Effective Laser Skin Treatment in Encinitas
Laser skin treatments are especially effective at addressing various skin conditions including acne, sun damage, rosacea, scarring, wrinkles, brown spots, and other similar issues of the skin. Different skin conditions call for different types of lasers, each of which has unique interactions with the skin.
When lasers are used to resurface the skin, as is the case with wrinkles, scarring, or sun damage, this is done by removing skin layers one by one and allowing the newer, fresher, tighter, and younger-looking skin to replace the old. Other issues like red spots in rosacea or brown spots use lasers that target the specific structures in the skin that are creating those colors without doing any damage to surrounding structures.
Dr Saami offers customized laser skin treatments in Encinitas that are tailored specifically to your skin’s needs. Call us at (760) 766-7546, email concierge@som.md or visit our Contact page to book a free consultation.
Non-ablative resurfacing laser helped to remove the surgical scar on this patient's forehead
A Deeper Look into Laser Skin Treatment
Laser treatment or resurfacing uses light to induce the production of collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of the skin. These two components are important for youthful skin. The treatment is done using short pulses of light that vaporize microscopic channels in the skin which are then healed by the body causing the skin to tighten and smoothen. The treatment taps into the body’s natural healing process to promote collagen production thereby creating new, healthy looking skin. Since the treatment targets underlying layers of the skin, and recruits the body’s natural mechanisms of cell renewal, the results are typically delayed by a few weeks to months. However, when done by an expert like Dr Saami, patients can expect safe, effective treatments with results that can last several years.
Here is a list of the most common issues treated by laser:
Aged skin
Sun damaged skin
Acne scarring or surgical scarring
Rosacea
Liver or age spots
Fine lines or wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, and the mouth
Enlarged pores or oil glands, especially on the nose
Lesions that may be precancerous
Skin laxity and tissue tightening
Stretch marks
Tattoo removal
Before, During, and After Your Laser Skin Treatment
Before your procedure, the doctor may ask you not to take certain medications or supplements that may affect blood clotting. This may include aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin-E.
It is critical that patients avoid the sun for a minimum of 2 weeks before and after their laser treatment. Some lasers require even longer sun protection afterwards.
Patients who are prone to cold sore and fever blisters may be asked to take antiviral medication beforehand.
During this outpatient procedure, the doctor may numb parts of the skin with a local anesthetic. Patients who will have their entire face treated may need an injection of numbing medicine like lidocaine but none of these procedures require general anesthesia . The procedure can last between 20 - 45 minutes, depending on the area being treated.
After the procedure, we will apply an ointment like petroleum jelly and a dressing. Depending on the specific type of laser used there may be minimal aftercare -- just moisturizer and sunscreen -- or may require more frequent dressing changes and cleansing if the most aggressive types of laser are used.
Are You a Candidate for Laser Skin Treatment?
To find out whether laser skin treatment is right for you and your skin, it’s best to give us a call at (760) 766-7546 or send us an email at concierge@som.md. You can take advantage of our free consultation to see if this treatment suits you.