Skin & Lasers

Laser Skin Treatments

What is a Laser Skin Treatment?

Laser skin treatments can often remove or improve lines and wrinkles around the mouth, eyes and cheeks. Sun spots (liver spots) and discolorations caused by 'picking' acne, can be virtually cleared. It can also be effective in reducing the visibility of facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation.

Laser skin treatments can be performed on the whole face or in specific regions.

What are the advantages of having a Laser Skin Treatment?

  • Improve wrinkles of the face, especially on the upper lip, cheeks, and forehead
  • Improves skin texture and elasticity
  • Smooth and tighten eyelid skin
  • Improves folds and creases by tightening loose skin
  • Improve crow's feet around the eyes
  • Repair smoker's lines
  • Soften pucker marks and frown lines
  • Remove brown spots and splotchy skin color
  • Improve and flatten scars

Who is a good candidate for a Laser Skin Treatment?

  • Anyone wishing to reduce or delay the signs of aging.
  • If you wish to postpone more aggressive surgical treatments.
  • If you wish to prolong the results of previous treatments.
  • If you have scars.
  • If you have pigmented lesions.
    • Pigmented lesions
      Melanin is the dark pigment present in skin and is produced by melanocytes. Pigmented lesions occur when an abundance of melanocytes are found in the skin. When dark pigment multiplies, it forms freckles, brown age spots and moles.
      • Lentigines - flat, brown spots on the skin; present on skin with frequent sun exposure
      • Keratoses - slightly elevated pigmented spots often found on the back and hands
      • Freckles - brownish spots on the skin; common on people with fair skin
      • Dermatosis Papulosis Nigra - small, black marks seen primarily on people of Asian or African descent

What does a Laser Skin Treatment involve?

  • Pigmented Lesions: A small handpiece directs a beam of laser light to the lesion. The laser targets the melanin in these lesions and the melanin is vaporized into much smaller molecules that are then absorbed and removed by the body.
  • Wrinkle Reduction: Using a wand-like laser hand piece, undesired wrinkles are softened or removed. Also called a laser peel or laser resurfacing, it is an important advance in skin rejuvenation and can diminish the signs of aging, treat skin damage, and correct acne scars. There are three types of ablative lasers used for resurfacing:
    • Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
    • Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG)
    • Long-pulsed Erbium:YAG.

Ablative lasers remove the top layers of the skin (epidermis) and heat the layer under the epidermis (the papillary dermis). This causes collagen (a substance that gives skin structure) regeneration. As the wound caused by the laser heals, smoother and more even skin is seen.

  • C02 In contrast to the previous version of CO2 lasers, the newest generation of pulsed CO2 lasers delivers short bursts of extremely high-energy laser light. This revolutionary technology actually vaporizes the undesired skin tissue one layer at a time, revealing fresh skin underneath. Often referred to as a pulsed CO2 laser, the laser's highly focused beam enables the dermatologic surgeon to gently remove the skin's surface with a lower risk of scarring and other complications in properly selected patients. Healing generally occurs over a two-month period.
  • Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) The high-powered Er:YAG laser produces energy in a wavelength that gently penetrates the skin, is absorbed by water (a major component of tissue cells), and scatters the heat effects of the laser light. This allows the precise removal of thin layers of skin tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding skin.
    • The Er:YAG laser is commonly used for skin resurfacing in patients who have superficial to moderate facial wrinkles, mild surface scars, or skin discoloration. The gentle touch of the Er:YAG laser means it is uniquely effective in rejuvenating sun-damaged skin in areas such as the delicate skin around the eyes and mouth, where other lasers may cause scarring. Other body areas, such as the neck and hands, also may be considered for treatment with the Er:YAG laser. Skin rejuvenation with the Er:YAG laser may offer the advantages of reduced redness, decreased side effects, and rapid healing - about 5-7 days.
  • Long-pulsed Erbium: A new generation of long-pulsed laser delivers results that fit in between those of the CO2 and the Er:YAG. The long-pulsed erbium:YAG laser provides more wrinkle relief and offers a reduced risk of scarring compared to both. However, with less heat to the skin, results may not be as striking.

How long does a Laser Skin Treatment take?

Depending upon how many areas treated, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

How many Laser Skin Treatment treatments are required?

  • Pigmented lesions: Multiple treatments spaced 6 weeks apart are sometimes necessary for more darkly pigmented lesions. Small, lightly colored lesions are usually gone after one treatment
  • Wrinkle Reduction: Only on treatment for a particular area is needed initially. Some people will require re-treatments over the years as the results are long-lasting, but not permanent.

How long does it take to recover from a Laser Skin Treatment?

  • Pigmented lesions: For the first day, the treated areas may appear slightly red and swollen. Occasionally, crusting will occur. It is important that you keep the treated area clean and resist the temptation to pick at any crusting that might be present.
  • Wrinkle Reduction: Following a Laser Skin Treatment for wrinkle reduction, the treated areas usually are kept moist with ointment and/or surgical bandages for the first few days. The skin is typically red or pink and may be covered with a fine crust. The treated sites must be protected from sunlight after the procedure. Once healing is completed, sunscreen should be worn every day. Depending on the type of laser used and the individual's ability to heal, a pink surface color may remain for several days to several months. Typically the areas heal in 10-21 days. After seven to fourteen days, makeup can be worn.

When can I expect to see results from my Laser Skin Treatment?

  • Pigmented Lesions: Your final result may take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.
  • Wrinkle Reduction: The final result of laser resurfacing can take up to six months to fully appear.

When can I go back to work/resume my normal activities after having a Laser Skin Treatment?

  • Pigmented Lesions: Immediately.
  • Wrinkle Reduction: Depending upon the type of laser used, the individual's ability to heal and the areas treated, after seven to fourteen days, when makeup can be worn, you should feel comfortable returning to work. Your skin will still be pink, however makeup should cover it sufficiently.

How long will the results from having a Laser Skin Treatment last?

  • Pigmented Lesions: The results are permanent, however the treatment does not prevent the growth of new lesions.
  • Wrinkle Reduction: The results are long-lasting, but not permanent. Some people will require re-treatments over the years. Protection from the sun and implementing a good skin-care regime can help in maintaining the results.

What are my alternatives to having a Laser Skin Treatment?

Alternatives as well as additional procedures that would enhance the result are:

Wrinkles, aging, sun damage, acne or scars may detract from the natural beauty and youthful appearance of your skin. Laser skin treatments can aid in correcting and enhancing your appearance.

We will discuss your goals with you during your consultation, analyze your skin and advise which laser skin treatments will work best for you. Our practice is unique in that we customize your treatments by offering ALL types and brands of lasers with the latest technology. This is possible due to our contracts with multiple laser companies which enable us to reserve and bring in the best laser equipment for each individual appointment. Additionally, this helps keep our equipment costs down and we are able to offer you very competitive rates on our laser skin treatments.

This also means that if you are interested in receiving laser skin treatments using a specific model or manufacturer of lasers, as long as you are a good candidate for using that particular laser, we should be able to cater to your wishes.

During your treatment, a laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. This stimulates the lower layers of skin to produce new collagen and to create a "fresh surface". We will discuss with you whether local numbing medicine, gentle sedation or general anesthesia would be the better choice for your treatment.

Laser resurfacing uses a precise beam of laser light to vaporize away the various layers of the skin. This stimulates new, healthier skin to replace and smooth sun damaged, wrinkled, discolored or scarred areas.

Depending upon the type of laser, the depth of the treatment, and the anesthesia used, you may or may not need to have someone drive you home and to help out for the first day or two.

You will very quickly notice a significant improvement in your skin quality and appearance. Subtle signs of continuing improvement will usually occur for 6-12 months. We will recommend a skin care plan to maximize improvement and protect the resurfaced skin. Using sun protection is vital in keeping your skin younger looking, smoother and healthier for many years to come.

View the Laser Facial Treatment Photo Gallery