Fixing Summer Sun Damage with Laser Skin Resurfacing

Are you coming off the summer season with more sunspots and a few more wrinkles due to sun exposure? Now is the time to consider banishing sun-damaged skin with the onset of fall. Laser skin resurfacing is a proven solution to help reduce dark spots, fine lines or wrinkles, and other facial blemishes.

Patients in Northern Virginia can turn to the plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery for laser skin resurfacing treatments. This group of highly qualified plastic surgeons offer their patients a wide variety of surgical and nonsurgical options to correct a number of aesthetic issues. Laser skin resurfacing is an excellent go-to method when patients want to eliminate sun damage and deeply exfoliate their skin to remove layers of dead and damaged skin. Discover the many benefits of laser skin resurfacing and how the experts at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery can help you get that youthful glow back.

How the sun damages your skin

The sun is a beautiful necessity, but too much of it can damage our skin. Years of being out in the sun either at the beach, by the pool, or at outdoor activities, can cause damage to our skin, especially when we don't use sunscreen. UV rays make our skin thinner, more wrinkled, and less elastic, creating dark spots and a dull appearance. Laser skin resurfacing can help patients in the Northern Virginia area restore that healthy, youthful appearance while rejuvenating their skin from the inside out at the same time.

The difference from laser skin resurfacing

The process of exfoliating the skin keeps it looking vibrant and free of environmental radicals. Our face is one of the most exposed areas on our bodies to external factors, specifically the sun. Laser skin resurfacing is an excellent and safe way to remove those superficial layers of dead skin cells to expose new, healthier skin. It can even help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, acne scarring, and tighten minor skin laxity in certain areas. Laser skin resurfacing takes exfoliating up a notch and gives your face or neck a whole new look.

Ideal candidates for laser skin resurfacing

The plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery use the latest Halo laser technology. The Halo laser heat can be controlled to provide a deep or superficial treatment depending on what each patient needs. Patients can also have one specific area treated or their entire neck and face addressed. Laser skin resurfacing is an excellent option for women and men who have skin issues such as:

Sun damage spots

Uneven skin tone

Uneven skin texture or visible pores

Minor scar damage from sun or acne

Fine lines or wrinkles

The laser energy also penetrates the surface of the skin to stimulate new collagen production. This allows patients to enjoy their new results for years if proper skincare and sunscreen are used afterward. Immediately after the procedure, treated skin begins to heal from the inside out with new skin cells taking over.

How does laser skin resurfacing work?

The experts at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery utilize the Halo laser, which allows for flexibility and precision to cater to what each patient needs. Laser skin resurfacing can reveal a radiant complexion for each patient. For some, one single treatment may do the trick while others may need more than one session to get optimal results. A tiny laser beam pinpoints each area of concern by using laser energy to gently remove thin layers of skin. The treated skin immediately responds with an increase in collagen production as a healing mechanism. Patients get to fully enjoy resilient, youthful-looking skin in about 2-3 months.

Laser skin resurfacing is a nonsurgical treatment but can cause some swelling and redness for about 1-3 days after the procedure. It is usually mild, and makeup can conceal it. If patients have a more in-depth resurfacing treatment, it could take a few weeks for the redness to subside. While some patients note mild discomfort during the procedure, afterward, wish they had done it sooner!

If you have noticed unsightly sun spots or wrinkles, or struggle with minor acne scars or uneven skin tone, laser skin resurfacing may be the right solution for you. At Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery they treat Northern Virginia patients with the Halo laser system. This state-of-the-art laser can remove old layers of sun-damaged skin with precision and adjustable depth, revealing new, healthier skin. To learn more, we invite you to contact our office located in Reston, VA, to schedule a laser skin resurfacing consultation with one of our expert plastic surgeons today.