Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser Skin Resurfacing Overview

While facial plastic surgery procedures such as a deep plane facelift, mini facelift, deep neck lift, blepharoplasty, and brow lift are all excellent ways to restore a youthful look, many patients prefer to try a non-surgical option first. Laser skin resurfacing is an incredibly versatile non-invasive laser skin treatment and can treat skin issues on the face, neck, and decolletage.

This safe and effective procedure is the perfect way to address a wide variety of skin imperfections. It provides cutting-edge wrinkle reduction, reducing signs of aging like fine lines and deeper creases. It can tighten sagging skin and smooth away roughness caused by sun damage. It can also correct uneven skin tone, reducing dyschromia and restoring a youthful complexion.

Additionally, laser skin resurfacing can fade brown spots, shrink oversized pores, and treat scarring and acne scars. By triggering new collagen and elastin production, it can bring back the skin’s healthy and youthful appearance.

The laser skin resurfacing treatment process is performed in the comfort of our office. The process is very quick—it usually takes only twenty minutes for a full-face treatment. At the start of the procedure, patients must wear protective eyewear. Numbing cream may be administered in order to ensure full patient comfort throughout the entirety of the session.

Once the numbing cream has taken full effect, the plastic surgeon (or nurse aesthetician) places the CO2 laser handpiece over the area targeted for treatment. Laser energy is directed into the skin tissues, creating microscopic treatment zones that reach down into the deeper skin layers to stimulate new collagen production.

Patients are recommended to come in for three treatment sessions in order to achieve optimal results. A period of six to eight weeks must pass between each session to give the skin time to fully recover and build new collagen protein. But by doing this initial series of three you get a synergistic effect on the skin for full rejuvenation. Patients often prefer to come in for maintenance treatments every six to twelve months in order to prevent the occurrence of new signs of aging and sun damage in the targeted areas. This is important to do in addition to wearing sunscreen and quality skincare products since signs of skin aging compound over time and the wrinkles and sun spots that pop up now are likely from UV exposure you had many years ago.

How Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Works

We perform laser skin resurfacing using the Cynosure SMARTSKIN®+ CO2 workstation. This state-of-the-art system achieves effective skin resurfacing utilizing a fractional technique.

When a laser technique is described as “fractional,” that means that it directs numerous laser energy microbeams at specific tiny areas, or “fractions,” of the skin. Older laser techniques treated the entire skin layer, which led to the need for extensive recovery times. Fractional lasers leave areas of tissue undamaged, and these healthy skin cells then help to heal the damaged cells.

Micro-ablative lasers use heat energy to remove skin tissue, whereas non-ablative lasers do not remove tissue. Micro-removal of tissue is similar to exfoliation, encouraging the body to grow new collagen and skin cells. This removes existing skin issues and results in smoother, healthier skin.

Cynosure SMARTSKIN®+ CO2 laser skin resurfacing is incredibly customizable. Technicians can choose between weaker and stronger pulses of laser energy to achieve specific results. This also allows them to minimize the chance of complications and reduce required downtime.

In this way, there are three main settings our surgeons perform the laser on.

Fractional CO2 laser setting can be used on the face, neck, and decolletage areas as well as the back of the hands. This setting is best for the initial series of three and for maintenance treatments. This setting is routinely used with just topical numbing cream but if you are having a surgical procedure at the same time it can be done under the same anesthetic. Downtime for this treatment is usually 3 to 5 days.

Semi-ablative CO2 laser resurfacing is our “medium” laser strength which can be helpful for deeper wrinkles and is only required to do one treatment which can be with numbing cream or under twilight anesthesia as it resurfaces to a deeper skin layer than the fractional setting. This setting can only be used on the face. To treat all areas with sun damage, our surgeons will use the fractional setting on the neck and decolletage. Downtime for the semiablative CO2 laser setting is usually 5 to 7 days.

Ablative CO2 laser resurfacing is our strongest laser setting which gives the most dramatic results. This setting can address very deep wrinkles and signs of lots of sun exposure over the years. This setting is generally only performed under anesthesia since it reaches the deepest skin layers for maximum results. This setting can only be used on the face. To treat all areas with sun damage, our surgeons will use the fractional setting on the neck and decolletage. Downtime for the ablative CO2 laser is usually 10 to 14 days.

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is an optimal treatment option for patients looking to rejuvenate their skin without undergoing a surgical procedure. Patients with sun damage, signs of aging, acne scars, and other skin imperfections are good candidates for this popular laser treatment.

The SMARTSKIN®+ CO2 laser is one of the best lasers to remove scars and is especially ideal for acne scar removal. Because of this, patients looking for laser scar removal in Denver find this to be a particularly effective treatment.

Patients who have taken Accutane® or used Retin-A medication must discuss this during their consultation for SMARTSKIN®+ CO2 laser skin resurfacing. Those who regularly suffer from cold sores must also discuss this during their consultation. Active skin infections must be fully treated before coming in for this form of skin rejuvenation.

People with active acne are not ideal candidates for laser skin resurfacing. Patients with darker skin tones may be at risk of pigmentation changes and may be recommended to consider other treatment options such as chemical peels or microneedling.

Why Choose Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetic Center for Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Center is one of Colorado’s top facial plastic surgery practices. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Brent Smith and Dr. Cory Bovenzi focus specifically on facial procedures and strongly believe in the harmony between facial plastic surgery and non-surgical facial treatments.

Our skilled staff creates a welcoming and warm environment for our patients, who continue to choose us year after year for their aesthetic needs. Shay, our nurse aesthetician, is an expert in laser resurfacing and has over 13 years of experience helping patients achieve their health and beauty goals.

How Much Does Laser Skin Resurfacing Cost?

A number of factors can affect the overall cost of SMARTSKIN®+ CO2 laser skin resurfacing in Denver. The patient’s aesthetic needs and goals can play a role in determining cost. Other aspects of the treatment that may affect the total price can include the severity of the skin issues being treated, along with the size, number, and location of the targeted skin issues. The laser setting and depth also contributes to the overall cost, typically with the stronger settings associated with a slightly higher cost.

Your Consultation: What to Expect

The consultation for this anti-aging treatment will involve meeting with one of our skilled aesthetic professionals. They will tell you more about the treatment process from start to finish, including preparation directions and recovery instructions. They will also help set realistic expectations regarding the potential results and benefits of this treatment.

The aesthetic professional will carefully examine your skin, noting texture, quality, and the skin issues being targeted for treatment. You will go over your aesthetic goals, along with your medical history. Questions will be asked regarding your current medications, any allergies, past aesthetic treatments, and any pre-existing conditions.

After Your Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment Session

Once your SMARTSKIN®+ CO2 laser skin resurfacing is complete, you’ll be able to return home. An ice pack may be placed against the targeted areas in order to reduce the chance of post-treatment swelling.

The recovery process is very quick— for the fractional setting patients only need around three to five days of social downtime in order to let their skin recover. During this time, the treated area will have a pinkish hue, and flaking will occur. Pain is very minimal and there should not be any bleeding.

Avoid picking at the area or scratching at it while the skin recovers, as this can create new damage. Care instructions will be provided, and these must be followed closely in order to experience optimal results. In five to seven days, patients can return to all everyday activities and apply makeup again.

Once the treatments have been performed, the skin will regrow with a youthful and smooth look. The increase in collagen production will also result in gradual and impressive rejuvenation. After around four to six months, the skin will look revitalized and youthful.