What conditions can be treated by laser skin peels?

• Fine lines and deep wrinkles (even in difficult areas like around the mouth and eyes)
• Scars
• Poor skin texture/tone
• Actinic Keratosis
• Epidermal Nevi
• Solar Spots/ Sun Spots
• Hypertrophic, surgical and acne scars

Who should consider laser resurfacing?
Any patient looking for a visible moderate to dramatic improvement in their skin’s appearance should consider laser resurfacing. Especially those who have deep wrinkles in typically difficult-to-treat areas such as around the mouth and eyes have found laser resurfacing to be the very best treatment for these types of conditions.

How does laser resurfacing work?
The laser used in resurfacing has a very high attraction to the water in your skin. When the laser energy is applied, it ablates (vaporizes) a layer of skin to a depth controlled by your physician. The high water attraction allows the Sciton laser to ablate blemishes, wrinkles and damaged skin very efficiently, which makes it both safe and effective. As your skin heals, a new layer of fresh, healthy skin replaces the old damaged skin. Additionally, laser resurfacing stimulates the formation of new collagen, leading to a stronger dermal foundation and noticeably firmer skin.

Why choose laser resurfacing over other resurfacing methods?
With the precision of a Sciton resurfacing laser, your physician has the ability to fine-tune the treatments for a specific amount of downtime – an attribute which both patients and physicians find very helpful. In shallow treatments, laser resurfacing accomplishes effects similar to dermabrasion and chemical peels, only with much greater precision, consistency of results, and predictable recovery methods.

What areas can be treated?
Laser resurfacing is most commonly performed on the face. It can be very effective at eliminating the wrinkles that occur around the mouth (e.g., lip lines) and eyes (e.g.’ crow’s feet), as well as improving the overall skin tone, texture and color anywhere on the face.

What will happen during the procedure?
Your physician will protect your eyes with safety shields or glasses and prepare your skin for treatment.  During the procedure, the physician will hold the laser handpiece in place as a computer-controlled scanner precisely moves the laser beam over the treatment area. You may hear snapping or popping sounds as the laser gently removes the outer layer of skin cells. The procedure may take a few minutes to half an hour or more, depending on the size of the treatment area and the depth of your peel.

Will the procedure be uncomfortable?
Your physician will discuss options for managing any discomfort associated with the procedure. The amount of discomfort varies from patient to patient and depends on the depth of treatment.

What should I expect after treatment?
Your physician has designed an after-care regimen to address the common side effects associated with laser resurfacing and will include specific instructions to minimize these effects and hasten your healing. Localized swelling may be present in the treated area and can be addressed with cool compresses and keeping the area elevated. Redness may persist for several days, depending on the depth of the treatment, but will resolve over time. It is important that you avoid sun exposure, especially while your skin is healing. If you must go outdoors, it is recommended that you cover your treated skin, wear a hat and use sun block of SPF 30 or higher after skin has healed.

How long will it take to recover?
Your healing time will depend on factors such as treatment depth and post-treatment care. Healing time may also vary between individuals. As a general rule of thumb, the deeper the treatment, the longer the healing time, but the more dramatic the results. Your physician can provide realistic expectations of downtime based on your specific treatment as well as answer questions about temporary changes to your skin color and provide suggestions on how they may be camouflaged.

Are there any risks with the procedure?
Generally, resurfacing with a Sciton laser carries very few risks, which is one of the reasons why it has become the preferred method of resurfacing for many. Your physician can provide more information on the risks associated with any type of medical procedure, including laser resurfacing. One of the best ways to reduce the possibility of complications is to follow the after-treatment care instructions and follow-up schedule provided by your physician. Doing so will help reduce the risk of infection and ensure proper healing.

What kind of results should I expect, and how soon can I expect to see them?
Your results will vary depending on the severity of the conditions treated and the depth of treatment.  Usually you will be able to see immediate visible results such as elimination of sunspots, wrinkle reduction and skin texture improvement as soon as the skin heals. Additionally, you may notice gradual firming of the skin over the next several months as the skin’s healing and rebuilding response stimulates collagen remodeling and production, leading to healthier, more supple skin.