Platinum Photothermal Treatment
Achieve Smooth, Radiant, and Acne-free Skin with Platinum Photothermal Treatment
Unveil a youthful glow with The Clifford Clinic’s innovative Platinum Photothermal Therapy Treatment (PTT), a new and improved version of the popular acne treatment in Singapore, Gold PTT. Platinum PTT is the latest and most cutting-edge technology that harnesses the power of light energy to deliver noticeable improvements in your skin’s texture, tone, and overall health.
What is Photothermal Therapy Treatment?
Photothermolysis is the basis of Platinum PTT. PTT is a type of photodynamic therapy that allows for the selective destruction of the desired cells from the localized heat generated by nanoparticles when it is irradiated with a laser. Nanoparticles such as gold and platinum can be delivered into the sebaceous follicles, and when the skin is irradiated with a laser, localized thermal injury to the sebaceous glands occurs, destroying over-active oil glands without collateral damage to the skin. This controlled heating process also stimulates collagen production, reduces inflammation, and promotes cellular renewal.
Why is Platinum better?
Gold PTT has been a popular nanoparticle of choice for combating acne with good efficacy and minimal downtime. However, there are patients with recalcitrant acne despite Gold PTT which led to more extensive research and the identification of platinum nanoparticles as an improved alternative for PTT.
Platinum is often confused with white gold which is commonly used in jewelry, however, the platinum used in Platinum PTT is a metal compound that is even more stable than gold, more resistant to corrosion, and better able to absorb heat during photothermal therapy.
The benefits of platinum nanoparticles as compared to gold nanoparticles are as follows:
- Platinum nanoparticles have twice the heat damage rate as compared to gold nanoparticles.
Platinum nanoparticles being more inert than gold can withstand high levels of irradiation from near-infrared light. Samadi et al. showed that platinum nanoparticles can withstand temperatures as high as 700°c while maintaining structure integrity, as compared to gold nanoparticles which undergo structural degradation when temperatures exceed 100°c. As platinum nanoparticles can remain stable at higher temperatures, they can induce twice as much localized heat damage to sebaceous glands as compared to gold nanoparticles.
- Platinum nanoparticles have less local side effects as compared to gold nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles containing platinum exhibit antioxidant activity by scavenging oxygen radicals, whereas, gold nanoparticles reduce oxygen species during photothermal therapy. The photothermal mediated production of reactive oxygen species with the use of platinum nanoparticles can limit unwanted localized complications and, therefore less downtime.
What are the Benefits of Platinum Photothermal Treatment:
- Regulate sebum production
- Prevents acne breakout
- Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
- Improved skin texture and elasticity
- Minimise pores
- Enhanced overall skin tone and radiance
- Gentle and suitable for most skin types
Platinum Photothermal Treatment for Acne:
- Reduce sebum production
When the platinum nanoparticles absorb the near-infrared light, they convert that light energy into heat. This generates a gentle, targeted warming effect within the upper layer of your skin. Sebaceous glands, responsible for oil production, are located within this targeted heated zone. They are particularly sensitive to heat due to their rich blood supply. The controlled heating from the nanoparticles is capable of suppressing the activity of sebaceous glands, thus, regulating oil production.
By reducing excess oil production, a key factor in acne formation, Platinum Photothermal Treatment can potentially help minimize breakouts.
- Fight inflammation
Acne breakouts are often characterized by inflammation, redness, and swelling around the blemish. This inflammation is triggered by the body’s immune response to the clogged pores and bacteria associated with acne.
The controlled heating generated by Platinum Photothermal Treatment helps reduce inflammation in several ways:
- Improved Blood Circulation: The gentle heating is believed to improve blood circulation in the treated area. This can deliver more oxygen and white blood cells to the site, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
- Reduced Bacterial Activity: Some studies suggest that moderate heat can disrupt the growth of certain bacteria that contribute to acne breakouts. By reducing bacterial activity, the treatment may help lessen inflammation.
- Soothes Sebaceous Glands: The controlled heating may soothe and calm the sebaceous glands, potentially reducing their inflammatory response.
By potentially improving blood circulation, reducing bacterial activity, and soothing sebaceous glands, the controlled heating from Platinum Photothermal Treatment may contribute to an overall reduction in inflammation associated with acne breakouts.
- Minimize breakouts and scarring
Controlled sebum production and calming inflammatory response can help prevent future breakouts and minimises the chances of acne scarring.
Why choose The Clifford Clinic for Platinum PTT?
PURE platinum nanoparticles
The type of platinum nanoparticle used during the treatment of photothermal therapy has a direct effect on the efficacy. In The Clifford Clinic, only pure platinum nanoparticles by DermaYOU are used. Pure platinum nanoparticles can penetrate deep into the skin without damage to the particles’ structural integrity, allowing the platinum nanoparticle to be irradiated to higher temperatures to affect higher thermal injury to the surrounding oil glands.
Nanoparticles are commonly mixed in a colloidal solution to stabilize the nanoparticles and prevent aggregation. The colloid limits the depth of penetration, which can reduce treatment efficacy. Active ingredients such as glutathione, Vitamin C, and Tranexamic acid which promotes skin repair and brightening are commonly coated on nanoparticles, unfortunately, the beneficial effects are mitigated during photothermal therapy, as the heat generated induces cell death and denatures these ingredients.
Therefore, for effective treatment, only pure platinum nanoparticles are used when treating the patients in The Clifford Clinic.
Ultrasonic delivery of platinum nanoparticles
The cornerstone of Platinum PTT is the selective destruction of the sebaceous glands responsible for excessive oil production which leads to the cascading effect of pore congestion, inflammatory papules/nodules, and ultimately pustular acne. For Platinum PTT to be successful, the platinum nanoparticles have to be reliable and efficiently delivered into the sebaceous filaments to allow for localized thermal injury to the sebaceous glands. Massage has been shown to enhance the delivery of nanoparticles into the sebaceous filaments, however, the reproducibility is questionable.
In The Clifford Clinic, ultrasound is used delivery the platinum nanoparticles to deliver the platinum nanoparticles in a reproducible, reliable, and efficient manner, as descrbied by Paithankar et al. and the team. The Bellasonic Ultrasound machine produced gentle pulses that aid the penetration of the nanoparticles through the stratum corneum and into the infundibulum of the sebaceous filaments. The use of low-frequency ultrasound induces cavitation bubbles near the skin, the collapse of these tiny bubbles results in high-speed microjets directed towards the skin surface, propelling the nanoparticles deep into the follicles. This method of delivery has been described by Paithankar et al. and in the study
What happens during the treatment?
You will first be consulted by one of the doctors in our clinic to determine if you are suitable for the treatment. Thereafter, our therapist will help cleanse your face and perform gentle exfoliation of your skin and acne extraction to prep the skin for the treatment.
After the skin has been well-prepped, a topical gel containing the platinum nanoparticles will be applied to your skin. The Clifford Clinic’s Bellasonic Ultrasound machine will gently pulse the nanoparticles to penetrate the skin and into the oil glands. Excess nanoparticles not absorbed by the skin would be removed before laser irradiation.
The doctor will now perform laser irradiation of the platinum nanoparticles, which converts the light energy from the laser into heat inducing thermal damage to the oil glands.
Platinum Photothermal Treatment is a gentle treatment that is suitable for most skin types.
FAQ
- You may experience mild redness or flushing that will subside shortly after the treatment.
- Most patients see visible results after a single session, with optimal results achieved after a series of treatments.
Depending on the severity of your acne, the treatment interval can range between 1 week to 1 month. Patients with severe acne would likely require treatment intervals of 1 week, whilst those with mild-moderate acne would require treatment intervals between 3-4 weeks. Please speak to our doctors in The Clifford Clinic for more information.
This treatment is ideal for individuals struggling with acne breakouts and pores issues. Individuals who wish to achieve a brighter, more radiant complexion may also consider Platinum Photothermal Treatment.
Acne during pregnancy is tricky, as pregnancy is a contraindication for many of the acne treatments. Most of the oral or topical acne medications can enter the bloodstream and can potentially cause fetal abnormalities, hence, they should be used with care, or not used at all if possible.
Fortunately, Platinum PTT is safe even during pregnancy. These platinum nanoparticles are not absorbed by the body and would shed away together with dead skin tissue after the treatment. In the rare circumstance that the nanoparticles do enter the bloodstream, being bio-inert, they will not interact with the bodily organs or the developing infant and will be excreted naturally.
Platinum nanoparticles being bioinert makes platinum PTT a suitable treatment for mothers who are either pregnant or breastfeeding.
Platinum Photothermal Treatment is a painless procedure.
Platinum Photothermal Treatment typically takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
The therapist in The Clifford Clinic would first assist you with the cleansing of your face, followed by extraction and penetration of the platinum nanoparticles into your skin with the Bellasonic Ultrasound machine. Thereafter, our doctor would perform laser irradiation to heat the platinum particles to institute photothermolysis treatment.
Restore your skin’s youthful vitality with Platinum Photothermal Treatment. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss how this innovative treatment can help you achieve your aesthetic goals.