Have you thought much about your skin?  Did you know it is the largest organ in the body?  It forms a barrier between us and the outside world, helps regulate our body’s temperature, and protects us from dehydration, illness and injury.  The skin reflects our general state of well being.  It is composed of two layers, the epidermis and the dermis.  The epidermis is the outside layer that the world sees.  

There are two ways our skin ages.  One we can’t do much about, namely our genetics and normal skin changes that occur as we age, including the effects of gravity.  The second is our life style and to a certain extent where we live, including exposure to pollution, sun, smoking, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, improper skin care products, and even life stresses that lead to a poor night’s sleep. As our skin ages you may notice uneven color such as generalized redness or brown spots, fine wrinkles to deep furrows, textural changes, large pores, facial veins, and sagging skin.  Most people over the age of 20 can see the aging effects these factors have had on their skin just by looking in the mirror. These changes not only occur on our face, but anywhere on the body.

At the Southwest Virginia Center we use the StarLux 500 Laser - The Most Powerful Laser and Pulsed Light Aesthetic System in the World

Here are some of the before and after pictures from procedures performed with the StarLux500.

Fractional Ablative Resurfacing Results

 Spider Vein Results

Hair Reduction Results

Skin Tightening Results

What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is a popular cosmetic procedure that can help rejuvenate the skin and reduce the effects of the sun, aging, and some facial skin disorders. Treatments are safe, effective, and convenient. Also, the cost of cosmetic laser skin resurfacing is minimal compared to many other treatment options. Learn more about how laser skin rejuvenation, or laser peel as it is often called, removes damaged outer layers of skin and stimulates the production of collagen and new skin cells in the underlying layers, bringing about smoother, younger, healthier-looking skin.

The new micro fractional ablative laser resurfacing techniques are very exciting advances in the field of non surgical facial rejuvenation and wrinkle removal. Many new applications are being developed which will likely improve our ability to rejuvenate the skin and possibly improve scars, stretch marks, and remove pigment.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Candidates

Laser skin resurfacing is appropriate for patients seeking treatment for discoloration, wrinkles, sun damage, acne marks, or other types of imperfections in skin appearance. The procedure does have limitations and individuals with severe scarring may need to use additional scar revision techniques to achieve the best possible results. An ideal candidate for laser skin resurfacing is someone who has realistic expectations and is open to discussing any laser skin rejuvenation concerns at the time of consultation.

The Laser Skin Resurfacing Procedure

The laser skin resurfacing procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. During the laser peel, the patient is placed under local anesthesia and sedative medications, and the patient’s eyes are covered to protect them from the laser light. The length of the procedure depends upon the size of the area the patient wishes to have treated. A partial facial skin resurfacing can take as little as half an hour; a full resurfacing can take up to two hours.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Recovery and Results

Laser skin resurfacing recovery and results vary depending upon the type of laser that is being used and the size of the area you wish to have treated. The most invasive treatments may produce enormous improvements, but may require an extended recovery time of multiple weeks. A gentler laser skin rejuvenation treatment may reduce the appearance of some imperfections and may require little or no downtime. A Friday treatment most often results in a Monday workday!