Is Laser Skin Resurfacing Safe?

At our practice, we are dedicated to providing you with the ultimate experience in plastic surgery. Our mission is simple: every member of our all-female team is empowered to ensure we remain the premier choice for your care. From our offices to our surgery centers, each staff member has been hand-selected to maintain the highest standards of excellence. We have many skin rejuvenation treatments available, and we continuously invest in the best devices available.

Our practice is 100% focused on cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures, and we take pride in being leaders in our field. We are committed to ensuring you feel safe, understood, and appreciated. We also Understand that “feeling safe” is all about being transparent about the risks associated with our various skin resurfacing options. The short answer is: Yes, Skin resurfacing is safe. However, here’s the full disclosure on the skin resurfacing safety involved with our devices.

Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

Facials & Peels

These are generally the most cost effective skin rejuvenation treatments.

Recovery & Downtime for Peels

After your customized TCA Peel treatment, your skin may darken resembling a tan then around day 2-3 your skin will begin the peeling process. Peeling can last anywhere from 3 to 7 days. Allowing the peeling to happen naturally is key to a great result. Avoiding pulling at the peeling skin and any exfoliating products for the first week.

Microdermabrasion Facial $190

This exfoliating treatment is safe for all skin types as well as those sensitive to alpha-hydroxy acids and even pregnant patients.

Vitalize peel $180

Patient may experience a few days of mild peeling and redness. This peel is very effective on its own or in a series if needed. It works very well with the Limelight laser for those seeking a complete skin makeover.

 

Skin Resurfacing Lasers In General

Laser based skin rejuvenation treatments

Recovery and Results

After your skin resurfacing procedure, you may experience mild swelling and discomfort for a few days. These symptoms can be controlled with ice packs and prescription pain medication. You will also experience redness that gradually diminishes as the skin heals. While most patients can return to work and other normal activities after a few days, redness may persist for several weeks, and some patients might experience peeling. With deeper the treatments, you will get a more dramatic result, but you will have a longer recovery.

The results of laser skin resurfacing may take months to fully appear, after all signs of redness have diminished. Although the results are long lasting, they are not permanent. The treatment will not stop the normal aging process, but it will reset the clock, and skin will appear younger and smoother.

Risks

Although skin rejuvenation treatments is considered very safe for most patients, and complications are rare, there are risks associated with any procedure. The chance of each of these adverse reactions depends on which treatment is used, your skin coloration, and your medical history. During a consultation, I will get to know you and learn about the amount of improvement you want and the length of recovery that is acceptable to you. After we specifically review the chances of these complications, I can tell you which treatment is best for you.

• Scarring – Some scars cannot be improved, and the treatment itself can rarely cause scarring.
• Infection – You will be given antibiotics to take for deeper skin resurfacing treatments and an antiviral medication to prevent cold sores, which can even occur in a small number of patients who have never had them before
• Skin pigment changes – Dark or light areas are possible after treatment, and the risk depends on your skin coloration and which treatment is used.
• Abnormal healing – For some patients, the skin may remain red for a prolonged period of time or there may be areas of peeling and crusting that lag behind other areas that have already healed.

Lumenis ULTRApulse® Alpha CO2 Resurfacing Laser

More aggressive skin rejuvenation treatments

What Are The Side Effects?

CO2 resurfacing is considered a controlled burn. Your skin will be red, tender and in need of moisture and good skincare. We will provide you with all products to take care of your skin for your first month of recovery. You will continue the application of recommended healing products for approximately seven to ten days after your treatment. We will advise you when to resume your at-home skin care routine. For a few days following the treatment, you will need to wear protective clothing and limit sun exposure. You can start wearing make-up when your skin is clear and no longer sloughing.

What Is The Social Downtime?

Downtime is the time spent recovering from a procedure. We recommend a full seven to ten days of recovery. During this time you will need to avoid the sun and follow the full skin care regime we provide. This insures the best results possible.

Co2 Resurfacing Laser Before & After
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.

ADVATx?

One of the many benefits of ADVATx technology is how gentle the treatment is. This skin rejuvenation treatment can be performed on patients of all ages and most skin tones. Darker skin tones may require treatment with hydroquinone creams prior to initiation of treatment. If you are in good general health, have no open wounds in the treatment area, and desire skin improvement, ADVATx is likely suitable for your needs.

ICON & Three For Me Erbium IPL Laser Treatment

This fractional technology delivers pulses of laser light into the skin to target and break down scar tissue. This skin rejuvenation treatment will help generate healthy new tissue to form in its place that is smoother and more even in skin tone.

• Laser scar removal is a more comfortable alternative to surgery with amazing results:
• Fast, non-surgical treatment sessions
• Little to no downtime
• Mild discomfort
• Excellent results

Patients see immediate improvement in facial veins, with brown spots will flaking off off after 1-3 weeks, and finally progressive improvement in fine lines, wrinkles and scars over the next 6 months. The treatment can be safely used on most skin types and for common aging and sun-related skin conditions including wrinkles, sun spots and facial vessels.

Typically, patients can resume regular daily activities the same day as your treatment although due to some redness and swelling but may experience a day or two of social downtime.

Most people require 4 to 8 treatment sessions for desired results depending on the scar. Your provider can give you an estimate based on your condition. Some patients  may experience temporary redness and swelling at the treatment site which should last only a few days.

THIS TREATMENT OFFERS…

• Excellent results
• No downtime
• Low discomfort during the treatment
• Fast and easy treatment sessions

Patients can expect to see a decrease in the appearance of brown spots and vessels for a more even skin tone. The treatment can be performed in under 30 minutes depending on the size of the area.

Typically, there is no downtime and you can return to your daily activities immediately following the treatment.

Most people experience a mild, sun-burn like sensation, possibly accompanied by some minor swelling, immediately following the treatment. This usually lasts 2 to 24 hours. Speak with your provider to discuss other possible side-effects and the necessary post-treatment care.

LimeLight Laser Skin Resurfacing

LimeLight therapy is often thought of as a laser skin treatment, but it actually uses IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) to heat up the darker areas of your skin and cause the destruction of the hyperpigmented cells that make up those dark spots — which darken and then flake off, leaving more beautiful and even skin behind.

Your practitioner can choose from three wavelengths of light to select the one that’s best for your treatment. When the LimeLight laser handpiece is pressed against your skin and activated, you might feel a quick sensation of heat that passes quickly.

Most LimeLight skin rejuvenation treatments last an hour or less depending on the size of the area being treated, and if you would like, a numbing cream can be applied before the session begins. You’ll probably need around three LimeLight sessions for best results.

LimeLight Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.

Laser Genesis

Side Effects Of Laser Genesis

Laser Genesis is a gentle, non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment  that seldom has side effects such as bruising or skin irritation. Aftercare is simple including use of sunscreen as well as drinking plenty of water. This is truly a rejuvenation procedure with no social downtime.

Laser Genesis Before & After
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.

Learn more about our plastic surgery practice

If you still have questions about skin rejuvenation treatments and their safety feel free to contact us directly