As your skin ages, it loses its smooth, homogeneous color and becomes wrinkled. Ultraviolet light (sun) exposure and environmental toxins (cigarette smoke) cause the skin to wrinkle and develop age spots (lentigenes) and broken capillaries (telangiectasias). To improve aging skin, lasers can be very effective in restoring a smooth and even color to the skin and can improve superficial lines and wrinkles.

Palomar Star Lux Intense Pulsed Light™ device (IPL™/Fotofacial™)

Technically not a laser, this device emits a broad spectrum of light rather than a specific wavelength. The broad light spectrum makes is very effective for improving the color and texture of the skin. It is very effective for red discoloration of the skin and has been proven to improve pore size. However, it is not very effective in improving wrinkles. The IPL™ treatments can be intensified by adding levulinic acid (Levulan®) in a process know as photodynamic therapy (PDT). The Levulan® makes the skin more receptive to the light source, which makes each treatment more effective, but there is increased redness with this approach.

Visit our IPL/Fotofacial page for more information.

Fraxel®Re:Store Dual (fractional photothermolysis)

This laser spans the gap between nonablative (minimally effective with quick recovery) and ablative (maximally effective with a long recovery) lasers. It works by using an Erbium fiber laser to make tiny holes in the skin (leaving untreated skin between the holes). About 25-45 percent of the skin is resurfaced at a time. The benefit is that there is minimal recovery (two to four days of redness and swelling) compared to more aggressive treatments such as ablative lasers (10 days to two weeks). Fraxel® Re:Store Dual will improve the color and consistency of the skin, especially brown discoloration. If used in a more aggressive fashion, and with an increased recovery period, it can improve fine lines and wrinkles. An added benefit of this laser is that it can be used in locations other than the face, including the neck, chest, and hands.

Visit our Fraxel page for more information.

Cutera Pearl, Pearl Fractional, 3D Rejuvenation with Limelight IPL, Laser Genesis

The Pearl Procedure combines the impact of resurfacing lasers with the gentleness and safety of non-invasive procedures to treat aging and sun-damaged skin.  Pearl reduces wrinkles, uneven texture and solar damage with fewer treatments and less overall recovery than other technologies to provide a healthy, pearl like glow.  During the procedure the top layer of the skin is treated resulting in peeling or sloughing on day 3 to 4 revealing new, healthy, vibrant skin.

Pearl Fractional is a voluminizing fractional laser that can be used to see improvements in brown spots, sun damage, tone, texture and provide a noticeably smoother, brighter complexion.  Pearl Fractional treatment can be added on toe of the Pearl Resurfacing treatment to create Pearl Fusion.  Often times patients will have Pearl Resurfacing on the entire face and add Pearl Fractional around the mouth and eye area to treat fine lines and wrinkles.

The Cutera 3D treatment provides 3 procedures into 1 session:  The Titan, The Limelight Photofacial and Laser Genesis.  Titan treats lax skin utilizing infrared light to contract the collagen and tighten the skin.  Age spots, redness and sun damage can be improved with the Limelight IPL resulting in more beautiful, uniform skin color and texture.  Finally the Laser Genesis is an ND:Yag Laser which gently applies heat to the skin stimulating new collagen, produces a thicker dermis, reduces pore size, calms and controls acne and rosacea, creates a smooth texture, a taught and tight snap to the skin and minimizes fine lines.  The best part about the 3D rejuvenation series is that the plan is easy, cost effective and does not require the patient to take time off to achieve their goals.

Visit our IPL/Fotofacial page and www.cutera.com for more information.

Sciton Erbium

Only our experienced surgeons use this laser for resurfacing of the face. The Erbium laser is very specifically tuned for water in the skin and precisely removes skin down to a deep layer, which heals over 10 days. The resulting new skin is dramatically improved both in terms of color and wrinkles. The Erbium laser is much more specific for water in the skin than the CO2 laser. With the Erbium laser, there is dramatically less heating of the skin, making it a more “gentle” laser. This results in fewer problems with pigment changes in the skin after laser treatment and the redness of the skin resolves much sooner than with CO2.