Skin Resurfacing

Modern technology provides a variety of successful resurfacing treatments for improving the condition of the skin such as treatments that employ focused beams of light energy or applied radiofrequency and plasma to counteract the effects on the skin of acne, aging, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, scars, or poor nutrition. Such resurfacing treatments are safe and effective and require little downtime.  Much less invasive than dermabrasion and chemical peels, energy-based treatments remove damaged skin and rejuvenate the patient’s appearance. Most of the time such treatments are sought for the face, but they may also be performed on other parts of the body.

 

REASONS FOR RESURFACING

Patients seek resurfacing for a variety of reasons related to improving their appearance. Resurfacing may be performed for any of the following reasons:

• Decrease or eliminate wrinkles or stretchmarks

• Diminish the appearance of scars

• Rejuvenate non-responsive skin after a facelift

• Remove age spots or spider veins

• Repair sun-damaged skin

• Improve skin tone due to melasma or other causes

• Remove warts or birthmarks

• Decrease the size of enlarged pores

• Remove tattoos.

 

TYPES OF RESURFACING

There are two basic types of resurfacing treatments: ablative and non-ablative. 

 

Ablative Resurfacing treatments penetrate deeper and remove a layer of skin. It provides more dramatic results and requires fewer sessions, but it also requires a longer period of healing.  We offer laser, plasma/radiofrequency and chemical peels for ablative level treatments.

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Non-Ablative Resurfacing treatments do not burn away skin tissue but use energy to stimulate collagen growth and tighten underlying skin. Non-ablative resurfacing is gentler than ablative and requires less downtime but may necessitate more treatment sessions and may yield less dramatic results.  In general, non-ablative treatments are used when the repair needed is less extensive. Also, non-ablative treatments are recommended for people of color for whom ablative resurfacing may be more likely to cause unsightly changes in pigmentation.

 

A form of ablative resurfacing known as fractional ablative is now increasingly in use. This procedure breaks the energy delivery into smaller areas within the target, causing less damage but yielding similar results.  During fractional surfacing, visible wounds are less pronounced, and while results are more noticeable, less downtime is necessary than after conventional ablative treatments. For some individuals, fractional ablative resurfacing represents the best of both worlds. 

 

THE RESURFACING PROCEDURE

Resurfacing treatments for skin conditions are typically performed in the office with topical anesthesia. Procedures typically take between 30 and 90 minutes to perform, depending on the size and location of the treated area. Some individuals will notice significant results after just one treatment, particularly with ablative procedures.  Others may need multiple sessions in order to achieve the desired results. Touch ups available as needed.