Laser Therapy

Laser Hair Removal

Join millions of happy Americans that have already had unwanted hair permanently removed. 21st century technology now makes it possible to permanently reduce the amount of hair with proven long-term results. Our revolutionary, FDA approved treatments, allows us to treat all types of hair on ALL skin types safely and effectively. Our hair removal systems are non-invasive and specifically designed to reduce unwanted hair from any part of the body. Thrive uses the Cutera laser system for laser hair removal.

At Thrive, we utilize a number of the industry's most advanced lasers. No one laser is a "jack of all trades". With this in mind, it is a must to have several types of laser systems available in order for us to customize treatments to your individual needs. This is important because we do not provide the same treatment to everybody. The laser's intensity is adjusted to your individual type of skin and hair.

In addition to our proven technology, all treatments are approved and overseen by our Board Certified Physician, Dr. Barry Summers. Thrive Medical Spa offers single sessions as well as packages. We have recently added a program that will save you money while paying as you go, please call for details.

Click Here to view Before and After photos

2012 NEW YEAR'S PROMOTION: 25% off Single Sessions and 40% off Packages of 3 or more sessions!!! Pricing and promotion expires Jan. 31, 2012

For more information:

• Common FAQ's

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Manscaping (Laser Hair Removal for Men)

Men typically treat the back, neck, torso, arms, ears and nose. With laser these area can be done quickly and easily. After a series of treatments, the hairs will be permanently gone. Approximately, 40% of Thrive's clientele is male.

Laser Hair Removal yields 80 - 95% reduction of the hair follicles. Seven to nine treatments are typically needed to reach this amount of reduction. Depending on the area, treatments are done every 4-8 weeks.

In addition to our proven technology, all treatments are overseen by on-site Board Certified Physicians. All laser hair removal treatments are performed by State of Illinois licensed laser specialists.

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Holistic Acne Therapy (Treating the Skin from the Inside and Out)

If you have suffered from acne you know that it can be an arduous and frustrating journey that, for some, never ends. At Thrive Medical Spa we have our own, unique way of treating acne. Unlike the majority of the medical community, which looks at acne as merely a superficial condition and often mistreats the skin with harsh topicals, antibiotics and sometimes dangerous systemic medications, we treat acne from the inside and out.

We begin by uncovering and understanding the underlying reasons for your acne. This approach allows us to work from the core of the problem so your skin can heal itself using the natural powers of your own body. Our goal is to treat both the superficial acne with laser therapy, as well as the internal causes that can contribute to resistant breakouts.

Thrive's holistic approach allows your body to naturally stabilize any hormonal imbalances, correct inefficient toxin removal, and inflammation. Our process includes the following:

This unique blend of light based therapy, holistic solutions and our professional care, will get you the beautiful, flawless skin you desire.

For more information on Acne Therapy, continue reading below.

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Acne & Acne Scarring Treatments

At Thrive, we use our experience of what is most effective for most clients, take each individual's skin and struggles into consideration, and formulate a customized acne treatment plan for each client.

Thrive's Acne Treatment Regimen combines laser / light treatments and products to target specific factors related to acne:

1. over-productive sebaceous (oil) glands
2. abnormal skin sloughing (causing clogged pores)
3. bacterial overgrowth (and subsequent inflammation)

The goals are to:

1. minimize acne breakouts
2. unclog pores
3. diminish post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)--red or brown spots that can remain for several months after the acne is gone
4. minimize scarring (by stimulating collagen, which induces a smoother, softer appearance of scarring
5. reduce the frequency, number, size, duration, and depth of future acne breakouts (which can prevent further scarring and/or PIH)

• Acne Light-Based Therapy FAQs

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Isolaz™ Acne Therapy

Dr. Summer's office is the #1 provider of Isolaz™ Acne Therapy in the Greater Chicago area. At Thrive, we have a 86% success rate after a series of 6-12 treatments. The Isolaz™ is painfree and there is no downtime after the treatment. Treatments are performed once a week. In addition to the face, the Isolaz™ can be used on the back, chest and shoulders.

The Isolaz™ is the only treatment FDA cleared to treat pustular and comedonal acne. It uses a breakthrough technology called Photopneumatics that purifies the pores from the inside out. Click Here to see a video of how the Isolaz™ works. Isolaz™ is a breakthrough technology because it is the only painless laser treatment for acne, it is the only system that purifies the skin from the inside out, as well as the only system that combines vacuum and laser to help destroy acne causing bacteria.

Clinical studies show immediate results within 24-48 hours, including reduced redness, clearing of skin discoloration and immediate drying/flattening of the blemish. People that have tried Isolaz have reported a visible reduction in pore size, improved skin tone and texture.

The Isolaz™ is effective on non-responders to traditional therapies including patient who had tried topicals, antibiotics and other lasers.

Click Here to view Isolaz™ Before and After photos.

Click Here to view Isolaz™ Media Coverage.

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Cortisone (Kenalog) Injections for Acne Cysts or Nodules

When the occasional acne cyst or nodule erupts, they are not only painful, but can take a long time to heal- weeks or even months. And, if left untreated, can ultimately result in a permanent scar. A cyst or nodule is different in that, it is usually a large acne lesion about 5 mm or more in diameter. They often do not respond to traditional acne treatments.

Cortisone is a naturally occurring chemical which is released in our bodies in response to inflammation. The cortisone is injected directly into the acne cyst or nodule, and can dramatically reduce the inflammation. Healing usually begins immediately.

These injections are performed by Dr. Summers at both our Gold Coast and Lakeview offices. Appointments are generally available within a few days.

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Fraxel^® - Fractional Laser Therapy

Fraxel® provides similar dramatic results to laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasions and deep chemical peels, but without the extended recovery time or anesthesia. Fraxel® lifts away years from your face and improves your skin's texture and tone to fight fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks and acne scars. 

Many patients choose Fraxel® because it:

1. Fills in acne scars
2. Minimizes stretch marks
3. Clears sun-damaged skin
4. Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
5. Shrinks the appearance of pores
6. Blends uneven pigmentation

Simply put, Fraxel® treatment promotes your skin's own healing process, resulting in natural rejuvenation that removes years from your appearance.  Depending on your skin, you can decide how you want to attain the remarkable results Fraxel® treatment delivers. Aggressive treatments require fewer sessions and result in more post treatment side-effects " meaning a few days of social downtime.  Less aggressive treatments accomplish the same results, with a few more treatment sessions and less pronounced side-effects.  For some types of skin and skin conditions, gentle and/or fewer treatments are best.  Fraxel® treatment was specifically engineered to give your skin professional complete treatment control, based on your particular needs.

How Fraxel® treatment works
The technology behind Fraxel® treatment is as revolutionary as the results it can deliver. Unlike other laser treatments, Fraxel® treatment is able to precisely treat thousands of microscopic areas of skin, using pinpoint laser beams that penetrate beneath the skin's surface to eliminate old, damaged skin cells. Fraxel® treatment stimulates the body's own natural healing process which replaces damaged skin with fresh, glowing, healthy skin.

Your personalized Fraxel® treatment plan
Your skin is unique, your genetic make-up, lifestyle and personal history all contribute to how your skin looks and feels.  With Fraxel® treatment, your skin professional can develop a treatment plan tailored to your skin's individual needs. By design, Fraxel® treatments can target between approximately 5 to 50 percent of the skin's surface, leaving the remaining 50 to 95 percent available to quickly heal the treated areas. Since Fraxel® treatment is so precise, it is safe and effective on delicate skin areas like the neck, chest and hands, in addition to the face. You can expect two levels of results, immediate and progressive. Immediately after initial healing is complete, the surface of your skin will feel softer, look brighter, and tone will start to become even. Progressive results occur over the next three to six months as the deeper layers of skin continue to heal.

*Please note that Dr. Summers highly recommends a series of treatments for optimal results.

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Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Significantly improve the tone and texture of skin in 1-2 treatments. The CO2 ablative laser skin resurfacing provides the most effective treatment for aged, photo-damaged, and acne-scarred skin, with minimal erythema, discomfort and downtime.

By combining its proprietary and proven Pixel fractional technology to traditional CO2,

Alma Lasers offers the most innovative approach to laser surgery. It provides the dramatic benefits of traditional CO2 laser skin resurfacing while minimizing the risks and side effects.

This fractionated laser therapy (similar to Fraxel) produces arrays of micro-thermal zones at customizable depths, while sparing the tissue surrounding each wound. During the procedure, just 20% of the tissue is treated. The 80% that remains supplies the healing that leads to the elimination of irregular epidermal pigmentation, tightening of dermal collagen and the smoothing that results from the generation of new collagen.

There is minimal down time and faster healing compared to treadtional CO2 laser therapy. Patients return to normal activities within 5-7 days.

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Levulan™ for Acne, Precancerous Lesions and Sun Damage

The Levulan™ Kerastick (amino levulanic acid) for topical solution plus light illumination is a two-step (drug plus light) treatment. This procedure can be used to treat acne, pre-cancerous lesions (actinic keratoses), sun damaged skin, and oily skin.

The first step is to have a Levulan™ Kerastick® topical solution applied to the acne and the individual actinic keratoses on the skin. This solution makes the acne and actinic keratoses sensitive to light, which prepares the skin for the next step. The topical solution is left on the skin for 60-90 minutes. Therapy continues with an intense pulsed light treatment.

After treatment is completed, almost all patients experience some temporary reddening and some patients experience minimal swelling of the acne, actinic keratoses and the surrounding skin. Generally, all reddening is gone by 4 days after treatment and swelling is reduced or non-existent after 1-2 days.

• Levulan™ FAQ's

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Advanced Triple Laser Facial

Dramatically reduce the effects of aging, sun damage and lifestyle stresses on your face with no unsightly side effects or disruption of daily activities. This advanced and uniquely comprehensive laser procedure for women and men utilizes 3 state-of-the-art lasers- Epidermal Peel / Age Spot and Freckle Removal / Deep Dermal Collagen Regeneration & Remodeling / Vascular Lesion Removal (spider veins, broken capillaries, etc.). Eliminates imperfections, discolorations (brown and red), fine wrinkles and roughness producing healthy, firm, toned and brilliant skin.

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Laser Genesis™ Rosacea and Acne Scarring Repair

Laser Genesis™ skin rejuvenation treatments are safe and effective ways of treating scarring, diffuse redness, uneven texture and large pores. Laser is a non-ablative, non-invasive and comfortable form of skin rejuvenation. By gently heating the upper dermis and targeting discolor in the skin, the appearance of acne scars and redness is reduced. In addition, collagen is stimulated therefore encouraging faster cell turnover and reducing the appearance of fine lines and improving the texture of the skin.

• Laser Genesis™ FAQ's

Click Here to view Before and After photos.

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