Laser Facial Rejuvenation

Have you ever wished that you could make your facial skin look and feel as it did several years ago? Despite all your efforts, is the cumulative exposure to the sun starting to show on your face? Well, now is the time to take advantage of some amazing, twenty-first century technology.

By approximately age 30, most adults begin experiencing a net loss of nearly five percent of their natural collagen production per year. The key to revitalizing the skin is to stimulate a higher level of collagen production. Over time, the increase in collagen and elastin helps decrease pore size, improve texture, and helps with fine wrinkles. When stimulated, our skin can do a better job repairing and maintaining itself.

Think of this as a highly calibrated micro-injury to your skin, which will respond by triggering the wound healing process, thus ramping up the synthesis of collagen. The presence of this additional collagen renders the skin more youthful. Fine lines and pores are diminished as the new collagen invigorates the interior of your skin. The outward appearance of your skin looks more refreshed as the collagen density of your skin is restored.

Another feature of aging is caused by the cumulative effects of the sun, which can result in areas of excess pigmentation. These age spots can detract from our facial appearance and require camouflage makeup to hide. Aging is also associated with the appearance of small, red capillaries and blood vessels resulting in a reddish hue to the skin.

When there are concerns with hyperpigmentation or vascularity, one to three treatments with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), spaced four weeks apart, will be recommended. In a matter of days, treated areas of hyperpigmentation and small blood vessels flake off your skin.

Patients without pigmentation or vascular issues, or patients having recently completed IPL, will advance to the collagen-induction phase. At Horizons Plastic Surgery, we have three primary technologies to stimulate collagen synthesis:

• Erbium 1540 nm fractional laser
• Potenza (radiofrequency augmented microneedling)
• PicoSure laser

Although each of our technologies will either remove unwanted color disturbances (including hair), OR spark the production of cutaneous collagen, different skin-types respond in unique ways. Dr. Wetherington and his aesthetic team will thoroughly evaluate your skin and make recommendations based upon their experience.

Patients with fine wrinkles around the mouth, crow’s feet and forehead may choose to use the Erbium 1540 nm fractional laser to ramp up their facial collagen production. This laser is a good option for patients with substantial sun damage and prominent wrinkles on the forehead, crow’s feet and around the mouth. This laser can also help surgical scars and acne scars.

The Potenza (radiofrequency augmented microneedling) delivers a controlled injury to your skin using a cluster of needles that simultaneously emits a burst of radiofrequency energy that stimulates collagen production and promotes skin tightening. It can be used on all skin types and lends itself well to the addition of a collagen stimulating serum made with Sculptra.

The PicoSure laser, operating at an incredible speed of one-trillionth-second per pulse, creates a pressure wave that passes through the tissue simulating an injury. This PressureWave technology gently squeezes cells together, leading to a natural cell signaling process that triggers new collagen and elastin production. This technology emits much less heat than older, slower lasers.

Patients wishing to optimize textural improvements in their skin may safely combine the Potenza (radiofrequency augmented microneedling) with the PicoSure laser to accelerate new collagen production more rapidly. Treatment sessions alternate between the two technologies, on a two-week cycle, for a total of six treatments. Downtime is minimal and is typically resolved within twenty-four hours.

Likewise, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and the Erbium 1540 nm fractional laser can safely be combined for consistent rejuvenation. Both technologies have significantly more downtime and similar daily skincare requirements, therefore, pairing them is advantageous for some patients. Patients with pigmentation issues AND bothersome wrinkles can combine these two technologies into three sessions, four weeks apart.

Before beginning collagen induction, it is wise to deal with any color disturbances due to hyperpigmentation from sun exposure or the presence of capillaries and tiny veins. It is recommended for patients with significant facial discoloration, such as brown spots or red capillaries, to be treated with one to three IPL (intense pulsed light) sessions.

Patients may stop at this point and enjoy the benefits of clearer skin with less noticeable areas of hyperpigmentation OR proceed to collagen induction. Individuals without significant zones of hyperpigmentation may advance directly into collagen induction. Patients completing IPL (intense pulsed light) must wait four weeks to begin any collagen-induction treatments.

This is where laser facial rejuvenation really begins.

At Horizons Plastic Surgery, our collagen-induction program is accomplished with a series of treatments, using one or more of our technologies:

• Erbium 1540 nm fractional laser
• Potenza (radiofrequency augmented microneedling)
• PicoSure laser

Each patient will be personally guided through the process of evaluation and decision making. It is always wise to educate oneself before making elective medical decisions. A consultation with our practice is not complete until ALL your questions are answered.

Based upon our experience, we will recommend a treatment pathway that suits your goals and budget.

To learn more about each of our technologies, please visit their respective pages.

Dr. Wetherington is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is a former President of the Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons.