Please visit our Photo Gallery Page to see examples of Laser Resurfacing
LASER RESURFACING GENERAL INFORMATION
Through precise computer controlled impulses, laser resurfacing removes top layers of the skin creating a smoother appearance with a reduction in wrinkles, fine lines, scars, and pigment abnormalities. The most recent advancement in laser resurfacing is the Long Pulse Erbium Laser. With a higher degree of control of power, heat, rate and depth, computer adjustments can be made to specifically address patients' individual concerns and needs. Recovery is significantly reduced and make-up can be applied sooner than with older types of lasers.
Sciton Long Pulse Erbium Laser
The Sciton Long Pulse Erbium Laser has now proven itself with multiple studies to be the premier resurfacing modality available today. It is truly the state-of-the-art approach for facial resurfacing. The CO2 laser in the 1990's indeed produced nice results, but with very prolonged healing and high complications. This was followed with the short pulse Erbium laser that had few complications, but disappointing results. The long pulse Erbium laser clearly is the best of both worlds with dramatic improvement to fine lines, wrinkles, and some acne scarring with much improved recovery time. Loss of pigment to the resurfaced areas with this laser is extremely unusual. Swelling and redness resolve much more quickly than the CO2 laser and most patients can wear make-up again in 8 or 9 days.
The educated patient then questions why even that recovery time when there are now "non-ablative lasers." The manufacturers of non-ablative lasers recommend that physicians describe a 20 percent improvement in fine lines and wrinkles. Twenty percent improvement is minimal at best and a large percent of patients spend their post operative period wondering if there is any improvement at all. The Sciton Long Pulse erbium Laser is truly the premier state-of-the-art resurfacing laser offering dramatic facial resurfacing with much quicker recovery.
Indications: Wrinkles and fine lines of the face that are present at rest (not smiling or squinting the eyes). Acne scarring.
Intended Results: Smoother, more evenly pigmented and textured skin.
Procedure Description: This procedure is done with local anesthesia usually along with sedation or general anesthesia. The laser removes the top layers of skin. Healing occurs in 5-9 days. After this, the delicate regrowth of skin remains pink usually from 1-2 months.
Recovery: Patients go home with an ointment covering the lasered areas. Those with fine wrinkles recover more quickly since less deep lasering is required. One can return to work in 5-7 days. Deeper wrinkles such as around the mouth require the laser to remove more layers of skin. Therefore, 10-14 days of recovery may be necessary. Strict sun avoidance is necessary for 3-4 months following laser treatment. If one wants to hide the pink discoloration makeup is necessary during those initial months.
Alternatives: Dermabrasion around the mouth can give a similar excellent improvement. The Obagi Blue Peel can give a nice improvement to fine lines especially around the eyes. The DermMaster, a microdermabrasion procedure with a lesser improvement and no down time, is another alternative but can require 6-10 treatments. Retin-A or Renova can improve fine lines in 50-60 percent of patients.
Botox offers an excellent improvement to certain areas of the face. Some areas of facial wrinkles and some areas of acne scarring improve much more with a facelift or browlift. Some isolated areas of very depressed acne scars are better treated with direct excision rather than dermabrasion or laser.
Please visit our Photo Gallery Page to see examples of Laser Resurfacing or click on the following links for information on other procedures.
 Before Perioral Laser Resurfacing |
 After Perioral Laser Resurfacing |
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