Laser resurfacing treatments are highly customized procedures that will vary depending on the concerns being addressed and your desired results. Your treatment will be performed in-office by double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Huettner or the physician assistant and may take only 30 minutes or last up to two hours, depending on your treatment areas, how much correction is needed and which laser is being used.
If you want to see more dramatic improvements in the tone and texture of your skin, Dr. Huettner will likely recommend an ablative treatment with a C02 or erbium (Er:YAG) laser. Although many patients find the treatment to be very tolerable, she will begin the procedure by applying a topical anesthetic to minimize any potential discomfort. The depth and length of your treatment will affect how it feels, but ablative lasers have improved significantly over the years and now provide a more comfortable experience while continuing to deliver exceptional results. As the treatment begins, you will be given protective eyewear as Dr. Huettner aims the handheld laser at your skin. The device will emit focused laser energy that damages the top layer of skin to allow smoother, healthier skin to grow in its place. As this happens, the body’s natural healing processes will stimulate new collagen production for firmer, tighter skin long after the treatment has ended. Depending on the depth and invasiveness of the treatment, sedation and or anesthesia might be added to make the procedure more comfortable for you.