Laser Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is a treatment that helps target the physical signs of aging, as well as other imperfections and impurities, through the use of laser technology. This treatment helps address acne scarring, as well as fine lines and wrinkles, by stimulating the production of collagen in the skin. This promotes new cell growth, leading to an improvement in the quality of the texture and tone of your skin, leaving it healthy and glowing. 

Our dermatology and plastic surgery specialists can refer our patients to the right laser resurfacing treatment for their concerns. Different laser devices and treatment modalities can be found at different sites of care.

To schedule a personal consultation at one of our conveniently located offices, please contact us online and a member of our team will contact you at our earliest convenience. 

About Laser Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that targets skin imperfections and impurities through the use of laser technology. Different types of lasers can be used to help patients achieve rejuvenation, with most lasers being categorized as ablative or non-ablative. Ablative lasers remove the top layer of the skin to target deeper impurities and scarring for a more comprehensive treatment. ⁽¹⁾ Meanwhile, non-ablative lasers boost collagen production without removing the top layer of the skin. While these treatments cannot address the same depth as ablative lasers can, they appeal to many patients because of the less invasive techniques. Both types of laser resurfacing treatments offer unique benefits and stunning results, leaving the skin smooth and glowing. 

CO2 Fractional Laser

The continuous wave CO2 laser is a type of laser that emits an invisible infrared beam to help treat fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and other signs and symptoms of aging. ⁽²⁾ This treatment is primarily ablative, often removing the top layer of skin in the procedure, but it can also be offered as a non-ablative treatment in some cases. 

Erbium YAG Laser

The Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser (Er:YAG) is a type of laser used in resurfacing treatments that are designed to help target water molecules in the skin. ⁽²⁾ The Er:YAG laser is an ablative laser, removing the top layer of skin during treatment. This laser produces less heat than the CO2 laser, causing less skin tightening. The Er:YAG laser has a shorter downtime and recovery process compared to other resurfacing treatments, and may offer more precision in certain treatment areas that may be more sensitive. This treatment type is also recommended for those with darker skin tones, as there is a lowered risk of hyperpigmentation. ⁽³⁾ 

To learn more about how laser resurfacing can benefit you, schedule a consultation at one of our offices in the greater Chicago area by contacting us online. 

Benefits of Laser Resurfacing

There are many benefits of laser resurfacing to help each patient feel more confident in their skin. Laser resurfacing can help reduce the appearance of age and sun spots, as well as scars, enhancing the skin tone and quality. Resurfacing the skin can also lead to smoother, more youthful-looking skin with fewer fine lines, wrinkles, and creases. The laser technology utilized in the procedure is designed to help stimulate the production of collagen in the skin, offering a gradual improvement in the treatment area. ⁽³⁾ This is also a fully customized treatment, with each aspect tailored to each patient’s specific needs. It is perfect for busier patients as this procedure is shorter in duration, lasting between 30 to 60 minutes, offering long-term results with minimal downtime.

To learn more about how laser resurfacing can benefit you, schedule a consultation at one of our offices in the greater Chicago area by contacting us online. 

Ideal Candidates

This treatment is highly recommended for any candidates interested in laser resurfacing who want to improve the condition and quality of their skin. This treatment is most beneficial for those actively experiencing:

All candidates interested in laser resurfacing treatment should be in good overall health without underlying conditions that may affect how their skin heals. 

To find out if you are an ideal candidate for laser resurfacing treatments, please schedule a consultation at one of our offices in the greater Chicago area by contacting us online, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible. 

Personal Consultation

Each patient is asked to schedule a personal consultation before their procedure. During the consultation, a specialist will sit down with each patient to get to know them more personally while also better understanding their treatment goals. After conversing, they will then perform a medical examination on the treatment site before recommending strategies and methods to help reach the patient’s treatment goals, tailoring certain aspects to help treat individual symptoms. 

To schedule your consultation at one of our convenient offices located in the Greater Chicago Area, please contact us online, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible. 

Preparation

Before each procedure, patients will receive preparation instructions from our team of expertly trained staff here at Northwestern Medicine. Patients should ensure they are following any preparation instructions given to them by their specialist for optimal results and a smooth recovery. Oftentimes, patients should avoid the use of harsh skin treatments such as chemical peels, exfoliants, or retinol leading up to each laser treatment. Our team asks that an effort be made to refrain from the use of tanning beds and other comparable skin products or treatments at least 1-2 weeks before each appointment or as directed by their specialist. 

To learn how to properly prepare for your laser resurfacing treatment, please schedule a consultation at one of our offices in the greater Chicago area by contacting us online, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible. 

Procedure

After preparing the treatment area, the specialist will administer the laser energy through the use of a small device. The laser energy will generate heat in the treatment area, stimulating collagen production within the skin and improving the skin tone, texture, and overall quality. Patients can expect the outermost layer of skin to be removed in an ablative procedure, while patients choosing a non-ablative procedure will still see beneficial results without this level of exfoliation. This treatment can last anywhere between 30-60 minutes, making this procedure especially beneficial for busier patients. 

Recovery 

While there isn’t extensive downtime associated with laser resurfacing treatments, patients still need to allow their skin a few days to heal. Following their treatment, patients should avoid excessive sun exposure and should wear sun protection when going outside. Avoiding excessive sun exposure can help prevent further hyperpigmentation and skin damage, and makeup should be avoided until the skin is fully healed. Harsh products and cosmetic treatments should also be avoided until the skin has completely recovered. ⁽²⁾

Results

Following a laser resurfacing treatment, patients will be able to enjoy smoother, more rejuvenated skin as well as an improvement in the overall skin tone and texture. Laser resurfacing offers gradual results, meaning the full results of each treatment can take several weeks to take effect as the collagen takes time to build within the skin, reducing the signs and appearance of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. We recommend consistently wearing SPF when going outside to help protect the skin from further damage and accelerated aging. 

Cost of Laser Resurfacing Treatments in Chicago

The estimated cost of each laser resurfacing treatment can depend on several factors, as each treatment is tailored to address individually experienced symptoms or imperfections. Certain patients may also benefit from multiple treatment sessions to achieve their desired look or combine different procedures for a full-face revitalization. During each patient’s personal consultation, a team member will provide information about the recommended treatment plan. 

To find out what the full cost of your laser resurfacing treatment is, please contact us online to schedule a consultation at one of our conveniently located offices in the Greater Chicago Area. 

FAQ

References

1. Verma N, Yumeen S, Raggio BS. Ablative Laser Resurfacing. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557474/ 
2. Preissig J, Hamilton K, Markus R. Current Laser Resurfacing Technologies: A Review that Delves Beneath the Surface. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2012;26(03):109-116. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1329413 
3. Yumeen S, Khan T. Laser Erbium-Yag Resurfacing. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560931/

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