28 September, 2023

barnaclínic+ adds skin ultrasound and CO2 laser to its dermatology Service

The skin, the largest organ of our body, plays a fundamental role in protecting us against external threats, regulating our temperature and transmitting sensory stimuli. Maintaining skin healthy is essential not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to ensure our general well-being. With the firm commitment to providing our patients with the most advanced dermatological care, in this article we present two new services that we have incorporated into barnaclínic+: skin ultrasound and CO2 laser. These are two techniques that not only allow a more precise diagnosis of skin problems, but also offer effective and less invasive treatments for various dermatological conditions. Discover how these tools allow us to offer our patients better medical care and skin care.

SKIN ULTRASOUND: LITTLE INVASIVE DIAGNOSIS AND MUCH MORE

The skin ultrasound, also known as dermatological ultrasound, which has gained relevance in dermatology and plastic surgery, operates by emitting sound waves that, when penetrating the skin, bounce off the internal structures. The reflected waves are collected again and converted into images. Unlike traditional ultrasounds to examine more internal organs, skin ultrasounds use higher frequencies, achieving high-resolution images of the most superficial layers of the skin and adjacent tissues. “Thanks to this ultrasound it is possible to see from the first millimetres to the last centimetres of the subcutaneous fat with a detail that is not achieved with any other imaging technique”, explains Dr Priscila Giavedoni, dermatologist at the Dermatology Service of Hospital Clínic and barnaclínic+ professional.

«Thanks to this ultrasound it is possible to see from the first millimetres to the last centimetres of the subcutaneous fat with a detail that is not achieved with any other imaging technique»

Dr Priscila Giavedoni, dermatologist at the Dermatology Service of Hospital Clínic and barnaclínic+ professional

Skin ultrasound has multiple applications, among which diagnosis stands out, helping to identify and characterise skin lesions, tumours and cysts, among others. Likewise, it also serves to monitor and see the response to the treatments. “This is a complementary test to the biopsy that in some cases offers us such characteristic images that we can tell what type of tumour it is,” adds Dr Giaveloni, who points out how in large skin tumours it is also possible to know if near the tumour there are arteries, nerves or tendons to facilitate the work of surgeons.

Furthermore, skin ultrasound is very useful in inflammatory diseases, where the biopsy has the limitation of being aggressive as it requires cutting the skin and also only a few centimetres of the skin can be studied. “With dermatological ultrasound we can do much more complete studies of the entire lesion in a short time, being a very fast procedure with a lot of diagnostic value,” continues Dr Giaveloni.

Finally, the expert highlights that it also serves as a guide in procedures such as the infiltration of filling materials in aesthetic medicine procedures and to evaluate patients before and after them. “In patients who have already been previously infiltrated, there is a risk when new injection procedures are performed. With skin ultrasound it is possible to know exactly where this material is located and even what type it is, in addition to giving us important data on the patient’s anatomy to make the intervention safer,” adds the dermatologist.

THE CO2 LASER: A VERSATILE TOOL

The other service that barnaclínic+ has incorporated is the CO2 laser, a type of technology that uses carbon dioxide as a medium to generate a beam of light in the infrared spectrum, with a specific wavelength of 10,600 nanometres. This wavelength is especially absorbed by water, a major component of human cells. When the laser beam hits the skin, it instantly vaporises the surface cells by evaporating the water contained in them, allowing precise and controlled removal of the skin layers.

There are two ways to use the equipment, as explained by Dr Alba Català, dermatologist at the Dermatology Service of Hospital Clínic and barnaclínic+ professional:

• Surgical method: “In this case the laser is used as if it were a scalpel, with great precision”.
• Fractional method: “Here the laser is emitted in the form of fractions, in the form of small beams of light that allow us to treat large areas of the skin with little damage”.

One of the main indications for using the CO2 laser is in the treatment of exophilic nevi, that is, a mole that has a projection or elevation above the skin surface. These nevi can have a variety of appearances, from small lumps to larger, projecting lesions. “In these cases, we use the laser to reduce the nevus until it is flat, with a very satisfactory aesthetic result,” says Dr Catalá.

«In the case of exophilic nevi, the CO2 laser allows us to reduce those until they are flat, with a very satisfactory aesthetic result»

Dr Alba Català, dermatologist at the Dermatology Service of Hospital Clínic and barnaclínic+ professional

The CO2 laser is also very useful in the treatment of scars left by acne. “In these cases, fibroblasts are stimulated, cells that produce collagen that helps fill in the gaps left by these acne scars”, the expert continues explaining, pointing out the need to make a correct evaluation of the patients, since not all scars are the same.

DERMATOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

With the passing of time and exposure to various environmental factors, the skin can suffer damage, alterations and diseases that, if not treated properly, could have serious consequences for our health. Therefore, it is essential that we have the most advanced tools and technologies for their care and treatment. In this sense, barnaclínic+ has a Dermatological Diagnostic Unit, directed by Dr Susana Puig and Dr Josep Malvehy, which offers the latest options currently available not only for the diagnosis of skin diseases but also for their treatments. Now, with the incorporation of skin ultrasound and CO2 laser, at barnaclínic+ we expand our offer in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of skin pathologies.