Reversing damage to the skin caused by the sun is one of the most common concerns shared by both women and men. Los Angeles residents are especially prone to sun exposure, and even people who apply sunscreen diligently can expect to see some toll taken on their skin’s appearance. Laser skin resurfacing offered at our Los Angeles plastic surgery practice can dramatically improve sun-damaged skin.
But the language of lasers can be confusing. And for the women and men who have skin concerns that could benefit from laser treatments, understanding the procedure and its benefits is helpful.
Skin resurfacing lasers target water molecules within the collagen layer of the dermis. By heating those molecules, we can trigger the body’s healing process for extensive repair and collagen production. It’s sort of like tricking the body into creating smoother skin.
Skin Resurfacing Season
Southern California is sunny much of the year, and it’s best to avoid direct sun exposure before and after a laser treatment. That can be very difficult to do during the longer days of spring and summer in Southern California. And for active people, staying indoors during the summer can be almost impossible. That’s why timing your laser skin resurfacing treatments for the fall and winter is beneficial.
Number of Treatments
The number of treatments you’ll need really depends on the type of laser used for your skin resurfacing. Fractional, non-ablative lasers that don’t require downtime have the trade-off of needing multiple treatment sessions. They penetrate the skin in a pixelated pattern, with some columns receiving a dose of light and others going untouched. The cumulative results are still dramatic but take longer to appear. Ablative lasers—which remove the skin’s exterior layer—produce the desired results after only a single treatment but can require several days or more of downtime. These ablative lasers can address more extensive skin damage and deeper wrinkles than non-ablative laser procedures.
Fraxel® laser skin resurfacing is a fractional treatment that is quite popular at our practice.
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Choose a Qualified Laser Provider
Ultimately, even the most advanced laser won’t produce good results if the person performing the treatment lacks the extensive training needed. An inexperienced or undertrained laser provider increases the risks of unwanted side effects. Our highly trained team of aesthetic specialists include Carla Crespo, a board-certified physician assistant, along with registered nurses Rachel Thompson and Stacy Wright.
If you’re curious about laser skin resurfacing and other skin treatments such as peels and microdermabrasion, we can discuss your best treatment options with you. Contact our office using the online form to request a consultation with one of our providers or call us at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment. Take a look at our gallery of before-and-after photos to see actual patients who had laser skin resurfacing treatments at our practice.
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