The technology explosion in the skin care industry has left me spinning. I know so little at this point that I couldn’t even offer a layman’s opinion to my friends and family about the treatments available today. Believing that others may be in the same boat as I am, I turned to Dr. Marcus Ettinger of Advanced Laser Clinics for some answers. What follows is a good chunk of our discussion.

Healthy Times: In recent years the aesthetics industry has exploded. I’d like to begin to make sense of it all and offer some guidelines and critical knowledge to people considering things like laser skin treatment. Can you help put some of the developments in context for us?

ME: The general public tends to think laser treatment is laser treatment, but nothing is further from the truth. In the aesthetics industry everything is spoken in generic terms. People will say “I am receiving laser hair removal” or “I’m getting a photo facial”. That’s like saying “I own a car” and leaving it at that. You could have a Yugo or a Bentley – the clinic needs to clarify to the patient that all treatments are not the same.

If I held a flashlight up to my face and waved it around, I could call that a “photo facial” and that’s what some people are using, practically. They are using very low powered light sources, applying it to the face and calling it a photo facial. This isn’t a true photo facial. The use of an “Intense Pulse Light” constitutes a true photo facial.

Healthy Times: It sounds similar to taking your car into a mechanic when you don’t know anything about automobiles. They could tell you anything they want that sounds reasonable, and you’re likely to believe it. It’s easy to get taken advantage of if you aren’t careful.

ME: Exactly! What we’ve tried to do at our clinic is to have the very best technology available. For example, the laser we use for hair removal is called the Light Sheer XC, by Lumenis, which is the gold standard of the industry – this is the Rolls Royce – there is nothing better. 99% of the local clinics don’t use it because it’s the most expensive laser, at $130,000. It’s also the most efficacious….the highest FDA approval for permanent hair reduction.

For mild to moderate acne we have a light source called the Blu-U. The Blu-U emits light at specific wavelengths that target the bacteria that can cause acne. This treatment has similar results as with oral acne medication, but with no known side effects.

For moderate to severe acne we ad a topical substance called Aminolevulinic Acid. It is absorbed into the oil glands where the bacteria live. The ALA is then activated by the Blu-U and a chemical reaction occurs. The resulting effect is a dramatic reduction or even complete elimination of the acne. Three to six treatments may be necessary.

When you combine the Blu-U light treatment with ALA (Levulan®), it is called Photodynamic Therapy. This is state of the art and soon to be mainstay in treating moderate to severe acne. There is no better treatment. Right now I believe we are the only clinic in Temecula offering this treatment.

Healthy Times: Has there been advancement in diagnostic tools in recent years?

ME: We use the Visia Complexion Analysis Booth. This is the most advanced piece of diagnostic equipment for analyzing the skin of the face.

The Visia gives us information about levels of bacteria, visible and invisible UV damage, wrinkles, pores and other valuable markers. It then compares the subject to 100 of their peers (age and skin type). It allows us to give a recommendation based on objective findings rather than subjective ones. We can also take follow-up pictures so we can compare them side by side to see progress and validate our treatments.

Healthy Times: How do things like nutrition and lifestyle relate to skin conditions?

ME: There is a very strong relationship. I’ve practiced holistic medicine for 16 years and have treated a broad range of physical challenges, conditions of the skin being a big part of my practice.

As an example, prior to WWII, back when doctors were still doctors, the general consensus was that acne was just “diabetes of the face”. One of the common treatments for the acne patient was to treat him like you would a diabetic patient. So, you put them on a low glycemic index diet, give them specific nutritional supplements to help with sugar metabolism, liver and colon detoxification, and lots of essential fatty acids. Remember, acne is just an external manifestation of an internal problem.

It is interesting to note that an elevated level of stress is a common denominator in acne patients. Ultimately, this needs to be dealt with as well.

What we offer that is truly unique is the very best in new technologies combined with the best of holistic medicine….a truly integrated approach which I believe gives the patient the very best that healthcare has to offer.

Healthy Times: What advice do you have for the average consumer who wants treatment for acne? What are some guidelines for getting quality treatment?

ME: There’s a lot of people selling bogus treatments and filling patients heads with unrealistic hope and expectations. Basically, I suggest doing a lot of research. I love the internet. And that’s how I would research it. Search key words such as “skin care” and “laser” – be creative in your searches and treat it like true detective work.

Ask a friend or get a referral from someone you trust. If you go to someone that you found in the phone book, ask a lot of questions and get your questions answered to your satisfaction before consenting to any treatment.

We spend 30 minutes to an hour consulting with patients before we get started with any kind of treatment. We make sure our patients are informed. We can be two things in life. We can be “at cause” or “at effect”. Typically doctors see themselves at cause and the patient at total effect. We want our patients to be as “at cause” over their treatment as we are.

Healthy Times: Its amazing how we tend to give that responsibility to people in white coats…

ME: Yes it is. I wish all patients were informed and educated. Knowledge is power. The more of it you have the better decisions you can make with regard to your own health and life.

Marcus Ettinger is a Licensed Chiropractor and the Executive Director of Advanced Laser Clinics in Temecula. Advanced Laser Clinics operate under the medical direction of Tom Garrison, MD. Dr. Ettinger can be reached at (951) 719-3233.