Laser Skin Resurfacing & Laser Skin Peel

Lasers have produced major advancements in facial skin resurfacing. The state-of-the-art Erbium:yag laser, delivers precise, invisible beams of laser light in extremely short bursts, each lasting tiny fractions of a second.  This allows the upper layers of damaged skin to be vaporized with each pass of the laser and then be gently wiped away, producing a smooth base which is soon covered by fresh, new skin cells. Resurfacing may be done on the whole face or in specific regions of the face, necks, chests, or hands.

Laser resurfacing offers significant advantages over dermabrasion because lasers are more precise and better results are achieved. Laser treatments are designed to help:

Smooth Wrinkles on forehead Smooth Crow's Feet around eyes Smooth wrinkles around the mouth

Even Facial Discolorations Diminish Scars Tighten tired skin overall

The Erbium:yag Laser

The Erbium laser is the latest advance for the treatment of aging and sun-damaged skin. Erbium laser skin resurfacing is a procedure specifically designed to remove superficial and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on the face. The Erbium lasers cause less pain and burning, which means less post-procedure redness than other other lasers, such as the CO2. This allows quicker healing without the prolonged redness and less risk of scarring. By directly affecting the collagen within the dermis, heat generated by the Erbium laser procedure promotes collagen formation, resulting in a tightening of the skin that therefore provides a more uniform and smooth appearance.

The Laser Resurfacing Procedure

Since we are equipped with the newest Erbium:yag Laser, Dr. Quan Nguyen performs the procedure in our office under local anesthesia.  A numbing cream is applied 30 minutes before the procedure so that patients are more comfortable when local anesthesia is administered. During the procedure, the activated laser is carefully passed back and forth over the skin until the surgeon reaches the level that will make the wrinkle or scar less visible.  The procedure lasts from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the extent of the treatment.

After the Treatment

Post recovery is generally not painful, and a Tylenol relieves any mild discomfort. If a bandage was applied after your procedure, it may be replaced within 1 to 2 days.  Your Dermatologist will provide instructions on how to gently wash and care for your skin.  It is important that you follow his directions on the application of ointments and medications to aid with the healing process.  For the refreshing laser skin peel, a superficial or medium resurfacing is performed and healing is within 3-4 days.  For the deeper resurfacing, the upper levels of the reticulas dermis can also be removed, with healing occurring within 10-14 days.  The treated areas will remain pink for an additional 7-21 days. After 2 weeks, most patients can safely apply makeup to conceal this temporary color change. In the months following treatment, it’s important to protect the treated area from the sun until all the color has returned to normal.  Using sun protection regularly will help to maintain your results and reduce the chance of any new sun damage to your skin.

Skin Types and Success

Dr. Nguyen has extensive experience in treating many different skin types and can give you a realistic idea of what to expect from your treatment. Resurfacing can enhance your skin’s appearance, but it won’t completely remove all facial flaws or prevent you from aging.  Lines that occur as a result of natural movements of the face: smiling, squinting, blinking, talking, chewing, will inevitably recur.  While not a total cure for wrinkles, blotches or scars, facial skin resurfacing typically results in considerable improvements, which are tremendously gratifying for patients. Some individuals, depending on their skin texture and color, may experience prolonged redness and pigmentary changes. Bleaching creams may be prescribed post operatively to lessen the chance of such an outcome. It is imperative that sun exposure is avoided following the procedure to avoid the risk of pigmentary discoloration.  Your Dermatologist can suggest ways to help you preserve your results with maintenance regimens such as light chemical peels or medicated facial creams.

If you want younger, healthier looking skin, and want to learn more about laser skin resurfacing, ask to see our short patient educational video.  With renewed skin, both men and women can be more confident about every aspect of daily life.