Laser Skin Resurfacing: As one of the most exciting and innovative scientific achievements of the decade, Laser technology is being utilized throughout the health care community. Dr. Wald uses one of the newest lasers, the ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser, to treat sun-damaged skin, facial wrinkles and scars in a procedure called laser skin resurfacing.
What is a Laser?
The word "laser" is an acronym, which stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A surgical laser, such as the CO2 laser, is a beam of light capable of removing unwanted tissue, such as scarred, lined, wrinkled, and otherwise imperfect skin. The laser vaporizes skin cells by emitting bursts of radiation that are absorbed by water in these cells. Laser light penetrates to a very precise, controlled depth, making the procedure safe and predictable, while reducing the risk of scarring or pigmentation problems. Laser skin resurfacing is bloodless, and is performed right here in our office, under light sedation. As a result of this treatment, you are left with more natural looking skin.
What Areas can be Treated Through Laser Resurfacing?
The laser is used to reduce tiny wrinkles, acne scars and other minor skin imperfections, especially around the mouth and eyes. It can improve sun-damaged and acne scarred skin, problems that often cause concern to both men and women.
Benefits of Treatment
Laser resurfacing can be used as an alternative to chemical peel and dermabrasion. The benefits of using this technique are that there is less pain and a faster recovery time. In most cases, it is also less costly.
Before Surgery
Prior to surgery, Dr. Wald and you will discuss the goals for facial improvement. After determining the appropriate procedure, we will fully describe the procedure, what results to expect and the costs. The skin is usually pretreated prior to surgery to improve the healing time.
The Procedure
A local anesthetic is given to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure. The area is cleansed and draped. Dr. Wald directs the laser beam toward your skin imperfections. The laser quickly and accurately vaporizes the outermost layers of skin just four or five cells in thickness.
What can be Expected?
In most cases, only one treatment is needed. The initial redness fades in a few weeks to a light pink, which can be concealed with makeup. The discoloration usually disappears in one or three months. The goal of laser resurfacing is to enhance facial appearance. Expectations by the patient must be realistic, and results should be anticipated as improvements rather than total corrections. Results of the surgery depend on many factors such as the size, shape and location of the imperfection and the patient's heredity, age and general skin condition.
Chemical Peels: Chemical peel is helpful for wrinkles, light acne scarring and irregular pigmentation such as freckles and age spots. Pre-cancerous conditions such as kurtosis (thick, rough, reddish growths) also respond well to this procedure.
There are several types of chemical peels:
After thoroughly cleansing the skin, a small applicator is used to apply the chemical solution to an area of the face. Excess solution is removed and the procedure is repeated on other areas.
The amount of improvement varies and depends upon the initial condition of the patient's skin. Significant improvement of damaged skin has been achieved, which can produce dramatic results.
Skin Rejuvenation: A skin rejuvenation program is often used in conjunction with either chemical peels or laser wrinkle removal to reduce the fine wrinkles of the face, lighten areas of hyperpigmentation and produce a softer texture to the skin. The program can be accomplished separately or in conjunction with the other procedures listed here and is followed at home by the patient after a consultation and a treatment plan is established for the patient's cosmetic needs.
Our skin care department is dedicated to providing you with the latest and most effective skin treatments available.
We invite you to inquire about laser skin resurfacing and hope it can help you achieve smoother, fresher, younger-looking skin.
When reviewing information about specific plastic surgery procedures, it is important to understand that the circumstances and experience of every individual are unique. If you are considering plastic surgery, please ask your plastic surgeon for further information about the particular procedure and what you can expect.
Robert Wald, MD, FACS
The Aesthetic Institute
Address:
100 E. Valencia Mesa Drive, Suite 300
Fullerton Ca, 92835
Phone: 714.738.4282
Fax: 714.738.1862
Abdominoplasty The removal of excess abdominal fat with tightening of the abdominal wall. Also called tummy tuck.
Arm Lift To contour the upper arms by removing skin and fat
Augmentation Mammaplasty To enlarge the breasts making them more youthful and full using breast implants
Blepharoplasty To remove the excess skin and fat of the upper and lower eyelids
Body Lift To tighten and improve contour of the back, thighs, and abdomen
BOTOX® To soften the lines around the eyes and forehead
Brachioplasty To improve contour and reduce excess skin and fat of upper arms
Breast Augmentation To enlarge the breasts making them more youthful and full using breast implants
Breast Enhancement To enlarge the breasts making them more youthful and full using breast implants
Breast Enlargement To enlarge the breasts making them more youthful and full using breast implants
Breast Implant Revision To improve overall shape and size of breasts following previous cosmetic breast surgery
Breast Implants Saline or silicone devices to enlarge breasts
Breast Lift To uplift breasts following pregnancy, the aging process, or congenital deformity
Breast Reconstruction The surgical procedure to remake breasts for a woman who has lost a breast due to cancer
Breast Reduction To reduce the size of breasts that are too large and heavy
Brow Lift To elevate the forehead and eyebrows following the aging process
Calf Augmentation/Implants To enlarge size of calves
Cellulite The dimpling or cheese appearance of skin following pregnancy or develops with age
Cheek Implants Implants to enlarge cheeks
Chemical Peel Various acid treatments to improve texture and fine wrinkles of the face
Chin Augmentation To enlarge and improve contour of chin
Chin Implant Silicone or other type of material device to enlarge chin
Collagen Natural bodies tissue used in healing
Collagen Injections A filler to elevate folds or wrinkles to soften facial appearance
Dermal Fillers A filler to elevate folds or wrinkles to soften facial appearance
DSL Laser Hair Removal
Ear Pinning/Surgery To correct ears that are too projecting or dumbo like in appearance
Endoscopic Brow Lift Technique to elevate forehead, low brow position and heaviness of upper eyelids
Face Lift To tighten skin of face and neck and reposition soft tissue of cheek and jowls
Facial Implants Implants to enhance contour of cheeks, chin, and mandibular angle
Fat Injections Fat added to areas of body to enhance volume and contour
Flap Surgery Tissue from one area of body added to another area to correct a body defect
Forehead Lift To elevate forehead and eyebrows
FotoFacial™
Gynecomastia Excess breast tissue of male
Hylaform® A filler to enhance facial lines and depressions
Incision A cut made in skin
IPL™ Photofacial/Fotofacial Light therapy to soften facial wrinkles and pigmentation
Labiaplasty To remove excess labial skin
Laser Hair Removal Laser to remove unwanted hair
Laser Skin Tightening Laser light to burn skin that causes new collagen formation and less wrinkles
Laser Skin Resurfacing CO2 laser therapy to correct facial wrinkles
Lip Augmentation To add fillers or fat to enlarge lips
Lipodissolve™ Technique to remove excess body or facial fat
Lipoplasty Technique to remove excess body or facial fat
Liposculpture Technique to remove excess body or facial fat
Liposuction Technique to remove excess body or facial fat
Male Breast Reduction To remove excess breast tissue and skin on a male
Mammaplasty To enlarge the breasts
Mastectomy To remove breast including breast tissue, nipple, areola, and some breast skin
Mastopexy To uplift the breast and reposition the nipple/areola
Mentoplasty To enlarge the chin and improve the chin’s contour
NeckLift To tighten the skin of the neck
Nipple Reduction To reduce the size of the nipple
Nose Job To improve the shape and contour of the nose. Also called rhinoplasty.
Obagi Skin care system that transforms skin into younger and healthier skin
Otoplasty Surgical technique to pin back ears that are too protruding
Pec Implants Implants to enlarge male breasts
Perlane®
Polaris (WRA) Power
Ptosis Droopiness that overhangs the pupil and may interfere with vision
Radiesse A filler to elevate depressions or wrinkles or add volume to face
Refirme™ (ST)
Restylane® Injections A filler to minimize depressions and wrinkles of face
Rhinoplasty Surgery to improve, shape, size, and contour of nose
Rhytidectomy Surgery to tighten facial and neck skin and make face more youthful. Also called face necklift.
Rosacea Skin condition that causes redness
Saline Implants Implants comprised of a silicone shell and saline content
Sclerotherapy To inject spider veins that result in their disappearance or lightening
Sculptra® A long lasting filler
Silicone Implants Implants comprised of silicone
SkinCeuticals : Skin care products to prevent damage, protect healthy skin, and correct previous damage
Skin Expansion Technique to stretch skin of breasts or body
Suture Material to bring skin or underlying tissue together
Symmastia Condition where two breast meet in middle of chest
Thermage® Laser therapy to improve texture of facial skin
Thigh Lift/Thighplasty Surgery to improve contour and shape of thighs
Thread Face Lift Surgical technique to tighten facial and neck skin using threads
Topical Solution Liquid applied to the skin
Tummy Abdomen
Vein Therapy Techniques to improve appearance of large varicose veins or small spider veins
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