Emory Report

March 6, 2000

Volume 52, No. 24

Yellin mixes therapies for sun-damaged skin by Holly Korschun An Emory physician is reducing the damaging effects suffered by the skin through sunlight and aging by combining a new technology with a more traditional therapy. The combination therapy, which treats skin damage from both above and below, is effective in reducing the appearance of unwanted fine- to medium-depth facial lines and wrinkles, large pores, hyperpigmentation, rosacea and texural changes. The new technology, called Epilight, uses pulsed light waves to penetrate the outer layers of skin (epidermis) and deliver light energy to the deeper layers of skin beneath (dermis). Microdermabrasion treats the epidermis, reducing the dead skin cell layers and lessening facial lines and wrinkles. Both techniques avoid the peeling and redness associated with traditional laser resurfacing. "It is within the dermis that collagen, the main supporting structure of the skin, resides and is produced," said Seth Yellin, director of the Emory Facial Center and chief of facial plastic surgery at Emory Healthcare. "The light energy of Epilight effectively tightens the collagen protein bundles and stimulates fibroblasts to produce more collagen, thus reducing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles." In a clinical study of fine- and medium-depth facial wrinkles, scientists found that, performed monthly for six months, Epilight therapy reduced the appearance of the wrinkles by 50 to 70 percent in 80 percent of individuals studied. When Epilight was alternated biweekly with microdermabrasion therapy, the results were even more dramatic. To protect his patients from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, Yellin also recommends a new, highly effective sun protection called Z-cote sunblock (micronized zinc oxide). When used with topical antioxidants that protect and repair sunlight-induced damage (vitamins C and E), Z-cote almost completely blocks UVA and UVB light from penetrating the skin. "A complete regimen of Epilight skin therapy, alternating biweekly with microdermabrasion for six months (12 treatments total) and combined with daily application of topical antioxidants and adequate sun protection, results in truly cutting-edge skin therapy with no healing time and minimal risk," Yellin said. The Emory Facial Center is located at 993-C Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 215. For more information, call 404-303-0101. Return to March 6, 2000 contents page