Skin Conditions Due To Age Are Treatable With Lasers

The modern skin resurfacing industry is dynamic and always changing. The lasers and techniques used are constantly being improved and updated and then implemented in clinical practice. When considering laser skin resurfacing procedures, it is important to remember a few important things regarding these procedures. Items such as differences in the depth of penetration, how many sessions are required to get a complete result, any down time that may be required and last but certainly not least, the cost or the procedure. A reputable Plastic Surgeon will be able to assist you in choosing the resurfacing procedure and techniques that will best suit your aesthetic goals and needs.

As we age, many skin conditions can emerge, such as fine lines and facial wrinkles, irregularities in the skin. Redness, blotchiness and pigment variances, excessive pore size, sun spots and more - all of these are conditions that can be treated with laser skin resurfacing procedures. There are several treatment techniques available to plastic surgeons and these can range from a very light and superficial skin resurfacing to deep skin resurfacing treatments using powerful lasers.

Improve Your Sun-damaged Skin With Little Downtime

Currently, there are many lasers used to treat sun damage/photo-aging of the skin. One older laser system, the carbon dioxide laser, has been very effective for laser treating sun damaged skin but has fallen out of favor. This is because it routinely caused extensive rawness of the skin that typically required over 2 weeks of “downtime” to recover. In addition to the time it took to heal, it frequently caused skin discoloration and occasionally scarring. Many lasers available today require very little downtime and yield some improvement of the skin but are not nearly as effective as the carbon dioxide laser. San Francisco Plastic Surgeon Dr. Cedars in conjunction with Dr. Wall are doing a study designed to assess the effectiveness of a new, modified carbon dioxide laser system.

The MiXto laser is a "fractional" carbon dioxide laser, meaning that, rather than "zapping" 100% of a treated region of skin, it zaps scattered tiny zones of skin comprising a total of perhaps 25% of the treated region. Tiny treatment zones mean no skin rawness. The trade-off appears to be that more than one treatment is needed to get good results. The laser has been used to safely treat over 160 patients in Italy. It has been FDA-approved for treatment of fine lines. Patients who have been treated with this laser report less pain, less downtime, and better results than are reported with other lasers. Dr. Michael Cedars and Dr. Tomi Wall have successfully patients with this laser.

Could You Benefit From Laser Skin Resurfacing?

I am a big fan of the out-doors and being in the sun a lot and over time the elements have taken a toll on my skin, especially my facial skin. It had gotten so bad that it was difficult for me to look at myself in the mirror. I eventually became so sick of the way I look that I decided I would do something about it and search the internet for something to make my face look better.

While searching the internet I found a site called Keycare.com and on that website I learned about Laser Skin Resurfacing and how "The new CO2 pulse lasers are effective for treating fine wrinkles that occur with aging and exposure to the elements. We are using them for blepharoplasty and facial resurfacing either with or without facelift surgery. The laser also treats the vertical wrinkles that occur in the upper lip area. This new method for Laser Skin Resurfacing takes advantage of the ability of the laser to penetrate the skin to a precise depth. The consistency and degree of penetration affords an even effect over the entire treated area. The superficial skin is shed and new skin regenerates, providing a fresher, smoother appearance."

Soon after I was able to receive one of these procedures and I can say that I am very glad that I decided to do something about the way I look.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Creates a Fresh, Smooth Complexion

A fresh, smooth complexion is one of the secrets to a youthful appearance. The quality of one’s facial skin can be the difference to looking younger than your true age. Wrinkles around the mouth and eyes can be the first sign of facial aging. Years of sun damage or smoking can lead to visible patches of uneven pigmented skin, small skin growths, age spots, scars, and of course, wrinkles. Many people are also bothered by years of acne scars. All of these problems can be treated or improved upon with Laser Skin Resurfacing.

The two most common problems, wrinkles and scars, suffer from the same problem; an uneven skin surface. As light shines across this uneven surface, shadows are created in their depths. It is the shadowing, which is most evident and makes the wrinkles or scars standout. The goal of Laser therapy is to smooth the skin by vaporizing the raised areas, thus balancing out the uneven surface. This induces an inflammatory response by the body, which then brings in new collagen as part of the process, thus improving the skin’s quality. There are two Lasers that are most appropriate for this form of treatment, the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser and the Erbium Laser. Both Lasers are highly effective and the decision on which to use is often dependent on the extent of the patients problem, their skin type, and skin color.

L.A. Procedures: Laser Skin Resurfacing

A fresh, smooth complexion is one of the secrets to a youthful appearance. The quality of one’s facial skin can be the difference to looking younger than your true age. Wrinkles around the mouth and eyes can be the first sign of facial aging. Years of sun damage or smoking can lead to visible patches of uneven pigmented skin, small skin growths, age spots, scars, and of course, wrinkles. Many people are also bothered by years of acne scars. All of these problems can be treated or improved upon with Laser Skin Resurfacing.

The two most common problems, wrinkles and scars, suffer from the same problem; an uneven skin surface. As light shines across this uneven surface, shadows are created in their depths. It is the shadowing, which is most evident and makes the wrinkles or scars standout. The goal of Laser therapy is to smooth the skin by vaporizing the raised areas, thus balancing out the uneven surface. This induces an inflammatory response by the body, which then brings in new collagen as part of the process, thus improving the skin’s quality. There are two Lasers that are most appropriate for this form of treatment, the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser and the Erbium Laser. Both Lasers are highly effective and the decision on which to use is often dependent on the extent of the patients problem, their skin type, and skin color.