Superficial treatments may provide results that last up to 6 months, while deeper treatments can offer more permanent improvements.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Smoothing the skin through advanced technology
Procedure Time:
0.5-1 hour
Recovery Time:
10-14 days
Results In:
1-6 months
Downtime:
3-7 days
What it Treats:
Laser Skin Resurfacing In Northern Michigan
What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing works to enhance the overall quality of the skin by utilizing laser technology to remove damaged or wrinkled skin.
Our providers specialize in diminishing fine lines around the mouth and eyes through laser skin resurfacing. This technique effectively addresses facial scars and uneven pigmentation and can be applied to the entire face or targeted areas based on your specific needs.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Procedure
Before undergoing laser skin resurfacing, your plastic surgeon may begin preparing the treatment areas with medical grade skin care up to six weeks in advance.
To ensure comfort during the procedure, a local anesthetic is applied and often ProNox, or nitrous oxide, is also utilized. The duration of laser skin resurfacing typically ranges from thirty minutes to one hour, depending on the extent of the treatment. During the procedure, the laser precisely targets and vaporizes damaged skin cells, removing the outer layer (epidermis) while simultaneously heating the underlying layer (dermis) to stimulate collagen fiber production. The result is firmer, smoother skin.
“Fractionated” resurfacing focuses on smaller areas by creating microscopic holes in the skin, allowing for faster healing since the surrounding healthy skin is preserved.
While we do offer consultations for laser resurfacing in Petoskey, treatments are typically performed in our Traverse City office.
Related Procedures
Ready to get started?
Interested in learning more about consulting about laser skin resurfacing? Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment at Copper Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery by calling 231-929-7700.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laser skin resurfacing is typically performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home on the same day. It’s normal to experience some redness, swelling, and discomfort that resembles a mild sunburn after the procedure. In some cases, treated areas may appear raw or develop blisters, but scratching or picking at the skin should be avoided to prevent scarring. Your plastic surgeon will likely prescribe a topical treatment to promote healing and recommend sunscreen and moisturizers to protect the healing skin.
About a week post-procedure, the treated skin will start to dry and peel, revealing smoother, more refined skin beneath. Deeper treatments may require longer downtime and healing, but they typically result in more significant improvements.
Ablative lasers remove layers of skin by vaporizing them, which results in a more dramatic improvement but requires a longer recovery. Non-ablative lasers, on the other hand, heat deeper tissues without affecting the surface, which means shorter recovery but more subtle results.
Although rare, risks of laser skin resurfacing include:
- Infection
- Acne breakout
- Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation
- Prolonged redness
- Unfavorable scarring
At Copper Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, our priority is patient safety. We utilize advanced techniques to minimize risks and ensure a smooth recovery. Following pre- and post-treatment instructions carefully will also help reduce the likelihood of complications.
Timeless Beauty, Personalized Artistry
Experience the best in plastic surgery procedures with the dedicated team at Copper Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Christopher C. Jeffries, along with our skilled staff, is committed to helping you achieve your beauty goals while providing the highest quality care in plastic surgery. We are proud to be Northern Michigan’s leading experts in this field.