We proudly offer this treatment using the new Lutronic ECO2 (echo2)
| eCO2™ VERSATILE, STABLE AND POWERFUL PREMIUM FRACTIONAL CO2 TECHNOLOGY | |
| Textural Irregularities Several factors contribute to an even complexion, including the amount of collagen and elastin present in the skin. Collagen and elastin are the proteins responsible for skin elasticity, tone, and texture, and are affected by diet, age, hormones, skin products, cosmetic treatments, and overall health. In order to achieve smooth skin and a radiant complexion, it is important to understand how these factors affect one another. The first step you can take to improve your skin texture is to identify the culprits behind less-than-perfect skin. There are several environmental factors that can cause the skin to appear blotchy and uneven. These include wind, dirt, chemicals, arid climates, smoking, pollution, and ultraviolet radiation (which causes sun damage). All of these elements strip the skin of its natural collagen and elastin fibers, causing it to appear dry, rough, and wrinkled. Age also plays a role in the formation of wrinkles, age spots, blotchiness, and rough skin texture. Wrinkles, fine lines, and an uneven skin complexion all develop as a part of the natural aging process. Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the outward signs of aging by following a careful regimen of skin care and protection. Specific skin conditions such as acne, rosacia, psoriasis, and allergies can severely affect the skin.s overall health and contribute greatly to blotchiness and uneven skin texture. If you experience excessive inflammation, itching, dryness, or pain, it is important to incorporate treatment for your specific condition into your skin care plan. Dyschromia Irregular or patchy discoloration of the skin that can be caused either by variations in pigment density (melanin), changes in blood vessels (vascular changes), or growth of foreign organisms on the skin. Mottling or mottled skin refers specifically to vascular changes in the skin which cause a patchy appearance. Photo-Damaged Skin Large Pores, Uneven Skin Tone Photodamaged or sun damaged skin is something few escape. Photodamage occurs with exposure to sunlight (UVA or UVB) whether or not we intentionally suntan. Twenty five percent of our lifetime exposure occurs before the end of our teenage years. Photodamage to skin manifests in a variety of ways including:
Wrinkles are visible creases or folds in the skin. Wrinkles less than 1 mm in width and depth are defined as fine wrinkles and those greater than 1 mm as coarse wrinkles. Most RCTs have studied wrinkles on the face, forearms, and hands. Total Fractional Skin Resurfacing Full-Face, Non-Facial One of the most popular anti-aging remedies is laser skin resurfacing, which improves the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, scars and hyperpigmentation (discolored areas of the skin), primarily around the eyes and mouth. It can also be used to treat large areas of the face. |
You are still active and you feel great. But, the effects of time, sun, wind and toxins in our air have taken their toll on the appearance of your skin. It's not as smooth as it was when you were younger. You would like your friends and family to see you the way you feel inside. For many of us, this requires reversing the visible signs of aging, those years of fun in the sun.
What is laser skin resurfacing?
In the past your options included chemical peels, dermabrasion or the use of temporary fillers. Now, CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing is performed by our doctor for patients in our region to remove superficial wrinkles around the eyes, lips, forehead and cheeks seen in aging skin. Facial scars and sun-damaged skin are also excellent candidates for this treatment.
Choosing laser skin resurfacing surgery
You will want to explain to our physician the level of skin improvement you hope to achieve. The doctor will then review your medical history and examine your skin type and pigmentation to determine if you are a good candidate for laser skin surgery. Don't forget to mention any history of viral infections, sensitivity to the sun, or prior skin treatments such as skin peels, dermabrasion or Accutane treatments within the past six months.
Together you can discuss your options, evaluate your expectations and determine the best treatment for you.
What kind of results can I expect from laser skin resurfacing?
Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth are removed, while the deeper frown lines and grooves are softened. Once the outer layer of skin has been removed, the new skin beneath reveals a softer, smoother, more youthful appearance. Many patients say our laser can erase up to ten years in a little more than an hour.
Benefits of laser skin resurfacing over chemical peels and dermabrasion:
- The laser causes less scarring, bleeding and bruising.
- Laser surgery requires shorter recovery time than traditional treatments.
- A level of control can be achieved that is difficult with other treatments.
- Your physician can visually judge the effect of the treatment as it is performed.
- The treatment seems to be more predictable and safer.
The laser skin resurfacing treatment
The laser gives your physician precise control over the natural exfoliation process as it gently vaporizes the outer layer of sun-damaged or acne-scarred skin to reveal the smooth, fresh skin underneath. Lines are removed in a precise, rapid, bloodless fashion, achieving excellent results.
Our doctor performs laser skin resurfacing with local anesthesia if limited areas are treated, while full face resurfacing is usually performed with the administration of intravenous sedation by an anesthesiologist. Both procedures may be performed in our doctor's office. With this new technology, treatment can be tailored to achieve our patients' expectations.
Recovery from laser skin resurfacing
Generally, recovery time with laser skin resurfacing is rapid and gentle.
During the first few days after your procedure, your skin will weep, as new collagen is formed to rebuild the skin from the bottom up. Some crusting may develop as a new skin surface is formed. We will prescribe ointment to keep the treated areas moist, and in most cases, bandages will be required during the first 48 hours. Your new skin will have a reddish quality which fades in a few weeks. This redness can be covered with cosmetics until it completely disappears. Some temporary swelling may occur around the eyes, and there is some risk of pigmentation disturbance with darker skin types.
The full effect of your treatment develops over a few months following the procedure and can be expected to last for several years. As with any cosmetic procedure, the results can be expected to fade over time, at which time the procedure can be repeated.
Nothing is as beautiful as soft, smooth, healthy skin. Unfortunately, our skin is subject to numerous experiences that leave it less than perfect.
Time, heredity and gravity all do their part to create fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the mouth and eyes. Continued exposure to the sun and smoking are known to significantly accelerate the development of these natural signs of aging.
Skin Resurfacing
Some skin resurfacing devices, such as CO2 lasers, use the ablative method: removing the epidermis and some of the dermis. While a good result is eventually seen, the drawbacks include red, raw, and unsightly skin, and a risk of infection for several weeks after treatment. Other devices use the non-ablative method: sending light pulses into the dermis, while leaving the epidermis intact. This allows quick recovery, but when the light pulses don’t penetrate far into the dermis, the change in skin tone and texture is negligible.
What makes Fractional Non-ablative Skin Resurfacing different?
Fractional Skin Resurfacing is performed by our doctor for patients in our region because it offers both excellent results and no downtime. Fractional Skin treatments deliver light in an array of narrow, focused “microbeams” to create columns of heat within the skin. These microbeams penetrate deep into the dermis for the most effective, long-term results obtainable. The heated tissue within the columns starts a natural healing process that forms new, healthy tissue. This results in a decrease in sunspots, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring and a fresher, more youthful skin tone and texture. The Fractional Non-ablative approach stimulates quick healing, while leaving your skin’s surface intact, with no lasting redness.
What areas can I have treated with Fractional Skin Rejuvenation?
Fractional Skin Resurfacing can be applied to any area of the body, including the face, chest, arms, legs and hands.
How does Fractional Skin Resurfacing work?
Fractional Skin Rejuvenation is designed to alter only portions of the target skin tissue. Think of it as digital tissue editing. Fractional Skin Rejuvenation creates multiple, microscopic, thermal columns within the skin. Together these micro-treatments cause a change in the collagen and elastin below your skin’s surface, which gradually improves the appearance of your aging and sun-damaged skin. It also results in a healing process with minimal downtime.
In addition, Fractional Skin Rejuvenation penetrates to a very precise, controlled depth, making the procedure safe and predictable, while reducing the risk of scarring or pigmentation problems.
Why choose Fractional Skin Rejuvenation?
Most patients choose it because it:
- decreases sunspots.
- requires minimal recovery time.
- minimizes the risk for causing bruising, crusting or scarring.
- does not cause bleeding.
- provides a level of control that cannot be achieved with any other lasers.
- provides a fresher, more youthful skin tone and texture.
How many Fractional Skin Resurfacing treatments will I need?
This varies from patient to patient depending on the severity of the condition, your skin type and your desired results. Fractional Skin Rejuvenation produces a gradual remodeling of collagen within the skin. Most indications seem to respond after only 3 - 6 treatments spaced about 14 - 28 days apart. Improvements in the appearance of your skin will continue 6 - 12 months or more after the last treatment.
What is the Fractional Skin Rejuvenation treatment like?
First, the area to be treated is cleansed. A topical anesthetic ointment may be applied. Some fractional devices require the application of a blue dye to the treatment area. Other systems have a built in cooling device for a more comfortable treatment.
Then the fractional hand piece precisely reads the discreet contours of your skin treatment area. Your treatment is performed using a fractional hand piece gently guided across the skin delivering microbeams of infrared energy into the skin. After your treatment, your skin is washed off. Treatments usually last 10 - 20 minutes, depending on the surface area treated.
What should I expect after Fractional Skin Resurfacing treatments?
After our physician performs Fractional Laser Treatments, you may experience lingering redness, warmth, swelling, or tightness in the treated area, which fades within a few hours of treatment. Generally, you can receive a treatment and go back to work or to other activities without any recovery time. Because the light pulses are confined to narrow columns in the skin, much of the skin is left unaffected and there is a quick healing process; most people notice positive changes in skin tone and texture within a few days.
A series of treatments may be required to achieve your desired results. Your treatment provider will be able to give you more information about Fractional Non-ablative Skin Resurfacing and expected outcomes.