What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Your skin can start to look blotchy and tired after years of sun damage, acne scars, and the natural process of aging. In as little as one treatment, your wrinkles, blotchiness, and scars can all be treated with laser resurfacing technology. This kind of procedure was once very painful and required a long recovery period.
Now, however, technology has advanced to give us laser treatments that require virtually no downtime and produce great results. There is a variety of lasers available that can be used on the hands, arms, chest, neck, and face.
Revitalize Your Skin with Laser Treatment
What if you could rid your skin of years of sun damage, acne scars, and the appearance of aging? It could be as easy as one treatment. Wrinkles, scars, and blotchiness can all be treated with our skin resurfacing lasers. This kind of procedure used to be very painful and require the patient to take plenty of time to rest and recover.
The newest laser technology here at Pacific Palisades Plastic Surgery has boosted the industry exponentially, requiring virtually no recovery time and eliciting excellent results. We have a variety of lasers available that can be used on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. You’ll be in and out with boosted confidence in no time.
Technology and treatment options for laser skin resurfacing using our ALMA Lasers:
- ClearLift on Harmony XL PRO: Non-ablative, virtually painless resurfacing
- Pixel 2940 Er:YAG on Harmony XL PRO: Fractionated skin resurfacing
- Pixel RF on vShape: Breakthrough micro plasma radiofrequency technology
Candidates for Laser Resurfacing
With so many advances in laser therapy technology, many more patients are considered good candidates. Candidates for laser resurfacing therapy have rough skin, pigmentation issues, fines lines and wrinkles, or sun damage that they wish to treat without having to undergo a surgical procedure. They should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about their results. Certain factors, such as the thickness, tone, and texture of your skin, may influence the type of therapy used, but your doctor will decide with you during your consultation.
ClearLift on Harmony XL PRO
The ClearLift laser treatment is a non-ablative laser therapy. This means that it does not destroy the outer layers of skin, resulting in a much more comfortable experience and speedy recovery. It is used to treat skin with scarring and pigmentation irregularities. Heat is sent into deeper layers of the skin to heal and tighten without causing damage to the outer layers of skin. This treatment is perfect for those who are looking for a solution to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around their eyes and mouth. It can be completed in 30 minutes to one hour, and there is no downtime. It is often used by celebrities who need to attend an event on the same day as their procedure.
Pixel 2940 Er:YAG on Harmony XL PRO
The Pixel 2940 is an ablative laser therapy. As it is passed over the skin, the laser vaporizes the water in the outermost layers of skin, creating tiny, pixel-sized wounds. This stimulates the skin’s natural healing process and encourages collagen production. Once healed, the skin will look tighter and smoother. This treatment is safe for the delicate skin on the neck, chest, and hands and requires no pain relief, unlike older laser therapies. This option is perfect for patients who have aged or sun-damaged skin. There is little to no downtime, and it can take as little as two to four sessions to see results. This treatment is not recommended for patients with very dark skin, as the healing process can result in pigmentation issues.
Pixel RF on vShape Laser
Patients interested in vShape laser treatment are looking for a non-invasive way to eliminate stubborn fat on areas of the body that are difficult to target with diet and exercise. They also have loose skin that can be corrected without a surgical procedure. Radiofrequency (RF) energy is combined with a mechanical massage to remove pockets of fat and tighten skin. The machine simultaneously heats and cools the skin to prevent pain. This stimulates healing and collagen production while leaving the outer layers of skin intact. Multiple treatment sessions are typically recommended, usually spaced about two weeks apart. There is no downtime, and the treatment is suitable for all skin types.
Many issues can be treated using laser resurfacing treatments. New technologies have made it so that you can have a fresh, radiant look without the need for invasive procedures and long recovery periods.
How Can Laser Therapy Make Me Look and Feel Younger?
Young skin is smooth and radiant, so roughness or an uneven tone can make you look much older. With so many options for skin resurfacing, it can be challenging to figure out which method might be best for you. Because the type of treatment chosen is so dependent on the individual, it’s hard to know where to start. While your doctor will be able to tailor a treatment to your needs, it never hurts to arrive armed with some knowledge of what you may require.
Discoloration
Discoloration (such as red and brown spots due to sun damage) is best treated using a non-ablative treatment. Deeper layers of the skin are treated without causing damage to the outer layers. This helps your skin heal quickly and requires almost no downtime after your procedure. If discoloration is your primary concern, then you may not require more aggressive treatment. An even complexion is an easy way to look and feel younger without the need for more invasive procedures.
Wrinkles and Fine Lines
If you are concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, it is likely that your doctor will recommend a fractional laser treatment to rejuvenate your skin and minimize these noticeable signs of aging. Fractional lasers make tiny “pinprick” wounds in the skin to stimulate the body’s healing processes and naturally resurface the skin. These therapies can be either ablative (removes layers of skin) or non-ablative (applies heat to the deeper layers of skin) depending on the severity of your wrinkles. Non-ablative lasers can be used for more superficial creases, but results may not be apparent quite as quickly and may necessitate multiple sessions.
Scarring
The best choice for treating scarring is an ablative treatment, either with a fractional laser or other ablative therapy. Because layers of skin are removed, recovery time will be longer. However, the results are more dramatic than different approaches. Ablative laser therapies soften the sharp edges of scars and smooth rough skin. Acne and other scars can be fairly deep in the skin, so a non-ablative treatment may not be aggressive enough.
Your Skin Resurfacing Treatment
The most important thing to consider when looking into laser skin resurfacing is not necessarily the type of laser or the brand name, but rather the depth of treatment. Your doctor may recommend a combination of laser treatments depending on the issues that need to be addressed. Laser resurfacing treatments can also be combined with procedures such as a facelift or eyelid surgery to achieve optimal results.
With such a short recovery period, you can look and feel younger quickly when you opt for laser therapy. During your consultation, make sure to communicate all of your concerns and questions with your specialist so they can create a treatment plan that will work for your specific needs.
To learn more about which laser therapy may be the right one for you, contact our office at (310) 359-1751 to schedule a consultation.