Laser Resurfacing

Depending on the level of laser resurfacing you will have some down time. After you have healed you will see results of the laser within a week of healing.

I have been using CO2 laser technology for over 15 years to help resurface the skin. Several years ago a procedure called Fraxel came out but I was never happy with the results. The reason why was this procedure was based upon Erbium laser which has inferior results to laser technology. Around 5 years ago I found a Mixto-Laser which was the first fractional laser to use CO2 laser technology. I believe this laser is superior, 1.)Because of its use of carbon dioxide technology and 2.) Because of the random pattern that it uses when laying down the laser marks. This helps the skin not to overheat and to heal faster than other procedures. The laser can also be finely tuned to various depths, so I can go from a superficial buff and polish of your skin to a deep laser peel, with faster healing and superior results.

The most important part is that you follow the recommendation of the cosmetic surgeon and not go on your own to a local drugstore to pick up different creams which can cause an allergic reaction.

At my office we go the extra mile and use a special Amino Acid Oxygen blend to spray your skin. This was developed for soldiers who were burn victims during war time. It helps to rapidly speed up the healing process. All of the products we use are only used by physicians and are hypoallergenic. Once the skin is fully healed the most important part is to protect the skin with an excellent sunblock.

The gold standard of laser skin resurfacing is the Coherent or Ultra Pulse CO2 laser which has been around since 1995. This laser works beautifully to help smooth the skin. Patients who have this procedure may have rosiness to their skin for 12 weeks or more but can usually wear make up after one week's time.

A newer form of resurfacing uses a Carbon Dioxide or C02 laser technology in a fractional mode. I use the Mixto Laser for this. Be careful because some fractional lasers don't use CO2 laser technology but Erbium technology which may not be as effective.

Another important factor it's not always the laser but who is performing it and who is overseeing the procedure itself.

The Co2 Lasers , Mixto, Lumenis, will help to diminish NLF and Marionette lines but will not eradicate them. The lasers help to build collagen and tighten skin but not enough to make them disappear. The NLFs are very difficult; even some face lift techniques, will not change them substantially. Fillers like, radiesse, fat, restylane and juvederm can be used to diminish these lines. Combination techniques, combining fillers and CO2 laser or Face lift and CO2 laser are a powerful combination on these stubborn lines.