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Laser Skin Resurfacing

As one of the most exciting and innovative scientific achievements to date, laser technology is being utilized throughout the health care community. Dr. Hargan uses one of the newest lasers to treat sun-damaged skin, facial wrinkles and scars in a procedure called laser skin resurfacing.

We uses the erbium YAG “Venus” laser system to treat sun-damaged skin, facial wrinkles and scars in a procedure called laser skin resurfacing. It removes skin and allows new skin to grow in it’s place. Sedation is available but not typically required. The Venus system allows us to do light or heavy skin resurfacing which allows for varying down time depending on the levels you require and or choose.

What is a laser?
The word "laser" is an acronym, which stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A surgical laser, such as the CO2 laser, is a beam of light capable of removing unwanted tissue, such as scarred, lined, wrinkled and otherwise imperfect skin. The laser vaporizes skin cells by emitting bursts of radiation that are absorbed by water in these cells. Laser light penetrates to a very precise, controlled depth, making the procedure safe and predictable, while reducing the risk of scarring or pigmentation problems. Laser skin resurfacing is bloodless, and is performed right here in our office under sedation. As a result of this treatment, you can achieve a more youthful looking skin.

What areas can be treated with laser resurfacing?
The laser is used to reduce fine wrinkling around the eyes, forehead, nose and mouth. Deep laugh and frown lines can be minimized. The laser system can also reduce the lingering effects of chicken pox, acne scarred skin problems, improve sun-damaged skin, superficial pigmented lesions and other surface abnormalities that often concern both men and women.

Benefits of Treatment
Laser resurfacing can be used as an alternative to chemical peel and dermabrasion. The benefits of using this technique are less pain and a faster recovery time. In most cases, it is less costly.

Before Surgery
Prior to surgery, Dr. Hargan will discuss the goals for facial improvement with you. After determining the most appropriate procedure to use, we will fully describe the procedure, what results to expect and the costs. The skin is usually pretreated prior to surgery to improve the healing time.

The Procedure
A local anesthetic is given to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure. The area is cleansed and draped. Dr. Hargan directs the laser beam toward your skin imperfections. The laser quickly and accurately vaporizes the outermost layers of skin just four or five cells in thickness or less. Dr. Hargan will move in an even pattern across the treatment area. Areas that you wish to treat more precisely may receive higher energies or second passes.

What can be expected?
In most cases, only one treatment is needed. The initial redness fades in a few weeks to a light pink, which can be camouflaged with cosmetics. The discoloration usually disappears in one or three months. The goal of laser resurfacing is to enhance facial appearance. Expectations by the patient must be realistic and results should be anticipated as improvements rather than total corrections. Results of the surgery depend on many factors such as the size, shape and location of the imperfection and the patient's heredity, age and general skin condition. Exceptional results can be maintained with follow up treatments every six months to a year and a daily sun block regimen.

Laser Acne treatment

This treatment is cutting edge technology. There are still several research studies taking place to further prove its efficacy. Sometimes it involves treating the skin with a medicine for about 30 minutes, and then the laser is used on those areas. The laser targets the bacteria and hypervascular areas of acne and can greatly reduce and normally eliminate the blemishes. The treatment is not shown to be permanent, but can provide several months or longer of remission WITHOUT taking pills or using topical creams or ointments. Find out more information and video about Laser Acne treatments.

Laser Hair Removal and "Shaving bump" removal (Pseudo Folliculitis)

This laser is also affective in the permanent reduction of hair. It is only affective on brown and darker pigmented hair. The permanent reduction of unwanted facial, leg, underarm, bikini area, back or any body area hair can mean no more plucking, no more waxing, and/or months before you feel the need to shave. And potentially having only a few hairs return at all, if ever. This often requires 4-6 treatments for optimal effects. "Shaving bumps" or Pseudo Folliculitis (PFB) can be greatly improved or eliminated. Find out more information about Hair removal and treatment of PFB.

Laser Photo-rejuvenation / Facial vein removal / Leg vein removal

Using the KTP laser, we are able to reduce facial telangectasia (small little veins) as well as Rosacea, brown sun spots and pigmentation changes (brown discolorations). The skin color and tone becomes more uniform and youthfull in appearance. Leg vein removal is very affective and takes 1-3 treatments for optimal results. There is normal slight redness that resolves quickly and over 6-8 weeks the veins tend to fade nicely. Find out more information about vein removal.