Advanced Resurfacing Treatments

Preparing for the Procedure

For three weeks prior to all deep treatments, the patient will need to condition their skin with the proper products. Patients should stop using retinoids and acid treatments 3 days prior. Sun tanning and tanning beds should be avoided for 1 month before and after each session. Patients with a history of fever blisters or cold sores may elect to take Valtrex.

We strongly recommend the purchase of Alastin® TriHex Transition Duo $245 to prep your face for the procedure, support healing, and maintain the outcome. You will receive a 20% discount on the product with an advanced resurfacing treatment purchase. The TriHex Transition Duo includes a full-size Regenerating Skin Nectar® for use pre- and post-procedure and a transition-size Restorative Skin Complex for ongoing skin maintenance, in an easy-to-use Duo pack. Both products leverage ALASTIN’s breakthrough TriHex Technology® which will maximize the skin’s natural ability to repair itself and to produce new collagen and elastin both before and after treatments.

Procedure

Your laser technician will clean the treatment area, protecting your eyes with safety shields. To start the procedure, the laser technician will position the laser hand piece above the skin and hold it in place as the computer-guided scanner moves the laser beam around the treatment area. There should be minimal discomfort, however this varies from patient to patient and depends on the depth of the treatment. The forced air-cooling device along with numbing cream will aid in comfort during the procedure. Pain medication may be needed for more aggressive treatments.

A laser treatment involves precise removal of small columns of skin at the depth determined by the technician. Pinpoint bleeding may occur. Patients often describe a slight stinging sensation, like the snapping of a rubber band. Most individuals find this to be very tolerable. Total time spent in the office will vary depending on the area treated and patient response.

Results

Within weeks, the treated skin will feel smoother, fine wrinkles and pores will be less noticeable, and sunspots or uneven pigmentation will fade. Results depend on the patient’s condition, the number of treatments, and the area treated. As the collagen remodels and rebuilds, there will be continued improvement.

This laser can be adjusted for a few deep treatments with more downtime or multiple lighter treatments with less downtime.  Typically, treatments are done in a series of one to four treatments spaced three to six weeks apart. This schedule will depend on the patient needs and response to treatments. During your free consultation, your laser technician will determine the best laser treatment for your skin care concerns.

There are many varieties of ProFractional treatments to address all skin concerns. Pricing ranges from $900 – $2000 per treatment.

Short-Term Recovery

The treatment area may experience redness, swelling, edema and a sunburn sensation for a few days after the treatment. Incidental pinpoint bleeding may occur, which will subside within a short time after the treatment without any intervention. Occasional patterned hyperpigmentation may occur, but it will resolve in a few days.

There may be minor sloughing and itchiness on the following day. By day two, redness will begin to fade. Any redness can be easily covered by makeup on the third day. The healing process varies from patient to patient but will generally take from two to seven days. Keep in mind this time frame varies based on the depth of the treatment.

We recommend laser patients purchase Dermaka Cream for $34 to minimize bruising and inflammatory responses of the skin after a procedure. Our patients have had excellent results with the cream, which can also used for eczema, rashes, dry skin, etc. Learn more on Dermaka.com, or download the patient booklet here.

Long-Term Recovery

After the procedure, patients will be given an ointment to sooth any discomfort.  Cold compresses are also recommended to reduce redness and swelling. Patients should avoid sunblock and makeup for at least 3 days or until they can be applied without discomfort. We recommend patients always apply sunscreen to the area of treatment for the first few months after the initial healing phase to protect the skin and ensure the best results possible.

The skin heals in 3-4 days in superficial skin resurfacing treatments, such as MicroLaserPeel®. Patients will quickly notice an obvious improvement in tone, texture and color evenness. The deep skin resurfacing treatments, such as the diamond ProFractional, have the longest downtime of 7 days. But these procedures produce the most noticeable improvements in skin texture, tone and wrinkle appearance. The deeper laser treatments also stimulate the growth of new collagen over the next 4 to 6 months. The skin may show increasing improvements in tightness and resilience during this time.