Laser Skin Resurfacing in Los Alamitos, CA

At Ocean Plastic Surgery Center in Los Alamitos, CA, we are proud to provide laser skin rejuvenation with both C02 and Clear + Brilliant Perméa lasers. Both procedures are used for addressing skin flaws, including wrinkles, pigmentation, acne scars, and sun damage. A patient's procedure type will be based on their level of skin damage and available downtime. Any questions or concerns will always be reviewed during your assessment and consultation at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center.

Ocean Plastic Surgery Center offers two kinds of laser resurfacing skin procedures. Our C02 laser is an ablative treatment while the Clear + Brilliant Perméa is a fractional laser. 

• CO2 Laser Treatment

  The CO2 laser is an ablative carbon dioxide laser used in skin resurfacing. During this process, the upper layers of aged or damaged skin are vaporized by applying a controlled laser beam. The result is a healing and total restructuring of the skin. CO2 laser is done under anesthesia and is not to be confused with non-ablative laser treatments where the skin surface remains largely intact. CO2 lasers excel at treating deeper wrinkles, more severe textural changes from sun damage, wrinkles, and acne scars.

   

• Clear + Brilliant Perméa

The Clear + Brilliant Perméa is a fraxel erbium laser used to gradually rejuvenate and re-texture the skin. For patients who can’t take any downtime, the Clear + Brilliant Perméa offers gradual results over the course of several treatments to restore skin, softening fine lines and wrinkles, reducing pore size and pigmentation! This treatment requires no sedation and is done in the office by our aesthetic nurse practitioner. Patients are numbed with topical gel and should only feel some warmth during treatment.

You have multiple factors to think about when selecting which laser rejuvenation procedure is best for your needs. Lasers are ideal for people who are unsatisfied with their skin's appearance. If you have sun damage, age spots, acne scars, wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation problems, or redness, a laser procedure may be helpful to improve them.

The CO2 laser is an ablative carbon dioxide laser used in skin resurfacing. This procedure involves the application of a controlled laser beam that strategically vaporizes the layers of damaged and aged skin. As your skin heals from the process, it is restructured and refreshed. It is important to note that CO2 lasers are ablative as opposed to non-ablative and are done under anesthesia. 

The Clear + Brilliant Perméa is a fraxel erbium laser used to rejuvenate and re-texture the skin. This fractional laser uses pinpoint laser beams to penetrate the surface of the skin to eliminate old, damaged cells. This treatment requires no sedation and is done in the office by our aesthetic nurse practitioner. Patients are numbed with topical gel and should only feel some warmth during treatment. Clear + Brilliant Perméa offers gradual results over the course of several treatments.

Patients will see some results with a CO2 laser treatment right away, but the full results are most noticeable after 3 months. After the initial healing phase, which may take up to 14 days, there will be a period of 4 – 6 weeks that your skin might be slightly pink. During this period, the skin will feel smoother and look clearer. As the color returns to normal, you will see fewer lines, less blotchiness, and more glow. The long-term results of a CO2 laser treatment are greatly contingent on lifestyle and skin care maintenance. However, with proper skin care at home and sun avoidance, patients can maintain the good effects of a CO2 laser treatment for years.

Results of Clear + Brilliant Perméa can be seen right away, as well as progressively. You will notice marked improvement in your skin tone and texture after a single treatment. Your skin will look and feel smoother, cleaner, and tighter. However, with additional treatments, you will start to notice softening of fine lines and wrinkles, pore-size reduction, clearance of pigmentation, and an all-over luminosity to their skin. Clinical studies have shown optimal results are achieved with 3 – 6 treatments. Immediately after the treatment, you will experience moderate redness similar to a sunburn. The redness will dissipate over the first 24 hours after treatment. The week following treatment, your skin will have a sandpaper-like texture, but it should be unnoticeable to anyone but you.

How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?
Your laser resurfacing cost will depend on the treatment you get. During your initial consultation, we will ask about your skin problems and concerns before reviewing the types of laser resurfacing available. After this, we will help you decide on your resurfacing method and talk to you about costs. Ocean Plastic Surgery Center regularly offers skin treatment specials and packages so ask about our current specials at your appointment.

What's the best type of resurfacing for me?
We can help you choose which resurfacing option will best meet your concerns and goals in your initial consultation. What treatment is best for you will depend on the condition of your skin, any skin issues, and the skin depth you want your treatment to reach. The length of recovery time might also be an important consideration when you create a treatment plan. If you are unsure, it is better to select a milder treatment and then assess your outcomes before deciding if you want something stronger for your second appointment.

How can I help my skin recover after a resurfacing treatment?
At your appointment, we will discuss the best product protocol to aid in the healing process of your skin. The top rule is not to peel or pick flaking skin. Doing this can create long-term damage, like scars. You also need to forgo all hair removal methods on the treated skin, which includes waxing, shaving, or depilatory creams.

Should I get laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel?
Once we have listened to your concerns and goals, we will help you choose whether laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel will best achieve your goals. Although both rejuvenate your skin, each has pros and cons. In your initial consultation, we will review each choice and make a suggestion for your treatment plan.

How often should I get laser resurfacing treatments?
Based on the laser resurfacing options we choose for your procedure, you might need to wait several weeks or even a few months between treatments. Deep laser treatments will give you results that last a long time; however, they do need a longer recovery period. It's important to discuss how frequently you want to return for appointments so we can consider this when choosing a treatment plan in your initial consultation.

Your treatment with laser skin resurfacing can provide amazing results if you are looking to get a more youthful appearance. If you are curious about the laser treatments Ocean Plastic Surgery Center performs, we encourage you to contact our office in Los Alamitos, CA today to schedule your consultation. We understand the importance of having well-informed patients. That's why we always take the time to thoroughly review all of your options so that you are calm and confident going into your treatment.