Laser technology is effective in treating and removing certain pigmented lesions, such as freckles or age-related spots. Most of these spots are not typically dangerous and are primarily caused by sun exposure. Their dark color results from a significant buildup of melanin in a specific area of the skin.
Aesthetic Medicine
"Laser resurfacing with Erbium-YAG" is a surgical method used to improve facial wrinkles and treat skin imperfections such as post-acne scars. The Erbium-YAG laser emits an intense beam of light that instantly vaporizes tissues and the skin, with selective action on the targeted area and minimal impact on surrounding tissues.
Ultrapulse CO2 laser resurfacing is a surgical technique used to improve facial wrinkles and treat skin imperfections such as post-acne scars. The CO2 laser emits an intense beam of light that instantly heats and vaporizes tissues and skin. This action is so precise and selective at the point of laser impact that the surrounding tissue is only mildly affected.
Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is a surgical technique used for the improvement of facial wrinkles and the treatment of skin imperfections such as post-acne scars. The laser emits an intense beam of light that instantly vaporizes tissues and skin. This action is so precise and selective at the point of impact of the beam that the surrounding tissue is only mildly affected.
The Q-switched laser allows for the removal of most tattoos, essentially eliminating the risk of leaving scars. In our center, we use equipment designed to produce multiple wavelengths to remove most tattoo pigments, including blue, black, red, green, and more. Tattoos in blue, black, red, orange, and purple are removed more quickly than yellow and green, but consecutive sessions can lead to the complete destruction and erasure of the pigment.
The laser releases a high-intensity burst of energy in very short times to avoid causing damage to the skin, destroying most of the ink present. The absorption of this light energy by the pigment results in the destruction of the tattoo and the formation of micro-fragments of colored pigment, which are eliminated by the body. The impact of the light energy on the skin is similar to the snap of a rubber band.
On average, it takes about 5/6 treatments to remove a "professional" tattoo, while "amateur" tattoos may require 3/4 sessions, spaced about a month apart. The number of sessions depends on the quantity and type of ink used, as well as its depth in the skin.
The painful sensation during the treatment is moderate and generally well-tolerated. After the treatment, it's common to experience a burning sensation that can last for a few hours. The duration of the procedure is 5-10 minutes.
Following the treatment, it will be necessary to apply an antibacterial ointment dressing, which should be repeated for 3/4 days until complete healing. Typically, there is pinpoint bleeding, and a crust may appear, which usually disappears in 7-9 days and is accompanied by slight redness (erythema). Several variables affect the duration of erythema, including individual reactivity, the treated area and its size, skin color, the location, and the depth reached by the laser beam. Soothing creams can be applied to alleviate this discomfort. The treated area can be moistened, but it is strongly advised not to rub the area. The application of protective sunscreen is essential.
In addition to the immediate undesired local effects mentioned above, the following conditions can occur: changes in skin pigmentation (light or dark spots), small skin burns.
Treatment with the Q-Switch laser is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypertrophic or keloid scars and in those taking photosensitizing medications.
Unfortunately, in some cases, the results of tattoo removal with laser technology may be only temporary. The success of tattoo removal with laser therapy depends on various factors such as tattoo color, pigmentation techniques used, location, chronological factors, etc. To date, international research and clinical evidence suggest that laser therapy is safe, but there is no guarantee that the treatment will completely eliminate the lesion or aesthetic concern being treated. Each case should be evaluated individually, and the final result may vary.
Many facial irregularities can be improved with dermal fillers, also known as "filler" substances. When injected into the skin, they can create volumes or restore them if they have diminished over time. They can also fill in grooves and wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds, labiomental lines, or periocular and lip contour wrinkles.
The Bartoletti Cavalieri Associated Medical Practice is part of the National Consensus Conference on fillers, and in accordance with official guidelines on the use of fillers, it does not use permanent fillers and strongly discourages patients from requesting them.
The Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SIME), of which Dr. Bartoletti is the President, has been one of the most active proponents at the Ministry of Health for guidelines on the safe use of fillers. Therefore, at our studio, only absorbable fillers are used, and permanent substances are not used.
Hyaluronic Acid
It is a natural constituent of human connective tissues. It has a very large molecule of a polysaccharide nature and plays important roles in the skin, including providing volume, firmness, and tone, thanks to its ability to bind a significant amount of water molecules (up to 100 times its dry weight).
Its presence in the skin decreases with aging, contributing to the decline in the mechanical properties of the skin.
One characteristic of hyaluronic acid filler is its ability to integrate well into tissues. Additionally, even when injected in small quantities, it binds a lot of water and tends to occupy a significant amount of space, making it a good "volume expander." Cells have the tools to metabolize the injected hyaluronic acid, which gradually disappears, breaking down into its components, which are harmless and reusable.
The hyaluronic acid available in the market today is of bacterial synthesis and exhibits excellent biocompatibility, which minimizes the possibility of allergic reactions. Thanks to its gel formulation, it's possible to achieve very natural results in filling wrinkles, creases, and depressions, as well as in volumetric augmentation of areas like cheeks and lips.
Depending on the density and structure of the filler used, the duration of corrections varies from a minimum of 4-6 months for fluid products and superficial corrections to a maximum of 12 months for more substantial products and deep corrections. Some factors, such as cigarette smoking and intense sun exposure, can accelerate the absorption, and the speed of absorption is linked to individual biochemical characteristics, overall health, and the patient's lifestyle.
Some pathological conditions require careful consideration on how appropriate the treatment can be. These include dermatopathies, inflammatory conditions of any nature present in the areas to be treated, certain autoimmune diseases, and all systemic conditions of a certain severity.
Like any injection, even when the treatment is correctly performed, unwanted reactions can occur: transient erythema (redness), mild and transient swelling, slight bleeding or small hematomas with swelling and bruising, local pain (lasting for a few hours), localized infections.
Other side effects are related to the biological activity of hyaluronic acid: some patients have experienced persistent swelling and erythema in the injection areas for over 24-48 hours, which in the treatment of the lips, in exceptional cases, can last up to 7 days. Mostly, these are localized phenomena that disappear spontaneously; in sporadic situations, the use of specific pharmacological support may be required. Rarely, palpable hardening or granularity in the implant area can occur, always transient. Isolated cases of abscess-like, sterile swellings have also been described, occurring 3-4 weeks after the implant, with spontaneous regression in 6-8 weeks.
Calcium Hydroxyapatite
Calcium hydroxyapatite is a unique filler approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States for the correction of moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles. In Europe, Radiesse filler is CE certified for plastic and reconstructive surgery, including the augmentation of the intradermal and subcutaneous soft tissue of the facial area.
The filler consists of 30% synthetic microspheres of calcium hydroxyapatite suspended in an aqueous gel solution (70%). These microspheres are composed of calcium and phosphate ions, substances also naturally present in epidermal tissue. Therefore, it is a 100% biocompatible product that does not require prior allergy testing.
During the injection, the gel in which the calcium hydroxyapatite microspheres are immersed provides an immediate corrective and filling action. Then, over the course of several months, the gel is degraded by macrophages, while the hydroxyapatite particles remain, and new collagen is synthesized around them. The duration of the implant is generally longer than that of other absorbable fillers, ranging from 12 to 18 months on average.
Calcium hydroxyapatite is mainly indicated for volumetric definition in facial areas where volume is provided by bony prominences, such as the cheekbones and jawline. You may experience slight discomfort during the injection, and for a few hours after the treatment, there may be mild local tenderness. Small bruises may appear in the treated areas, but they typically disappear within a week.
Poly-L-lactic Acid
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a synthetic, biodegradable, immunologically inert, and absorbable polymer. Its action involves increasing dermal volume through neo-collagenesis (increased collagen production). The microparticles it is composed of, when injected with a fine needle into the subdermal layer, slowly degrade over the next 12-30 months until complete absorption, stimulating the surrounding tissue to produce new collagen. This slow and progressive collagen production increases the volume of atrophic areas.
To achieve satisfactory results, patients with minor defects typically require 2-3 sessions, while those with more severe alterations may need 5 or 6. To maintain the results obtained from a treatment cycle, a touch-up is necessary every 8-12 months.
Rhinofiller
"Rhinofiller" is a technique that allows for nose reshaping and can serve as an alternative to traditional surgical rhinoplasty. It involves the injection of a specific filler into certain areas of the nose to harmonize its shape, correct asymmetries, and address humps, including those resulting from trauma. It is also possible to treat the nasal bridge to soften the curve or the nasolabial angle to correct the appearance of a drooping tip. These are minimal volume changes, but they can significantly impact the optical perception of the face, allowing for significant nose remodeling in some cases or making subtle and imperceptible modifications in others. A single session is usually sufficient for immediate results, which is a significant advantage compared to the invasiveness of surgical intervention and its lengthy post-operative recovery period.
What is the cutaneous biostimulation injection?
Biostimulation is the administration, by intradermal-subcutaneous injection, of pharmacological substances with activity stimulating skin regeneration. These substances can be compared to nutritional supplements for cells which are then stimulated to a more rapid and effective renewal: water content increases and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin.
What is chemical peel?
Peeling means quick and controlled removal of the external surfaces of your skin, by local application of substances (mostly organic acids) that can break the bonds that hold the cells together. According to the power of the keratolytic agent used, peeling can be superficial, medium or deep.
What is the bipolar non-ablative radiofrequency?
It 'a method that is one of the most modern techniques used in the treatment delaying the effects of aging and sagging skin of the face and body, able to give a rested and "young" appearance in a non-ablative way and without any use of needles or drugs to be injected, thus poorly invasive.
Botulinum Toxin is a medical treatment first used in the 90s to treat expression wrinkles between the eyebrows. Thanks to the naturality of its results and the wide margin of safety which characterize it, it has quickly gained popularity between both doctors and patients.
The “Studio Medico Associato Bartoletti” (Associated Bartoletti Medical Practice), is a Reference Center known for treatments using botulinum toxing.
Its use in Aesthetic Medicine is authorized by both the strict U.S. FDA and European regulatory bodies. The current method used is accepted by the scientific community and allows for achieving results with an optimal compromise between duration and naturalness.
From a technical standpoint, botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is a drug that, when injected into a muscle, has the ability to reduce its contraction. This effect has a fairly constant duration of about 3-4 months, after which the muscle returns to its initial condition, with no residual effects. The therapeutic utility of this toxin is well-documented in conditions characterized by muscle hypercontraction (such as spasticity, strabismus, blepharospasm, or hemifacial spasm) and glandular hypersecretion disorders like hyperhidrosis. In Aesthetic Medicine, botulinum toxin is used to correct facial expression wrinkles (especially those in the upper third of the face: periocular, glabellar, and forehead wrinkles). The muscle-relaxing action of botulinum toxin makes wrinkles less noticeable and prevents their worsening, extending the duration of fillers, whose corrective effect is reduced by the contraction of local muscles that accelerate their degradation.
Over time, accumulated experience has shown us that the most striking result of this therapy is not the disappearance of wrinkles but the constant improvement in the person's facial expression, making them appear serene and rested.
The treatment involves intramuscular injections of a small amount of toxin, using a very fine needle, in the periocular region, forehead, and between the eyebrows. It can be performed 2 to 3 times a year, depending on individual needs.
It's important, on the day of the treatment, to avoid massaging the upper third of the face, bending down, wearing a helmet, or engaging in physical activities.
The effect of the toxin is not immediate but becomes noticeable after 3-4 days and fully defined after about 10 days. After this period, a follow-up visit is usually scheduled to correct any asymmetries.
Thanks to the natural result achievable, the ability to treat imperfections that cannot be corrected in other ways, its safety margin (the widest in Aesthetic Medicine), and the absolute safety of the drug, botulinum toxin has become, especially in recent years, a popular choice in the field of aesthetic medicine.