Top Skin Lasers

Short of getting a facelift or multiple injections, a growing area of noninvasive aesthetic medicine means shooting beams at your face or applying ultrasound waves. Treatments that use laser and ultrasound are taking years off women’s faces through resurfacing and ultrasound waves. But, like any cosmetic treatment, not everything works for everyone and side effects may occur. Always consult a board certified cosmetic surgeon before any treatment.

Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

The gold standard in lasers, according to most WebMD.com, is CO2 fractional laser therapy, a skin-resurfacing treatment. Combining the mechanism of a traditional carbon dioxide laser with a new application technique, the C02 offers powerful results without downtime and complications rate. It works by using energy light beams to make tiny holes in the skin—which stimulates the body’s natural collagen production exponentially—but does it in a way that prevents damage to the top layer of skin, reducing recovery time and increasing effectiveness. With downtime lasting less than a week after a 1-2 session treatment, the skin resurfacing results are supposed to last eight to 10 years. Side effects include redness and swelling that lasts about two days.

Ultherapy

Ultherapy, one of the newest kids on the block, harnesses the power of ultrasound to transform the brow, chin, neck and chest. It relies on ultrasound therapy to deliver stimulate collagen production, and also incorporates traditional ultrasound imaging, to allow doctors to see the layers of tissue they are treating, ensuring the treatment energy is delivered to where it will be most beneficial. There’s no downtime with Ultherapy other than an initial redness, with results appearing over time, and results can last up to two years.

Fraxel

Fraxel is another laser technology that works on lines like crow’s feet, brow lines, surface scarring, sun damage and Actinic Keratosis, a common pre-cancerous skin condition. Its light energy stimulates the skin’s natural collagen, rejuvenating skin cells below the surface to help smooth the creases and pockets that cause wrinkles and scars. Fraxel only treats targeted problem areas – so the results are focused and effective. Having been around for a decade, Fraxel provides a wide array of treatment options to address the many forms of aging, with each treatment customized to each patient's aesthetic concerns. Depending on level of treatment, downtime (and length of time results last) may range.

With any treatment, know that looking younger is a concerted effort that includes a good skin care and a healthy lifestyle, which includes ample water intake, sun protection and stress reduction.