Lasers are devices that are able to harness the energy from light beams and redirect them so that they produce very specific wavelengths which are selected to treat very particular conditions in the skin surface or underlying dermis. The energy output from cutaneous lasers does not include any harmful X-rays or other ionising radiation so there are none of the associated dangers. However, along with Intense Pulsed Lights (IPLs) they are complex medical devices regulated by the UK Care Standards Commission and their use must be under the supervision of a trained medical practitioner. Used correctly, lasers have been shown to produce remarkable results in treating many cosmetic skin conditions including permanent hair reduction, removal of tattoos, brown and red skin blemishes and skin rejuvenation. Recent research has also shown laser light to be helpful in wound healing, pain relief and the treatment of troublesome conditions such as verrucae and psoriasis.

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Read what people who have had treatment at the Franklynn Centre have to say about their experience

Franklynn Centre’s laser-trained clinical staff routinely uses five different types of laser to treat specific skin conditions.

age spot treatment

Freckles on the face, back, neck and arms as well as age spots on the backs of hands are relatively superficial in the skin and may be treated successfully by chemical peels or by laser.

Franklynn’s Q-Switch Ruby laser and the green wavelength of the copper bromide laser are both highly selective in treating brown spots as the laser removes the pigmented areas individually without damaging normal skin. Chemical peels may also be used but these treat the whole skin area and can involve cold sore infections and even some scarring. Sun spots will not recur if the skin is protected with an ultraviolet A blocking sunscreen and makeup.

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stretch marks

Many men and women have stretch marks which appear typically on the abdomen, arms, chest, lower back and thighs and they can be new or old, superficial or deep, red, pink or white. Stretch marks (or striae) represent a dermal scar in which the collagen and elastin within the dermis is torn or damaged. The cause of these unwanted skin irregularities is not properly understood but can result from periods of rapid growth, injury, increased weight or be associated most commonly with pregnancy, child birth and breast feeding. There may well also be some hormonal influences.

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Recently there has been a great deal of interest in both the medical literature and the media concerning the laser treatment of stretch marks. Some Pulsed Dye yellow laser treatment studies show both photographic and computer-analysed improvements in stretch marks. Another trial on 15 patients in Italy with a yellow copper bromide laser, which was started in 1999, was followed up with positive results at one and two years after up to five treatments. It is important to point out that multiple treatments are necessary in order to improve stretch marks and that most do not completely disappear. Laser therapy of stretch marks is associated with few side effects and offers a safe and somewhat effective, treatment for this troublesome problem.

Recently, topical Retin-A has been reported to improve early red stretch marks. In a paper reported in the respected journal, Archives of Dermatology, investigators found that the early treatment of red or pink stretch marks with Retin-A resulted in some improvement. No improvement was noted in mature "white stretch marks." It would therefore appear that Retin-A also may be of some benefit in the treatment of early pink stretch marks.

Owing to popular demand, Franklynn Centre has recently commenced offering this new treatment to suitable clients.

It's no surprise when someone with a tattoo wants it removed. After all, most people like to make changes to their appearance from time to time. And if you have a tattoo, perhaps it's simply been there long enough. It's time to move on and the tattoo has to go. Unlike other treatment methods, with laser treatment the surface of the skin is neither cut nor burnt. This minimises any risk of scarring.

We use an advanced laser system known as a Q-switched Laser. This is the most effective and successful form of treatment available anywhere in the world for tattoo removal. The laser emits intense and extremely short pulses of light which are directed on to the tattoo. The laser light pulses break up the ink particles that form the tattoo, reducing them to minute fragments which are naturally absorbed through the body's own cleansing mechanism. With a planned programme of laser treatment, the tattoo becomes progressively lighter until it is completely gone or the optimum degree of fading is achieved.

There are several other methods for removing tattoos; they involve using dermabrasion (wire brush), acids, plastic surgery (skin grafting) or chemical peels. These methods tend to be very painful, require a lengthy recovery period and frequently result in severe scarring. We do not recommend them and we never use them at the Franklynn Centre.

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permanent hair reduction

Anyone who has the problem of excessive facial or body hair knows how embarrassing and inhibiting it can be. It stops you looking the way you want to look. It may even restrict your choice of clothes.

Until recently, for both men and women, the only available methods for removing unwanted hair were shaving, waxing, depilatory creams or electrolysis. If you've tried them, you won't need reminding of their limitations. But, happily, we've moved on from there. Laser Hair Reduction has changed everything. Laser Hair Reduction uses a laser energy beam to remove unwanted hair gently, painlessly and rapidly for long-term results.

It can be used on the face, back, legs, bikini line - in fact, just about any part of the body where smooth, silky, hair-free skin is desired. The lasers used at the Franklynn Centre are extremely effective, in all skin and hair types, in slowing or completely blocking the growing capacity of hair follicles, in the growth cycle at the time of your treatment. Since some follicles may enter their growth cycle after your treatment, depending on body area, three sessions are normally needed to deliver optimal long-term benefits.

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benign mole removal

Mole types are many and various. After careful examination and a detailed review of patient history of the unwanted mole by a specialist clinician, benign pigmented moles (nevi) may be removed by laser or by surgery (excision).

Although a small white scar is common after mole removal, the cosmetic result is usually considerably better than that following healthy tissue-destructive methods such as excision and suturing.

No matter how much care you take to protect your face, the effects of the sun, wind and ageing of the skin all take their toll over time. With the growing demand for “lunchtime” treatments rather than extended recovery times spent at home, the effects of photo-rejuvenation in facial skin have been studied in greater detail:

“These new technologies correct the signs of early aging skin without causing any changes to the skin surface. These revolutionary procedures improve skin texture, pigmentation, early wrinkle formation and more importantly stimulate collagen growth which slows down the progression of the aging process.” Dr. N. Sadick, New York

Franklynn Centre uses the latest “image” combination therapy to refresh and stimulate the skin using microdermabrasion to prepare the skin surface, yellow laser light to improve skin tone and texture and gently reduce the fine lines and wrinkles and professional skin care products to maintain and further improve the results. Uniquely, we use the new YellowStar laser as the core of our “image” programme because yellow laser light is the most strongly absorbed in blood and has been proven over several years to reduce red blemishes in ageing and photo-damaged facial skin. Facial skin will appear refreshed and youthful following the removal of dead skin and the treatment of superficial red and brown blemishes at the same time as the laying down of new dermal collagen will improve the skin’s appearance and texture.

Laser Skin Resurfacing provides a very fast way to reduce deep wrinkles and fine lines on the cheeks, and around the mouth and eyes by removing wrinkled tissue in micro-layers with great precision until all the damaged skin is gone. At the same time, it stimulates the body's natural healing process to create new collagen and produce a fresher, smoother, healthier looking skin.

The Erbium laser used at the Franklynn Centre has also proven effective in reducing acne scars and treating younger skin for superficial sun damage like freckles. In some cases, Erbium laser treatment can be suitable for the neck, chest and hands.

A local anaesthetic is normally used for Laser Skin Resurfacing and the patient goes home the same day. Compared with the carbon dioxide laser, healing time is generally quicker with the Erbium laser and post-treatment redness is significantly reduced.

Although the results of laser resurfacing are dramatic, care must be taken to allow the skin to heal properly. In most cases, patients are fully recovered and back to normal activities within 7-10 days. Only one treatment is usually required and the effects may last up to 10 years or even longer.

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facial thread vein treatment

Laser treatment of facial thread veins (or telangiectasia) is an alternative to injecting the vessels with a sclerosing solution and is suitable for the treatment of many red skin blemishes on the face and upper body. High power yellow laser light which is readily absorbed by the blood vessels is used to blanch and close the fine thread veins. Mild discomfort (without anaesthesia) is rewarded with an immediate result.

Many other cosmetic blemishes including birthmarks, blood spots, sun spots can be removed quickly and effectively with the laser.