Laser Skin Resurfacing Demystified – Facts Vs Fiction
- Posted on: May 16 2017
By Debbie
It was only about 30 years ago that we still primarily associated lasers with science fiction weapons. They were part of a future, advanced technology that was way, way beyond us. Boy, have we come a long way since then. Lasers are no longer thought of as futuristic weapons, but incredible tools that can improve our lives in many ways.
From the wireless optical mouse sitting on your desk to laser eye surgery, lasers have changed the world we live in for the better. Another incredible application for lasers is to use them for a cosmetic resurfacing of the face. There are so many myths floating around out there about laser skin resurfacing, from dangerous side effects to overall effectiveness. The reality is that laser resurfacing is a powerful weapon in the battle against aging skin, possibly as powerful as those sci-fi laser weapons we mentioned above!
Early laser skin resurfacing was a little hit and miss, there is no question. But in the 21st century, these treatments started to get more and more refined, and thus more and more useful for cosmetic surgeons. The versatility of lasers allowed doctors to address a large variety of cosmetic concerns in a quick and safe way. Lasers offered far more precision than using acid peels, to get rid of acne scars, break down stretch marks, reduce enlarged pores and eliminate any dark spots on the skin. Lasers also gave them a new way to stimulate collagen production in the lower layers of the skin.
Fraxel® Laser Skin Rejuvenation
Although there are many kinds of laser skin resurfacing treatments, here at Azul, we offer Fraxel. It’s a proven cosmetic treatment, originally developed in 2001, that uses a non-ablative fractional laser to cause photorejuvenation of the skin. The technology has continuously been refined since the early 2000s and is still the cutting edge of modern cosmetic laser treatments.
Facts vs. Fiction
Laser Skin Resurfacing Takes a Lot of Time?
FICTION!
Fraxel is a super-efficient laser skin treatment system. It utilizes a larger handpiece, so we can effectively treat larger areas than other kinds of laser treatments. The treatment is quick and easy, about 30 minutes on average, so you will be in and out of here before you know it.
Fraxel also has very little downtime associated with the procedure. You don’t have to worry about a lengthy two weeks of painful, peeling red skin. You might feel like you have a bit of a sunburn, that’s about it. As your skin will be far more sensitive after treatment, we do recommend using a great quality sunscreen to prevent any additional skin damage.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Doesn’t Hurt?
FACT!
Although you might feel a small amount of discomfort, depending on the intensity of your laser treatment, laser resurfacing should not hurt. We can easily control any amount of discomfort using a topical anesthetic, especially if you are doing a more intense treatment.
Is Laser Skin Resurfacing Better Than Surgery?
FICTION!
The truth is that, when it comes to almost all cosmetic procedures, the surgical option is usually the one that gets you superior results that will last longer. Even our most advanced non-surgical treatments, such as our Liquid Facelift, will only give you comparable, but still remarkable, results to surgical ones like a true face and neck lift.
However, a treatment like Fraxel can be highly complementary to any invasive cosmetic procedure. After a surgical facelift gets rid of any droopiness or sagging in the face, a laser skin resurfacing treatment will leave that tightened skin smoother, softer and far more radiant. It’s all part of having a harmonious rejuvenation.
Can Laser Skin Resurfacing Help My Acne?
FACT!
One major advantage of using fractional laser pulsing to treat the skin is that it will also kill any bacteria. As bacteria is one of the major causes of acne, one treatment with Fraxel can effectively treat current acne outbreaks while preventing them in the future. Of course, this isn’t permanent, as the bacteria will come back over time, so utilizing Fraxel as an acne treatment will require repeat visits over time.
So, it turns out all of those sci-fi writers were right, lasers ARE the future. Just not in the way that they thought they would be. Fraxel’s forward-thinking technology is at the forefront of cosmetic skin treatments and, as new innovations with the technology are developed, we will have them at Azul for your use as soon as possible.
If you’d like to set up a free consultation with Dr. Flaharty to see if Fraxel is the right procedure for you, feel free to call our office at (239) 415-7576. If you’d like to see some of our other non-surgical treatments, please visit our website at www.azulbeauty.com for more information about how we can help you down the path to a truly harmonious rejuvenation!
Posted in: Procedures