also uses the Affirm to treat pigmentation from
sun exposure, wrinkles, acne scarring and skin laxity. ‘The
Affirm with MultiPlex is a standout because the two
wavelengths give patients both superficial and deep
improvement, whether you are treating ageing skin or acne
scarring,’ he says. ‘The 1440 nanometre wavelength is
good for pigmentation changes or mild acne scarring,
whereas the 1320nm is better for deeper acne scars and
skin tightening. There is no evidence that going deeper
than 500 microns is necessary.’
According to Dr Katz, his patients prefer the Affirm laser
as they see results faster than with other lasers. The
treatment time is shorter and there is less pain or
discomfort. Improvement can be seen in skin colour and
texture, and fine wrinkles and pigmentation are reduced.
‘Those who’ve been treated elsewhere with other fractional
devices say their skin looks much better with Affirm,’ Dr
Katz says. ‘They also appreciate the minimal adverse
effects and no down time.’
By uniquely combining three leading-edge technologies,
the Affirm offers a total skin rejuvenation system that
targets all layers of photo-damaged and aged skin. It
targets the superficial layers of photo-damaged tissue,
and its newest feature – the 1320nm MultiPlex technology
– targets deep layers of collagen structures to reduce
skin laxity.
A critical factor in achieving collagen contraction is
depth of penetration. ‘The big advantage of the Affirm with
MultiPlex is that with the deeper penetrating 1320nm
wavelength, you’re getting skin tightening as well as
improvement in wrinkles and fractional resurfacing,’
Dr Katz explains.
MultiPlex technology enables the sequential emission of
two wavelengths in one pulse from the same delivery
system. Since lower individual energy levels can now be
used during treatments, discomfort is minimised and
recovery is accelerated – for faster, more effective results
compared to single wavelength technologies.
By delivering approximately 1,000 diffractive micro-
pulses in a 10mm spot, the technology provides greater
pattern density and requires fewer passes over a given
area, resulting in significantly faster treatment sessions.
Unlike competitive technologies – which by providing
only one level of heat intensity fail to optimise collagen
production – Affirm’s laser energy is redistributed into
varied levels of heat intensities to simultaneously stimulate
and remodel collagen. Since lower energy levels can be
delivered to the skin without compromising effectiveness,
client discomfort is significantly decreased while the healing
process is rapidly accelerated.
The Affirm Anti-Ageing Workstation offers wrinkle
reduction, scar treatment, pigmentation reduction, facial
rejuvenation and coagulation of tissue resulting in tighter
skin for overall younger looking skin. acsm
AUSTRALIAN COSMETIC SURGERY
217