Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is a skin resurfacing procedure that makes use of a laser to improve the appearance of your skin or treat minor facial flaws. Laser resurfacing can be done with two types of lasers:

A wounding (ablative) laser, which removes thin layers of skin
A nonwounding (nonablative) laser, which stimulates collagen growth and tightens underlying skin

Although nonablative laser resurfacing is less invasive and requires less recovery time, it’s less effective than is ablative laser resurfacing.

Advantages

Laser resurfacing can reduce the appearance of fine lines on the face. It can also improve skin tone and enhance your complexion if you have scars or sun damage. However, laser resurfacing does have limitations. Understanding the specific techniques, risks, and potential results can help you determine if laser resurfacing is the right option for you.

Uses

Laser resurfacing can be used to treat:

Wrinkle
Uneven skin tone or texture
Sun-damaged skin
Scars caused by acne, chickenpox or injuries

Laser resurfacing can’t eliminate excessive or sagging skin (jowls).

Risk

Itching, swelling and redness.After ablative laser resurfacing, treated skin will be itchy, swollen and red. Itching and swelling won’t last long, but redness — the degree of which is related to the depth of resurfacing done — can be intense and might last for several months. The aggravation of a previously existing skin condition, such as rosacea or contact dermatitis, also can contribute to redness.
Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause you to temporarily develop tiny white bumps (milia) on treated skin.
Ablative laser resurfacing can lead to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. The most common infection is a flare-up of the herpes virus — the virus that causes cold sores. In most cases, the herpes virus is already present but dormant in the skin.
Changes in skin color.Ablative laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker than normal (hyperpigmentation) or lighter than normal (hypopigmentation). Hyperpigmentation is more common in people who have darker skin. The first signs of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation typically occur weeks after treatment and might go away without treatment. Use of topical retinoic acid or glycolic acid can help treat hyperpigmentation after the treated area has healed. Hypopigmentation that persists is difficult to treat.
Ablative laser resurfacing poses a slight risk of permanent scarring.
Ectropion: Rarely, ablative laser resurfacing near the lower eyelid can cause the eyelid to turn out and expose the inner surface. Surgery is needed to correct the problem.

Nonablative laser resurfacing also can cause side effects, including:

Nonablative laser resurfacing can cause a flare-up of the herpes virus.
Changes in skin color.If you have darker skin, nonablative laser resurfacing can cause your skin to become temporarily darker (hyperpigmentation).
Mild swelling and redness.Swelling and redness typically last only hours or days.
Blistering and scarring.Rarely, nonablative laser resurfacing can cause blistering or scarring.

Things Consider Before Laser Resufacing:

Laser resurfacing isn’t for everyone. Your doctor might caution against laser resurfacing so it is important to:

Review your medical history.Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions and any medications you’re taking or have taken recently, as well as any cosmetic procedures you’ve had in the past.
Do a physical exam.Your doctor will inspect your skin and the area that will be treated. This will help him or her determine what changes can be made and how your physical features — for example, the tone and thickness of your skin — might affect your results.
Discuss your expectations.Talk with your doctor about your motivations and expectations, as well as the potential risks. Make sure you understand how long it’ll take to heal and what your results might be.

Before laser resurfacing, you might also need to:

Take medication.If you’re having ablative laser resurfacing — or nonablative laser resurfacing and you have a history of herpes infections around your mouth — your doctor will prescribe an antiviral medication before and after treatment to prevent a viral infection. Your doctor might recommend taking an oral antibiotic medication around the time of the procedure to help prevent a bacterial infection. In addition, your doctor might recommend using a topical retinoid on your skin for four weeks before having ablative laser resurfacing.
Avoid unprotected sun exposure.Too much sun up to two months before the procedure can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in treated areas. Discuss sun protection and acceptable sun exposure with your doctor.
Arrange for a ride home.If you’re going to be sedated during laser resurfacing, you’ll need help getting home after the procedure.

What You Can Expect ?

During the procedure

Ablative laser resurfacing is an outpatient procedure. Before the procedure, your face will be cleaned and your eyes will be covered. Your doctor will numb your skin with local anesthetics. For extensive resurfacing, such as treatment to your whole face, you might be sedated.

During ablative laser resurfacing, an intense beam of light energy (laser) is directed at your skin. The laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis). At the same time, the laser heats the underlying skin (dermis), which causes collagen fibers to shrink. As the wound heals, new skin forms that’s smoother and tighter. Ablative laser resurfacing typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the technique used and the size of the area treated.

Nonablative laser resurfacing can be done in your doctor’s office/clinic. The treatment area will be cleaned, and your eyes will be covered. Your doctor might numb your skin one to two hours before treatment. To protect the outer layer of your skin during nonablative laser resurfacing, your doctor will apply a cryogen spray, a water-based gel or cool air to the treatment area before pulsing the laser. The laser damages collagen beneath your skin and stimulates the growth of new collagen, tightening underlying skin and improving skin tone and appearance. No skin is removed.

Nonablative laser resurfacing typically takes between 15 minutes and 1 1/2 hours, depending on the technique used and size of the area treated. To achieve target results, a series of treatments is typically scheduled over the course of weeks or months.

After the procedure

After ablative laser resurfacing, the treated skin will be raw, swollen and itchy. Treated areas might ooze yellowish liquid. To help avoid scarring, don’t pick at crusts or pieces of skin.

Your doctor will apply a thick ointment to the treated skin . To relieve pain after the procedure, take an over-the-counter pain reliever and apply ice packs.

While you’re recovering from ablative laser resurfacing, regularly clean the treated area with water, saline or acetic acid and apply thick, protective ointments, such as petroleum jelly. You might prefer to remain at home while you’re healing, and your doctor might recommend avoiding strenuous activities. Once new skin completely covers the treated area — usually after one or two weeks — you can use cosmetics to conceal any redness.

After nonablative laser resurfacing, your skin might be temporarily red or swollen. Use ice packs as needed. You can apply makeup and resume your normal activities immediately.

Results

After ablative laser resurfacing, your skin might stay red or pink for up to several months. However, once the treatment area begins to heal, you’ll notice an immediate difference in your skin quality and appearance. The effects can last for years.

Results after nonablative laser resurfacing tend to be gradual and progressive, rather than immediate and dramatic. You’re more likely to notice improvements in skin texture and pigment than in wrinkles.

After laser resurfacing, avoid unprotected sun exposure for one year to prevent irregular pigmentation. Keep in mind that your results might not be permanent, since as you age you’ll continue to acquire lines by squinting and smiling. New sun damage can also reverse your results.

Fraxel

Most of us wish we could slow down the effects aging has on our looks – and maybe even get a few years back in the process. Fraxel® is proven laser technology that can help reverse the visible effects of aging, naturally helping you look as young as you feel. With Fraxel, change isn’t drastic or scary – it’s you, just younger.

Fraxel is effective on:

Fine lines and wrinkles – like crow’s feet and brow lines
Surface scarring – erasing effects of acne and other scarring
Pigmentation – minimizing the appearance of age spots
Sun damage – helping heal dangerous skin damage
Actinic Keratosis (AK) – a common pre-cancerous skin condition

What we can get done with Fraxel?

Fraxel is the original fractional laser treatment that works below the skin’s surface from the top down, addressing imperfections like fine lines, visible photo aging, wrinkles, scarring and age spots. Fraxel light energy stimulates your skin’s natural collagen, rejuvenating skin cells below the surface to help smooth the creases and pockets that cause wrinkles and scars. Fraxel only treats targeted problem areas – so the results are focused and effective.

MOSAIC – Laser Treatment for Face

Total Skin Rejuvenation Procedure Mosaic Total Skin Rejuvenation treatment is the latest in the fractional laser technologies that have been popularly used in the cosmetic field making it an excellent treatment for wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, sun damaged skin and acne scars. Mosaic uses a laser technology called Controlled Chaos Technology or CCT. It is a medically induced treatment that stimulates the skin’s natural healing process to reveal a new layer and rejuvenated skin.

The Treatment

Step 1. The Mosaic Total Skin Rejuvenation laser systems treats skin by creating a mosaic of microscopic wounds to stimulate the rejuvenation process without damaging or harming the surface skin.
Step 2. These wounds are inflicted beneath the surface of the skin. This causes the layers underneath to start the natural healing process and encourages the skin to repair itself and stimulates the regeneration and growth of collagen and elastin in your skin making it tighter and smoother.

The Results
This very action of Mosaic Total Skin Rejuvenation treatment is what makes it an effective treatment of choice for people with fine lines and mild wrinkles and skin laxity. The procedure is also particularly useful as an acne reduction treatment, as the laser polishes down the depressions caused by acne. The stimulation of new collagen formation beneath the scar tissues causes it to regenerate, creating a more even skin tone and texture. Similarly, Mosaic Laser Treatment is excellent as a treatment for keloid and hypertrophic scar reduction and stretch mark reduction. Also, it helps improve the healing time of acne and the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Downtime
After the treatment, you will be able to immediately return to your daily activities. However, there will be redness and minor swelling after the treatment, which will subside after 2 to 3 days. The skin will also be pinkish for about a week, which requires ample care from exposure to the sun. A few post-treatment instructions should also be followed for the first 4 weeks after the procedure.

Cost
The cost for the Mosaic Total Skin Rejuvenation System will depend on the area to be treated and the number of sessions needed to get the result you desired. Our specialist Dermatologists will make a thorough evaluation of your skin condition during your confidential consultation to properly recommend the number of session treatments to give your skin a fresh new start and come out more radiant than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ'S)

1. How is Mosaic Total Skin Rejuvenation performed?

The procedure will start with your doctor applying a topical anesthetic cream to numb your skin of the mild burning sensation during the treatment. This will be wiped off after a few minutes once the anesthetic has taken its action. A maneuvering gel will then be applied so that the laser device can easily glide through the marked treatment areas.

2. How painful is the MOSAIC Laser treatment?

While the treatment is a non-invasive treatment, expect that there will be a slight pain and burning sensation as the laser takes its action during the procedure. After the procedure, a cooling gel will be applied to relieve and reduce the discomfort to your skin.

3. How long does the MOSAIC laser treatment take?

One of the great advantages of a Mosaic Total Skin Rejuvenation is that the procedure only takes between 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the scope of the skin that needs to be treated. You will be required to come to the clinic with a makeup-free face and any jewelry near the treated area will have to be removed.

4. What are the possible side effects of MOSAIC Laser treatment?

Immediately after the treatment, you will notice redness and minimal swelling on the treated areas of the skin. This will gradually subside within the next 2 to 3 days. Also, expect that your skin will be pinkish for about a week after the treatment. During this time, flaking and drying of the skin will also be experienced as the new skin replaces the old ones. Your doctor may prescribe a special cream or you can use a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. But after a week, a healthier and more radiant-looking skin will emerge.

5. What is the post-treatment care?

Your new skin will still be very sensitive for the next 4 weeks and it should be protected from exposure to direct sunlight. It is important that you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen and shield your face from sun with a hat. Otherwise, the skin may develop unwanted hyperpigmentation.

You may also need to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol for the first two days after the treatment. Strenuous activities and taking hot baths should also be avoided for the first three days. Also, swimming in chlorinated pools must be avoided for about 4 weeks. And skin products that contain retinoid or glycolic products should be discussed first with your doctor before using.

6. How many sessions are needed to get optimal results?

Optimum results are best achieved with several treatment sessions. Typically, 3 to 5 sessions will be recommended and will be carried out within a 2 to 6-week intervals. The number of sessions will depend on your existing skin condition and will be determined during the consultation with your doctor.

eCO₂-High Speed Fractional CO₂ Laser

The eCO2 features the patented Controlled Chaos Technology (CCT™), an algorithm to pseudo-randomly deliver each micro laser beam and by placing maximum distance between sequential beams. The system eliminates cross thermal diffusion between adjacent Micro-ablative Columns (MACs).

This allows the tissue to maximize heat dissipation between shots. The result is an increased safety profile with a reduction in post-operative discomfort and faster healing time leading to unparalleled fractional resurfacing results.

eCO₂-High Speed Fractional CO₂ Laser

What is it for?

Blepharoplasty
Skin Tags
Warts
Syringoma
Actinic Cheilitis
Actinic Keratosis
And more!

How it works?

eCO2 is a fractional laser skin resurfacing
system that ablates (removes) precise portions of epidermal (surface) and dermal (subsurface) skin tissue. It uses fractionated micro-beams of laser light that vaporizes skin tissue instantly while stimulating the activity of fibroblasts, a type of cell that produces collagen and extracellular matrix. As a result, it dramatically improves deep wrinkles, laxity and sun-damaged skin.

Advanced capabilities and functionality allow clinicians to deliver customized treatments with comfortably shorter treatment times providing long lasting results. Recovery is rapid, with minimal downtime.

What can be treated with eCO₂Laser

Dull skin and poor lusterless complexion
Deep wrinkles on the forehead as well as areas around the eyes and lips
Acne, surgical and/or burn scars
Skin discolouration or patches of uneven colour (Dyschromia)
Textural irregularities
Focal red lesions (Telangiectasia)
Photo-damaged skin; uneven skin tone and large pores
Pigmented lesions, freckles or seborrheic keratoses
Total resurfacing of the face, neck, hands and/or chest
Solar Elastosis and Actinic Keratosis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is eCO2 Resurfacing?

ECO2 Resurfacing is a recently developed dermatological treatment that uses a laser to heat tiny areas of the dermis while completely removing other tiny areas of dermal and epidermal tissue. The procedure leaves skin feeling firmer, smoother and younger, while improving the appearance of age spots and other unwanted pigment.

How does eCO2 Resurfacing work?

The treatment stimulates skin cells to produce collagen and extracellular matrix by using tiny fractionated laser beams to heat and remove precise areas of tissue. The additional collagen and extracellular matrix renews the structure of skin cells, making the skin firmer and more elastic.

Does eCO2 Resurfacing has FDA approval?

The FDA issued regulatory clearance to the eCO2 laser system in July 2008.

Which areas of the body can be effectively treated with eCO2 Resurfacing?

Typically, eCO2 Resurfacing is used on the face to treat conditions such as wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage. However, it has also been used to treat scars and pigmentation problems on other body areas such as the upper chest, arms and legs.

What are the advantages of eCO2 Resurfacing over other ablative and non-ablative laser treatments?

The new eCO2 lasers are an improvement over earlier ablative lasers, which tended to leave marked coloring differences between treated and untreated skin areas. This treatment also decreases the patient’s post-procedure pain and shortens recovery time, compared to some other resurfacing treatments. The eCO2 treatments is also faster and provide more significant results than non-ablative laser treatments, which heat skin tissue but do not remove it.

Is eCo2 resurfacing laser treatment painful?

Unlike earlier ablative lasers, eCO2 causes much less skin damage, so that treatments are less painful and heal more quickly. Prior to the procedure, the patient’s skin is thoroughly cleansed and a topical anesthetic is applied the target area to minimize any discomfort.

How much time is required to see results of the eCO2 resurfacing laser treatment?
The results of treatment are both immediate and progressive. With eCO2 , significant results can be achieved in just a single treatment. After initial swelling and redness has subsided, patients will typically see significantly improved skin tone, color and texture after the first treatment.
Are the results long lasting?
Complete results are often obtained after only two or three treatments but a few more treatments may be required as advised by the Doctor. Results can last for up to 18 months depending on age, skin condition and how the patient protects the skin.
How long does it take to recover following a treatment?
The recovery time is limited and easy to bear. Patients may return to normal daily activity within a day or two. Right after an eCO2 Resurfacing treatment, patients typically experience moderate swelling and some discomfort, which can be controlled with medication and ice packs.
What are the side effects of eCO₂ treatment?
Immediately after treatment, you will observe a certain degree of redness and swelling. Other side effects may include a slight itching, dryness, flaking or exfoliation of the skin, and a tanned look. With any ablative treatment, there is a risk of unwanted skin pigmentation changes after the skin has healed, although the risks are low. Adverse effects may have different intensity and duration, depending on your skin natural healing process and the intensity of the treatment.

Can people with different skin tones be treated with eCO2 resurfacing laser?
Yes, however patients with darker skin tones may be at an increased risk for pigmentation regardless of which resurfacing method is used. However, using a preparatory skincare regimen as advised by the Doctor may reduce the risk.

Who are good candidates for eCO2 Resurfacing?

Adults with mild to moderate wrinkles in specific facial areas such as around the eyes or mouth are considered good candidates for eCO2 Resurfacing. Other candidates for this treatment include patients with scars from burns, surgery or acne, as well as those with sun-damaged skin, mottled skin, or skin pigmentation problems.

How is the procedure performed and what is the total time taken?

The patient is prepped for the procedure with a thorough skin cleansing, the application of a topical anesthetic to the treated area, and placement of protective eye cups if the surface to be treated is around the eyes. The laser is then set to the scan pattern and light frequencies the doctor determines are best for the patient’s specific condition. The doctor then carefully scans the treated area with the laser light. Total time for the procedure is usually about an hour.

What is the recovery like?

Upon completing treatment, patients normally feel some discomfort in the treated area, which is usually somewhat swollen. For a few days afterward, the treated skin will look as if it has been sunburned: it will be red or pink in color. It will weep and drain for about 24 hours after treatment, and then will appear dry and may start to peel. These conditions improve within 72 hours, and most patients can resume normal activities about five days after treatment.

What will the results be like?

Once the skin has fully recovered, patients will typically see much better tone, color and texture after the first treatment. Seldom are more than two or three treatments required.

What are the risks associated with eCO2 Resurfacing?

As with any treatment that removes skin tissue, there may be noticeable differences in skin coloration after the skin has healed from the surgery. This risk is increased for patients with darker skin tones. However, the risk of these pigmentation problems is much less with eCO2 Resurfacing than with other kinds of ablative laser treatment.