If you have acne scars, wrinkles or age spots that won’t disappear after using over-the-counter skincare products, laser skin rejuvenation treatments may help. Thousands of men and women settle in for intensive procedures such as C02 lasers, Fraxel and Erbium lasers that help to peel away the top layer of skin and stimulate collagen production.
The result? Firmer, smoother and more youthful-looking skin that always looks fresh. The effects of these procedures can last for several months, especially if the patient maintains a healthy skincare regimen.
If you want to freshen up your look and diminish the signs of aging, here’s what you can expect with today’s innovative laser
skin rejuvenation procedures:
What Laser Skin Rejuvenation Can Treat
Laser skin resurfacing and
rejuvenation procedures have several anti-aging benefits, and can be performed on almost any skin type. The lasers work by delivering high-energy waves deep into the dermis to damage skin tissues and cause the skin to contract; since the body detects an ‘injury’, it immediately beings to generate collagen at a rapid rate to rebuild the damaged area. This results in the rapid development of a healthy new layer of skin, and over the course of a few weeks, the skin cells have completed their ‘turnover’ phase to reveal a fresh and healthy layer on the surface. This type of stimulation can also help reduce or remove scars, age spots and dead skin cells that have accumulated after years of damage.
C02 Lasers for Skin Rejuvenation
C02 lasers are some of the most intensive laser resurfacing procedures available, and may not be suitable for those with very sensitive skin. C02 lasers work by heating up the dermis at a rapid rate by emitting high-intensity light beams into the deeper skin tissues. This helps to break up the skin cells deep below the skin’s surface and also triggers the collagen production process. The procedure is often used to treat the areas around the eyes and mouth because it is so effective in eliminating wrinkles and fine lines.
Fraxel for Skin Rejuvenation
Fraxelis a highly targeted laser resurfacing treatment that keeps the skin around the treated area as cool as possible while penetrating quickly into the deeper layers of targeted skin tissue. The laser is most effective for eliminating acne scars and fine lines; since it helps the skin heal at a rapid rate, most patients will see results within a few weeks. Fraxel is commonly used to get rid of crow’s feet, even out skin discoloration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Erbium Lasers for Skin Rejuvenation
Erbium lasers are typically used for resurfacing of larger areas of the face, and can help to create a smoother, tighter and fresher looking appearance. The laser has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a safe and effective procedure for treating fine lines and wrinkles; it works by smoothing out the skin and helping eliminate deep lines and wrinkles completely. This treatment also triggers collagen production, so patients will continue to see results several weeks and months after the procedure.
Published: 01/09/2009, Last Updated: 01/09/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.