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 Laser skin resurfacing, also known as a laser peel, is the removal of the top layers of the skin via focused laser light energy. Some types of lasers also penetrate into deeper layers of skin to provide additional benefits. The main goals of laser skin resurfacing are to make the skin smoother, tighter, and more even in tone, texture, and color.
Laser peels are most often performed using a Co2 (carbon dioxide) laser, although other lasers have been developed to address more specific skin concerns, including the Erbium YAG and fractional lasers, among others.
Although we have several lasers capable of inducing laser peels, we prefer the Erbium Yag laser by LaserScope because of its limited ablation, its decreased side effects, and short "downtime" when compared to the CO2 Lasers.
"The 2,940-nm wavelength emitted by the Er:YAG laser is absorbed 12-18 times more efficiently by superficial (water-containing) cutaneous tissue than is the 10,600 nm wavelength of the carbon dioxide laser. With a pulse duration of 250 microseconds, a typical short-pulse Er:YAG laser ablates 5-20 µm of tissue per laser pass at a fluence of 5 J/cm2 with minimal residual thermal damage (compared with 20-60 µm of tissue ablation and up to 150 µm of residual thermal damage per pass with the carbon dioxide laser). The precise tissue ablation and small zone of residual thermal damage results in faster reepithelialization and an improved side effect profile."
-above referenced from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1120936-overview
The Erbium Yag "Weekend" Laser Peel offered at Pier Laser Med Spa is named because you can usually peel during the weekend following the treatment, and be presentable for work by Monday, although the fresh underlying skin may have a slightly pinkish appearence for weeks to months. Unlike the CO2 Laser or even CO2 Fraxel, the complications of scarring or unsightly pigment changes are very, very rare.
What exactly is the procedure at Pier Laser Med Spa?
Your skin is scrubbed with alcohol or acetone to remove all water molecules that would hijack the laser beam, and the entire face is treated quickly taking about 5-10 minutes. During this time you may experience some initial post lasering discomfort which is treated with topical numbing medicine. Petroleum Jelly, Vasoline or Aquaphor is then liberally applied to the face to keep it maximally hydrated. The next two days you will experience a "tightness" like a mask on the face, although most people do not descibe it as painful. Your face begins to peel one or two days after the treatment, but you continue to "gob on" loads of thick hydrating Petroleum Jelly, Vasoline or Aquaphor which prevents any drying and pain. We recommend sleeping with an older clean towel over your pillow. After two days you can use a less viscous or thick preparation to hydrate such as Cetaphil Moisturizer which works great. You are done peeling in 2-4 days (don't pull off the skin) with amazing "baby skin" revealed underneath. We recommend sunscreen while your skin has that pinkish glow, if you go in the sun.
If our goal is a very aggressive peel or actual skin resurfacing, you will need to take some pain meds just prior and immediately after the laser treatments. You will need a ride to and from the office.
In Summary:
The Erbium Yag "Weekend" Laser Peel can be performed during your lunchtime, gives you a "hot" sensation without significant pain. Requires you to slather on gobs of Aquaphor or Petroleum Jelly the first two days as it begins to peel, then a less viscous moisturizer such as Cetaphil Moisturizer is used as the peeling completes. These can be purchased at WalMart, CVS, Target, Walgreens and other community stores for $5-$10 and work as good as good as "foo-foo" over-priced and hyped "physician strength and formulated" moisturizers. The secret to a great peel is gobs and gobs of moisturizer during this process which can occur over just a few days, hence the term Weekend Peel. Don't pick at the peeling skin, but after the initial peel, you can use a mild home scrub or microdermabrasion to complete the process, or not. The skin that is revealed underneath has less fine wrinkles and surface imperfections giving you that refreshed appearance. The skin may have a pinkish appearance for weeks or even months. This may be repeated in a series of three total treatments to maximize the effect, and we recommend once every two to three years to maintain that "new skin" glow.
The normal price for our Erbium Yag "Weekend" Laser Peel is $800, but we do offer a multiple treatment discount and sometimes have promotional specials.
Our Q switched Nd:Yag 1064nm Laser Peel is $400
Our Q switched Nd:Yag 532nm Laser Peel is $600
For those needing more aggressive ablation for deeper wrinkles or to treat facial acne scarring, we perform a full skin resurfacing which is more uncomfortable and requires pain medication and sedation. Once the Laser Skin Resurfacing is arranged, you will be given a prescription for a mild sedative like valium and pain medication such as codeine or oxycodone which you will take one hour before your appointment. You should arrange to have someone drive you to your appointment and then back after your procedure is complete. The aftercare instructions are identical to the care you need for a Weekend Laser Peel, remembering to keep gobs of moisturizers appied to the "mask" that we created with the laser. You can take the strong pain medication for any discomfort, and will need close follow up by the physician. At Pier Laser Med Spa the price for the "sublative" or partially ablative aggressive skin resurfacing is only $1200 which is a bargain compared to CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing which runs $4000 and up.
Pier Laser Med Spa
^^^ Laser Peel Protocols at a Glance
->pre-"op" Sedation with 2mg Xanax and 2 Percocets(5/325mg) orally 1 hr prior
#1)Lidocaine 5% topical immediately after lasering
#2)"Gobs" of Aquaphor, then Cetaphil Moisturizer as the Mask soaks in moisture like a sponge.
#3)Pain meds prn (usually codeine or oxycodone), Benadryl or Hydroxyzine for itching, sleep
#$)when peeling almost complete, microdermabrasion or home scrub regimen
Postop Sun Protection for Months for Best Results, Use Non-Oil Green Based Make-up While the Pinkish Skin Glow Persists
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