By Charlotte Federowicz, APRN

Fractional Laser & Skin Care 

Struggling with melasma or uneven skin texture? Want to minimize acne scars and stretch marks? Look below for the best possible treatment option. 

There are many benefits of fractional laser alone. It stimulates collagen and promotes cellular growth within the deep dermal layer of the skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and minimizes the appearance of pore size and scars, all to create healthier and younger looking skin. Adding skincare products in conjunction will optimize results. 

Melasma: If you struggle with melasma, fractional laser can be used in combination with HQ (hydroquinone) and vitamin C daily, to even out skin tone and reduce discoloration. Sunscreen should also be worn daily, as sunlight can darken existing melasma and create new patches. For the first 24 hours following fractional laser, use only hyaluronic acid and water directly on the skin. Hyaluronic acid is used to replenish the skin’s moisture while smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, thus simultaneously decreasing the inflammation post-fractional treatment. 

CMS Products: Couture Hydroquinone Brightening Pads, Couture Vitamin C, Couture Ultimatte Sunshade SPF 50, Obagi Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50, Couture Hyaluronic Acid 

Texture issues: In combination with the fractional laser, Retinol/Tretinoin and Lipid Cream can be used. Retinoids are compounds derived from vitamin A and are used to promote rapid exfoliation and stimulation of collagen and elastin. Both retinol and tretinoin provide the same result: smoother-looking skin. Retinol should be used 2-3x at night the first two months, until the skin can tolerate more frequent usage. The lipid cream sold at Couture contains ceramide 2, natural lipids, and hyaluronic acid which help to create a healthy skin barrier and a more youthful complexion. 

CMS Products: Tretinoin Cream 0.025%, Tretinoin Cream 0.05%, Tretinoin Cream, 0.1% and Tretinoin Gel 0.05%, Couture Lipid Repair Cream 

If you break out after a fractional treatment, use clarifying pads up to 5 days before your fractional treatment and then wait 5 days post fractional to use again. Also, the Couture antioxidant cleanser can be used to remove dead skin cells and excess oil. 

IPL & Skin Care

Intense Pulse Light Therapy or IPL is a light-based therapy that is both quick and easy to target pigment in the skin. The laser minimizes and removes sun spots and pigmented lesions, and treats rosacea. This non-invasive treatment will provide a more even skin tone with no downtime. Whether you struggle with a red skin complexion, pigmentation, or acne scarring, skin products in combination with IPL laser treatment will get you quicker results. 

Rosacea/Redness: If you’re struggling with rosacea, a toner can be used to help decrease the appearance of redness on the skin. A lipid cream should be applied 1-2x daily on the face to help equalize the balance of the skin’s natural moisture and create a healthy skin barrier. Sunlight is one of the most common triggers for rosacea, so sunscreen needs to be worn daily to help prevent skin flare-ups and prevent the redness from worsening. Lastly, a gentle cleanser would be recommended for those with rosacea to help soothe and protect the skin from future outbreaks. 

CMS Products: Obagi Pore Therapy, Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50, Couture Ultimatte Sunshade SPF 50, Couture Lipid Repair Cream

Sunspots/Pigmentation: Tretinoin cream/gel is a great option to treat unwanted pigmentation and uneven skin tone. Tretinoin combined with IPL is a great option to expedite results. Melanin is the pigment in the skin that is responsible for the unwanted pigmentation. Vitamin C serum is a great product to impede the production of melanin and will allow the sun spots to fade, create a more even skin tone, and cause the skin to look brighter overall. Hydroquinone is another product used to help lighten dark spots on the skin and decrease melanocytes on the skin. Since sunspots and hyperpigmentation are caused by excessive exposure from the sun, sunscreen daily is a must.  

CMS Products: Tretinoin Cream 0.025%, Tretinoin Cream 0.05%, Tretinoin Cream, 0.1% and Tretinoin Gel 0.05%, Couture Vitamin C, Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50, Couture Ultimatte Sunshade SPF 50, Couture Hydroquinone Brightening Pads 

Acne: Tretinoin is a great topical option for the treatment of acne, as it stimulates cell turnover of the skin, thus opening your pores and releasing trapped bacteria. IPL can help immensely with lightening any discoloration from acne scarring. A gentle cleanser is a great option for those with acne as well, as they contain hydrating ingredients without aggravating the skin. Since many acne products tend to dry out the skin, a hydrating moisturizer is key to any skincare routine. 

CMS Products: Tretinoin Cream 0.025%, Tretinoin Cream 0.05%, Tretinoin Cream, 0.1% and Tretinoin Gel 0.05%, Obagi Gentle Cleanser, Couture Luxe Moisturizer 

LHR & Skin Care

Laser Hair Removal (LHR) is the process of hair removal by pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle. To prevent ingrown hairs, an age defying scrub can be used 5 days prior to treatment and 5-7 days after to exfoliate the skin. 

CMS Products: Couture Age Defying Scrub 

Contact us to schedule a consultation and find out which treatment and skincare products will deliver your dream results!