faq's
What is DOT Therapy?
DOT Therapy (Dermal Optical Thermolysis) is a fresh new way to transform skin and enhance its overall appearance. DOT Therapy can reverse the appearance of aged or sun-damaged skin, smooth wrinkles and fine lines and minimize acne scars. Because DOT Therapy delivers the desired outcome with minimal downtime, it is rapidly replacing traditional laser skin resurfacing as the treatment of choice for mild to moderate signs of photo damage.
How Does DOT Therapy Work?
DOT Therapy is setting a new standard for skin rejuvenation in fractional laser resurfacing. During the procedure, your doctor will apply a pattern of tiny scanned pulses of laser energy to your skin with a controlled laser. The DOT procedure is customized to your skin by your doctor. The doctor can adjust the laser’s settings to tailor treatment and obtain the best results for you. Adjustments can be made throughout the procedure to more accurately treat specific areas such as acne scars on the cheeks or fine lines around the mouth.
The DOT Therapy laser precisely creates thousands of microscopic holes (DOT’s) in your skin, which induce immediate skin tightening and stimulate new collagen growth. Patients are often amazed at how tight their skin feels immediately after the procedure. DOT Therapy is designed to improve the skin’s texture and tone and to fight fine lines, deep wrinkles, and acne scars.
Unlike other laser resurfacing technologies, DOT Therapy leaves islands of healthy tissue surrounding the microscopic DOTs. This enables your skin to heal more rapidly and minimizes overall damage.
Am I a good candidate for DOT Therapy?
DOT Therapy can be performed safely on nearly anyone with signs of aging skin. For more information, make an appointment today to ask your Renew Clinic Therapist if DOT Therapy is right for you.
What is the procedure like?
Prior to the procedure your doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to your skin to make the procedure more comfortable during the treatment. Intravenous sedation is not required. As you lie comfortably in the doctor’s chair, your skin is immediately renewed by DOT Therapy. The doctor will move the laser around the treatment area utilizing customized settings. After the procedure, your skin will be red, similar to a sunburn. The redness continues for a few days. By day three or four, you will experience some peeling as your fresh and younger looking skin appears. In most cases, your skin will return to its normal appearance in about seven to ten days. After the laser procedure is completed, a cold compress will be applied. During the recovery period you will apply a hydrating lotion to keep your skin moist and promote healing. In most cases, you may resume applying makeup after about three days.
How long does the procedure take?
In most cases, DOT Therapy can be performed to an entire face within twenty minutes. Smaller areas take less time.
How many treatments are required with DOT Therapy?
In most cases, excellent results can be achieved in a single session. However, persons with severe wrinkling or deep acne scars may benefit from a series of treatments spaced about one month apart. Your Therapist will advise you on what results you can reasonably expect.
What precautions do I need to take after the procedure to maintain my results?
Basic skin care, thorough cleaning and sun protection are key to ensuring your results endure. Wear sunscreen and avoid direct sun exposure whenever possible, but especially in the weeks following treatment.
Is DOT Therapy safe?
DOT Therapy is safer than traditional laser resurfacing treatments. Because sedation is not required, the patient is only exposed to a topical anesthetic. Injections and sedation are not necessary with DOT Therapy. Because DOT offers the doctor so much control and customization, patients are treated faster and more precisely. DOT Therapy leaves the skin around each perforation or ‘dot’ intact, which allows for rapid healing and improved complexion. The footprint that the DOT leaves is not as deep as traditional laser procedures which often created painful damage and bruising. Because the DOT creates a shallower, wider pattern, it promotes rapid healing. DOT is minimally invasive and extremely safe, while still delivering excellent results. |
