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3252 Holiday Court, SUITE 206, La Jolla, CA 92037 | Phone: 858.658.0595

 

San Diego Laser Skin Resurfacing

In San Diego County and much of California we are blessed with sunshine for most of the year. Unfortunately this sun exposure, along with the normal aging process and acquired traits such as acne scars take their toll on our skin.

 

Laser skin resurfacing, unlike a surgical facelift, seeks to improve facial appearance by targeting the more superficial layers of the skin. Whereas a facelift removes droopy bulges and sagging skin, skin resurfacing procedures improve wrinkles, scars, and uneven pigmentation on the skin surface. Lasers work by removing the outer layer of skin, which includes thickened and dead skin layers. Following this, the laser light causes restructuring of collagen in the dermis, or deeper layer of the skin. The overall effect is a tightening of the skin, with a smoothening out of fine wrinkles and other skin surface irregularities.

 

It is important to understand that each face is different with regard to skin color, texture, and degree of wrinkling, and choosing the best resurfacing option can make a difference. Laser resurfacing has not eliminated other methods such as chemical peels and dermabrasion, which continue to play a role in skin resurfacing, but in many cases the laser has proven to be a superior tool.

 

For laser skin resurfacing in San Diego or La Jolla California contact Dr. Roy Amir today at 858.658.0595.

 

In the following paragraphs we will discuss superficial versus deep laser skin resurfacing. More important than "superficial versus deep" is the concept of "downtime." Active FX is described under the heading of "superficial treatments" primarily because of its low downtime (3-7 days).  It is still a highly effective and dramatic treatment for most patients!

 

 

Superficial Laser Resurfacing Options

Many of our San Diego patients have only light to moderate sun-damage, acne scarring, or wrinkling which they wish to address, or do not want the downtime associated with a traditional deep laser peel. Active FX™ (utilizing CO2 technology) provides dramatic skin tightening and improvement in texture and color, with most patients completely healed in 3-7 days.

 

Active FX™

Active FX is a fractional laser procedure performed in a single treatment with minimal patient downtime. The fractional technology teats a "fraction"  of the skin surface, leaving healthy normal bridges of skin in between. This makes the healing process much faster, and gets you back to your normal activities sooner. The treatment is highly effective in producing skin tightening, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, eliminating hyper pigmentation, and stimulating collagen production. Unlike other fractionated lasers( such as Fraxel™), Active FX requires a single treatment for dramatic results. Recovery varies from several days to one week, with minimal discomfort. This is one of the most popular procedures at our La Jolla office.

 

Example of Active FX Laser Skin Resurfacing:

Before (patient complained of sun damaged skin and hyper pigmentation)	After (Active FX ™ single full face treatment)  Complete recovery in 7 days.

 

Deep Skin Resurfacing Options

Patients with deep, static wrinkles, moderate to severe acne scars, or deep hyper pigmentation will generally require deep skin resurfacing. This procedure can often be performed with topical anesthetic but may involve infiltration of local anesthetic (numbing medicine) into the treatment areas. Occasionally oral or intravenous sedation may be used for patient comfort.

 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser (Deep FX and Total FX)

CO2 laser resurfacing has long been considered a "gold standard" in deep laser resurfacing, due to the impressive nature of results obtained. It uses a 10,600nm infrared beam which is also well-absorbed by water in our cells.  Until recently the downside of the CO2 laser was its very power: along with the amazing skin tightening and smoothening came risks of skin color changes prolonged redness.  This all changed when Lumenis introduced fractionated CO2 skin resurfacing.

 

The Ultrapulse CO2 laser from Lumenis (utilized in our San Diego practice) has revolutionized skin resurfacing by fractionating the CO2 laser beam. Fractionating the beam means leaving tiny areas of skin untreated to allow rapid healing and lower any potential risks. This fractionated CO2 treatment, when performed superficially, is called  "Active FX," to reflect a rapid return to your "active lifestyle." 

 

In addition to fractionating the laser treatment, the Ultrapulse also has the ability to narrow the beam, allowing it to go deeper into the skin to cause more tightening and collagen growth. This modality is called "Deep FX."

 

By combining Active FX and Deep FX in a single treatment, patients are able to achieve the unmatched results of a deep CO2 laser peel with the safety and low downtime that comes with fractionating the laser. This treatment is called "Total FX."

 

Example of Ultrapulse (CO2) Laser Skin Resurfacing:

 

Note the significant improvement in skin laxity and texture.  This is unique to the CO2 laser. Mild redness may persist 4-6 weeks.

Recovery time for a deep laser peel is generally 7-10 days. Our San Diego cosmetic surgery practice historically has utilized two laser systems for deep resurfacing: the Erbium: YAG laser and the CO2 laser. The Ultrapulse CO2 laser from Lumenis, with the Total FX (Active FX plus Deep FX) application generally provides superior results with minimal risk of complications, and is our most commonly used laser for deep resurfacing (as well as light resurfacing).

 

Deep laser skin resurfacing may take between 20 to 30 minutes. Patients are discharged home shortly after the procedure, and are advised to apply cool compresses to the skin, as well as a moisturizing ointment. Laser resurfacing is generally less uncomfortable than a deep chemical peel, and patients usually have minimal discomfort after the first twenty-four hours.

 

Over the first week, it is normal to experience crusting and redness as the outer skin layers become separated and are replaced by new skin. Following this, the skin appears somewhat pink and sensitive for several weeks, however most patients can resume applying makeup at 7-10 days if desired.

 

Erbium: YAG Laser

The Erbium: YAG laser uses light of a 2940 nm wavelength which is readily absorbed by water in our cells. It  treats light-skinned to moderately dark or olive-skinned patients with little to no risk of hypo pigmentation (permanent skin lightening) and very little risk of hyper pigmentation (darkening of skin) or scarring in experienced hands. This laser can achieve dramatic results which compare with CO2 laser in some cases.

 

Example of Erbium Laser Skin Resurfacing:

Note improvement of sun damage and wrinkles. This is an example of deep resurfacing. Skin heals in 7-10 days. Mild redness may persist longer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chemical Peel

Chemical peels are a skin resurfacing option, and include light, medium, and deep peels. The peel works by removing the outer layer of skin, and causing changes in the deeper layer (including new collagen formation) that may actually tighten the skin. Medium and deep peels are performed by Dr. Amir in our San Diego office under local anesthesia or mild to deep sedation. Medium depth (TCA-Jessner) peels are excellent for fine wrinkles and splotchy skin changes, and deep peels (phenol) can produce dramatic improvement in deeper wrinkles. A new layer of skin develops in 5-7 days, and makeup can usually be applied in 10-14 days.

 

 

 

Dermabrasion

Along with lasers and chemical peels, dermabrasion represents another important tool for skin resurfacing. Similar to how wood is sanded to make it smoother, dermabrasion (which is done with much finer instruments!) works to even out the skin surface. Usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation in our La Jolla, San Diego office, dermabrasion can work very well for raised scars, acne scars, wrinkles, and other surface irregularities. Recovery time is similar to that for laser resurfacing.

 

 

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an exciting "no-downtime" procedure that rejuvenates and refreshes skin of the face and neck. Tiny crystals of aluminum oxide are used to gently exfoliate the outer layers of skin. Following this the crystals, along with dead skin particles, are eliminated by the machine. Most patients experience little or no redness with the procedure, which disappears shortly thereafter. Busy patients can return immediately to work or home.

 

Microdermabrasion can erase fine lines and age spots, as well as improve acne scars. Skin texture generally becomes softer and more uniform or smooth. A typical treatment lasts under thirty minutes, and can be combined with a facial or light peel . Five to six treatments are performed at biweekly intervals.

 

For laser skin resurfacing in San Diego or La Jolla California contact Dr. Roy Amir today at 858.658.0595.

 

What Microdermabrasion Can Do	What Microdermabrasion Cannot Do
Reduce fine lines or wrinkles.	Eliminate deep folds or deep wrinkles.
Improve sun spots (photodamage).	Resolve deep hyperpigmentation.
Improve superficial scars and acne.	Treat deep "ice pick" scars.
Improve overall skin texture.