Oftentimes, people are judged by the appearance of their skin. It’s just human nature. We draw inferences about others by the way they look up-close, especially if they have saggy, sun-damaged skin.
As supportive skin structures like collagen and elastin fibers break down, skin tone and firmness weaken naturally over time. Laser skin resurfacing can help restore that younger-looking evenness and effervescence everyone wants to recapture.
The beauty of laser skin resurfacing is that it can work either in combination with a facelift or by itself in a series of treatments designed to refine the skin’s outer appearance. Instead of judging, people will be left wondering about your true age.
At Smith Cosmetic Surgery, we often refer to laser resurfacing as the “icing on the cake.” Laser treatment performed during or even after a facelift surgery, is how the most dramatic effect is created. Laser skin rejuvenation is truly the refinement that can give your skin the healthy “glow” of youth.
Laser skin resurfacing is an easy, outpatient procedure in which a laser light beam is applied to the face in a strength and concentration calculated for your needs. The type we use at Smith Cosmetic Surgery is a carbon dioxide (CO2)-based laser, one of the most advanced and sought after in the field of cosmetic surgery.
This type of laser treatment not only gently erases away old layers of skin to reveal new, healthy layers, but also stimulates the growth of collagen, a critical component in keeping a youthful look intact as we age.
Typically performed in a series, laser skin resurfacing is effective for reducing the appearance of:
The laser procedure is highly effective in conjunction with or even following a facelift. Laser resurfacing functions as a complement to improve the texture on the surface of your skin after you’ve committed to having work done to elevate underlying muscle and tissue.
Lasers penetrate deep enough to remove layers of flaky skin and to refresh and rebuild underlying collagen. Although, laser procedures alone cannot lift and tighten the way a surgical facelift can. Only surgery can address the underlying weaknesses in the face, and that’s why we show patients how mini facelifts and laser truly go hand in hand—addressing both the inner and outer structures of the face.
Dr. Smith often reminds patients that skin has no shape of its own—and that’s true. Our faces need a supporting framework—either held up by the natural collagen of youth or muscular manipulation through cosmetic surgery—in order to look their best. If we don’t have a good foundation, it shows.
While often referred to as a fast and flawless procedure, laser skin resurfacing comes in different strengths. The newest CO2 laser powers range from “fractional,” which delivers continuous “ultra pulses” to remove a thin top layer of skin with minimal heat damage, to “ablative,” which penetrates deeper to take off the entire top layer.
Based on patients’ needs, Dr. Smith uses an advanced laser technology suite to control the precise depth of treatment. Having a computer-guided system rather than a manual procedure allows for a new level of precision. With more science, comes more control.
After a complimentary consultation with Dr. Brent J. Smith to determine your skin condition and needs, we will recommend a laser skin resurfacing plan customized for your individual skin issues or that which will best compliment your facelift.
During the outpatient laser procedure, Dr. Smith will set the laser to a precise strength and guide it over your face to gently remove the top “dead” layers of skin and allow new collagen to reproduce, creating a lasting, youthful glow. To patients, the laser appears as a light directed onto the face in concentrated, pulsating beams.
A topical anesthesia will be applied as needed for your ultimate comfort. The procedure generally is not considered painful, but you should prepare for some healing time and will need to limit exposure to the sun as your face continues to “grow” brand-new skin.
The powerful, results-oriented fractional laser used at Smith Cosmetic Surgery delivers beautifying effects that become more obvious over the healing days following a procedure. Full recovery for fractional laser work can be about three to five days. Because the ablative laser goes another layer deeper, it may require up to two weeks to see full results with this type of treatment.
Dr. Smith and his staff will instruct you about everything you need to know during recovery time, including what to expect, topical aids for treated skin, realistic results and when to come in for your next laser treatment.
Scheduling a laser procedure later in the work week, such as a Friday, is a good way to give your body extra time to renew over the weekend. Holiday breaks are also a smart time to book a laser resurfacing treatment, especially if it’s your first time and you want time to monitor how your skin reacts and heals.
If you are having laser skin resurfacing with a facelift, you may want to utilize Dr. Smith’s Rapid Recovery program. Our healing system combines the latest in “supercharging” hyperbaric oxygen, laser and LED-light treatments to get you back to your life routine as soon as possible.
Because there are so many different skin-enhancing procedures on the market, it can be very confusing for consumers to sort out which treatment will work the best. A top-quality cosmetic surgeon, especially one who specializes in the facial region, will quickly be able to guide you down the right path.
Every treatment we offer at Smith Cosmetic Surgery is carefully chosen to provide the quality and results our patients deserve. We only select the most proven, advanced technologies to help achieve your desired results.
While there are plenty of great surgical and non-surgical procedures to treat specific areas of the face, laser skin resurfacing is one of the most exciting on the market today because of its ability to produce more supple, uniform and youthful-looking skin in as little as one session. We’re pretty sure anyone would sign up for that!
Dr. Smith is in the facial cosmetic surgery business because he truly appreciates the transformation, both externally and internally, that takes place during what can only be described as a deeply personal experience. If you have questions about why you’re making the choice, your complimentary consultation is the best time to talk through any concerns.
First, we’ll ensure that you are a good candidate for this laser skin resurfacing. While laser skin resurfacing works for a variety of skin types and conditions, there are typically a few skin types that are not a great fit: skin with active acne, very dark skin and skin with stretch marks.
We want you to know that we’re here to listen and to help guide you through making this decision that you can feel great about now—and in the future. If you’re ready to schedule a complimentary consultation to see if laser skin resurfacing is a good fit for you, please reach out today.
