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clock-icon   October 15, 2018

Bye Bye Blemishes: Understanding Your Laser Options

Are you in an incessant battle with skin blemishes? Then again, aren’t we all? Constant exposure to environmental stressors coupled with the joys that come with adulthood–hello, stress and vices!–take their toll on the skin over time. Before we can look up a good skincare fix, blemishes have plagued our faces.

And, no lie. Even some skincare products just won’t cut it. Even the most potent acids are not enough to control the acne flare up or reduce the facial wrinkles and other blemishes. And in such case you have a serious case of blemishes and scars that you need to banish, maybe it’s time to consider laser treatments.

 

The Lowdown on Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is one of the various skin treatments that we offer here at North Texas Plastic Surgery. It goes by many names: lasabrasion, laser peel, and laser vaporization. But one thing’s for sure: laser resurfacing helps erase your blemishes, scars, and wrinkles.

So how does it do its magic? It works by sending short, concentrated beams of light on the problem areas of the skin, carefully removing the damaged skin one layer at a time. The laser beam will peel off the epidermis first, which is the outer layer of the skin. Then, it will heat up the dermis beneath to encourage the production of collagen. As a result, newer, firmer and smoother skin will surface to the top.

 

Is Laser Skin Resurfacing for You?

Just like any other cosmetic treatments and procedures, laser skin resurfacing is not for everyone. And by that we mean people with:

  • active acne,
  • darker skin tones,
  • deep wrinkles, or
  • excessive or sagging skin

may not be good candidates for laser skin resurfacing. That’s because this treatment poses a higher risk for hyperpigmentation or cell damage to patients with darker skin.

Yet, there are other skin resurfacing options to consider, including chemical peelsmicroneedling, Fractora microneedling with radiofrequency, and IPL Photorejuvenation.

 

Before You Go, Know Your Laser Options

First, know that there are two types of lasers used for laser skin resurfacing:

  • Ablative lasers peel off the damaged skin’s top layers
  • Non-ablative lasers work deeper into the skin without affecting its top layers. There is no real downtime with non-ablative lasers, but it will take a series of treatments before the most satisfying and long-lasting results are achieved.

 

There is no single laser that can treat all skin concerns and skin types, so make sure you’re completely informed about the best laser option for you.

These are non-ablative lasers that reduce broken capillaries, hyperpigmentation, redness, and rosacea.

These lasers can be ablative or non-ablative depending on the brand. They’re popular options for the treatment of dark spots, fine lines, skin laxity, and wrinkles because they induce collagen remodeling.

Mostly ablative lasers, CO2 lasers are used for treating scars, warts, and other deeper skin blemishes.

These lasers can be either ablative or non-ablative and can treat several aging-related blemishes. Fractional lasers can treat only skin segments, thereby reducing the downtime.

While it’s not technically a laser, but it is often used for the treatment of similar skin concerns that lasers address such as acne, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and sun damage.

  • Pulsed-Dye Lasers (Lumenis ® M22 ™)
  • Erbium Lasers (Lumenis ® M22 ™ Nd:YAG)
  • CO2 Lasers (Lumenis ® AcuPulse ™)
  • Fractional Lasers (Lumenis ® M22 ™ ResurFX ™ , PiQo4, and PicoFractional)
  • Intense Pulsed Light (Lumenis ® M22 ™)

 

Laser treatments are not something that you can do on your own. It can be dangerous if performed by inexperienced hands. You will need the recommendation of a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or a qualified skin care professional trained in laser resurfacing for the best treatment for your skin type.

Ready for a laser treatment? If you reside within the vicinity of Dallas, Plano or Southlake in Texas, swing by our clinic for a free consultation! You can book one by giving us a call at 972-627-4175 or filling out our online appointment form.

 

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