Picture Perfect: New wrinkle/blemish zapper offers same-day results

Portrait PSR3 and Portrait Express are the latest products to surface on the war against wrinkles. Unlike other thermal/laser wrinkle treatments, Portrait uses plasma technology, which lessens the intensity of the healing time but gives maximum results over a longer period of time.

Manufactured by Rhytec Inc., these FDA-approved, non-surgical treatments emit plasma energy below the skin's surface into the dermis (deep) layer of skin tissue. During the procedure, the patient may feel a brief localized sensation of heat. This is the dermis being penetrated, which will cause the old, outer layer of skin to shed over the course of the week. With less trauma than ablative procedures, healing is rapid, said Rhytec.

The results, explained Rhytec, are: a reduction in fine, moderate and deep wrinkles; improvement in skin tone, texture and elasticity; removal of discoloration and brown spots; tightening of skin; and reduction in skin lesions. Treatments even show an improvement in acne-scarred skin. Kansas City Skin Care & Lipo Dissolve Center, in Shawnee, KS, has seen significant results on skin damaged by smoking too. "This is the best skin regeneration we have seen for serious tobacco and smoking related lines," the skin center wrote on its Web site. "Face-lifts cannot solve the tobacco-related skin damage."

"While nearly a week of healing time may not seem to be an improvement over other minimally invasive resurfacing procedures and micropeels, the intensity of the healing process is quite minor, which makes it an attractive option for many patients," said Portrait researchers in a recent interview with HealthDay.

The treatment can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes. During the healing time, patients usually experience some redness and peeling as the old skin sloughs off. This usually subsides one-week post-operation. On darker skin, the localized redness may appear as a darker spot that lightens over time, noted Kansas City Skin Care. Results can lasts up to one year.

Portrait Express, which can begin as soon as the patient's first visit, offers the same results as Portrait PSR, but with no downtime. This is because Portrait Express uses a low energy level of plasma, which does not cause swelling. This is great for patients who want immediate results to minimize wrinkles. Patients can literally go back to work the same day.

As with any treatment, there are pros and cons. According to the LipoSuction & Laser Center in Dallas, patients should be aware that: shedding may take a little longer at the edges of the treated area; the severity and duration of side effects depends on the skin type and setting used during a treatment; and sun exposure should be avoided at least 2 weeks prior to treatment and sunscreen should be used before and after treatment. In addition, recovery may take longer after Portrait has been used on acne and lesions. Depending on the desired results, patients may need any where from one to four treatments.

Median cost is $1200-2500. To find a Portrait doctor near you, log onto: www.rhytec.com.