Eterna Cosmetic Surgery

Laser Skin Resurfacing – What is it and who’s it for?

Conveniently located to serve San Antonio, Eagle Pass and the surrounding area.

June 30, 2022

Laser technology has been used for years for cosmetic treatments, including skin resurfacing. As the technology has advanced, we are able to offer a broader range of laser treatments that are gentler, safer, even more effective and suitable for a wider range of patients. That means almost anyone is now a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing.

That’s good news because almost everyone has blemishes or visible signs of aging they would love to erase – or at least minimize.

What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Basic exfoliation removes accumulated dirt, debris and dead cells to clean and freshen skin. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and other techniques do more by also removing the epidermis, using various ablative (scrubbing or scraping) techniques. This provides more obvious improvement in skin tone and texture.

Laser skin resurfacing takes the process further, by ablating epidermal cells and also heating the underlying dermis. This stimulates renewed collagen production, so as new skin replaces the old, it is both smoother and tighter.

What Can Laser Skin Resurfacing Do?

Lasers are very versatile, although some technologies are particularly effective in treating specific types of skin imperfections. The latest devices are highly customizable, so we can precisely tailor treatment for each patient according to their personal concerns and goals. In general, though, laser skin resurfacing can repair or reduce:

  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Sun-damaged skin
  • Uneven pigmentation (sun spots, age spots, melasma and rosacea)
  • Enlarged pores
  • Acne or other scars

Multiple Treatment Options

At Eterna Cosmetic Surgery we offer three types of laser skin resurfacing. As noted above, they are all quite versatile, and each of them works in a different way.

ProFractional XC Laser Treatment

Fractional lasers work faster and more safely because they target just a portion of the skin within the treatment area, leaving surrounding skin intact to provide support and help speed healing. However, because ProFractional treatment is less aggressive, patients may require more than one session to achieve best results.

We use ProFractional laser skin resurfacing to improve the appearance of lines, wrinkles and dark spots, but we have been especially impressed with the results we can achieve for patients who have scars from acne, injuries or surgery.

HALO Hybrid Fractional Laser Treatment

This is also a fractional laser, but HALO technology is unique in that it simultaneously treats both surface and sub-surface skin layers. This can be a big advantage for patients who have multiple concerns, even more so because HALO is suitable for all skin types and tones.

BBL HERO Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

Although it also uses light to resurface skin, it is a non-invasive treatment that achieves noticeable improvement without ablating or vaporizing surface skin. Dr. Hernandez can use BBL HERO to simultaneously treat multiple types of skin imperfections. We often talk about it along with laser treatments because IPL can produce similar results in some people.

Although this treatment is often called photofacial, we commonly use it to resurface skin on the neck, chest and hands as well as the face. We especially recommend BBL HERO for patients with acne, because it not only improves the appearance of scars, it kills bacteria to help prevent active acne.

Laser Hair Removal

This treatment does not technically “resurface” skin, but it does eliminate unwanted hair to reveal smooth skin that remains that way long term. Laser hair removal also eliminates future worries about surface imperfections such as razor bumps or ingrown hairs from shaving. BBL HERO is an effective choice for most individuals, and our Triton laser hair removal system is safe and effective for all skin types and tones.

Get Smoother, Tighter Skin

Laser skin resurfacing is appropriate for all ages and genders, and it can significantly improve a wide variety of imperfections. To find out more, we encourage you to schedule a personal consultation. 

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