Skin / Laser Treatments

Laser treatments are great for patients seeking improvement in their skin complexion and other specific skin-related concerns. Lasers can improve age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, and much more.

There are a variety of different types of lasers used for aesthetic skin treatments. At CARE Plastic Surgery, we offer Tetra CO2 laser therapy and Lumecca IPL (intense pulsed light).

Recovery varies between different types of lasers. There is not much associated downtime with Lumecca as it does not cause significant peeling. Patients can expect mild erythema for a few days post-treatment. After a Lumecca treatment, we recommend limiting sun exposure and wearing sunscreen SPF 30+ for the best results and protection. There is minimal downtime associated with a Cool Peel treatment. Patients can expect mild to moderate erythema, like a sunburn. This can last a few days after treatment, depending on your skin type. Patients often find their skin may feel dry and/or rough throughout the healing process, so we highly encourage adequate exfoliation, hydration, and moisturizing. The Tetra CO2 laser utilizes the same technology as CoolPeel, just at a much more aggressive setting. This treatment has the greatest downtime of the three lasers we offer at CARE. However, the downtime is quite limited when compared to traditional CO2 lasers. Like CoolPeel, the Tetra CO2 laser results in mild to moderate erythema. Minimal to mild swelling can occur immediately after treatment. Patients can expect the outer layer of skin to slough off over the few days following treatment. Patients tend to look and feel back to normal within a few days or a week. Our team will work with you to cover every detail of your post-treatment instructions.

There are many lasers available for skin treatments, and various lasers can target different skin concerns. When you meet with your provider for a skincare consultation, they will work with you to develop a specialized treatment plan to best address your aesthetic goals and specific concerns.

While there are many advantages to laser treatments, it is important to understand there are limitations. Those who are not candidates for laser treatments include patients with active acne, a history of poor wound healing, a history of being prone to keloids or hypertrophic scars, or high Fitzpatrick skin types (III or above). We do not recommend laser treatments in these situations as they can increase the risk of infection, pigmentation, or scarring.

For non-invasive treatments that tighten skin, we offer Morpheus, a radiofrequency microneedling technology. Morpheus works to stimulate and increase collagen production. Your provider will help build a customized treatment plan to suits your needs and skin concerns. It is important to consider there are times that more invasive and aggressive options, such as surgery, may be better suited for patients.

Laser therapy can provide effective and lasting outcomes, but the key to achieving these long-lasting results is with proper skincare maintenance post-treatment. It is important to note that there is no treatment or procedure that is permanent since we all continue to age; however, it is possible to slow down the aging process with proper maintenance treatments and routine medical-grade skincare.

Laser treatments and fillers are both great options, but deciding between the two comes down to what your main concerns are. In many cases, patients are candidates for both! Your provider will discuss your aesthetic goals with you and create a unique treatment plan for you. Fillers are typically used to correct volumes loss due to aging. They can also be used to enhance certain features, like lips and cheeks, to help better balance a patient’s facial features and overall symmetry. Laser treatments can improve overall skin quality, fine lines and wrinkles, and age spots.