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Laser Skin Resurfacing
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Over time, our skin quality inevitably begins to decline; this is commonly due to exposure to the outside elements, aging, or stress. Our skin may lose collagen and elasticity which can lead to the development of lines and wrinkles, especially on the face. Non-surgical laser resurfacing can be very effective in removing unwanted wrinkles, lines, and blemishes from the face, leaving a rejuvenated healthy glow.
This treatment can also help tighten the skin on the face which will make for a more youthful appearance altogether. If this treatment is something that interests you, contact Cosmetic Surgery Associates in Maryland today and schedule a consultation with one of our skincare experts.
About Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is a non-surgical, minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that is used to reduce signs of aging on the skin. Aging or damaged skin can be due to sun damage, stress, environmental pollutants, or genetics. The skin experts here at Cosmetic Surgery Associates provide their patients with a few different ablative and non-ablative laser options to choose from.
Ablative lasers remove the damaged surface layers of skin while the nonablative lasers remove little to no skin at all and strictly focus on the body’s ability to heal itself by stimulating collagen production to repair the skin. Both forms of treatment are very successful in providing visible skin rejuvenating results. Depending on the particular concerns, the expert can recommend the best treatment options.
What Does It Treat?
Laser skin resurfacing is beneficial for treating different skin imperfections. The most common treatable concerns are:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Mild scarring and acne scars
- Pigmentation
- Sun damage
Laser Skin Resurfacing Options
Cosmetic Surgery Associates offers three different types of laser skin resurfacing treatments. Which laser treatment to choose will vary from patient to patient; however, the options will be discussed in detail during an initial consultation with one of our talented skin experts.
Halo Laser
Halo, the only hybrid fractional laser on the market today, uses both ablative and nonablative wavelengths to treat the skin. The combination of these two wavelengths provides the amazing results of an ablative laser, but the short downtime of a nonablative laser treatment. The Halo handheld applicator has a cooling effect that provides patients with additional comfort during the treatment process.
Contour TRL Laser
The Contour TRL laser is completely customizable, allowing the physician to have full control of the strength and depth of treatment. This laser has the ability to treat the skin with micron precision. The Contour TRL technology can be set to the exact energy level that is needed to improve skin quality and provide amazing results. This treatment will remove damaged layers of skin and stimulate collagen production. With this, the skin will appear thicker and more resilient.
There is not one laser treatment that is better than the other. It simply depends on the patient’s concerns and they are looking to achieve. During the consultation, an evaluation will be performed to help determine what treatment method is best for the particular needs. For more information regarding laser skin rejuvenation, contact our Bethesda, Maryland office and schedule a consultation.
Ideal Candidates
While virtually everyone is looking to revitalize their appearance, not everyone may be considered a good candidate to receive this treatment. An ideal candidate for laser skin resurfacing treatments are men and women who are looking to reduce mild skin imperfections on the face. Patients who have significant skin laxity and sagging may not be the best candidates for this procedure and may be better suited for a more corrective procedure, such as a face or neck lift. These patients should be in good health and have no underlying skin conditions that can negatively affect the treatment results. It is important to have reasonable expectations of the outcome of the treatment as it will not provide the same results as a corrective surgical procedure.
Consultation
During the consultation, one of our skincare experts will ask the patient what their aesthetic concerns are and what their aesthetic goals are.
They will go over a brief review of the patient’s medical history, routine medications, and any skin conditions, if applicable. During this time, if the patient is found to be a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing, the patient and the skincare expert will construct an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to treat the specific concerns.
If severe loose skin is a concern, surgical procedures such as eyelid surgery or a facelift can be discussed, but there shouldn’t be any pressure to go the surgical route though. It is our goal to make sure patients are aware of all of their options and let them make the best decision for themselves. Patients will be given the option to receive laser resurfacing treatment during this same visit.
Video
Gallery
Our doctors and staff are committed to providing quality education to all patients. Please visit our video gallery to learn more about this procedure.
View GalleryThe Treatment Process
The laser procedure itself takes about 30 minutes on average but can take up to 2 hours for more extensive treatment and more surface area. Patients can opt for a topical anesthetic to be applied to help reduce any discomfort, although this is usually not necessary as the treatment is very tolerable. The method of treatment will vary depending on the laser resurfacing treatment chosen. Before leaving the office, patients will be given recovery instructions to follow to aid in the healing process. Patients are free to leave the office immediately following the laser treatment. There is no physical downtime with this procedure but there is what we like to call “social” downtime while the skin is healing.
Recovery
After receiving the laser skin resurfacing treatment, patients will experience pinkness and some irritation of the skin. Depending on the extent of treatment, patients may experience slight swelling or inflammation but this will subside soon after the treatment; on average, just a couple of hours. During the healing process, the damaged skin may begin to flake away. The flaking of the skin usually subsides within one week. It is important not to peel away any flaking skin but to let it fall off naturally for best results. In some cases, the rosiness of the skin can persist for several weeks. Please stay out of direct sunlight following treatment, but when unavoidable, use sunscreen and proper sun protection.
Until the pinkness completely resolves, it can easily be covered with make-up. The new laser technology has added cooling effects to help dramatically reduce or eliminate prolonged pinkness.
Results
Once the skin has fully healed, patients will see an improvement in the tone and texture of their skin. The damaged skin has either been removed or collagen production has led to its improvement, providing a more rejuvenated and youthful appearance. Recurrent treatments can be used to maintain the health of the skin and further improve complexion. The patients who have undergone laser skin resurfacing have been very satisfied with the improvements they have seen in the quality and appearance of their skin.
Our Plastic Surgery Associates team includes Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. A. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge. Each of our plastic surgeons is board-certified, and together they have over 60 years of combined experience. Drs. Richards, Jabs, and Magge are all highly qualified in procedures for the face, breast, and body, and pride themselves in providing excellent results through our state-of-the-art, Quad A certified operating centers