Fall is about a lot of things in Texas: High School Football on Friday nights, corn mazes, and pumpkin spice everything. But at Southlake Plastic Surgery, we’re also all about laser season
So, if you’re looking into laser skin resurfacing, now is the perfect time to do your research and book an appointment! For your convenience, we’ve put together a little guide to laser skin resurfacing near Dallas. To learn more about why fall is the perfect time for laser treatments at Southlake Plastic Surgery, and to get all the details about the procedure, keep reading!
Southlake Plastic Surgery is the premier medspa in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. We offer a wide range of medical aesthetics treatments as well as plastic surgery. Our team is led by Southlake Top Doc Dr. Mason, and we take great pride in helping each and every one of our patients look and feel their very best!
So, what is laser skin resurfacing?
There are many ways to tackle acne, alleviate skin conditions, and combat signs of aging, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than laser skin resurfacing. This procedure uses heat and light energy to induce collagen production deep within the skin.
What’s collagen, you ask? Collagen is your body’s most abundant protein. It’s found in joints, ligaments, and in your skin. Together with elastin, it provides a framework for the skin and is responsible for keeping skin strong, smooth, and youthful-looking.
As we age, sun exposure and other factors cause our body to produce less and less collagen, which in turn causes sagging skin, wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.
Laser skin resurfacing near Dallas can give you back the skin of your youth by kickstarting your collagen production. In addition to treating signs of aging, laser skin resurfacing also treats:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Unwanted pigmentation
- Sun spots
- Lesions or scarring
- Uneven texture and tone
- Sagging skin (laxity)
Ablative vs non-ablative
There are two main types of lasers that we use for laser skin resurfacing near Dallas; ablative and non-ablative. Let’s take a look at both:
Ablative lasers work by peeling away the first layer of the skin, which tells the body to begin the healing process. This kickstarts collagen production and provides exceptional results. Because ablative lasers use an intense laser spectrum, the results are more noticeable, but the recovery can be a bit lengthier than their non-ablative counterparts.
Non-ablative lasers produce similar results as ablative lasers, but they do so by gently heating the deeper layers of the skin. This heat energy is what induces the collagen growth, as opposed to a surface level micro wound. Ablative laser skin resurfacing treatments often require less downtime, but a longer series of treatments to achieve the same results as ablative laser treatments.
Favorite types of laser skin resurfacing near Dallas
At Southlake Plastic Surgery, we have a few fan-favorite laser skin resurfacing treatments we’d like to introduce to you!
Moxi
Our Moxi laser is a gentle, non-ablative laser skin resurfacing option that works very well for corrective or preventive measures.
What it treats
Our patients often use Moxi as a way to “prejuvenate” their skin. This means patients in their late 20s and 30s use this treatment as a way to get ahead of signs of aging, combating them before they even begin to appear.
It is also especially good at tackling:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven skin tone and texture
- Sun damage
- Melasma
Many patients utilize Moxi as a way to combat signs of aging on the hands, as well as the face. The hands are an incredibly expressive part of the body, and Moxi can help keep them looking young and beautiful.
Recovery
This laser treatment is on the gentler side, which means downtime is virtually non-existent. You will see a light “peppering” for a few days depending on the level of Moxi treatment you get. The treated area will feel gritty like fine sandpaper but it is not noticeable under sunscreen or makeup.
For 24 hours after your treatment, stay out of direct sunlight and keep the treatment area clean and free of any makeup or products. For more aggressive Moxi treatments, you may experience redness and swelling for 24-48 hours, but it is not painful. You can discuss what level of treatment is recommended for the results you want with your experienced provider.
Results
Following your Moxi treatment at Southlake you’ll notice a brighter, clearer, and more even complexion! You’ll see a reduction in redness and pigmentation, and smoother, more youthful-looking skin.The Moxi laser gives you a “photofinished” look!
Halo
The Halo laser got its name from the way it makes your skin glow following treatment! This treatment utilizes both ablative and non-ablative laser wavelengths to create noticeable results without a long downtime.
What it treats
- Large pores
- Melasma
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Sagging skin (laxity)
Recovery
This procedure is in the more moderate range of intensity, so it requires 2 to 3 days of social downtime. You may experience slight redness and swelling after this treatment, which feels similar to a sunburn.
You will see “MENDS” or Microscopic Epidermal Necrotic Debris which appear as dark freckles. These are microscopic wounds that contain the darkening pigment melanin. Your skin will be dry and begin to flake and peel over the next 5-7 days. With gentle cleansing, the MENDS and dry skin will slowly flake off leaving you with fresh skin that results in the Halo “glow”.
Refrain from using makeup or harsh products such as retinoids for up to 5 days after treatment. After this timeframe, you are free to return to your normal routine!
Results
Halo laser treatment gives your skin the smooth, clear aspects of its youth. It also corrects skin laxity in the lower face, including pre-jowls.
ProFractional laser
This ablative laser treatment is known for its incredibly effective results. Some patients refer to this treatment as a non surgical facelift. On the spectrum of intensity, this laser lands on the powerful side. By lasering away the top layer of skin, the ProFractional laser treatment gives your skin a brand new start. It peels away damaged and dead skin and allows your body to regenerate new, healthy cells!
What it treats
- Scars and lesions
- Acne scars
- Moderate to severe skin laxity
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Uneven texture
- Sun damage
Recovery
We can customize this treatment to the intensity level you desire, which affects the recovery timeline. Typically, patients require 7 to 14 days of recovery following a profractional laser treatment.
Results
This revolutionary laser treatment can turn back the clock on your skin. After your initial recovery downtime, you’ll notice a clear improvement in signs of aging and sun damage. Many patients say they feel and look years younger! Learn how to optimize your results and take care of your skin after a laser treatment in this video from our medical aesthetician!
Laser skin resurfacing after care | How to maximize your results
Once you start to see the gorgeous results from your laser skin resurfacing treatments, you’re going to want to do everything in your power to keep them that way. There are quite a few ways to maximize your results from the treatments, but here’s what we typically recommended:
Switch to medical-grade skincare products
While over-the-counter (OTC) products are not inherently bad, we do recommend replacing a few of them with medical-grade products. The difference between OTC and medical-grade is that medical-grade ones have a higher percentage of active ingredients, and are clinically proven to combat specific skin issues. Additionally, Southlake Plastic Surgery’s medical grade products do not contain harmful preservatives and chemicals that can cause sensitivities or trigger allergies.
With medical-grade skincare products, you can rest assured that you’re treating a specific issue on a cellular level, as opposed to playing the guessing game and only getting superficial results. You can browse our medical-grade skincare products now!
Get a HydraFacial after your laser treatment
The HydraFacial is a relaxing and effective skincare treatment all on its own, but when used as a tool to maximize your laser treatment results, it really shines 🌟
We recommend you indulge in a HydraFacial around one week after your laser treatment to encourage healing. At this point in the healing process, you may experience some peeling and flaking. The HydraFacial deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturizes, alleviating the peeling and locking in the results of your laser treatment.
We can treat patients with any skin type with the Hydrafacial, and we customize the treatment with serums to target specific concerns.
Stay out of the sun
Autumn and winter are the best times of the year for laser skin resurfacing for a reason. When you get a treatment, your skin becomes ultra-sensitive and susceptible to UV damage.
Depending on the intensity of the treatment, we recommend staying out of direct and prolonged sunlight exposure for up to two weeks. During and after that time, we highly encourage a daily-use SPF.
Commonly asked questions about laser skin resurfacing near Dallas
Does laser skin resurfacing hurt?
The discomfort you may experience depends on the intensity of the treatment. Ablative lasers do have a bit more discomfort associated with them, but we always offer topical numbing agents to alleviate any pain.
How many sessions will I need in order to see results?
Typically, we recommend at least 3 to 4 laser treatment sessions spaced a month apart each for optimal results. We’ll discuss how many sessions you need for your desired results during your initial consultation.
How long do the results of laser skin resurfacing last?
After your initial treatment series, patients enjoy the results of their laser skin resurfacing treatments for many months to years! We do recommend coming in for maintenance sessions every 3 months.
Schedule your laser skin resurfacing appointment today!
Are you ready to transform your skin and feel completely revitalized? Contact us today to schedule your laser skin resurfacing consultation!
We begin each of our treatments with an in-depth consultation which allows us to examine your skin and understand your unique concerns and desired results. From there, we can craft a customized treatment plan tailored specifically to you!
So if you’re ready for gorgeous skin this fall, give us a call at 817-442-0810 or stop by the clinic today! We can’t wait to meet you.
