The Difference Between Ablative and Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Dr. Mikel Lo

When used correctly, ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing are both effective rejuvenation tools for the skin. That being said, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before settling on any particular treatment.

Skin rejuvenation is known by many names: laser resurfacing, laser surgery, laser peel and more. But no matter what it’s called, all laser treatments use energy to penetrate through various layers of the skin to repair the appearance of wrinkles, discolorations, acne scars and other signs of aging.

Ablative vs. Non-Ablative

The basic difference between ablative and non-ablative treatments is that ablative lasers remove the top layer of skin, while non-ablative lasers work by heating up the underlying skin tissue (without harming the surface) so that your body will produce new collagen.

Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Ablative lasers are more invasive, making them a great option for treating mild to moderate wrinkles, facial scaring and skin discoloration.

Dramatic improvements can generally be seen after a single treatment, but most patients need two weeks or more of recovery time. During recovery, it’s common to experience some discomfort accompanied by swelling, oozing and crusting of the skin.

Ablative laser resurfacing is the best choice for patients who:

  • Show signs of significant facial aging
  • Have deep or pitted facial scars
  • Want to see significant results fast
  • Can take time off from work to recover

Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Meanwhile, non-ablative lasers are best at improving skin texture and tone. In some cases they may also be used to improve the appearance of fine lines, mild wrinkles and pigmentation issues as well.

A number of separate treatments are usually needed to see significant results, but recoveries are generally mild (especially when compared to ablative treatments). Other than some mild redness or swelling, the skin is not visibly affected, and most patients can resume normal routines right away.

Non-ablative laser resurfacing is the best choice for patients who:

  • Are relatively young (between 25 and 65 years of age)
  • Have mild to moderate signs of aging (with minimal skin sagging)
  • Are willing to undergo multiple treatments before seeing results
  • Can’t afford to take time off from work

Which laser resurfacing treatment is right for you?

The best way to find out which treatment is right for you is to schedule a personal consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon. He or she will be able to make a recommendation based on your skin type and cosmetic goals.

Image Credit: Flickr

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4 Inexpensive Ways to Rejuvenate Your Skin

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Briana

Not everyone wants to spend thousands of dollars on cosmetic enhancement – and luckily they don’t have to. These days, there are a number of cosmetic procedures, medications and injectable treatments on the market designed to turn back time without breaking the back.

The treatments below all cost less than one thousand dollars:

1) Chemical Peels

One of the oldest cosmetic treatments in the world, a chemical peel is an acid-based solution that removes the top layer of skin, revealing a more youthful complexion underneath. Chemical peels can be used to treat a wide range of skin imperfections, including fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, uneven skin tone and superficial acne scars.

2) Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers like Juvederm, Radiesse and Restylane are injectable treatments that can be used to fill in fine lines and wrinkles, and restore lost volume to the face. They’re also a great way to treat thinning lips and minimize acne scar depressions.

3) Botox Injections

Botox is the most popular minimally-invasive procedure in the world – and for good reason. It’s both effective and affordable. A quick and easy injection, Botox can be used to treat wrinkles between the brows, forehead creases and lines around the eyes. It can also be an effective way to rejuvenate cleavage or eliminate neck bands.

4) Tretinoin (Retin-A)

Originally developed to treat acne, Tretinoin is a topical cream also known for its powerful anti-aging properties. Continued use of Tretinoin speeds up the cell turnover process and increases collagen production beneath the skin. The result is a reduction in fine wrinkling, sun damage, skin roughness, and loose skin.  Tretinoin creams are available in prescription-strength doses, as well as over-the-counter.

Are you interested in learning more about our anti-aging treatments? Contact us to schedule a personal consultation today!

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Aging Gracefully: Tips for Delaying Wrinkles

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Dr. Mikel Lo

Yes, wrinkles are inevitable. But that doesn’t mean you want them popping up any sooner than absolutely necessary. If you want to age gracefully, it’s time to start taking care of your skin.

Below are four ways to prevent premature aging:

Wear Sun Screen

This is a big one. If you aren’t currently protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, then you’re doing your future self a huge disservice. Sun damage is one of the leading causes of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. To prevent signs of premature aging, you should slather on sunscreen daily – even during the winter.

Quit Smoking Already

In case you need yet another reason to kick the habit, your skin (and don’t forget your lungs) will thank you in the long run. Smoking not only dries out the skin – which can contribute to wrinkling – it also creates “smokers lines” around the mouth. If you’re a current smoker, it’s really only a matter of time before lines start making their grand entrance – so quit today!

Avoid Stress

We’ll admit that avoiding stress is easier said than done – but it’s not impossible. Too much stress will not only wreak havoc on your mental health, it can also contribute to early signs of aging. During stressful moments we tend to frown and over time the muscles in the face actually conform to that movement. If you’re prone to stress, we suggest avoiding negativity, rewarding yourself and taking up deep breathing exercises.

Don’t Overindulge in Alcohol

There are a number of proven benefits associated with moderate drinking, but beautiful skin isn’t one of them. Alcohol consumption dilates small blood vessels in the skin – increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface. Over time these blood vessels may sustain damage – resulting in a permanently flushed appearance.

Are you already starting to notice early signs of aging? Don’t fret – just give us a call today to discuss our advanced anti-aging treatments.

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Tips for Removing Brown Spots

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Dr. Mikel Lo

Are you seeing spots? After a lifetime of sun exposure, you’re bound to have at least a few unwanted brown spots on your hands and face. Also known as “age spots,” these areas of skin discoloration aren’t actually caused by age – rather, they’re a consequence of sun damage.

If you’re self-conscious about your brown spots, there are a number of treatment options available that can help.

Treating Brown Spots with Laser Resurfacing and IPL Therapy

Because of their unique ability to selectively target skin tissue based on pigment color, fractional lasers (Fraxel) and intense pulsed light (IPL therapy) are both popular treatment options for brown spots.

Treatment can typically be completed within an hour, depending on your skin type and the density of spots. Following treatment, your skin should be protected from direct sun exposure for several days. As it begins to gradually heal, the targeted brown spots will get darker and flake off in the following weeks.

Most patients require multiple treatments to achieve desired results. Your doctor will be able to determine the optimal number of treatments during your personal consultation.

Recovering from Treatment

Before undergoing treatment, it’s important to remember that virtually every cosmetic laser or advanced light system procedure requires a certain amount of downtime.

In some cases that might mean a few bruises and some minor redness; in other cases it might mean significant oozing and crusting. Either way, you’ll probably need to take a few days off from work – so we suggest you plan appropriately.

Other Treatments for Brown Spots

Lasers and IPL therapy aren’t the only treatment options available for brown spots. Other popular approaches include:

  • Chemical peels
  • Microdermabrasion
  • Hydroquinone cream

A skin care professional will be able to determine which treatment option will yield the best results for your skin type.

Image Credit: Deviant Art

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