Home > Skin 101 > A Local Licensed Aesthetician Answers Questions About WHAT LASER RESURFACING CAN DO FOR YOU

A Local Licensed Aesthetician Answers Questions About WHAT LASER RESURFACING CAN DO FOR YOU

Melanie Hutto

At one point or another, we have all been frustrated with our skin and how slowly it can sometimes recover from certain things. There are even times that, without a little extra help, we may not be getting rid of blemishes or marks on our faces. Do not despair, however. If you are looking for a superhero in the facial rejuvenation field that gives great results, look no further than lasers. Laser resurfacing can effectively treat minor facial flaws and improve the appearance of the skin. To better understand laser resurfacing and answer our questions, we spoke with Melanie Hutto, Licensed Aesthetician at Vitalogy Skincare.

Q: How does laser resurfacing work?

A: These laser treatments use laser beams at skin areas to remove layers of the skin and heat the treatment zone, promoting collagen production and revealing a more youthful, vibrant area. What can laser resurfacing do for you? It can treat fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, damage from the sun, uneven skin tone or texture, hyperpigmentation, and help with certain acne scars.

Q: Could you untangle the information overload about lasers and tell us what the different types of lasers are and what they do?

A: There are different types of laser options mainly because there is no one laser that can do it all. Some of the lasers you will hear about include the following:

  • Erbium lasers (Er:YAG) can be ablative or non-ablative lasers and are effective for fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, and age spots.
  • CO2 lasers are usually ablative. They are used for treating scars, wrinkles, and some deeper skin flaws.
  • Fractional lasers deliver many narrow columns of laser light to your skin, keeping much of your skin intact and treating only a fraction of the skin in the area, reducing downtime. These lasers can be ablative or non-ablative.

When looking for your best laser resurfacing option, it is not so important to know all the different types of lasers but what you are trying to accomplish. Your Skincare Professional will be able to recommend the best treatment for your skin goals.

Q: What is the difference between an ablative and a non-ablative laser?

A: Ablative treatments remove the top layers of the skin and are better for treating wrinkles, deeper pigment, or more corrective procedures. This treatment heats the tissue at a deeper level, stimulating collagen. These lasers typically require more extended downtime. Non-ablative treatments do not remove any layers of skin but instead work by heating underlying skin to spur collagen production without injuring the skin. This allows for minimal downtime.

Q: Are there different laser resurfacing treatments?

A: Yes, there are different options, depending on your needs. At Vitalogy Skincare, we offer MicroLaserPeel™ and ProFractional® Laser Treatments.

MicroLaserPeel™- This rejuvenation treatment scans the area to be treated and removes a thin layer of skin. This helps with texture, pigmentation, and overall dullness of the skin.

ProFractional® Therapy- This therapy treats a fraction of the treatable area at a deeper level, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. It stimulates collagen and elastin fibers and reduces healing time. This is great for more corrective resurfacing and is a good option for aging concerns and deep wrinkles.

Both of these treatments can be used together or separately. Your initial consultation with your Provider will allow you both to create a plan that works best for you.

Q: How quickly can I expect results, and is there a recovery period?

A: Results can be seen as soon as the skin is healed; however, with ProFractional Therapy, results will continue to improve over time, typically up to 6 months. Downtime varies based on how aggressive a procedure is performed. It can be anywhere from 2 to 7 days.

Q: Will I need multiple treatments?

A: Depending on your skin goals and the area being treated, it typically takes three treatments to reach maximum results. However, many patients achieve fantastic results with just one treatment.

Q: What is the best aftercare for optimal results?

A: Using proper aftercare products is essential for optimal results. For the first couple of days, a protective barrier is required, such as Aquaphor®. After that, we suggest using a mild cleanser and an aftercare moisturizer such as SkinCeuticals® Epidermal Repair. An SPF of 30+ with a mineral base only is essential for everyday use. We typically recommend EltaMD® products such as UV Pure.

Q: Who is a good candidate for laser resurfacing, and are there reasons not to get one?

A: Laser resurfacing is an excellent option for those trying to correct a concern on their skin, such as texture, aging, and acne scarring. This is not the optimal modality for treating redness, rosacea, or melasma. There are other available options for different concerns. We also do not suggest this treatment for those not in good health, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Originally published “A Local Licensed Aesthetician Answers Questions About What Laser Resurfacing Can Do For You” 
(Oct 1, 2022) Edible Austin