BACK TO THE FUTURE:
New technology restores skin in a fraction of the time
By Devon Nespica
April 2008



Laugh-lines; dermo-creases; crows-feet; pucker marks—if there’s one beauty complaint all people can agree on, it’s wrinkles. In a culture of perfectly airbrushed images, more and more people are turning to technology to turn back the clock. The next generation of anti-aging treatments is finally here, and it’s providing a ray of hope for the war on wrinkles.

Laser skin rejuvenation is the phrase on everyone’s lips when talking about reducing wrinkles and smoothing and tightening the skin. With virtually no downtime, very little discomfort, and highly effective results, laser skin resurfacing greatly surpasses many traditional exfoliating treatments. “The most significant technology breakthroughs in skin resurfacing are happening in the noninvasive laser space,” says Gary Graves, CEO of American Laser Centers. “Within the last 10 years, improvements have been made to aesthetic laser technology to increase the potential applications to treat a variety of skin conditions.” Scarring, uneven pigmentation, skin laxity, sun damage, and (yes!) wrinkles are all treatable with laser skin resurfacing.

So how does it work? Lasers affect the skin by emitting high-energy beams of light that are directed into certain areas or tissues. This is done through either ablative or non-ablative methods. Ablative laser resurfacing removes the outermost layers of the skin by directing an intense burst of laser energy onto the skin’s surface—causing the water and tissue of the skin to vaporize. As the skin heals and rebuilds, new layers of collagen are produced, causing a dramatic reduction in the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation. However, because ablative lasers remove layers of the skin, they also involve a harder recovery period. Non-ablative lasers, on the other hand, have lower energy levels than ablative lasers and do not remove the skin. Instead, they penetrate the layers of skin under the surface without causing damage to the epidermis. This less intensive method reduces recovery time but has not traditionally produced the same results as ablative lasers—until now.

The newest form of laser treatments provide the results of ablative lasers with the shorter recovery period of non-ablative methods. This concept is known as Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing. “Fractional resurfacing improves the skin without producing a noticeable wound,” says Dr. Christopher Dannaker of the Monterey Dermatology Laser Medical Center. The procedure involves using different wavelengths to injure the skin in smaller spots—hence, only causing fractional damage. “This produces the same effectiveness [as traditional ablative laser treatments] with minimal downtime,” Dr. Dannaker notes.

And it is precisely the relatively low downtime required after treatment that is the most enticing aspect of the fractional laser approach. “The fractionated procedure works well for people who don’t want much downtime, but they have to do multiple procedures,” says Dr. Rex A.Yannis of the Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Arroyo Grande. A series of treatments (usually between three and four, he says) is needed to produce optimal results that can last two to three years. A typical procedure may take anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours (depending on the area being treated) and side effects are similar to a mild sunburn and generally subside within one week. In addition, fractional laser treatments are relatively bloodless, painless, and cause little trauma to the skin. However, prices vary significantly depending on the type of procedure. “Typically, the price is around $1,000 for the full face, and that’s just the average,” says Dr. Wally Hosn of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center in San Luis Obispo.
Beauty may have a high price, but with the newest laser procedures, at least pain, side effects, and downtime are all relatively low.

If you are interested in laser resurfacing treatments, contact the following Central Coast professionals:

Monterey Dermatology Laser Medical Center
Dr. Christopher Dannaker
174 Carmelito Ave., Monterey
(831) 641-9950

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center
Dr. Wally Hosn
1250 Peach St., Ste. D, San Luis Obispo
(805) 541-0330

Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center
Dr. Rex A Yannis
146 Traffic Way, Arroyo Grande
(805) 481-5511

American Laser Centers
5370 Hollister Ave., Ste. L, Santa Barbara
(805) 683-0708

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