You’re here because you’ve asked the question “can I reverse sun damage with laser skin resurfacing?” The short answer is answer is: yes! When you schedule a session with one of our Skin Resurfacing providers, they can guide you through every step of the process. Our procedures are performed by a qualified specialist for safe and effective results. Laser treatment for the face is personalized to minimize side effects and potential complications.
What is laser skin resurfacing?
If you have not experienced facial rejuvenation before, you may be asking yourself – what is laser skin resurfacing? This procedure works by directing pulsating beams of light to address the skin. Ablative lasers remove the outer layer of skin and heat the underlying dermis to stimulate new collagen, while non-ablative lasers require less invasive measures to improve skin tone and texture. Even though the recovery time is shorter, the results from non-ablative lasers are less dramatic.
Sun damage on the face sometimes shows up as dark freckles or patchy brown spots. It most often occurs when individuals do not protect their skin from the sun or dangerous UV rays. Although hyperpigmentation is common, it can prevent you from enjoying your skin to the fullest. Laser treatment can give your skin a fresh look and, ultimately, improve your complexion. Understanding the techniques used and potential results can help you decide if laser treatment for the face is right for you.
What technologies are available for Laser Skin Resurfacing?
The reason there are so many different laser options is that no one laser can treat all patients and all skin concerns. Here are a few varieties you are likely to come across in your research:
- CO2 Lasers are generally ablative lasers used to treat scars, warts, wrinkles, and other deeper skin flaws. Popular brands of CO2 lasers include AcuPulse by Lumenis, MiXto Pro laser by Lasering USA, and CO2RE by Candela.
- Erbium (Er:YAG) Lasers can be ablative or non-ablative. They promote collagen remodeling, making them popular options for treating fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and age spots.
- Pulsed-Dye Lasers are typically non-ablative lasers that heat the skin and absorb pigments to reduce redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, and rosacea. One of the most popular pulsed-dye lasers is the Vbeam Perfecta by Candela.
- Fractional Lasers break up the laser energy into thousands of tiny beams to treat only a fraction of the skin in the area, which reduces downtime. Fractional lasers can be ablative or non-ablative, and are used to treat a number of age-related blemishes. Popular fractional laser brands include Fractora by inMode and Fraxel by Solta Medical,
- IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments technically are not lasers but are often used to treat similar concerns as lasers, such as sun damage, vascular lesions, acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. Popular IPL skin resurfacing brands include Vasculaze by inMode and Lumecca by inMode. Learn more about IPL treatments.
When choosing a laser skin resurfacing treatment, focus on your individual goals: what skin problems do you want to address, and what results are you hoping for? The good news is you don’t have to determine this on your own: a board certified cosmetic surgeon or qualified skincare professional trained in laser resurfacing will be able to recommend the best treatment for you based on your skin type.
Interested in learning more about Laser Skin Resurfacing? Use our search tool to find a provider near you.