The statement, “age is a state of mind” is truer than ever in today’s society. People are living longer, staying in the workforce, enjoying active lifestyles and full social lives. They want their appearances to reflect their youthful lives. At Washington Dermatology Consultants, we offer a variety of options to help you reach that goal. One of the most popular, which is versatile and effective, is fractional laser resurfacing, which helps reduce wrinkles and improve skin quality.
What is laser skin resurfacing?
Resurfacing your skin sounds like an intense, possibly painful procedure with difficult recovery. When the technique was initially developed, that was very much the case. The original CO2 lasers literally removed the skin surface from the entire treatment area. It worked well, but it did not get high marks from patients regarding comfort and convenience. Additionally, due to the aggressive nature of the process, complications and side effects were not terribly uncommon. Today’s fractionated laser treatment delivers the same powerful therapeutic light, in a gentler, safer way.
What it can accomplish
The support structure of skin is primarily composed of collagen and elastin. As that structure weakens with age, skin loses its resiliency. Fine lines, superficial wrinkles, and eventually deep folds begin developing. Laser energy triggers your skin’s healing response, which includes rapid development and remodeling of collagen. It can improve the texture, strength, and laxity of skin, reducing the appearance of crow’s feet, laugh lines, smoker’s lines, and other wrinkles. Additional benefits of laser treatment include a reduction of superficial scars, improvement in pigmentation problems, a more even tone, and skin that feels soft to the touch.
Depending on the type and severity of wrinkling, we may recommend laser resurfacing as part of an overall plan including treatments such as Botox® or soft tissue fillers.
Call Washington Dermatology Consultants at 571-431-6175 to schedule an appointment today. Our offices are conveniently located to serve residents throughout the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area.
