Lasers & Light

Laser and light procedures treat broken blood vessels, sun spots, wrinkles, enlarged pores and more. Our Beverly Hills dermatology office uses cutting-edge, advanced techniques to achieve the best, most reliable outcomes for our patients in a safe manner.

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Laser and light-emitting devices are used to treat a wide range of skin conditions including sun spots, melasma, broken capillaries, unwanted hair, enlarged pores, loss of skin elasticity, precancerous lesions, and wrinkles. Each laser is designed to treat a different “target”, whether it is water, pigment (melanin), or redness (hemoglobin). “Laser” stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”. Dr. Kiripolsky completed a fellowship in lasers and is an expert at combining various lasers and light devices to achieve the best cosmetic results, in the most comfortable manner, with the least amount of downtime.

At MKMD, we strive to provide a customized approach to each patient, while using the most effective, technologically advanced treatments to address your specific skin concerns. Dr. Kiripolsky lectures to other doctors across the country, and the world, on laser and light devices. She uses cutting-edge, advanced techniques to achieve the best, most reliable outcomes for her patients in a safe manner. Visit our Beverly Hills dermatology office and see how Dr. Monica Kiripolsky can help you, feel free to contact us for any questions regarding our laser & light cosmetic procedures.

CO2 (CARBON DIOXIDE) LASER

Dr. Kiripolsky has the most powerful CO2 laser on the market. It is equipped with multiple tips that allow Dr. Kiripolsky to address a variety of skin concerns and customize treatment for each patient. These tips can be used separately or in conjunction with each other so that Dr. Kiripolsky is able to perform both superficial and deep resurfacing of the skin, creating an overall more healthy and youthful appearance.

What is CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing is considered the gold standard treatment for skin rejuvenation. This laser is designed to resurface the skin to build collagen and elastin in the dermis, tighten the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture and minimize the appearance of acne scarring. It can also be used to minimize the appearance of burn scars as well as post-operative scars.

How does it work?

The CO2 laser uses very short pulsed light energy or continuous light beams that are delivered in a scanning pattern to remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage. It is partially ablative, meaning that it creates microscopic columns of destruction in the treated skin, allowing small islands of normal skin to fill in the columns with more collagen and create an overall tightening and smoothing effect.

How long is the procedure?

The duration of the procedure depends on the area being treated. Laser resurfacing to the face typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, not including pre- and post-care time.

How long is recovery?

Depending upon the device used and the settings chosen, patients can typically expect a “social downtime” of 7-10 days. Skin can appear red and blotchy for several weeks following treatment, but it is easily covered by makeup or tinted sunblock and resolves completely as the skin heals. The more aggressive the settings, the more social downtime is typically expected (yet this also correlates with a more significant overall improvement that is ultimately achieved).

INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL)

Dr. Kiripolsky uses the most powerful and effective device on the market. It is safe for most skin types and has multiple settings that allow Dr. Kiripolsky to personalize treatment depending on each patient’s skin condition.

What is IPL?

IPL is a light-based treatment that treats/removes superficial browns (like freckles) as well as reds (like broken capillaries/”telangiectasias”). It also treats ruddy marks on the skin from prior areas of active acne.

How does it work?

The bright beam energy from the IPL machine breaks up dark pigmentation and cauterizes red vessels, therefore gently reducing the color in the discolored area, basically erasing stubborn and unwanted brown and red spots.

What locations of the face and body are treated with IPL?

IPL is most commonly used on the face. However, it can be performed on the neck, chest, back, arms and hands as well.

Who can be treated?

IPL is suitable for those looking to reduce hyperpigmentation, freckles, rosacea, acne scarring, and broken capillaries.

How many IPL treatments are necessary?

To achieve optimal results, multiple treatments are necessary. Studies have shown that a series of IPL treatments induces more collagen production and/or improves skin texture and tone. Treatments are typically spaced approximately 3-6 weeks apart.

How long is recovery?

Typically, there is no “social downtime.”

Of note: Not every IPL device is created equally.

PICOSECOND LASER (PiQo)

Dr. Kiripolsky uses the most powerful PiQo device on the market, ideal for treating a broad range of skin pigmentation conditions.

What is a PiQo laser?

A PiQo laser is commonly used for tattoo removal as well as for correction of hyperpigmentation (areas of abnormally darkened skin). With the fractionated settings, the PiQo laser can also be used to smooth wrinkles, as well as to minimize the appearance of stretch marks, acne scars, and more.

How does it work?

The PiQo laser uses ultra-short (nanosecond and picosecond) pulses that break apart ink particles with high pressure.

How long is the procedure?

The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes per session, depending on the size of the area being treated.

How many PiQo treatments are necessary?

Multiple sessions are necessary for the best overall result. The ultimate number of treatment sessions recommended will be determined at the time of your consult, as this depends upon your skin type, what we are using the laser to treat, as well as what area of the body is being treated. Laser sessions are optimally spaced 2-3 weeks apart for the treatment of melasma/hyperpigmentation and 4-6 weeks apart for tattoo removal, stretch mark treatment, and wrinkle smoothing.

How long is recovery?

Typically, there is no “social downtime.”

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY (PDT)

What is PDT?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses a topical photosensitizing agent (aminolevulinic acid/ALA) which is activated by light from a laser to destroy target cells. ALA is a naturally occurring substance in the body which, when applied topically, is selectively absorbed into damaged skin cells, hair follicles, actinic keratoses lesions (AKs), and sebaceous (oil) glands.

How does it work?

Levulan (photosensitizing agent) is applied to the target areas. Once adequate time has allowed it to absorb into the skin, it is then activated by specific wavelengths of light.

What are the benefits?

PDT is a great option to treat sun damage, acne/acne scarring, rosacea, age spots, and actinic keratoses for more rejuvenated skin. Benefits include improvement in skin texture and tone, smaller pore size and improvement in appearance, and reduction of rosacea, acne, and sebaceous gland hyperplasia (overgrown oil glands). PDT also decreases the overall oiliness of the skin. The side effects are minimal with a relatively quick recovery time. PDT has also been effective in treating certain early skin cancers.

How long is recovery?

Expect redness and peeling for 2-7 days post-treatment. Pigmented lesions will appear darker at first but eventually peel off. Some swelling may also occur. It is important to avoid all sunlight for 36 hours following the treatment.