Rejuvenate Your Skin With Laser Resurfacing
Aging of the skin is a normal (and inescapable) part of life. Years of sun exposure, repetitive contraction of facial muscles on a daily basis, and gradual loss of skin elasticity result in the development of wrinkles, age spots, and skin dullness. These common symptoms of aging may make a person look significantly older than they actually are.
While there are many surgical procedures to address the effects of aging, one of the most effective is a minimally invasive treatment called laser skin resurfacing. Laser resurfacing can reduce wrinkles and other skin irregularities like sun damage, age spots, and acne scars, while simultaneously improving the overall tone and texture of the skin.
What is laser skin resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing (sometimes called a laser peel) uses highly concentrated microscopic beams of laser energy to remove precise amounts of skin in a controlled, targeted fashion. It vaporizes the skin surrounding wrinkles and scars, minimizing their visibility. It also removes the old, dull top layers of skin and initiates the production of new collagen and elastin, improving skin quality, texture, and firmness.
Laser resurfacing can also be much more powerful than other exfoliative skin treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, with the ability to treat more severe or advanced skin symptoms.
Who is a good candidate for laser resurfacing?
If you have fine lines and wrinkles, shallow acne scars, pigmentation issues (like uneven skin tones or age spots), or dull sun-damaged skin, you may be a great candidate for laser skin resurfacing. However, laser resurfacing may not be ideal for patients with severe acne or very dark skin tones.
Types of laser resurfacing treatments
Although we offer all types of laser skin resurfacing options, the type of laser resurfacing best suited for you will depend entirely upon your individual needs and goals.
Laser resurfacing procedures of the skin are classically divided into 2 groups: ablative and nonablative. These terms refer to the strength of laser treatment. Not surprisingly, the stronger the treatment, the more downtime is involved. While some individuals may seek the best results possible with 1 treatment, no matter the downtime, others may want multiple treatment sessions, each with very little downtime.
Ablative laser surfacing produces dramatic results in a single treatment, but typically requires 1 week of ‘social downtime’ (painless recovery at home). Ablative laser skin resurfacing procedures include Fraxel Re:Pair (Learn more about Fraxel) and Active FX/Deep FX (Learn more about ActiveFX).
Nonablative laser resurfacing produces more modest results with each treatment. Therefore, multiple treatments are required to achieve the same result as an ablative resurfacing treatment, but their downtime is much less, with only a few hours to 1-2 days of mild redness, swelling, and scaling. Nonablative laser skin resurfacing treatments are also typically safe for patients with dark skin tones. Nonablative laser skin resurfacing procedures include Fraxel Dual (Learn more about Fraxel), ResurFX (Learn more about ResurFX), and the most gentle/lowest downtime of the nonablative lasers, Clear + Brilliant (Learn more about Clear + Brillant).
To learn more about laser resurfacing or to setup an appointment, please contact us today!
Daniel P. Friedmann, M.D. is a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist and phlebologist at Westlake Dermatology and Clinical Research Director of the Westlake Clinical Research Center. He has presented nationally on photorejuvenation, noninvasive fat reduction, radiofrequency devices, up-to-date techniques in photodynamic therapy, the management of stretch marks, and the treatment of hand, chest, and facial veins.
I love what you guys are doing! I’ve added you guys to my blogroll.
I had a laser procedure done a couple months ago and am very happy with the results. I think it was Fraxel. I saw big improvements in my skin, both look and feel.
Is Fraxel the most powerful laser resurfacing option?
Hi Rosie, Fraxel is one of our more powerful laser options. However, we have many different resurfacing methods. Please contact us today for a consultation, we’ll find the best treatment for your individual needs and goals!
I have severe “smoker” wrinkles, what is the best treatment for my problem?
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for reading our blog post and submitting your question. We actually have a great blog post on how past smokers can improve their skin here: https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/7-ways-to-improve-your-skin-after-quitting-smoking/.
Your best bet is to visit a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for an in-person assessment, the only real way to derive a treatment plant that meets your specific needs. With that disclosure out of the way, more severe smoking related wrinkles will often need to be addressed by a more invasive procedure, like dermabrasion, deep laser resurfacing, or a surgical procedure. An in office assessment will determine which course is best the characteristics of your skin and your desired end result.
If you are Austin or Houston metro areas please feel free to give us a call!
Thanks,
WD Staff