Laser Treatments

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Diego and La Jolla

Laser treatments, also known as laser skin resurfacing, are effectively used to ease out the appearance of facial wrinkles like crow’s feet or frown lines. Laser treatment is also used to correct skin freckling and uneven brown spots caused from excessive sun exposure.

Questions continue to surface as new uses and techniques have been introduced since this aesthetic procedure was introduced decades ago. We hope to answer some of those questions in the below material but any information not covered can be asked about in your personal consultation with Dr. Erfani.

How Do Laser Treatments Work?

Laser therapy is effective for the extremely common problems of acne scars and pored, pitted skin, often referred to as “ice-pick” scars.

Dr. Erfani uses specialized “coherent” light to perform the laser treatment. Although the basic laser technology has been around for nearly 40 years, the current methods for laser treatments in San Diego utilize a cutting-edge computer-controlled device to target skin area and depth. As the laser passes through the skin, its light is absorbed by water located within the treated area. It quickly vaporizes and stimulates the production of collagen over the next several weeks, while immediately diminishing wrinkled or problematic skin. Often, a coinciding snapping or popping noise can be audibly heard as the laser pulses are delivered during treatment. For the ablative (or resurfacing) lasers, the treatment is preceded by a 30 minute period of specialized topical numbing ointment to the skin. Laser treatments may take a few minutes to half an hour depending on the size of the area to be treated and the depth of the intended treatment.

Dr. Sadi Erfani provides an intro to Laser Treatments with a before and after commentary of clients that have achieved successful results.

Additional Areas Treatable With Laser Skin Resurfacing

Aesthetic lasers have created the opportunity to treat aged, sun damaged and blotchy skin. However, the skill level of the treating plastic surgeon permits for other areas of the skin to be precisely treated. Laser skin resurfacing can additionally improve:

  • Fine lines found around and beneath the eyes
  • Wrinkles upon the forehead or mouth areas
  • Scars from chickenpox
  • Dulled skin appearance
  • Liver spots
  • Yellowed or grayed skin tones
  • Warts
  • Birthmarks
  • Large oil glands located on the nose
  • Large (or small) Moles or new age-related skin growths/skin tags

Laser Treatment Recovery

After the treatment, you will be provided detailed instructions on skin care to minimize the risk for infection and to ensure an optimal recovery. Newly exposed skin will be extremely sensitive to sunlight. It is recommended that patients avoid sun exposure until fully healed, and for best results, apply sunscreen when outside. Healing time will depend on the type and depth of treatment. Pinkness or redness can be expected to last from a few days to up to several weeks. However, make-up can be applied in about one week after the treatment.

Laser treatment results in increased levels of collagen that will improve the texture of your skin and give you a youthful glow.

As a general rule with Laser Skin Resurfacing, deeper peels yield the best results but will be accompanied by a longer recovery period. Visible swelling and peeling skin may be apparent as the skin recovers from the treatment. Patients that undergo laser therapy describe the feeling afterwards as similar to sunburn. The longer period of downtime that one can permit or tolerate, the more one may generally expect to progress after any treatment. If limited downtime is an issue, please expect to undergo more sessions of less aggressive treatments over a longer period of time. Results of shorter treatments are still comparable to a single very aggressive treatment.

The skin will need to heal over the next several weeks and you may not see dramatic results until then. As collagen is produced and begins to fill in the treated areas, your results will continue to improve for the next 6 to 12 months.

Best Candidates for Laser Treatments

Ideal candidates are those seeking to diminish the appearance of facial wrinkles and scarring from acne or surgery.

Laser therapy is an excellent treatment for poor skin tone and elasticity.

In addition to the facial areas, the neck, chest and hands are perfectly suited to treated with laser, when performed by a well-trained plastic surgeon like Dr. Erfani.

Women undergoing pregnancy, patients with active acne, patients who have taken Accutane within the last two years or patients that have had radiation therapy to the proposed treatment area should not receive laser skin resurfacing.

Dr. Sadi Erfani will provide expert consultation to help determine which laser procedure will provide you with the best results for your unique skin. Schedule your consultation today!