Unquestionably, over the recent years, lasers have transformed treatments for many skin imperfections such as sun damage, scarring, skin texture, wrinkles and skin tightening. With factional technology, which was introduced over seven years ago, tiny points of laser light can be distributed by a laser handpiece or scanner in a pattern that leaves columns of treated tissue surrounded by normal, uninvolved skin. These advances in laser technology provide precise control of the depth of penetration, the energy used, and the surface area covered in the treatment. This allows the skin to be treated not only intensely enough to achieve one’s goals, but also leaving a larger margin of safely and hence a quicker healing time.

     It’s clear that this is an exciting and promising technology when it comes to treating brown hyperpigmentation, fine lines, scarring, wrinkles, and abnormalities in skin texture and laxity. We are pleased to announce the new addition of the DEKA SmartXide50 fractional CO2 laser to our practice. 

     This particular higher power device is especially flexible with regards to the parameters of the treatment, thus, increasing the safety profile. Because the patient’s epidermis is not totally ablated (removed) as was the case in the past, there is a more accelerated healing time. This varies from approximately 3-7 days depending on how aggressive a treatment is performed. Even in higher energy treatments, patients are left with some redness following the initial healing phase that subsides fairly quickly and can usually be covered with makeup. The columns of tissue which are treated or ablated by the laser lead to stimulation of the patient’s own collagen. This results in continuous improvement that occurs over a period of months and leads to a longer lasting effect of skin rejuvenation. 

     One of the significant benefits of this type of procedure is that it can be performed with topical and local anesthesia. Patients typically report very little discomfort during their treatment. The most commonly treated areas are the face, eyelids, neck, chest and hands - not surprisingly, as these are some of the first areas to show the signs of aging skin. 

     If you’ve been considering freshening up your skin’s appearance, we’d be happy to answer any of your questions and explain the advantages of this revolutionary procedure. We’re confident that you’ll agree - this truly is an investment in you!