Laser Skin Treatments - Matrix IR™

Matrix IR™ Overview

It's a fact of life: as we age, the natural substances that provide the skin with structure and volume decrease. This skin loses its ability to retain moisture and elasticity; therefore it sags and forms wrinkles. Matrix IR™ Fractional Wrinkle Reduction with ELOS Fractional technology can offer superior results with the highest levels of comfort and safety. The Matrix IR™ Fractional Wrinkle Reduction procedure, featuring revolutionary ELOS Fractional technology, enables you to comfortably achieve a more youthful appearance without downtime. At Nulife Laser & Wellness Clinic we are proud to offer ELOS, the first and only technology that uses combined energies to effectively and gently reduce mild to moderate wrinkles. ELOS is truly the next generation of safe and effective wrinkle treatment technology.

What is Matrix IR® Fractional Wrinkle Reduction

The Matrix IR™ is a 915–diode laser with bipolar radiofrequency. The light is emitted in fractionated zones. This allows for more intense light to be emitted verses other wrinkle reducing or tissue tightening laser, created strong thermal bands (with peak temperatures of more than 60°C) that heat deep into the dermis. There is specific dermal heating between 1–2mm in depth. Coagulation occurs where the thermal bands and radiofrequency overlap. The head is conducted to collagen fibers causing collagen contraction and remodelling and new collagen synthesis. Because the light is fractionated and more intense, the injury created by the thermal bands initiates stronger remodelling of thin compacted collagen and there is minimal risk of side effects for the epidermis.

Matrix IR™ Fractional Wrinkle Reduction is a revolutionary treatment that softens fine lines and wrinkles on the face, and improves the appearance of acne scars.

The Syneron Matrix IR™, with ELOS fractional technology, is the most advanced laser for fine and deep wrinkles especially around the eyes and mouth. It is the first laser to combine fractional optical energy with radio frequency for deep dermal heating and collagen remodelling.

The laser energy bypasses the epidermis and targets the dermal layer beneath the skins surface where collagen production is stimulated. This in turn thickens the dermis and raises the wrinkled area. This works to improve the youthful appearance and suppleness of the skin. Nulife Laser & Wellness Clinic is the only location in the area with this newest technology.

Fig. 1 Contact is made with skin and cooling begins	Fig. 2 Matrix Diode Laser pre-heats target	Fig. 3 The intersection of energies creates thermal bands deep in the dermis

Matrix IR® Fractional Wrinkle Reduction Treatment Preparation

Prior to your Matrix IR® Fractional laser wrinkle reduction treatment beginning, a free consultation will be scheduled to review your medical history (including medication use), discuss the risks and benefits of what laser Wrinkle Reduction can and cannot do for you and outline a treatment plan and costs. Be sure to inform the Nulife Laser & Wellness Clinic Medical Practitioner performing the consultation if you have a tendency to scar, have ever had a raised scar (keloid), a history of cold sores or genital herpes, any blood-clotting problems, an infectious disease such as HIV or hepatitis, unusual or prolonged wound healing, taken isotrtinoin (a medication used to treat severe acne), or any cosmetic procedures you’ve had done, especially dermal fillers, a surgical facelift or eyelid lift.

During the consultation, your Nulife Laser & Wellness Clinic Medical Practitioner will closely examine your skin. The success of any cosmetic procedure depends on effectively evaluating the skin.

Between the consultation and your treatments, it is important to protect your skin from the sun and avoid tanning. Matrix IR ® Fractional Wrinkle Reduction cannot be performed on tan or sunburned skin. If Nulife Laser & Wellness Clinic Medical Practitioner feels that your skin is too tanned or sunburned to proceed, your treatment will be rescheduled

Prior to treatment:

• Avoid skin irritation or tanning prior to treatment. Always use sunscreen when outdoors during daylight.
• Discontinue any irritant topical agent for 2-3 days prior to treatment.
• Arrive treatment with clean skin – no lotion; make up, perfume, powder, bath oil, etc.
• Advice medical practitioner if there are any dental crowns, caps, braces, or other metal dental implants. These areas may be sensitive and the medical practitioner would take the appropriate steps to make the treatment comfortable.

Post Matrix IR ® Fractional Wrinkle Reduction Treatment Guidelines

You may notice some redness and swelling for the first few hours after the non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation procedure, but laser skin rejuvenation generally does not require downtime, and you will not have a visible wound. The treated skin will likely be red and swollen for a few hours. A stinging sensation may linger for a day or two. But you can return to normal activities as long as the activities do not require any physical exertion for 12 hours.

The Medical Practitioner at Nulife Laser & Wellness Clinic will give you post-treatment instructions.

• Protect area with SPF 30 or higher sunblock.
• Avoid tanning for several days following treatment.
• Some redness and swelling may occur. In those cases cold compresses may be used to reduce the symptoms.
• Wash area gently and avoid harsh and/or abrasive products for three days.
• Do not expose the area to excess heat for three days

Matrix IR® Fractional Wrinkle Reduction Treatment Process

Before each treatment, you will be asked several short questions about your sun exposure, health status, medication changes, previous treatments (particularly any adverse reactions) and upcoming events. Although this may seem repetitive, it is necessary to make sure nothing has changed that would cause an unsafe or ineffective treatment. Arrive to the treatment with clean skin – no lotion; make up, perfume, powder, bath oil, etc.

A topical anesthetic may be applied to your skin to reduce any discomfort during treatment, especially if the area being treated is very sensitive or large. You will be fitted with special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam. Laser treatment to a test site within the area will be applied to screen for any adverse reactions.

During the procedure the Nulife Laser & Wellness Clinic Medical Practitioner will press the FDA approved Syneron eMax hand-held laser & IR head to your skin. The chilled tip of the Syneron eMax laser & IR head and a cool gel applied to the treatment area will be used to protect your skin. Each pulse of the laser covers an area approximately the size a quarter.

When the Nulife Laser & Wellness Clinic Medical Practitioner activates the laser & IR head and makes contact with the skin, cooling begins. The Matrix diode laser pre-heats the target skin, and energy is delivered deep in the dermis. The intense heat from the laser beam damages the collagen, prompting the body to respond by creating new collagen. All while protecting the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. You may feel a stinging sensation; many patients describe the laser pulses as warm pinpricks against the skin.

Only the Matrix IR™ elōs™ fractional applicator combines Fractional Optical Energy with Bi-Polar Radio Frequency (RF) to produce deep dermal heating to effectively treat wrinkles. Powered by elōs Technology, Matrix IR Fractional Treatment delivers industry-leading results that your patients will love.

The Matrix IR applicator uses a proprietary synergy of light and conducted Bi-Polar RF to create the deep thermal heating needed to both shrink and generate new collagen while protecting the epidermis.

During treatment with elōs fractional, the combination of laser energy and conducted RF energy induces skin injury that is maximized in micro-thermal zones (regions of greatest energy intensity) with an accelerated healing process supported by the tissue surrounding the micro-thermal zones. As a result, there is virtually no downtime with elōs fractional treatments.

How long this procedure lasts depends on the size of the treated area. Treating a small area such as the face may take only a few minutes. Treating a larger area, such as the back, may take an hour or more.

Before and After