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Skin Resurfacing Treatment

Skin resurfacing removes the initial layer of the skin to reveal healthier looking skin beneath. Generally, skin resurfacing combats facial wrinkling and treats pigmentation problems and acne scarring. Many candidates for skin resurfacing suffer from the effects of aging, sun exposure, and hereditary and lifestyle factors, and look at laser skin resurfacing as a way to combat their skin problems.

Prior to skin resurfacing treatments, you and the surgeon will discuss your skin type and desired outcome to decide if laser skin resurfacing is right for you, and what you should expect as the outcome if you choose laser skin resurfacing. The plastic surgeon will most likely use a carbon dioxide laser to perform the laser skin resurfacing, vaporizing skin layers and treating wrinkles, blotchiness, age spots, and scars. Immediately following your laser skin resurfacing, your skin may be red and swollen, and the new skin exposed by laser skin resurfacing should be protected from sun exposure.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Coblation Skin Resurfacing

Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment

Laser resurfacing is the most recently developed technique for skin resurfacing. Specially designed, pulsed CO2 lasers can vaporize skin layer by layer, causing minimal damage to other skin tissue. Special scanning devices move the laser light across the skin in predetermined patterns, ensuring proper exposure.

Laser resurfacing appears to achieve its best results as a spot treatment; patients expecting complete elimination of scars and purely normal skin appearance will not be satisfied.

Laser scar resurfacing as a treatment for acne scars appear to be more successful in convex areas of the face. Lateral cheek and the temples do not benefit from this technique as much.

Melasma is sometimes referred to as "the mask of pregnancy", and consists of brown spots of pigmentation that usually occur around the eyes. Using laser skin resurfacing for melasma allows patients to remove these pigment spots, returning their skin to pre-pregnancy clarity. Although not a permanent solution, laser skin resurfacing for melasma can greatly improve the appearance of the skin, and is especially popular if the pigmentation occurs on the face or other highly visible area. Additionally, laser skin resurfacing for melasma can concentrate on treating a specific portion of the face, or can be performed on the entire face, so that the laser skin resurfacing for melasma can end up treating other imperfections and irregularities in pigment and texture.

A laser skin resurfacing for melasma requires what is known as a "medium depth" resurfacing, which can also make permanent improvements in problems such as wrinkles and fine lines. Laser skin resurfacing for melasma generally only requires a single procedure, followed by approximately one week of healing time. This procedure is becoming increasing popular, as laser skin resurfacing for melasma produces dramatic results with a single treatment and relatively short healing time. The effects of laser skin resurfacing for melasma are long-lasting, although not permanent, and most patients opt for additional courses of treatment using laser skin resurfacing for melasma in order to maintain their results. The procedures are usually repeated every year or two, depending upon the individual.

The lasers used in laser skin resurfacing for melasma deliver brief high-energy beams of light to remove the outermost layers of damaged skin, tighten collagen, and creates a more youthful appearance. The process of laser skin resurfacing for melasma takes between fifteen minutes to a little over an hour, depending upon the size and location of the damaged area. Laser skin resurfacing for melasma is a fantastic alternative for patients frustrated by the failure of creams and other remedies to deliver the results they want.

Laser skin resurfacing for melasma is widely available. To learn more, or to find out if you are a qualified candidate for laser skin resurfacing for melasma contact a board-certified plastic surgeon and ask for information. If you are considering laser skin resurfacing for the removal acne and blemishes, please visit our Acne Removal page for more information on other treatments available.

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Coblation Skin Resurfacing Treatment

Coblation skin resurfacing is the only non-laser skin resurfacing method currently FDA approved for wrinkle removal. Using coblation skin resurfacing, doctors can treat individuals for pigmentation problems, coarse skin texture, and fine lines.

During a coblation skin resurfacing procedure, radiofrequency energy is in constant contact with the skin, stripping top layers of the skin. Coblation skin resurfacing does not involve the high temperatures that laser processes rely upon—a typical coblation skin resurfacing works at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while lasers can exceed 300 degrees. Lower temperatures mean coblation skin resurfacing recovery can take significantly less time than laser treatments. Rather than three to six weeks, coblation skin resurfacing patients take only one week to ten days for the crusting and recovery to pass. Coblation skin resurfacing does have its disadvantages, as well: because of the lower heat used in coblation skin resurfacing, collagen remodeling is not immediate, and final results may take up to three months after coblation skin resurfacing treatment. However, another major advantage of this method, according to many coblation skin resurfacing patients, is that you may go out without people knowing you had any treatment. Coblation skin resurfacing does not cause the severe redness that laser patients must camouflage for months after treatment.

Coblation skin resurfacing information is available from a variety of sources, but individuals who are interested in coblation skin resurfacing may wish to contact a plastic surgeon to determine if this procedure is right for them.

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Dermatological Skin Care Treatments Available