What is a laser facial peel?

What is a laser peel?

Lasers have come a long way over the past several decades.  They have been used in facial plastic surgery for a long time, but new technologies have made them better and better.  The lasers of the past have been replaced with newer, safer, more effective ones.  While medical lasers have dozens of uses, specific ones have been developed for facial peels.

So what is a laser peel?  Think of a laser as a stimulator of new skin growth.  By removing old skin cells with the laser, newer skin can regenerate in its place.  You will see skin that is smoother, brighter, and more evenly toned.

Lasers of the past were designed to remove the entire top layer of skin.  Think of this as “mowing the lawn.”  While this was effective, the recovery period was several weeks where the skin remained red and swollen.

Think of the new fractional lasers as “aerating the lawn.”  These lasers essentially poke microscopic holes in the skin. This removes a very small area of skin, but more importantly, stimulates the body to renew and regenerate the skin around it as well. Recovery time has been reduced from several weeks to just a few days.

Laser peels have taken the place of many chemical peels as well.  A laser can be used more safely, more precisely, and with less downtime.

Keep in mind that, while your skin is healing after a laser peel, you will be more sun-sensitive.  The winter is an ideal time to get yours done, as the sun is not out as much, and you can stay warm and cozy indoors while you recover.

In our practice, we have a new fractional CO2 laser that works very well for skin resurfacing. It can help treat sun spots and scarring as well.

The next time you feel ready for some skin rejuvenation, consider a laser peel as an excellent rebooting of your skin.

 

Here’s to the beautiful human face,

-Dr. Yamamoto