Laser Facial Resurfacing – Anti-Aging Skin Rejuvenation in Austin
No matter how well you look after your skin, fine lines, sun spots, and other signs of damage usually become apparent by age 40. Hormonal changes, collagen loss, and UV radiation can all take their toll on your skin’s natural glow, creating the need for cosmetic treatment. At Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, our board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Malena Amato and Dr. Marie Somogyi offer laser facial resurfacing in her state-of-the-art clinic in Austin to erase these signs of wear and tear. This non-surgical procedure is an excellent choice for patients who want to refresh their skin without worrying about significant downtime.
Ready to book your procedure?
If you are ready to take the next step, or simply want more information about a procedure, please contact our team! Dr. Amato and Dr. Somogyi look forward to speaking with you soon!
What is Laser Facial Resurfacing?
Laser facial resurfacing involves the use of a specialized medical laser to exfoliate the skin gently. During treatment, laser light penetrates the surface of the skin and breaks down aged and discolored skin cells. The body then replaces these cells with a healthy new skin, creating a smoother, brighter look. Laser skin also resurfacing greatly increases the production of collagen, a protein that keeps the skin supple and youthful.
Eyelid and Facial Plastic Surgery Associates offers an Acupulse CO2 fractional laser, which is associated with reduced irritation and shortened healing time. Unlike conventional lasers, which ablate the entirety of the skin’s surface, fractional lasers selectively dissolve damaged cells while leaving the supportive cellular matrix around them intact. This makes it easier for the skin to regenerate after exfoliation working on pigment, fine lines, and collagen deposition at various layers of the skin.
The procedure can be performed in the office with topical anesthesia. Laser resurfacing takes just 60 to 90 minutes to complete a full facial treatment on average, and patients can return home immediately after treatment. Some patients choose to treat specific areas or the entire face.
Am I a Candidate for a Laser Facial Resurfacing?
Your ability to achieve desired results depends on your skin type and medical history. Darker pigmented skin may result in pigment changes after the procedure, which makes these patients less-than-ideal candidates for laser resurfacing. If pigment changes do occur after the procedure, skin lightening creams or peels can help reduce spots. Other risks include scarring and the skin of infection, though these are very rare.
The skin will continue to improve several months after the procedure. Patients may choose to have a second laser procedure approximately six months after the initial treatment, especially in areas of deeper acne scarring or wrinkles, though many patients are satisfied after one treatment. Patients typically regain a more youthful and refreshed appearance within weeks after the procedure.
If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, you can reach one of our doctors directly by phone. She provides conscientious follow-up care to both her surgical and non-surgical patients.
What can Laser Facial Resurfacing Treat?
Fractional lasers can treat a wide range of common skin problems, including wrinkles and loose skin, acne scarring, pigment spots, and uneven skin tone, and skin lesions or scars, making them useful for adults of all ages. Our doctors uses laser skin resurfacing to treat all the issues outlined below:
By increasing collagen production, laser treatments make the skin tighter and firmer. Collagen also locks moisture into skin cells, reversing age-related skin volume loss. These improvements subtly lift the patient’s facial features and smooth out lines and creases. Lasers also make the texture of the skin more even, removing rough patches and areas where the skin is leathery or crepey in appearance.
Lasers are often used to treat acne that hasn’t responded to topical medication. Laser light kills the bacteria that causes acne lesions to form while also tightening pores and reducing inflammation.
Successive laser treatments can gradually dissolve the bands of thick collagen that comprise scar tissue. As scars are dissolved, they’re replaced by normal skin cells. Lasers can treat both acne scars and surgical scars.
Laser facial resurfacing is one of the most popular treatments for skin discoloration related to either UV damage or hormonal shifts. Medical lasers gently remove the highly pigmented cells that form sunspots and melasma, lightening the skin in treated areas. This laser treatment is not for everyone, and Dr. Amato can provide you with a consultation to see if you are a candidate.
Recovering from Laser Facial Resurfacing
The recovery period that follows laser facial resurfacing will depend on the depth of your laser treatment. Small lesions and limited treatment areas will require less downtime, though patients may notice some mild redness, swelling, and irritation for up to 48 hours after their procedure. After a deep laser peel, these symptoms may be more noticeable and last for up to one week. Patients also typically experience some skin flaking three to five days after having a deeper treatment. There is minimal discomfort during and after the procedure.
After the laser skin resurfacing procedure, our doctors will provide you with everything you need to stay comfortable while you recover. She’ll give you medications and ointment designed to control swelling, keep your skin moist, and soothe irritation. She’ll also give you instructions on how to care for your skin while it heals. You’ll need to avoid sun exposure for at least a few weeks before and after your treatment, and you’ll need to stop using other topical lotions and medications, such as acne creams. Taking these steps will ensure a rapid recovery.
Arrange a Laser Facial Resurfacing Consultation in Austin
Laser skin resurfacing is an effective, low-maintenance way to achieve a healthy, youthful glow. Whether you want to incorporate laser skincare into a surgical treatment plan or try this procedure on its own, our doctors can help you better understand your options. To learn more about laser facial resurfacing, contact Eyelid & Facial Plastic Surgery Associates for a consultation at (512) 501-1010.
We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to our caring, dedicated team of staff.