The effects of the sun and the natural ageing process causes damage to the skin over time, which can lead to premature ageing, coarser skin texture and uneven colour. The treatment helps to stimulate the fibroblast cells in the skin that produce collagen and elastin. This will improve the radiancy and tightness of your skin and you will look younger and your skin will feel smoother. It is suitable for all ages and especially those who are starting to notice those first signs of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes appearing.

		Subject: Female Age: 37 Site: Peri-orbital area of face Courtesy of Dr Patrick Bowler Supplied by Lynton Lasers
Before	After 4 sessions

“The difference is amazing, so many people have said I look younger. The treatments have given me much more confidence.”

How can I improve the texture and appearance of my skin?
Many people in their mid-thirties and older are now suffering from sun-damaged facial skin which can present itself in many forms: fine lines and wrinkles are often accompanied by dry and rough skin, mottled skin tone and areas of abnormal pigmentation. As well as this, sun damaged skin often causes changes in the texture of the skin. At SkinWise we can treat these symptoms using Lumina Intense Pulsed Light System in conjunction with MD Formulations facial treatments and home care. This is known as ‘Combination Facial Therapy.’

What benefits are there to combining the facial peels with the Lumina Intense Pulsed Light?
Mild facial peels with MD Formulations are well established as a method of improving facial complexion. Treating the skin prior to phototherapy with the Lumina means that layers of dead skin cells are removed ensuring that maximum benefits will be achieved and improving both the firmness and overall texture of the skin.

How does Lumina work?
The system consists of intense light that is emitted in a series of short pulses. The light is directed into the skin, and then absorbed by small blood vessels within the epidermis and dermis. This causes the skin to heat up and causes very mild, reversible thermal damage to the epidermis. The skin acts to repair this by increasing the rate of production of collagen, which can ‘iron out’ fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in an improved appearance of the skin’s texture. Many people also see a more uniform complexion and pigmentation of the skin.

What should I expect after treatment?
A very slight redness to the skin. A cooling pack will be applied as the skin may feel slightly warm.

How many treatments will I need?
Treatments are recommended every 2-3 weeks. The actual number of sessions needed varies from person to person, but usually about 6 treatments are carried out, with top-up sessions as required.

Are there any side effects?
The visible light is completely safe so no special precautions are needed apart from glasses from the brightness. The skin of some clients becomes quite red immediately after treatment and in rare cases some bruising may be seen. However, most clients experience no side effects and the described skin reactions usually disappear within hours to a few days. Mild hyper or hypo pigmentation may occur from time to time but this usually fades within a short period of time. It is essential that during a course of treatment, the skin is not exposed to sun light without the protection of a high factor sun screen. Small blisters rarely occur, but provided these are not interfered with, they will cause no adverse after effects.

Is everyone suitable for treatment?
The upper skin layer, the epidermis, contains melanin, a very good absorber of light, which is why it is the skin’s natural defence against harmful sunrays. The concentration of melanin in the skin is greater in darker skinned people and increases when the skin is exposed to UV light. The light emitted by the Lumina will be absorbed to a certain extent by the melanin as well as the veins and will heat the skin. The more melanin in the skin, the more heat will be produced so it is therefore not possible to treat dark-skinned and tanned individuals.