Laser skin resurfacing is one of the best ways to address many of the most common skin concerns, including sunspots, age spots, wrinkles, rosacea, redness, acne scars and even acne itself.
Co2 laser resurfacing is by far the most powerful skin rejuvenation technique available for facial skin. It is performed in order to: Completely renew facial skin. Tighten the skin to help reduce the consequences of laxity.
Laser skin resurfacing is best for patients who want to minimize wrinkling, improve the skin's tone and texture, and treat discoloration. The following types of sun damage are best treated with IPL: Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines), and freckles.
Candidacy. Microdermabrasion is safe for use on all skin types, including sensitive skin. However, as microdermabrasion is a mild procedure, it cannot correct more extensive concerns. Laser skin resurfacing would most likely be a better option if you struggle with issues like extensive scarring or severe discoloration.
Laser resurfacing can lead to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. The most common infection is a flare-up of the herpes virus — the virus that causes cold sores. Changes in skin color. Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker or lighter than it was before treatment.
Often, the procedure is performed for deeper acne scarring and deep surgical scars. Dermabrasion is currently rarely practiced and there are very few doctors who are trained and still perform this surgery. Dermabrasion has largely been replaced by technologies including lasers, CO2 or Erbium:YAG laser.
While both technologies have their advantages, laser hair removal is faster, more precise and can cater to darker skin tones while delivering permanent hair reduction. IPL and laser technology are also both available for safe, self-administered home use on the face, arms, legs, bikini line, chest and hands.
Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group.
Single Session: Typically, a single IPL session will cost between $300 and $600. This is a ballpark figure, and the exact price can vary. Multiple Sessions: Most clients require 3 to 6 sessions for optimal results. This means the total cost for a full course of treatment could range anywhere from $900 to $3,600.
The Fraxel Dual Laser can treat anything from pigmentation, age spots and sun damage, to fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and acne scars. "Overall, the Fraxel can improve skin tone and texture within days of treatment," adds Dr.
Laser resurfacing helps reduce the appearance of acne scars; however, it is not for clients who still have active acne. Patients who have very dark skin, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take specific medications like Accutane may not be viable candidates for laser resurfacing.
Determining the Laser Skin Resurfacing Cost
A single treatment session usually costs between $500 and $3,000. But it's important to keep in mind that you might need more than one lesson to get the results you want.
MicroLaserPeel is different and much more effective at rejuvenating the skin than microdermabrasion or chemical peels. It is also less invasive than Laser Skin Resurfacing, so the recovery time is significantly less.
A typical result is an 8-10 year reduction in age appearance when laser treatment on the face is done on a highly effective setting so that a 55 year old may look 46 after treatment and healing is complete. Milder treatments can be done, but are not as effective.
Risks / Benefits
Acne flares may occur after laser resurfacing. This may resolve on its own, or can be treated with conventional acne therapies. Hyperpigmentation, and more rarely, hypopigmentation, may result in the laser-treated areas.
You may not be a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing if you have: Active acne. Very dark skin. Deep wrinkles.
Laser treatments often provide more immediate and noticeable improvements than microneedling, especially for deeper wrinkles and more severe skin damage.
That depends on what you're looking for! If you don't mind longer recovery times so long as you get faster results, you might be interested in a Fraxel treatment. If you're looking to improve your skin's appearance but don't want to waste days of recovery, an IPL treatment might be perfect for you.
Although side effects of IPL are typically rare and minimal in severity, the most common adverse events include pain and erythema. Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection.
Laser treatments are often more expensive than IPL, though IPL may require more treatments in some cases. Overall, though, a course of IPL treatments is often less costly than laser.
Engler's point: “Dermabrasion as a treatment by itself is not used very much at all. Laser, ultrasound, light therapy and chemical peels have replaced it.
Dermabrasion, or surgical skin planing, is a procedure where a dermatologist or plastic surgeon uses a specialized instrument to "sand" the skin. This abrasive or planing action improves skin contour as it scrapes away top layers of skin to unveil smooth new skin. Dermabrasion is an option if you want smoother skin.
The average cost for dermabrasion can range from $750-$4000 per treatment. Cost will vary greatly based on partial or full facial treatments, and anesthesia fees. Men and women seeking improvement in skin quality may be good candidates for skin resurfacing.