Laser Hair Removal - Until recently, electrolysis provided the only long-term method to eliminate unwanted hair.  But the process was tedious, and could take months or years of treatments to achieve satisfactory results. Today, the latest advances in laser technology have given a method for hair removal that is safer, faster and more effective than previous methods.

The Long Pulsed Alexandrite laser emits a powerful beam of invisible light that passes through the skin and is selectively absorbed by the hair follicle.  Unlike electrolysis, the laser focuses on groups of follicles at a time making the treatment much quicker and painless.  The laser energy disables the follicle and impairs further hair growth.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte has treated thousands of patients with the Alexandrite laser with significant hair loss.  The leading dermatologists in the country agree that the Long Pulsed Alexandrite laser can deliver the most permanent clearance in the least amount of time. 

Our latest edition of the new GentleLase Alexandrite laser allows the same precise technology to be applied to larger surface areas.  Backs and legs can now be treated in 1 to 2 hours instead of the long 4 and 5 hour sessions of the past.  The GentleLase also combines a cool spray to maximize comfort and speed of treatment.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. 

 

Facial Redness & Rosacea - Broken blood vessels or facial redness can be a genetic trait or may be a symptom of a common skin problem known as rosacea.  Red facial lesions affecting the skin around the nose and cheeks can cause a blush or sunburned look. Rosacea, an acne look-alike which usually begins in middle age and which may indefinitely persist afflicts both men and women, and a frequent clue to its diagnosis is a ruddy complexion accompanied by an acne-like eruption. The degree of redness can be exacerbated by overexposure to sunlight, alcohol, aspirin or simply the aging process.  Invasive techniques such as electric needles or injection for the treatment of blood vessels on the face, trunk and legs have been used for years, but today a better solution exists.  A vascular laser is used for the gentle, non-invasive treatment of these vascular lesions.

The most advanced laser for the treatment of vascular lesions is the Candela ScleroPlus.   It is specially designed to produce an intense but gentle burst of laser light that is optimized to treat vascular lesions.  The treatment is safer than traditional methods because of its unique ability to selectively target the blood vessels without adversely affecting the surrounding tissue.  Thus, it will eliminate many lesions while leaving the surrounding skin and skin pigment intact.  In fact, the laser is so safe and effective that it is recommended for the treatment of birthmarks in infants as young as a few weeks old.

The ScleroPlus laser is optimal for treating many types of vascular lesions.  Drs. Brown and Thompson of the Dermatologic Laser Center have treated hundreds of cases including facial spider veins, port wine stains, warts, scars, stretch marks, rosacea (red facial lesions), leg veins and birthmarks.  The latest advance in the ScleroPlus Laser is the Dynamic Cooling Device.  It is a unique device that emits a short spray of coolant on the skin before each laser pulse, minimizing any discomfort by selectively cooling the top layers of the skin during laser treatment.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. 

 

Sun Damaged Skin - Overexposure to the sun causes premature aging, pigmentary changes and increases the risks of skin cancer.  Wearing a sunscreen or sunblock can help to protect your skin from these changes.  (Go to SKIN CARE for suggestions).   Several laser techniques are used to blend skin tone evenly, help you to produce collagen, improve elasticity, remove wrinkles and return your skin to a younger appearance.

The Erbium peel is an affordable procedure that can remove the fine lines, brown pigmentation and discoloration from sun damage and get you back to work in just 3 to 5 days.  This is a good freshening procedure that has the effects of a chemical peel but is safer and more effective.  The Erbium peel is recommended for patients with moderate sun damage.  A resurfacing procedure might be necessary to repair deeper tissue damage.

Our dermatologists may use the ScleroPlus laser to even out redness associated with sun-damaged skin.  This may take several treatments, but it is very effective on the face, neck and upper chest.  The ScleroPlus laser helps improve the texture of the skin and blends the color back to a more natural tone.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. 

 

Age Spots, Freckles & Brown Birthmarks - Often a result of aging, sun exposure and genetics, age spots "liver spots", freckles, and brown birthmarks can easily be treated with the Medlite IV pigmented lesion laser.  The laser cannot be used for the removal of lesions that are cancerous or suspected of being cancerous.  Our dermatologists will make that determination if you are not sure.

The MedliteIV targets the concentration of melanin in the area to be treated.  The laser emits a pulse of light which is similar to the feeling of the snap of a thin rubberband.  After the treatment, the area will feel similar to a slight sunburn.  At least 80% of all common pigmented lesions are removed with one treatment, leaving the skin looking uniform in color and texture.. 

The Medlite IV laser is one of the most advanced lasers available today for the removal of pigmented lesions.  The Medlite IV provides the appropriate wavelength of light for absorption by abnormal melanin concentrations.  This laser also delivers the light in very short, high intensity pulses for maximum melanin destruction.  The use of this specific combination of wavelength and rapidly pulsed light results in minimum damage to normal skin while providing maximum abnormal melanin removal.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. 

 

Birthmarks (Brown & Red Lesions/Hemangiomas) - Brown birthmarks can easily be treated with the Medlite IV pigmented lesion laser. 

The MedliteIV targets the concentration of melanin in the area to be treated.  The laser emits a pulse of light which is similar to the feeling of the snap of a thin rubberband.  After the treatment, the area will feel similar to a slight sunburn.  At least 80% of all common pigmented lesions are removed with one treatment, leaving the skin looking uniform in color and texture.. 

The Medlite IV laser is one of the most advanced lasers available today for the removal of pigmented lesions.  The Medlite IV provides the appropriate wavelength of light for absorption by abnormal melanin concentrations.  The Medlite IV also delivers the light in very short, high intensity pulses for maximum melanin destruction.  The use of this specific combination of wavelength and rapidly pulsed light results in minimum damage to normal skin while providing maximum abnormal melanin removal.

Red birthmarks such as spider hemangiomas and port wine stains can be removed with the ScleroPlus Vascular lesion laser.  It is specially designed to produce an intense but gentle burst of laser light that is optimized to treat vascular lesions.  The treatment is safer than traditional methods because of its unique ability to selectively treat the blood vessels of a vascular lesion without adversely affecting the surrounding tissue.  Thus, it will eliminate many lesions while leaving the surrounding skin and skin pigment intact.  In fact, the laser is so safe and effective that it is recommended for the treatment of infants as young as a few weeks old.  Many birthmarks can be effectively removed with one or two treatments.  Deeper lesions like port wine stains may take more treatments.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. 

 

Scarring, Stretch Marks, Warts - These are common skin conditions that are treated with the Candela ScleroPlus laser.  The most advanced laser for the treatment of vascular lesions.   It is specially designed to produce an intense but gentle burst of laser light that is optimized to treat vascular lesions.  The treatment is safer than traditional methods because of its unique ability to selectively treat the blood vessels without adversely affecting the surrounding tissue.  Thus, it will eliminate many lesions while leaving the surrounding skin and skin pigment intact.  In fact, the laser is so safe and effective that it is recommended for the treatment of infants as young as a few weeks old.

Scars & Stretchmarks - Red raised scars that are often caused by surgery, trauma, acne or burns and stretch marks can effectively be treated with the ScleroPlus.  By easing the vascular structure around the scar tissue, the laser helps shrink the damaged tissue and remove the any red discoloration.

Warts - Small benign growths in the skin that usually appear on the hands, feet or mouth can be effectively treated with the ScleroPlus.  By cutting off the blood supply to the growth, it slowly shrinks and fades away.  Several treatments can be necessary to remove warts.

The ScleroPlus laser is optimal for treating many types of vascular lesions.  Drs. Brown and Thompson of the Dermatologic Laser Center have treated hundreds of cases with this laser, including facial spider veins, port wine stains, warts, scars, stretch marks, rosacea (red facial lesions), leg veins and birthmarks.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. 

 

Tattoo Removal - The Medlite IV laser is the newest system in this class of lasers.  This laser can significantly lighten or remove many tattoo inks, and is particularly advanced in the removal of blue, black and red inks. 

The Medlite IV removes tattoo ink with the energy of light.  Just as natural sunlight is made up of light wavelengths of many colors, a laser is a device which is designed to produce one or more specific wavelengths of light.  These wavelengths are either absorbed, reflected or simply passed through objects.  Tattoo ink is removed by using a specific wavelength which passes through the skin but is absorbed by the ink.  The rapid absorption of light energy causes the tattoo ink to destruct, where it is then removed by the body's natural filtering systems.

On the average, professional tattoos require 5-6 treatments, while amateur tattoos require 3-4 treatments, all spaced approximately 6-8 weeks apart.  The number of treatments depends on the amount and type of ink used and the depth of the ink in the skin.  Rarely, even more than ten treatments may be needed.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks.                                                                                                                       
 

 

Laser Skin Resurfacing - To gently remove the signs of sun, wind and time, laser skin resurfacing has offered some incredible results to patients with a minimal amount of healing time.  Older methods such as dermabrasion were extremely invasive techniques with long recovery periods.  Today, the technology has improved dramatically with the use of lasers.

The three most advanced lasers for skin resurfacing are the CO2 (Carbon Dioxide),  Erbium and now the revolutionary CoolTouch Laser.  The CO2 is well suited for deeper wrinkles, acne scars and severely damaged tissue, where the Erbium delivers optimal results for wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, neck and hands.  The Erbium Laser offers a cooler beam so patients tend to heal more quickly. The new CoolTouch is a multiple treatment laser, but offers skin rejuvenation without any downtime.

Patients can generally expect to have their skin tone back to normal in as little as two weeks with the Erbium and four to six weeks with CO2.  Both lasers, however, deliver clear advantages.  Often our dermatologists will use them in combination for the best possible results.

Most patients can appreciate a remarkable improvement in the skin within the first 5 days.  The unique advantage to laser skin resurfacing is that it induces the skins ability to produce collagen.  The elasticity, tone and reduction of damaged tissue continue to improve six to nine months after the procedure.  This is why it is not uncommon to effectively strip away 5,10 or even 15 years from the appearance of the patient.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. 

 

Leg Veins - The precise origin of the disorder is unknown but reports have shown that pregnancy, hormonal changes, rapid weight gain, genetics, leg injury or prolonged standing may influence the occurrence of leg veins.  The most common therapy used to treat leg veins is sclerotherapy.  Sclerotherapy involves needle injections of sclerosing agents such as saline, into the vessels to be removed.    Invasive techniques such as electric needles or injection for the treatment of blood vessels on the face, trunk and legs have been used for years, but today a vascular laser is used for the non-invasive treatment of these vascular lesions. 

The most advanced laser for the treatment of vascular lesions is the Candela ScleroPlus.   It is specially designed to produce an intense but gentle burst of laser light that is optimized to treat vascular lesions.  The treatment is safer than traditional methods because of its unique ability to selectively treat the blood vessels of a vascular lesion without adversely affecting the surrounding tissue.  Thus, it will eliminate many lesions while leaving the surrounding skin and skin pigment intact.  In fact, the laser is so safe and effective that it is recommended for the treatment of birthmarks in infants as young as a few weeks old.

The ScleroPlus laser is optimal for treating many types of vascular lesions.  Most lesions disappear with the first treatment, however some areas can require multiple treatments.  Drs. Brown and Thompson of the Dermatologic Laser Center have treated hundreds of cases including facial spider veins, port wine stains, warts, scars, stretch marks, rosacea (red facial lesions), leg veins and birthmarks.  The latest advance in the ScleroPlus Laser is the Dynamic Cooling Device.  It is a unique device that emits a short spray of coolant on the skin before each laser pulse minimizing any discomfort by selectively cooling the top layers of the skin during laser treatment.

The Dermatologic Laser Center of Charlotte is the most experienced facility in the region.   Specializing in laser dermatology, Drs. Charles J. Brown and John A. Thompson, Jr. focus on the laser treatment of hair removal, leg veins, skin resurfacing for wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars, facial redness, stretch marks, age spots, tattoo removal, and birthmarks. 

A laser facial is a simple procedure which is bio-stimulatory.  This entails the use of a pulsed dye laser to stimulate the skin's own fibroblasts to produce collagen, procollagen and elastin.  The result is a reduction in fine lines.  Improvement is gradual and occurs over several weeks to months.

Fine lines, sun-damage, redness and tissue damage are noticeably improved after a series of laser facials.  Our dermatologists can effectively prescribe this or one of many other procedures depending on your skin's current condition.  This particular procedure for the full face is 350 per treatment or 1200 for a series of 4 treatments.  Other areas, such as the neck and hands can also be treated.