Saratoga Dermatology and Medical Spa
54 Seward Street
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
tel: (518) 581-2860
fax: (518) 581-7358
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Laser Skin Rejuvenation Before-and-After Photos
Photos courtesy of Allergan. Your results may differ.
We know you have several choices for laser skin resurfacing treatments from Albany to Saratoga Springs, but few practices offer the range of advanced laser systems that you’ll find at Saratoga Dermatology. Too often, practices use the same laser for all skin treatments, even though better options are available.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Controlled, precisely targeted bursts of laser energy vaporize damaged skin and trigger the growth of new collagen. This process reveals new skin that is smoother and firmer with more even coloration. Patients with wrinkles, fine lines around the eyes, and sun damage are excellent candidates for laser skin resurfacing.
Our dermatologists carefully examine your skin before recommending a resurfacing technique, or combination of treatments, to give you the best results. The factors involved in determining the most suitable treatment plan include:
- Skin type
- Severity of any sun damage
- Extent of uneven pigmentation
- Depth of skin imperfections
Coarse wrinkling, acne scars, and fine lines all may require different treatment approaches.
CO2RE Laser
Our primary laser used for resurfacing procedures is the CO2RE system, a fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser that can be customized to address specific skin conditions. This means we can adjust the laser based on the depth of treatment needed. The newer generations of the CO2 system deliver extremely short pulses of energy, improving the treatment’s precision and limiting damage to surrounding tissue. Many patients get the desired results after only a single treatment. These results can be quite long lasting, but periodic treatments may be needed to maintain your skin’s youthful appearance.
Facial Rejuvenation Options
We may recommend other laser treatments for skin conditions such as rosacea, birthmarks, or broken blood vessels. Additionally, patients with less severe wrinkling can benefit from gentler laser treatments.
The V-Beam laser is a pulsed dye laser, which targets blood vessels with laser energy. A cooling spray minimizes the discomfort during the laser pulses. This minimally invasive, non-ablative laser treatment can address a variety of concerns, including:
- Spider veins
- Broken capillaries
- Other vascular lesions
The Smoothbeam laser, unlike the CO2RE system, doesn’t remove skin during the treatment and involves minimal redness, swelling, and downtime. It’s best suited for patients concerned with fine wrinkles and lines. The Smoothbeam and V-Beam lasers are also effective as acne treatments.
What to Expect
Depending on the area or areas being treated and the specific laser technique used, a topical anesthetic or a local anesthetic combined with sedation may be used to maintain comfort during the skin resurfacing. The treatment itself may last from a few minutes to a half-hour in most cases.
The side effects patients experience following laser skin rejuvenation depends on the type and depth of treatment. Most patients who undergo CO2RE laser skin resurfacing can expect a sensation similar to sunburn immediately following the procedure. That discomfort may last for several hours. Dead skin peels from the treatment area about a week to 10 days following the procedure, as the natural exfoliation process occurs.
To learn more about your laser skin rejuvenation options and whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure, request a consultation with Dr. Buhac using the online form, or call our practice at (518) 581-2860.