Laser skin resurfacing is designed to reverse the sign of photoaging and aging for a heathier, more youthful appearance. Laser skin resurfacing can be an effective solution for people who want to improve the overall texture and tone of their skin. This advanced technology can help to:

• smooth wrinkles and fine lines
• minimize sun damage
• reduce age spots and dark spots
• treat uneven pigmentation and redness
• smooth acne scarring and other imperfections
• treat crepey texture
• treat uneven skin tone and texture
• treat sagging skin
• erase sun damage
• diminish facial scars including acne scars and surgical scars
• reduce the appearance of enlarged pores
• obliterate precancerous lesions
• improve rosacea and melasma.

The best way to know if you are a good candidate is to meet with Dr. Shagalov to have an evaluation and to discuss your concerns and aesthetic goals. Good candidates desire to rejuvenate their appearance, are in good health and have no active inflammation or infection. Treatments can trigger a herpes outbreak. If that is a concern, Dr. Shagalov will prescribe an antiviral drug.

The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, so it is relatively pain-free. During the treatment, a laser beam (or beams) will be applied to the target area in order to remove thin layers of skin and reveal fresh, smooth skin underneath. Depending on the extent of correction needed and type of laser used, the procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

Results vary depending on the type and extent of treatment. They are usually visible after just one session, but multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve desired results. Full results are typically seen within a few weeks after the treatment.

Most people experience a smoother, brighter and more even skin tone with fewer wrinkles and blemishes. New collagen production helps to further refine skin texture, tone and firmness.

Laser resurfacing is considered relatively safe and most common side effects are minor and temporary. These may include swelling, redness, itching, blistering and peeling of the skin. In some cases, discoloration of the skin may occur which can be reversed with topical treatments. As with any medical procedure, there is always a risk of infection or scarring but this risk is very low when performed by an experienced and qualified healthcare professional.