Laser Procedures for Facial Rejuvenation

Lasers have been at the forefront of technological changes in plastic surgery. Approximately fifteen years ago, lasers became highly specialized in treating facial skin in order to enhance the natural beauty of skin, without the risks entailed with previous procedures. Today there are several laser procedures used for facial rejuvenation, each designed for a particular type of skin and aging change. New lasers are always on the horizon, offering different approaches to creating beautiful skin with less recovery time.

Laser procedures have been developed to resurface facial skin by improving the outer layers of skin, stimulating new collagen to appear and softening animation lines to create a more youthful, fresh appearance. Lasers are also used to soften the effects of acne and other types of facial scars.

Erbium Yag Laser

The Erbium-Yag Sciton laser is the latest generation of the Erbium lasers, with features that can resurface skin and create tightening with a short recovery time. This laser procedure has revolutionized laser resurfacing for patients of all ages by limiting the recovery and controlling the depth of the resurfacing with an accuracy that was not obtainable with prior lasers. Patients in their 30’s and 40’s can now benefit from a medium depth Erbium Laser resurfacing with no change in the color or texture of their skin. The Erbium-Sciton will enhance the natural beauty of facial skin and take away superficial brown spots and unwanted skin moles, and will tighten sun damaged skin. Recovery time for this laser treatment is only 4-6 days in most cases, and makeup can be applied after the 6th or 7th day.

Acne scar treatment has seen a great improvement with the advent of laser skin resurfacing. Dr. Applebaum prefers the Erbium-Sciton laser for facial acne treatment because of the control and precision it offers in treating facial acne scars.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser

The CO2 laser revolutionized laser resurfacing in the early 90s. With its introduction facial resurfacing was reborn, creating more predictable results and fewer long term side effects compared to dermabrasion and chemical peels. Today the CO2 laser is still used for many patients because of its reliability in treating sun damaged skin and deeper facial animation lines. Dr. Applebaum also uses the CO2 laser to remove benign moles from all areas of the body.

Commonly Asked Questions about Laser Skin Resurfacing

Q: Can laser resurfacing be performed on skin with an olive tone complexion?

A: Lasers can successfully resurface skin with darker skin tones because of the precision in treatment and the ability to control the ultimate depth. There are many patients with an olive skin tone who desire facial resurfacing, and the Erbium-Sciton laser is an excellent choice for these people.

Q: Is post-treatment redness still a significant issue with laser resurfacing?

A: In the past, prolonged redness after laser resurfacing was a problem after a deep CO2 laser resurfacing. In recent years the Erbium-Sciton laser has eliminated redness in the recovery period after facial resurfacing.

Q: Can laser resurfacing eliminate aging lines or remove facial scars?

A: Resurfacing lasers can certainly improve the appearance of your skin. However, lasers are not skin erasers. Facial animation lines are complex lines which become deeper and more pronounced with age. Laser resurfacing can soften these lines, but erasing them is impossible. The same is true for serious acne scars, which can be improved to some degree with 1-3 laser treatments.

What our patients say

"I love my new skin. I’m wearing less makeup and I feel I have been given a new, fresh start. It's wonderful to have beautiful skin."
– P.R., a 46-year-old designer who spent many years unprotected in the sun and underwent an Erbuim Yag laser full face resurfacing.

"Since my teens, I’ve felt self-conscious about my acne scars. Now I can look in the mirror and feel much better about my skin—and myself."
– K.H., a 27-year-old business manager who had cystic acne in his late teens that left severe scarring on his cheeks and temples. The condition was greatly improved by Erbium Yag resurfacing.

"Initially, I had concerns about laser resurfacing because of my olive skin color, but Dr. Applebaum did a wonderful job turning the clock back. My skin looks years younger."
– Y.S., a 45-year-old mother of three who had a fabulous result with the Erbium Yag Laser.

"The laser was the best treatment for me in helping to reduce the deep lines around my mouth. I feel so much better about the way I look!"
– A.L. , a 65-year-old teacher who had never smoked but had deep lines around her mouth. A CO2 laser procedure softened the lines and reduced the problem of "lipstick bleed."