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3 Frustrating Skin Conditions Improved by Laser Resurfacing

Those who suffer from any skin condition know just how frustrating it can be. Beyond causing you discomfort, when these skin conditions show up on your face and alter the way you look, they can be embarrassing as well.

There are creams, serums, pills, and all sorts of home remedies that promise to eliminate skin conditions and improve the overall appearance of your skin, but they don’t always produce results.

Laser skin resurfacing is a noninvasive procedure that can be used to target damaged skin cells deep below the surface, which cause these skin conditions. The damaged skin cells are eliminated, and replaced with new, healthy cells, leaving the skin looking renewed and significantly reducing the signs of the original condition. These are some of the most frustrating skin conditions that can be treated by laser resurfacing:

Skin Discoloration

There are several causes of skin discoloration. Hyperpigmentation is a condition where the skin appears darker after an increase of melanin caused by skin damage. One of the leading causes of skin discoloration is damage caused by the sun. You might experience an increase in the number of freckles you have after a few hours spent on the beach or a day outside. These freckles are actually a result of sun damage, and as we get older they won’t disappear as easily, leaving behind clusters of freckles or sun spots.

Skin discoloration can also be caused by aging, as the skin takes longer to bounce back and becomes more sensitive to UV rays. After years of sun damage, the skin is left covered with dark age spots. They most often appear on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, and hands. Other causes of skin discoloration are improperly healed wounds, poorly done procedures, and acne.

Without treatment, these forms of discoloration leave a permanent mark on the skin’s surface. There are several creams that claim to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Often containing bleach, however, these options are inferior to laser resurfacing treatments. Using a fractional laser, treatments can be performed without causing damage to the surface of the skin and with no downtime required. The laser creates microscopic wounds, which promote the growth of new healthy skin cells. These skin cells are without damage and will eliminate the appearance of discoloration.

Acne Scars

When acne scars develop on the face, it’s not only frustrating but embarrassing as well. They completely change the texture of the skin, making them nearly impossible to cover up. Depending on what kind of acne scars you suffer from, they can appear as tiny pitted marks, box-shaped depressions, or textured waves. They will develop when a blemish doesn’t heal properly, either causing the production of too much or too little collagen.

There are many over the counter treatments that claim to balance the skin’s texture and improve the appearance of acne scars, but these options take months to notice any change—if there is change at all. Fractional laser resurfacing offers the chance to bring elasticity back to the areas where it has failed to grow, significantly improving the skin’s appearance. This is done by creating small wounds deep in the layers of skin, too small to be seen by the naked eye. The body naturally acts to heal these wounds by creating new skin cells and producing collagen, giving the skin a smoother texture. Unlike when using other forms of treatment, you will notice a difference right away.

Loss of Elasticity

Our skin’s elasticity ultimately relies on collagen production. When we reach our thirties, our natural collagen production begins to slow down. Eventually, it will stop altogether, leading to loss of elasticity in the skin. You will also likely notice an increase in fine lines and wrinkles. Since collagen is required to form new skin cells, you will also notice that wounds will heal slower and scars will develop more often.

There are creams and serums available to compensate for this, but they don’t always give you the results you’re looking for. Laser skin resurfacing is able to reach deep within the layers of the skin, much further than any cream or serum will be able to. When microscopic wounds are present in the layers of the skin, the body begins its healing process by producing collagen. The results are a reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, smooth flawless skin, and improved elasticity.

At Body Details, our True Laser specialists all hold medical degrees and are trained by both our team of professionals and the laser manufacturers. We use only the best and most advanced laser technology, and customize treatments for each of our clients based on their skin type, color, and the area being treated. Learn more about our True Laser technique in this short video:

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Paul A. Boulos
Dr. Paul A. Boulos is an excellent and versatile cosmetic surgeon, passionate about his vocation and helping others. Dr. Boulos is an alumni of Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his General Surgery training at Inspira Medical in Southern New Jersey. He studied and learn under Dr. Joseph Castellano, one of the premier breast and body Cosmetic Surgeons in South Florida. He currently works as a Cosmetic Surgeon at Jolie Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL.