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LASER RESURFACING

FRESHER, YOUNGER-LOOKING SKIN

Secrets of age proofing your skin with Laser Resurfacing

Imagine the thrill of looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing your face like it was 10 years ago. Or how great it would feel to never worry about your wrinkles, laugh lines and crow's feet again. As your body ages, the effects of the sun, pollution, smoking, alcohol and stress take their toll. Then with a decrease in collagen produced within the skin, you'll start seeing those lines turn into deeper wrinkles. At the same time your skin looses it's elasticity and firmness causing it to sag.

Most cosmetics or traditional moisturizers only treat the symptoms of aging skin. You may see a temporary fix but none of them can actually renew your skin's youthful glow. That's because the way to erase wrinkles and lines is to smooth the skin and tighten it at the same time.... just what laser resurfacing can do for you.


LASER SKIN RESURFACING


Public awareness and interest in Cosmetic Laser Surgery really took off with the introduction of laser resurfacing. This technique was made possible by new technology applied to carbon dioxide lasers. Although this technique has been used only since about 1992, it appears to have significant advantages over alternative methods such as dermabrasion or chemical peel. The laser method has a higher margin of safety as well as greater precision, which can result in increased efficacy (better results). Because there are many variables to treatment such as laser power levels used and the number of "passes" over the skin, there is a wide range of treatment intensity. Since the surgeon has control over all these variables, the result of treatment is very dependent on the surgeon's experience and skills. Thus, laser resurfacing is very "technique dependent," and prospective patients should ask the surgeon how many cases they have done and should request to see before and after photographs of previously treated patients.

Dr. Thomas uses two lasers for resurfacing: the erbium laser and the DermaK (Erbium:Yag: and non-ablative carbon dioxide laser) primarily for full-face resurfacing. The outstanding results of these treatments are due partly to the significant contraction of the facial skin that occurs during the healing process. Many of Dr. Thomas's full-face laser resurfacing patients achieve results that rival a face lift, but with a more natural look. A face lift can result in a "windswept" or plastic look due to the unnatural pulling forces that are applied to the muscle layers. In contrast, with laser resurfacing, the skin contraction occurs in all directions and thus appears more natural. Also, with the laser, a fresh new layer of skin replaces the old, sun-damaged skin, so that uneven pigmentation is removed. Wrinkles around the mouth and chin are removed with laser resurfacing, but are not affected at all by a face lift.

Dr. Thomas uses the erbium:YAG laser for nearly all regional facial resurfacing (involving areas less than the entire face). The great majority of these cases are done using only topical anesthesia (a cream and surface cooling only ---no needles!).



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