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Remember when? As a child, your skin was soft and smooth.
Over the years, the sun, wind, and toxins in the air have taken their toll and your skin is showing signs of aging.
You have been eating better, living healthier, and generally keeping fit. Now, you want the image you see in the mirror to reflect the way you feel inside. For many of us, this means reversing the years of wear and tear on your skin caused by fun in the sun, the environment, and natural aging.
Signs of aging skin
At first, fine lines appear near the eyes, around the lips, the forehead and across the cheeks. Next, the creases deepen near the mouth and between the eyes. Facial skin begins to loosen and sag. All the while environmental assailants such as UV from the sun, toxins in the air, cigarette smoke, stress and poor nutrition accelerate the aging process..
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is an exciting medical procedure which corrects the effects of the sun, wind and time. Physicians around the world use the pinpoint accuracy of advanced CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers to repair damaged skin. Laser skin resurfacing reduces wrinkles without scalpels or stitches. The laser emits an intense beam of energy that heats and vaporizes tissue instantaneously. It is so precise that the normal surrounding tissue is not effected.
As your doctor guides the laser's beam over the damaged or wrinkled skin, it gently removes the outer layers. Fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes are smoothed. Deep creases and frown lines will be softened and acne scars are minimized. Once the outer layer of skin has been removed, the new skin beneath is softer, smoother with a more youthful appearance.
In addition, research has proven that a CO2 Laser Peel actually shrinks the collagen in your skin by up to 30%, providing a tightening and lifting effect. In some cases this may replace a face-lift or other plastic surgery procedures; in others, it can complement surgical procedures.
A new generation of resurfacing lasers is called the Erbium lasers. The Erbium laser provides a gentler, more precise resurfacing. This procedure works well on younger people, on men, on darker pigmented skin, and on more fragile areas of skin like the neck, chest and hands. It is also for any patient wanting a "lighter" peel.
How is the procedure done?
The Laser Peel is an outpatient procedure that lasts between 1 and 1-1/2 hours. It is normally performed with local anesthesia and mild sedation. The procedure itself involves very little pain and there is only mild discomfort, like sunburn following the procedure. You will need a driver to assist you home.
What about recovery?
Though the surface of your skin is usually healed within one week, it will be somewhat sensitive, and taking two to three weeks off assures you will look very natural when you return to your regular routine. However, depending upon each patient, and on the type of treatment, healing times can vary. For deeper peels, your skin can remain pink for up to four months, but is easily covered with make-up. For lighter peels, the pink color can fade in as little as two weeks. The good news is, that your new skin continues to improve through your body's own healing process over six months following the procedure.
Improvements in your healthy new skin will last anywhere from five to ten years ... especially with good home skin care. We design your personal skin care routine that will enhance your results for years.
What are the benefits of laser resurfacing?
• Lasers cause less scarring, bleeding and bruising.
• Lasers provide a level of control that is difficult to achieve with other treatments.
• With lasers your doctor can immediately visualize the effect of the treatment.
• Laser resurfacing is more predictable than other forms of treatment.
• Laser surgery requires shorter recovery time than traditional treatments.
Are you a good candidate for Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Your doctor will review your medical history, age, skin type and pigmentation; consider your desired results, and determine if you are a candidate for laser skin resurfacing. Results will vary from patient to patient depending on age, skin type and condition.
Your doctor may discuss with you other skin rejuvenation procedures such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, facelifts, fat transfer or Botox injections.
Our physicians, who have performed hundreds of laser peels, estimate patients can expect at least a 50% improvement and look 5 to 10 years younger.
If you are interested in learning more about laser resurfacing, please call our office and we will be happy to answer your questions. |
