What is the Pearl Procedure?
The Pearl procedure is a “Thermal Peel” laser treatment. The Thermal Peel reduces wrinkles, uneven texture and solar damage with fewer treatments and less overall downtime than other technologies.
How does the Pearl treatment work?
During treatment, a portion of the epidermis is removed. There is a simultaneous thermal effect to all or part of the remaining epidermis at a controlled depth. This creates a natural protective dressing on the skin to minimize “social” downtime during the restorative process.
What is a Pearl treatment like?
First, the area to be treated is cleansed. A topical anesthetic is applied to the skin for a prescribed amount of time. The anesthetic is cleaned off and protective eye goggles are placed on the patient.
The practitioner guides the Pearl laser over the skin, gently removing the top layer of the epidermis and heating a layer of tissue below it. The treatment takes approximately 15 minutes for a full face. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing pain, most people report the treatment feeling like a 2 or 3.
What can I expect after the treatment?
After treatment, the skin will look and feel like it is sunburned. The practitioner will apply ointment on the skin to keep it moist. The skin will need to be kept moist for 3 – 4 days.
Around day 3 or 4, thermally damaged epidermal tissue will peel or slough off, leaving fresh, new, healthy skin underneath. Additional minimal peeling may occur for another 2 – 3 days.
When will I see results?
Results are noticeable around day 3 or 4, when the damaged tissue has peeled off, leaving fresh, new, healthy skin underneath.
Why should I have a Pearl treatment?
Most patients will choose a Pearl treatment because it significantly improves the skin’s texture and pigmentation and minimizes wrinkles, without clinical downtime and only 3 – 4 days of “social” downtime.
Patients may also choose to have a Pearl treatment followed by a separate visit for non-ablative skin rejuvenation procedures, such as Cutera’s Titan or 3D Approach to Skin Rejuvenation.
Who is a candidate for a Pearl treatment?
Patients with skin types I – III who are looking for an aggressive treatment for facial lines and texture without the lengthy downtime associated with traditional ablative procedures.
What areas will respond best to a Pearl treatment?
Pearl will smooth the skin’s texture, as well as soften fine lines and wrinkles, on the face.
How many treatments will I need?
Most patients will experience the best results after two treatments, spaced one month apart. However, some patients may only require one treatment.
How do I prevent a reoccurrence of my previous skin conditions?
The best way to prevent a reoccurrence of the conditions just treated: – Limit your time in direct sun – Always use sun screens – Avoid smoking
Does Cutera have an FDA clearance for the Pearl laser?
Yes, Cutera received FDA clearance in March 2007 for the treatment of wrinkles.
