How Much Is Laser Skin Resurfacing

The Smartskin Laser Procedure

To enhance your comfort during treatment, Dr. Sepehr will begin by applying a topical anesthetic to the areas of concern. The SmartSkin laser will emit short pulses of energy into the targeted location, which will stimulate collagen production within the skin and help rejuvenate your appearance from the inside out.

The entire SmartSkin procedure typically takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on the size and number of areas to be addressed. After treatment, you may experience some redness, tenderness, and skin flaking for several days, often equivalent to what may occur as a result of a mild sunburn. While you may see some immediate benefits, improvement of the skin should continue for several months as new collagen forms.

Side Effects And Duration

Healing usually takes between 3 and 10 days. As a general rule, the bigger the treatment area and the deeper the laser, the longer the recovery time. Recovery from ablative laser treatment, for example, may take up to three weeks.

During recovery, your skin may be extremely red and scab over. Slight peeling will occur. You can use ice packs to help reduce any swelling.

While you dont need to be at home during the entire recovery process, youll want to avoid known areas of germs such as the gym that could increase your risk of infection.

Skin Care After Laser Resurfacing

Once the quality of your skin has been improved with laser resurfacing, Dr. Cook can recommend how to best care for your skin at home. Using the professional-grade skin care products we offer at our practice, our patients can maintain and even enhance the results achieved from laser resurfacing. With the VISIA® Complexion Analysis system, Dr. Cook can accurately measure your baseline skin quality to better inform you about the products that are well-suited for your unique skin needs. Daily care and specialized skin care products from the innovative ZO® Skin Health line, can be combined for customized at-home treatment programs that deliver optimal results. The VISIA® system can also be used to measure the effectiveness of these skin care treatments over time.

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About Co2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

When you have laser skin resurfacing, there are two options available to you: ablative or non-ablative lasers.

CO2 lasers fall into the ablative laser category. This treatment is used to get rid of deep wrinkles, warts, and scars. It will do this by removing the outer layers of the skin.

Laser skin resurfacing is appropriate for:

What Results Can I Expect

Many patients require multiple laser skin resurfacing sessions, usually between 3-4 treatments, but it doesnt take the completion of the entire regimen to see results. Visible results begin to show within 7-10 days, though it may be as quick as 3 days for your skin to become radiant, smooth, and more evenly toned. Because the lasers benefits accumulate, your skin will improve a little more after each treatment.

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Average Cost Of Laser Skin Resurfacing

The average cost of laser skin resurfacing is $1,200-$3,500 for non-ablative therapies and up to $4,500 for ablative therapies.

Ablative lasers remove skin cells from the surface of the skin, while non-ablative lasers do not and typically work by delivering heat to lower dermal layers. Both techniques work by stressing skin cells, encouraging them to rediscover their youthful potential. Some therapies combine both ablative and non-ablative action for optimal results.

How Much Downtime Will You Need

Your downtime will depend in part on the intensity level of your treatment, but you can expect swelling for about two days, with redness and sensitivity for up to five days after treatment. Cold compresses can help keep you comfortable try putting a damp washcloth in the freezer and gently applying it to your skin.

Resist the urge to pick at any scabs or flakes, as this can lead to hyperpigmentation.

Avoid any harsh skincare ingredients as you heal.

Youll also be extremely sun-sensitive and need to avoid sun exposure immediately after your treatmentand continue to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for at least three months.

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Follow These Steps During Your Laser Skin Resurfacing Recovery

• Clean the treated areas two to five times a day with saline or a diluted vinegar solution as directed by your plastic surgeon.
• Apply protective skin care treatments that are recommended by your doctor to help your skin heal.
• After healing, you’ll need to use sunscreen, particularly one that’s formulated for the sensitive, rejuvenated skin on your face. Every day. No exceptions! Your plastic surgeon will help you select the correct type of sunscreen to best protect your treated areas.
• If directed to do so by your plastic surgeon, use a liberal amount of moisturizer each day on your new skin.

You can expect that the treated area will peel. After that, the new, rejuvenated skin will be pink, but it will gradually lighten over two to three months. It may take up to a year for the pinkness to go away. It is very important to protect your skin during this time of healing. Redness tends to last longer in blondes and redheads.

You may resume application of Retin-A and/or glycolic acid products around six weeks after laser resurfacing or as directed by your physician.

Complications Of Laser Skin Resurfacing

• Acne flares. Your doctor will recommend a treatment regimen.
• Bacterial infection. Your doctor may recommend taking an antibiotic prior to the surgery and afterwards.
• Cold sore reactivation. This may occur if you have laser resurfacing around your mouth. Be sure to tell you doctor about your history of cold sores . You can prevent the reactivation by taking an antiviral medication before and after the procedure.
• Hyperpigmentation. It’s possible the treated area can become darker in tone. Your physician may recommend a bleaching solution. More rarely you may have hypopigmentation, a lightening of the skin tone.
• Milia. These small white bumps may appear during healing. They can be removed by gentle cleansing with a washcloth.
• Prolonged redness. For some people, the redness just takes longer to disappear.
• Scarring. This is rare, but possible.
• Swelling. If you are having laser skin resurfacing around your eyes, your doctor may prescribe oral steroids to manage this swelling.

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Laser Resurfacing Frequently Asked Questions

How does fractional skin resurfacing work?

Minute sections of the skin are targeted with laser light, which penetrates into the tissue, causing small columns of thermal damage which in turn stimulates significant collagen renewal. The surrounding non-affected areas of skin aid the bodys natural recovery process, allowing dramatic results without significant downtime.

Am I suitable for treatment?

Treatment is suitable for most people and highly recommended for individuals wanting a brighter, more even skin tone, smoother skin texture with improved skin elasticity, a reduction of wrinkles, reduced pore size and improvement to scars and stretch marks.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

On average, clients can expect laser skin resurfacing results to last anywhere from 3-5 years from having the procedure done

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE IT DONE ?

The length of time between your laser resurfacing treatments will depend on our recommendations, your skin type, and other factors. In general, the skin needs about four weeks between laser treatments to recover and be ready for the next session

IS IT PERMANENT

There are no treatments out there that is a permanent solution as we cant stop the ageing process. After a course of laser resurfacing we always recommend regular annual top up treatments. Many people do notice immediate results on their skin which continue to improve over the next 12 months.

IS IT WORTH IT?

WHICH IS BETTER CHEMICAL PEEL OR LASER RESURFACING?

Is laser resurfacing painful?

Am I A Candidate For Laser Skin Resurfacing

If you have wrinkles or fine lines on your forehead or around your mouth or eyes, non-responsive skin following a facelift, or shallow scars from acne, you could be a suitable candidate for laser skin resurfacing.

This technique is not advisable for stretch marks. The best candidates are fair to olive in complexion.

It is also important that you have good overall health and that you are realistic about your expectations.

If you are unsure as to whether laser skin resurfacing is the best choice for you, your provider will be able to discuss this with you during your consultation. They will provide their advice and recommendations regarding which treatment is going to be the best for your current skin condition and your desired result.

Dr. Lanfranchi changed my entire life. My procedure seemed to have taken 20 years off my face. This made me want to keep myself fit and healthy.*

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What Results To Expect From Laser Skin Resurfacing

Immediately after laser skin resurfacing, the skin may be sore and irritated. This can last several days. A person will also have increased sensitivity to UV light, which can last up to 1 year.

However, as the skin regrows, people typically notice that the skin looks plumper. Age spots, wrinkles, and dull skin are less noticeable. The skin may look softer, smoother, or more moisturized.

Laser skin resurfacing cannot mimic the results of a face lift, but it will improve the skins surface by reducing the appearance of:

The skin can continue to improve in appearance for up to 1 year following treatment.

The effects of laser skin resurfacing are permanent when it comes to issues such as scarring. Once a specific scar is gone, it will not come back.

However, with regard to the visible signs of aging, the results are not permanent. Most people notice that their skin looks younger for several years following treatment, but as aging continues, signs of aging will begin to show again.

A person can repeat laser skin resurfacing to try to maintain the results.

Laser skin resurfacing is effective for many people who want to see dramatic improvements in the surface of their skin.

However, it is not a good option for everyone. This includes people who:

• have a history of keloid scars, as they may develop scars in response to the procedure
• have very dark skin

Extent And Nature Of Treatment

Laser skin resurfacing procedures can either be ablative or non-ablative. There are different treatment approaches involved in both laser techniques. The difference is in terms of treatment site, intensity, and the number of sessions required.

Ablative laser techniques offer deeper outcomes by being more vigorous whereas non-ablative lasers are less vigorous in nature. They are better suited for treating mild or moderately damaged skin. The price tags for different laser resurfacing treatments are different based on the number of sessions.

Your treatment provider may charge you the entire cost as a lump sum or in several installments. The treatment site may include the whole face or a small part of it. On average, patients dont require more than 3 to 6 treatment sessions for the laser skin resurfacing to be effective.

Generally, ablative laser treatments tend to cost more than non-ablative ones. However, you may be offered a discount if the laser therapy is part of a combined aesthetic procedure. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for laser skin resurfacing.

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Side Effects Of Laser Skin Resurfacing

Check out the side effects of laser resurfacing treatment to make an informed decision:

• Laser resurfacing is associated with manageable downtime as it may cause mild redness, swelling, crusting which lasts for two to five days
• After some deep laser treatments, the face may tend to look skinned with crust formations that last for a short time.
• Clients with darker complexions are prone to skin pigmentation and discolouration if they do not follow post-care instructions.
• In cases of acne scar removal treatment, the presence of any active acne is a deal-breaker for laser skin resurfacing procedure.

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Expert Advice

Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while opting for laser skin resurfacing treatment:

Hope you find this article on laser skin resurfacing treatment informative and helpful.

If you are looking for an advanced solution for reducing your scars and treating saggy skin contact a reputed skin clinic and find out if laser skin resurfacing is the best solution for you.

What Is Laser Skin Tightening

Know That Lasers Can Help Treat Acne Scars But They Arent Good For Active Acne

Lasers and other light therapies may seem like the perfect acne treatment just beam a light to make the acne disappear, Solomon says. But its not that simple.

Lasers can be effective for resurfacing acne scars, but for active acne, youll want to opt for treatment with blue or blue-red light, advises the American Academy of Dermatology.

Devgan says she often treats patients with acne scars by using an erbium laser for resurfacing. If someone has active acne, I would do something more like an intense pulsed light with an acne reduction filter, she says.

According to a study published in the MayJune 2015 issue of the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, IPL and photodynamic light therapies can help reduce inflammation and acne scarring, but they are less effective on whiteheads and blackheads, or on cysts or nodules. To give you the best results, your dermatologist may recommend using another acne treatment, such as medicine that you apply to your skin. Results vary from person to person. Right now, theres no way to know who will see clearer skin and how much the skin will clear when treated with a laser or other light treatment, Devgan says. According to the American Academy of Dermatology , multiple treatments deliver significantly better results than a single treatment.

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Treatment To Correct Skin Quality Including Sun Damage Acne Scarring And Enlarged Pores

Facial lines and wrinkles are evidence of skin deterioration. Age, sun exposure, smoking, and genetics all result in the loss and disruption of collagen. People with rough texture, irregular colour, wrinkling, and other superficial signs of aging find relief in laser skin resurfacing treatments at Cosmedica in Burlington.

We have an excellent reputation in the province and pride in being one of the first clinics in Canada to launch the gold standard Sciton HALO resurfacing technology. We deliver a unique treatment with this machine, combining both nonablative with ablative measures and including a laser peel to ensure incredible results. Medi spa patients visit from Hamilton, Oakville, Brantford, and all areas of Ontario to rejuvenate their skin with this advanced energy procedure at Cosmedica.

Dr. Otto Weiglein wants to help you look and feel younger. Request a consultation online or call Cosmedica at to learn more about laser skin resurfacing.

How Much Is Laser Skin Resurfacing

The average cost of laser skin resurfacing is approximately $1,200-$3,500 for non-ablative therapies, and up to $4,500 for ablative therapies.

Please note that these figures refer only to the direct costs of the treatment. They do not include any associated fees, such as inpatient facility usage, additional treatments, or adjunct therapies.

*Individual Results May Vary

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What To Expect During And After The Procedure

Laser resurfacing is done by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. It’s an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll not have to stay overnight.

The doctor may treat wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or forehead individually or treat your entire face. For small areas, the doctor will numb the areas to be treated with a local anesthetic and may also sedate you. You may require general anesthesia if your whole face is being treated.

Treating just parts of the face takes about 30 to 45 minutes. A full-face treatment takes up to two hours.

Following the laser procedure, the doctor will bandage the treated areas. After 24 hours, you will need to clean the treated areas four to five times a day and then apply an ointment such as petroleum jelly to prevent scabs from forming.

Swelling after laser skin resurfacing is normal. Your doctor may prescribe steroids to manage swelling around your eyes. Sleeping on an extra pillow at night can also ease swelling.

You may feel itching or stinging for 12 to 72 hours after the procedure. Five to seven days after laser resurfacing, your skin will become dry and peel.

Depending on the problem that was treated, healing typically takes 10 to 21 days. Once the skin heals, you can wear oil-free makeup to minimize redness, which usually fades in two to three months.

Laser Treatments Vs Microdermabrasion Vs Surgery Vs Microneedling

Laser skin resurfacing is just one of the available options for stretch mark treatment. Surgery is the most invasive, but may also provide the longest-lasting results. Consider the differences and similarities of laser treatments compared with microdermabrasion, surgery, and microneedling below.

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What Should I Expect During My Laser Skin Resurfacing Recovery

Skin that’s treated with laser resurfacing may react in different ways. But most of the time, it will feel like a mild sunburn. You’ll have some redness and swelling. You may also experience itching or stinging for a few days after the procedure.

Depending on the treatment, some people may have what looks like a severe sunburn. The skin will be raw, oozing and may even blister. A yellow liquid may ooze from treated areas to form a crust. Do not scratch or pick at crusts because this can cause scarring.

Usually, about five days to a week after laser skin resurfacing, your skin will become dry and peel.