LASER is an anacronym which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.  A laser uses an isolated wavelength of light which is preferentially absorbed by a particular target in the skin called a chromophore.  Water is the target for skin resurfacing lasers which improve skin tone, texture, color, clarity, pore size, and fine lines and wrinkles.  Vascular lesions such as port wine stains can be treated by targeting blood flow in the lesions.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Using lasers, skin can be precisely removed to allow collagen to reform in the healing process (collagen remodeling) resulting in improvements in skin tone, texture, color, pore size, and wrinkling.  Fully ablative (Erbium) or fractionally ablative (Fraxel Re:Pair) laser resurfacing techniques are utilized to create beautiful and radiant skin.  Fully ablative lasers precisely remove skin in a complete and uniform layer.  Fractionated lasers partially treat skin preserving some native skin which allows for quicker healing.

 

Fully Ablative Erbium Laser Resurfacing  Fractionally Ablative CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Laser Birthmark Removal

Capillary vascular malformations (port wine stains) are red disfiguring vascular birthmarks which can worsen with age if left untreated.  Numerous lasers such as the Pulsed Dye Laser, Nd:YAG, and Alexandrite are utilized to correct these problematic birthmarks.  Other vascular conditions such as spider veins, venous malformations, arteriovenous malformations, lymphatic malformations, and hemangiomas can also be treated using vascular lasers. 

Pigmented lesions are brown and do not respond to vascular lasers.  These lesions can be improved by suppressing pigment producing cells in the skin called melanocytes.  Melanocyte production is most effectively suppressed by hydroquinone which is the primary ingredient in most prescription strength bleaching creams.   Melanocytes reside in the deeper skin layer (reticular dermis) which requires microneedling to allow bleaching creams to reach this deeper skin layer.  The combination of bleaching creams and microneedling are most effective in treating pigmented lesions.

Vascular (Red) Birthmark Removal  Pigmented (Dark) Birthmark Removal