With you from step one
Contact us below or call at 206.599.3223. We’re here to help answer your questions or to get you started with a consultation.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Return to All Procedures
Smooth & Healthier Skin
Reduce Fine Lines, Scars, and Uneven Skin Tone
In today’s society where people are eating healthier, exercising more, and living longer, many desire to reduce fine lines and pigmented lesions in their skin to help them look the age that they feel. Laser resurfacing removes fine lines and wrinkling while also improving skin discoloration that can arise as we age.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing provides the greatest degree of resurfacing and most impact on skin fine lines and pigmentation. It is very effective but is also associated with some down time after treatement.
For those whose schedules may not allow for a longer downtime, our Erbium Yag laser uses a less invasive approach for treating superficial wrinkles and sun damaged skin. It is associated with minimal downtime, while still delivering great results for mild to moderate skin wrinkling and discoloration. It works by gently peeling off the outer layer of the dermis (skin) and placing a minimal amount of heat into the dermal tissue to help stimulate collagen. It is gentle, safe, and can be used on the neck, chest, hands and face with minimal risk. Skin resurfacing can be performed to help treat the following problems:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Age/brown spots
- Uneven skin tone
- Scars
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a candidate for laser skin resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing using is appropriate for those with light to medium skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV) who wish to reduce fine to moderate wrinkles and skin damage related to sun and aging on the neck, chest, hands and face. Those with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick V, VI) may still proceed with laser resurfacing, but treatment must proceed with significant caution to minimize the chance of an adverse outcome or scarring.
Does laser resurfacing hurt?
CO2 laser resurfacing is typically performed in the operating room with sedation in addition to topical anesthesia. Post treatment there is moderate discomfort but adequately managed with mild anti-inflammatory medication.
Erbium Yag laser treatments are performed in our office after application of topical anesthesia. The procedure may cause mild discomfort with a warm or mild burning sensation (like a sunburn) that may last a few hours.
What is the recovery time following treatment?
For a laser surfacing treatment, adequate post treatment care is essential to optimize the outcome. Immediately after the treatment a healing ointment will be applied to treated areas. Post treatment consists of keeping the skin clean and continuously covered with ointment until the skin fully heals. For CO2 laser resurfacing, significant redness and peeling is typically present for a week with mild to moderate redness lasting a few weeks.
Care after Erbium Yag resurfacing is similar to that described about, but significant redness and peeling is present for approximately 2 days followed by mild peeling and redness that typically resolves within 5 days.
How many treatments will I need?
Though the CO2 laser has a longer downtime, a single treatment will typically yield a result that can be maintained for years when combined with appropriate skin care.
With the Erbium Yag laser, multiple treatments are usually required for best results. The minimal downtime associated with this laser allows for multiple treatments, and we recommend three treatments spaced approximately four to six weeks apart for an ideal outcome.
What results can I expect?
Both CO2 and Erbium Yag laser treatments yield satisfying improvements in skin texture and pigmentation. The CO2 laser has a greater impact than the Erbium Yag laser but also has a significantly longer downtime. The choice for each patient is individual, and we help each of our patients make the best decision for them.