Category: Laser & Energy

Laser treatments are popular for skin rejuvenation, treatment of blood vessels in the skin, hair removal, and pigmentation correction. However, choosing the right laser treatment for your skin tone is essential to achieve safe and effective results. Darker skin types (like FItzpatrick skin types 4, 5, and 6) which include darker Asian and African American complexions require specialized approaches to avoid complications. 

Understanding Skin Types 4, 5, and 6

The Fitzpatrick scale classifies skin tones from type 1 (very fair) to type 6 (highly pigmented). Skin types 4, 5, and 6 are characterized by medium to deep tones, often found in individuals of Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, African, and South Asian descent. 

These skin types have more pigment (melanin) which protects against UV rays. However, it can also make them more sensitive to laser treatments that are not specifically designed for darker skin. This is why choosing the right option among different laser types is important.

The Nd YAG Laser

The Nd YAG laser is often the safest choice for darker skin tones because it has a wavelength that has very little absorption by the melanin in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). By bypassing the melanin in the epidermis, it reduces the risk of hyperpigmentation, making it an ideal option for darker skin types 4, 5, and 6. An Nd YAG laser can be used to treat discoloration, tattoos as well as blood vessels in darker skin types.

Diode Laser

The Diode laser is another laser which is an excellent option for hair removal in medium to dark skin tones. It offers a good balance between safety and effectiveness. It can target the hair follicles without excessively heating the surrounding skin and causing discoloration.

Picosecond Laser

A picosecond laser is a non-ablative laser that uses extremely short pulses that are a trillionth of a second long. A longer wavelngth picosecond laser can be effective for pigment issues, acne scars, and overall skin rejuvenation in Asian skin and other darker skin types. Its super short pulses minimize heat damage, reducing the risk of pigmentation changes.

Tips for Choosing the Right Laser Treatment

Always consult a board certified dermatologist experienced in treating darker skin tones, for a recommendation of the most suitable laser treatment for your skin type and specific concerns, to achieve the best outcome with the least risk.

Request treatment of a test area before undergoing full treatment to see how your skin reacts. This helps identify potential risks and ensures the laser is safe for your skin.

Book Your Laser Treatment  in Westlake, OH

Choosing the right laser treatment for your skin tone will help you see the best results in the safest way. If you want to enjoy the benefits of laser treatments, call us at (440) 871-9832 and book an appointment with Dr Diwan at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center.

Are you tired of looking at a tattoo that no longer represents who you are? At the Laser & Skin Surgery Center, Dr. Renuka Diwan specializes in helping you turn the page with advanced laser tattoo removal. We utilize the latest technology that ensures a safer, quicker, and more effective removal process. Our state-of-the-art Pico laser can tackle a wide range of ink colors on various skin types, ensuring that you receive the best possible results.

Tattoos are often seen as permanent decisions, but people change, and so do their desires and circumstances. Whether it’s a youthful impulse, a faded design, or simply a change in lifestyle, the reasons for removing a tattoo are as diverse as the individuals seeking the service. Here are the key benefits of opting for laser tattoo removal:

Boost Self-Esteem and Confidence

Removing a tattoo that no longer reflects your self-image can significantly boost your self-esteem and confidence. This is especially true for tattoos that might cause embarrassment or regret. After removal, many of our clients report feeling liberated and renewed, ready to present themselves to the world as they truly are.

Increase Professional Opportunities

Certain professions may have strict guidelines about visible tattoos, particularly in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, the military and corporate roles. Removing visible tattoos can re-open professional opportunities that might have been previously inaccessible.

Offers a Safe and Effective Solution

Laser tattoo removal is a safe procedure when performed by qualified professionals like Dr. Diwan. Our lasers precisely target the ink particles without damaging the surrounding skin. Over a series of treatments, the tattoo fades significantly, often leaving no trace.

Allows for Artistic Freedom

Perhaps you’re not looking to remove an old tattoo but to replace it with a new design. Laser removal can fade your existing tattoo enough to give you and your tattoo artist a cleaner canvas for new artwork.

Emotional Relief

For some, a tattoo might be a reminder of a past they’d rather forget. Removing such tattoos can provide tremendous emotional relief and closure, allowing individuals to fully move forward in their lives.

Schedule a Consultation

At the Laser & Skin Surgery Center, we understand the importance of providing a comfortable and professional environment for tattoo removal. As Westlake, Ohio’s most reputable cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Diwan is the best choice for laser treatments. Call us today at 440-871-9832 to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a new you.

As you grow older, fine lines and wrinkles  start appearing. Age spots and discoloration from sun exposure are other common complaints that men and women have about their complexions.

Dr Diwan at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center in Westlake, OH, understands your concerns. Using laser resurfacing, she can help improve your complexion. The treatment can also minimize acne scars and other blemishes.

What to Expect From a Laser Resurfacing Procedure

One of the lasers Dr. Renuka Diwan uses for laser resurfacing is the fractionated CO2RE laser. The minimally invasive procedure creates tiny micro wounds in the skin to generate a healing response which smooths out wrinkles. It can also tighten the skin, improve acne scars and fade sun spots.

The procedure is performed in the office. With the use of an anesthetic cream and anesthetic injections patients are comfortable.

You should expect to experience redness and swelling after laser resurfacing. Peeling after a few days is expected. Women and men who want a shorter recovery time can opt for a lighter laser treatment. It typically takes around seven to fourteen days for the skin to be ready for make up. 

Most patients see the best results after four to six months. The treatment can be repeated if necessary. Laser resurfacing isn’t limited to your face. The procedure can safely treat age spots and discoloration on the backs of your hands, neck, and chest.

How Long Do the Results Last?

The improvement from laser resurfacing resets the clock and is long-lasting.  Over time, as the skin continues to age, additional treatments can be performed for maintenance. Optimal skin care is very important to maintain your results and slow the pace of aging and its effects. You will be counseled on the best skin care regimen. 

For best results, Dr. Diwan recommends having periodic maintenance treatments. Often, these are lighter treatments with a shorter recovery time.

Patients can also maximize their results by adding Botox to the treatment plan. Botox prevents the reappearance of wrinkles from facial expressions and is highly recommended to extend the duration of your laser results.  While laser resurfacing does produce excellent results, especially stubborn, deep lines require a little extra attention with fillers. 

Learn More About Laser Resurfacing at Laser and Skin Surgery Center

Everyone wants to look their best, and laser resurfacing can help you achieve these results. The colder months are ideal for laser resurfacing. Contact Laser and Skin Surgery Center in Westlake at 440-871-9832.

Laser hair removal is among the most popular cosmetic treatments available today, and for good reason. Using advanced, state-of-the-art technology, laser hair removal destroys hair follicles to prevent them from growing back.

But is laser hair removal permanent?
Continue reading How Permanent Is Laser Hair Removal?

Dr. Renuka Diwan provides many types of laser and IPL treatments, which correct an array of skin problems: Continue reading Do Laser Skin Treatments Hurt?

The short answer is, yes. Laser skin treatments can help refresh the skin and improve many skin conditions, including age spots, veins, wrinkles, scars, sagging skin, unwanted hair and tattoos. Lasers can target different structures in the skin. Pigment in the outer layer of the skin is targeted for treating sun spots caused by sun damage. Redness and veins are improved by lasers selectively treating veins. Wrinkles and scars are enhanced by the treatment of deeper dermal tissues with lasers. Tattoos are lightened and cleared by selective absorption of laser energy that reaches the tattoo ink particles below the outer layer of the skin. Unwanted hair in various areas is also selectively targeted by lasers that impact the root of the hair deeper in the skin.

At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon Dr. Renuka Diwan has more than 25 years of experience using lasers to help address her patients’ skin issues. She is committed to delivering natural-looking results that give you the confidence that comes with ridding yourself of wrinkles, unwanted veins, discoloration, tattoos, and hair.

Dr. Diwan is dedicated to helping her patients. This blog explains the benefits of laser treatments and is intended to help patients make informed decisions about the procedures they’re considering.

How Do Laser Treatments Work?

The number of lasers manufactured has multiplied.  Any given skin problem can be treated by lasers made by different vendors for the same problem. Each vendor has its own brand name for the laser, which is said to be the best.  This is a source of confusion for patients looking for a specific laser.  It’s better to ask if the physician has a laser that treats the particular problem you want to have treated.  It’s important to remember that it’s not the laser that takes care of a problem but the specialist physician who knows how to use the laser who treats the problem. What patients need to know is the specialist’s training experience and skin as demonstrated by results.

Just as there are multiple lasers that can address a given problem, there is no single laser that can treat all problems. Dr. Diwan has invested in five lasers, intense pulsed light, and other devices for treating different skin problems, giving her the right tools to address various issues.

Resurfacing lasers are used to carefully remove layers of the skin. Fractional resurfacing lasers treat a fraction of the skin surface. Fractional resurfacing lasers create microscopic injuries to a controlled depth.  The microscopic columns of treated skin are eliminated (seen as peeling) and are replaced by new healthy skin with more elastin and collagen. The new collagen and elastin cause an improvement in wrinkles and scars.

Preparing for Laser Skin Treatment

Many laser treatments are performed after simply cooling the skin or after numbing the skin with an anesthetic cream.  Anesthetic injections and oral medications are needed for deeper laser resurfacing. Before your treatment, these steps can help set you up for success:

• Tell Dr. Diwan if you get cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth. These can be activated by laser treatments around the mouth and need to be prevented with an antiviral medication started before your laser procedure.
• Stop taking any medications or supplements that affect blood clotting, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E, 10 days before a laser resurfacing procedure.
• If you smoke, quit smoking at least two weeks before and at least two weeks after a deeper laser resurfacing procedure.
• Avoid a tan before your treatment by using adequate sun protection. Sun protection is essential after all laser treatments to ensure the success of the procedures and prevent complications.

What to Expect from Laser Skin Treatments

Depending on the problem being treated, the treated skin may be pink and slightly swollen, have darker pigmented spots, have peeling, or crusting. The skin needs to be handled and cleansed gently and treated as recommended.  After laser tattoo removal, the treated area is covered with a bandage.

To get the best results of Laser Skin Treatments

Laser skin treatments are incredibly safe and effective, in the right hands and especially with the appropriate specific precautions and post-laser care. After laser resurfacing, follow these steps to maximize your results:

• Avoid picking any crusting or scratch your skin. Apply icepacks to help reduce any discomfort or swelling.
• Avoid strenuous exercise during this recovery period, as well.
• Cleanse your skin two to five times per day using a cleanser recommended by Dr. Diwan.
• Practice sun protection methods daily including the application of a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and a minimum SPF 30. This is important after any laser treatment.

Contact Our Westlake Dermatologist Today

Dr. Diwan strives to give her patients elegant results that give them back their self-confidence. She relies on her extensive experience and continuing education and recognizes every detail and nuance that can help give you a natural, age-appropriate look. Dr. Diwan serves Westlake, Cleveland, and nearby areas of Ohio. Call (440) 871-9832 today to schedule a consultation.