Laser Skin Treatments

: Before

: After

Our skin undergoes many changes as we age, and the cumulative effects of chronic sun exposure accelerate these changes. This photodamage from Ultraviolet rays can cause visible conditions, including poor skin tone, wrinkles, and blotchy pigmentation. Fortunately, the latest advancements in laser technology allow us to effectively reverse many of these changes.

At The Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Jeff Scott is committed to employing the latest, most advanced techniques and technologies available in the field of cosmetic enhancement. As a testament to this devotion, he offers the Icon™ Aesthetic System from Cynosure® – a revolutionary laser platform that enables him to treat an expansive array of common skin concerns and conditions.

Based on the patient’s unique needs and goals, Dr. Scott is able to customize each approach while maximizing both speed and precision for shorter, more effective treatment sessions.

TYPES OF TREATMENTS:

IPL – INTENSE PULSE LIGHT THERAPY

This treatment is often referred to as a Photofacial or Photorejuvenation and is very effective for correcting certain skin conditions that are unable to be treated by skin care products alone. IPL is a non-ablative resurfacing technique because it does not affect the top layers of the skin (epidermis). When treating pigmented lesions, The Palomar Icon™ delivers a precise pulse of light energy that is absorbed by specific pigments in the deeper layers of the skin (dermis). The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by either the blood when treating vascular lesions or the melanin when treating pigmented lesions, damaging them. The body’s natural processes then remove the injured tissue giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance.

Conditions Treated with Excellent results:

Facial Spider Veins
Rosacea
Age spots or brown spots from sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms and hands
Freckles
Hemangiomas
Reduces pore size

What to Expect:

Depending on the extent of the area being treated, each treatment usually takes 15-30 minutes. During the treatment, you will wear eye protection, as each pulse of the laser will send a beam of light through your skin. When the handpiece is pulsed, a beep, flash of light, and a warm sensation will be felt. The pigmented lesion or brown spot will initially turn darker and eventually flake off. It will continue to fade over the next 2-4 weeks. Skin being treated may appear pink in color after treatment. For best results, it is recommended to undergo a series of 3-4 treatments every 4-6 weeks. Because an IPL is a non-ablative laser that leaves the outer skin intact, downtime is minimal which allows individuals to return to their normal activities the following day. As with all laser and light-based treatments, it is important to wear sunscreen and limit activities in the sun during the recovery period.

1540 FRACTIONAL ERBIUM NON-ABLATIVE LASER

This laser targets the deep dermis located under the outer layer of the skin. It delivers multiple columns of laser beams in order to create thousands of microscopic areas of injury to the tissue contained in those specific columns. The surrounding skin that is uninjured gets rid of the damaged tissue and replaces them with new cells that result in collagen remodeling and formation. This results in skin that appears fresh and soft. By using different micro-lenses, this laser can also be utilized to penetrate deeper into the dermis in order to treat acne, post-surgical scars, and stretch marks.

Conditions treated with Excellent results:

Smoothes skin tone and texture
Melasma
Acne Scars
Surgical Scars
Stretch Marks

What to Expect:

Depending on the size and type of treatment, most treatments take no more than an hour. Numbing cream may be applied for comfort if there is a large area being treated. During the treatment, you will wear protective eyewear. You will hear beeps from the laser as it touches your skin. You may feel a slight stinging or burning sensation during the procedure. You may experience swelling, redness or heat similar to a sunburn afterward. The number of treatments varies from a single treatment to a series depending upon the condition being treated. Because a single treatment targets only a fraction of the skin at one time, best results are usually achieved by repeating treatments at 2-4 week intervals. Typically you may resume your regular activities the same day that you have treatment. More aggressive procedures may take a couple of days of healing.

2940 FRACTIONAL ERBIUM ABLATIVE LASER

As an ablative laser, this technique essentially removes outer layers of skin in the targeted area in order to stimulate natural healing and restructuring of tissues as well as the production of new collagen. Unlike older CO2 lasers, that injured the entire surface of the skin, this fractional laser spares portions of the epidermis, which in turn allows the skin to heal quicker. In just a single treatment, this advanced laser can often help patients significantly rejuvenate and revitalize the appearance of their skin with minimal downtime compared to other lasers.

Conditions treated with Excellent results:

Textural irregularities
Sun damage and hyperpigmentation
Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines around lips, eyes, and mouth
Mild skin tightening
Softening of deep frown lines

What to Expect:

In order to minimize discomfort, individuals are given medication and numbing cream prior to the procedure. During the treatment, you will wear protective eyewear. You will hear beeps from the laser as it touches your skin and you may feel a warm sensation. After the procedure, you will apply ointment to the treated area for a few days to promote healing. You will experience swelling and redness that subsides within a few days. While it is typically necessary to plan for a few days of recovery after this procedure, most people are able to return to their normal activities in 4-5 days.

COMBINATION LASER TREATMENTS

In order to achieve optimum results for skin rejuvenation, it is common to combine the 1540 non-ablative laser and the 2940 ablative laser during one treatment session. This allows for collagen remodeling from the deep dermis to the outer layers of the skin. The result is a more homogeneous skin color and smoother texture.

Laser treatments can significantly rejuvenate your skin with results that keep improving as new collagen continues to grow. These popular treatment options have helped many of our patients take years off their appearance and give their skin a healthier, more youthful glow!