Smoothbeam - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Smoothbeam or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
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Written by Dr. Ringpfeil
Smoothbeam Laser
Overview:
This non-ablative diode laser selectively destroys sebaceous glands.
Expected results:
Destruction of sebaceous hyperplasias. While not first line treatment for acne, the Smoothbeam laser offers an effective treatment option in recalcitrant inflammatory acne.
Preparation:
None
Post treatment instructions:
Sun protection x 6 weeks
Time to desired results:
1-3 treatments about 3-4 weeks apart may be necessary to eradicate sebaceous hyperplasias, acne treatment is variable and may require between 1-5 treatments.
Contraindications:
None. Safe on all skin types.
Duration of desired effects:
Permanent. Note: sebaceous hyperplasias are genetically determined and new growths may form in other areas. The Smoothbeam laser does not prevent this genetic tendency.
Downtime:
Redness and possible blister formation for up to 3 days.
Selected Patient Questions and Answers
# of surveys: 4187
Last updated: 1/02/2024 11:10 AM
PATIENT RATINGS
Would you recommend us?
- definitely
- 93.1%
- probably
- 6.16%
- maybe
- 0.58%
- not likely
- 0.08%
- no
- 0.02%
Compare our service to other similar practices
- excellent
- 87.9%
- very good
- 10.1%
- good
- 1.8%
- poor
- 0.06%
- very poor
- 0%
Overall doctor performance
- excellent
- 94.2%
- very good
- 4.89%
- good
- 0.80%
- poor
- 0.03%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor listened to you attentively
- excellent
- 93.9%
- very good
- 4.97%
- good
- 1.05%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor took time to answer your questions
- excellent
- 94.0%
- very good
- 4.66%
- good
- 1.27%
- poor
- 0.02%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor explained treatment options
- excellent
- 94.3%
- very good
- 4.16%
- good
- 1.25%
- poor
- 0.14%
- very poor
- 0.02%
The doctor explained treatment options
- excellent
- 92.0%
- very good
- 5.69%
- good
- 2.18%
- poor
- 0.11%
- very poor
- 0.0%
Front desk performance
- excellent
- 85.6%
- very good
- 10.2%
- good
- 3.66%
- poor
- 0.31%
- very poor
- 0.08%
Aesthetician performance
- excellent
- 88.6%
- very good
- 7.61%
- good
- 3.39%
- poor
- 0.24%
- very poor
- 0.08%
Office comfort
- excellent
- 90.9%
- very good
- 6.93%
- good
- 2.08%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0.05%
Parking
- excellent
- 66.4%
- very good
- 14.4%
- good
- 15.7%
- poor
- 2.49%
- very poor
- 0.9%
Friendliness of the staff during appointment
- excellent
- 90.9%
- very good
- 7.23%
- good
- 1.85%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0%
What WE DID WELL
(Answers:674)
Dr. Ringpfeil is wonderful. I must say i've visited various dermatologist in the past and this is the first doctor that has touched my face. Very important to me so that was big believe it or not. Also very easy to talk to and you dont feel rushed.She explains well. i'm very satisfied with my visit.
#12025-05-02I did not feel rushed. I felt I was Heard and listened to. The exam and explanations were clear .When my visit ended all of my questions,, symptoms, and diseases were addressed extensively.I am thrilled that I have found this office. I intend to refer my husband, son and friends.
#22011-05-26 11:49:32The waiting room was very pretty
#32025-08-29The doctor was excellent - really explained the issues and approaches very clearly. I would recommend this pratice to others!
#42025-02-22The service overall was excellent!
#52012-07-06 12:10:33The neatness of the clinic and the efficency of the staff and the doctor. Dr. Ring fieil was wonderful and knows her fireld, i have been to several dermatologists and finally I found the one who knows what she is talking about.
#62025-10-16The appearance and presentation of the office.
#72025-04-03I appreciated that Dr. Ringpfeil took the time to thoroughly explain everything we spoke about. She did not simply provide a professional opinion, she provided her opinion and supplemented it with an explanation that made everything clear to me. I felt like I was listened to and interacted with, rather than just spoken at (which has often been my experience with other dermatologists). Thank you!
#82025-04-30taken promptly for appointment
#92010-11-08 14:14:51I like that you can schedule and access info by computer. The office is beautiful, very relaxing and staff is wonderful. The nicest doctors office I have ever been too
#102011-10-19 12:56:42What can we do better?
(answers:373)
Provide some written information for questions asked. I can't remember everything said.
#12025-06-21Service was fantastic. No suggestions.
#22011-11-29 13:58:45WINE AND CHEESE WOULD BE NICE IN THE WAITING AREA
#32011-02-09 12:32:20keep up what your doing
#42010-09-23 14:03:13Nothing, my visit was great.
#52025-06-04Everything was great.
#62025-04-26It was a perfect experioence, I wouldn't change a thing!
#72025-01-09I was a bit embarressed by not knowing more information regarding my parents history. I believe it would have been better handled if I were asked to please get more info and then let the dr's office know.
#82025-05-13The music in the waiting area could be a bit softer.
#92025-10-13I am completely happy with my needs being met here.
#102010-08-23 16:52:07
Hello,
I have had inflammatory acne since I was 16 (i’m now 22). I now get the some cysts around my period, n my cheeks (usually 1-3, but this month I got 6). They don’t heal quickly, are painful, and leave large red marks. I was wondering if this laser is a good option for me? Will this destroy alot of my sebaceous glands, or only the hyperplasias? I don’t wish to have extremely dry skin, but it always has been very very oily.
The strength of the Smoothbeam laser is its ability to destroy oil glands. This is the reason that it received FDA approval to treat acne when it was first released to the market many year ago. We use it only occasionally for acne. However, it is the right choice for some people. If used for acne, we recommend about 3 treatments 6 weeks apart to induce remission. For acne treatment with Smoothbeam, your skin must be fair (Fitzpatrick skin type III or lighter) and not tan at time of treatment. A medical consultation is needed prior to treatment.