Lasers are the stuff of science fiction legend. If they aren’t shooting marauding aliens they’re taking down stormtroopers in the latest Star Wars offering. But at Saltz Plastic Surgery we utilize this sci-fi staple to zap different enemies: age spots, acne scars, even warts! The procedure is called a laser peel.
Laser peels are very precise and cause little damage to surrounding tissue. They are generally used on the face because facial skin has a faster regenerative cycle than skin on other parts of the body.
What can laser peels address?
- Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, or on the forehead
- Scars from acne or chickenpox
- Non-responsive skin after a facelift
- Sun-damaged skin
- Liver spots
- Yellowish or grayish skin tones
- Warts
- Birthmarks such as linear epidermal nevi
- Enlarged oil glands on the nose
What happens during a laser peel?
Ablative laser peels — These peels target the epidermis, the skin’s outer layer. Using targeted light wavelengths that convert into heat energy, these peels vaporize thin sections of unwanted skin. New skin then grows to replace the damaged skin that was removed.
Ablation means to remove tissue, so this laser peel is aggressive and requires some recovery time. Treated areas will be dry and peel after several days. The skin will look and feel raw, requiring ointments to be applied for up to a month. After healing, the skin may stay red for a few weeks.
Non-ablative peels — The laser energy in non-ablative peels is directed below the epidermis into the dermis. The goal isn’t the destruction of surface blemished skin, but to deliver heat into the dermis to trigger a wound response, which is the production of new collagen. Collagen is the skin’s basic support structure. Because these peels aren’t as aggressive, they usually require more than one treatment and results take more time as collagen production increases.
Put some sci-fi to work for your skin at Saltz. Call our Salt Lake City or Park City offices to schedule your appointment.
