Blog Category- Laser treatments

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Laser Skin Resurfacing for a Fall Refresher

Now that our warmer days are more or less behind us for a period of several months, we can plan specific treatments that may not be ideal during the summertime. Laser skin resurfacing is one of them. This treatment is an excellent option for anyone who has spent time in the sun and who is aging. Yes, that’s all of us. If your time outdoors has begun to show in the form of dark spots, rough texture, and fine lines, now is a great time to schedule your laser skin resurfacing treatment at our Denver facility. 

We understand that the idea of laser skin resurfacing can feel scary. This treatment used to be performed under general anesthesia because it would obliterate the top layers of the skin in quite an aggressive manner. Yikes! Today, the laser skin resurfacing that we perform is much gentler, but it still achieves lasting improvements. A laser skin resurfacing treatment may be done either with a topical numbing cream or may not require any anesthetic for comfort. The process works through light energy that stimulates precise actions and activities in the skin. 

First, a laser skin resurfacing treatment sloughs off cells that are no longer viable. These could be dead skin cells that are sticking to the epidermis or damaged skin cells that are darkened, rough, and generally unhealthy. Next, through the removal of these cells, laser treatment stimulates the dermis to make more collagen, the protein known to heal damaged tissue. More collagen doesn’t just mean healed skin after treatment, it means smoother, softer, brighter, and more resilient skin for a long time to come. 

How Long?

One of the questions that most people have before any treatment is how long their results may last. This can vary, but the good news is that much of the issue is in the patient’s hands. Laser skin resurfacing does have a brief recovery period. This may include moderate redness and swelling that last up to several days. At some point, the skin may become rough and flaky. Some areas of crusting may develop. These should not be picked, but left to fall off naturally, otherwise there is a risk of scarring. In a week or two, the benefits of the resurfacing procedure start to become evident. 

Patients can work toward long-lasting results starting immediately after their laser resurfacing treatment. At first, they do so by following their post-treatment care instructions. Once the skin has completed its cellular turnover process, lasting results can be fostered by wearing broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen every day. When more time will be spent in the sun, it is helpful to wear a hat, as well. These simple steps alone can prolong the results of laser resurfacing beyond a few years. 

Learn more about laser skin resurfacing and what it can do for you. Contact our Denver office at  (303) 839-1616.

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Want to Refresh with Laser Treatment? Now is the Time!

Aging occurs in the cells of the skin and other parts of the body. However, where we tend to see biological changes first is in our skin. The uppermost layers of skin tissue, the dermis and epidermis, begin to display concerns such as spots, roughness, fine lines, and laxity, all of which are related to cellular changes such as a slow-down in collagen production. We used to wait until the indications of aging were bad enough before treating them with facial cosmetic surgery. Not anymore. Now, adults of all ages are turning to laser treatments to support aging skin naturally.

What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Several laser treatments have been developed in recent years. The term laser skin resurfacing may be used somewhat as a blanket to describe all of them. But there are differences between the various laser techniques used today. Here, we want to focus on true laser skin resurfacing and what it can do for you.

The point of laser skin resurfacing is to remove the damaged skin of the epidermis. Doing this, the treatment paves the way for tissue regeneration at a deeper level. The results of laser skin resurfacing tend to be pretty remarkable due to the extensive collagen remodeling that takes place in response to controlled tissue damage. While resurfacing can achieve significant results, it is gentle enough for patients to combine this technique with others, like Botox or dermal fillers for deeper lines and creases.

Just as different laser devices are used for a wide range of problems, various devices are used for the purpose of laser skin resurfacing, as well. Each may use a particular wavelength or strength of energy based on the problems being addressed as well as skin type and tone. Some resurfacing techniques are fully ablative, covering the entire surface of the epidermis, while others emit light in a fractional grid-like pattern. The varying modalities allow us to meet each patient’s needs and preferences for results and downtime.

Why Now is a Great Time for Laser Treatments

There are two reasons to consider laser skin resurfacing or any other type of laser treatment right now. One is that we all like to look and feel our best for those holiday photos. Laser treatment can brighten and revive the appearance of your skin with little to no downtime whatsoever.

Laser treatments can address:

  • Dark patches of skin
  • Broken blood vessels and visible capillaries
  • Fine wrinkles
  • Large pore size
  • Deeper wrinkles and creases
  • Unwanted hair
  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Melasma
  • Acne scars

Another reason laser treatment is ideal for the winter months is that doctors recommend that patients avoid sun exposure after laser resurfacing. With the temperatures dropping, there’s no time like the present to cozy up to a warm fire while your skin regenerates itself after laser treatment.

Explore your laser treatment options in our Denver office by calling (303) 839-1616.

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Let’s Roll Out the Lasers!

We aren’t brought up to understand the vital role our skin plays in our appearance and overall well-being. It’s fascinating to even think of the skin being the body’s largest organ! Because it is constantly exposed to both internal and external stressors, the skin can fall short of displaying the true vitality we feel on the inside. We know this as the various signs of aging that occur at some point. While we used to rely solely on surgical procedures to refresh the face, there are now numerous other options. Laser treatment is one of them.

New research from Johns Hopkins physicians demonstrates that laser treatments provide a natural pathway toward tissue regeneration by creating a small amount of controlled damage in the epidermis and dermis. This damage stimulates change at a cellular level, creating new processes for the skin to refresh itself. This particular bit of research confirms why laser treatments are so efficient at correcting problems like tissue laxity, sunspots and other pigment concerns, fine lines, deep creases, and textural irregularities.

In our Denver medical spa and plastic surgery office lasers fill an important role in helping our patients manage their aging process gracefully. If the concerns we’ve mentioned are a problem for you or you simply want to postpone cosmetic aging as long as possible, now is a great time to begin laser treatments of your own. The timing couldn’t be better because:

Collagen remodeling takes time.

We may be fortunate enough to enjoy sunny days throughout the year, but the dropping temperatures may cause us to be more drawn to indoor activities for a few months.

Scheduling laser treatments over the wintertime means that, come Spring, your skin will have a more radiant glow and also more resiliency to face the time when outdoor activities come calling.

Laser treatments like limited sun exposure.

Staying indoors is not an absolute must after laser treatments. The devices that are commonly used today are much gentler on the skin; they do not obliterate multiple layers of tissue in one fell swoop. That being said, sun exposure is one of the primary factors that contribute to the signs of aging. UV light degrades collagen and elastin, two vital chemicals that keep the skin firm and supple. After laser treatments, when the body is flooding tissue with new collagen and elastin, it’s best to not fight against it by spending days in the sun.

We’ve got several laser and light treatments to complement cosmetic surgery or use as an alternative to surgical lifts. To learn more about our devices and which may be ideal for you, call (303) 839-1616.

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Tackling a Big Sign of Aging

We often talk about the signs of aging such as lines and wrinkles, creases around the nose and mouth, and a droopy brow line. Over the years, numerous techniques have been developed to correct these complaints. Though they can be effective, many of the common treatments patients seek only address the end-result of aging, not the source.

As we age, most of the skin on the body loosens. It becomes a little less resilient and radiant, too. The reason this happens is that the body slacks off on its collagen-producing activity quite early during adulthood. Without sufficient collagen, tissues all throughout the body have a harder time sustaining strength and structure. By age 40, many people see this in the form of sagging jowls, flat cheeks, and, yes, lines and wrinkles on the face and neck. In our Denver office, we offer several ways to reduce the signs of aging. Additionally, we conduct treatments that are intended to draw more collagen to the skin. SkinTyte™ is one such treatment.

What is SkinTyte?

SkinTyte is a laser device developed by Sciton®, a leading manufacturer of laser devices. This particular laser platform utilizes both broadband light (BBL) and infrared energy to affect change at a cellular level. Energy is delivered in a sequence of gentle, rapid pulses as a small handpiece passes over the skin. The infrared and broadband light penetrate the uppermost layers of tissue to reach the dermis, where fibroblast cells that produce collagen have largely gone dormant.

In the dermis, these forms of light transfer to heat. The thermal energy causes immediate constriction in collagen strands in the upper, middle, and deep dermis. Coagulation in soft tissue within these upper layers of the skin also occurs, enhancing the collagen remodeling that will occur over several months after treatment.

Benefits of SkinTyte

Aside from addressing the core problem of aging, collagen loss, SkinTyte treatment offers benefits that are unmatched by many other skin-tightening treatments. Some of the improvements that patients see after just one treatment include:

  • Softening of lines on the forehead, face, and neck.
  • Additional volume in the mid-face area.
  • Increased definition in the cheeks and jawline.
  • Reduction in cellulite after body treatment.
  • Reduction in stretch marks.

Historically, it has taken a combination of treatments to achieve this variety of improvements. SkinTyte is designed to achieve this in a single appointment.

Rejuvenate your appearance by targeting the source of aging. Contact our Denver office today to schedule your SkinTyte consultation.

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Laser Hair Removal is a Manly Thing to Do

Historically, there has been a virtual line in the sand between men and cosmetic treatments. Procedures like facelifts, liposuction, and just about everything else that the average woman was able to obtain were off-limits to men; not a “manly” thing to do. Fortunately, our perception of male grooming and what that can entail has changed dramatically over time.

Laser Hair Removal for Men

Since the onset of injectable solutions several years ago, we have witnessed an ongoing increase in the number of men obtaining cosmetic treatments. One of the procedures we cannot overlook is laser hair removal.

The fact that hairiness is a typical male trait does not mean all men appreciate this aspect of their biology. Truth be told, the women in their lives may not appreciate it all that much either. Laser hair removal allows a man more freedom in his grooming. It also allows him to feel much more comfortable in his own skin.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

The usual male grooming technique is to shave away unwanted hair. A few brave souls may undergo waxing on certain parts of the body. Each of these methods of hair removal is efficient, but not ideal. Shaving is something a man may have to do daily to maintain smooth skin; and, at that, he may still struggle with razor bumps. Waxing may lengthen the time in between grooming sessions, but not by much. A man may have to wax every few weeks. This is not only expensive but also uncomfortable. This is why laser hair removal makes sense for men.

Laser Hair Removal vs Shaving or Waxing

Laser hair removal differs from shaving and waxing because it neither cuts hair nor pulls it from the follicle, it vaporizes it. More than that, each laser hair removal session disables part of the hair follicle. This happens through the absorption of laser light. When specific wavelengths are directed toward the skin, light hits strands of hair and gets transferred as heat. This thermal energy immediately travels down the hair shaft into the follicle, where heat penetrates the tissue, causing controlled damage. Instantly, the hair that was at the surface disappears.

Results of Male Laser Hair Removal

To achieve the long-term results of up to 95% hair reduction, between 6 and ten laser hair removal sessions are usually necessary. Stopping after one or a few sessions will halt the progress of disabling hair follicles, and hair growth will continue as usual. The full course of treatment is scheduled in intervals that target each new active phase of hair growth. This is how we achieve permanent hair reduction.

Schedule a Consultation

Do you know a man who is troubled by unwanted hair? Contact our Denver office at (303) 839-1616 to learn more about laser hair removal for men.

Lasers are All the Rage in Anti-Aging. Here’s What You Need to Know!

Laser Skin Resurfacing Denver | Boulder CO Lasers have made it possible to remove unwanted hair, unwanted ink, and even unwanted lines and wrinkles. Due to demand and innovation, some laser treatments have been developed in a relatively short period. The plethora of devices can make your head spin. We’d like to save you from that by providing facts regarding laser skin resurfacing and what this anti-aging can do for you.

There is a “best time” for laser treatment.

Fall and winter are great seasons for laser skin resurfacing because there are fewer hours of sunlight in the day, and most people tend to spend more time indoors when the weather cools down. Even if you schedule your resurfacing treatment in the thick of winter, you’ll need to wear SPF 30, broad-spectrum sunscreen every day to avoid UV damage.

Pain is a delicate matter.

Most people want to know if laser skin resurfacing will hurt. The answer is not as straightforward as the question largely because there are so many types of lasers and varying degrees of resurfacing. We offer sedative medication and local numbing cream to help patients remain comfortable during their treatment.

You can have laser skin resurfacing done even if you have darker skin.

It is a common misconception that laser treatments are only appropriate for people with light skin. This used to be the case, and there are lasers that should not be used on darker skin. But newer devices and wider ranges in wavelength make it easier to treat all skin types and tones.

Non-surgical doesn’t always mean no downtime.

Depending on the strength of a laser resurfacing treatment, downtime of a few days up to a few weeks may be needed. The deeper the laser penetrates the skin, the more redness, and flaking that will occur over time. We discuss what to expect with each patient before treatment so adequate preparations may be made.

Different lasers accomplish different goals.

This is precisely why choosing laser skin resurfacing can be intimidating. Some lasers treat deeper scars and wrinkles (CO2) while others reduce sun spots and promote collagen production without much downtime if any (erbium lasers). We help patients decide which treatment would best meet their needs as well as their preferences.

It’s that time of year when it’s ideal to give your skin a boost. Call our Denver office to learn more about laser skin rejuvenation.

There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel

laser skin resurfacing denver co | Fante Eye and Face Centre When you look at yourself in the mirror, does the person you see reflect the person you feel inside? Many of the patients we consult with say they want to look younger because they feel young, and they act young – because they are young! We are living more productively and actively than our parents and grandparents did as they reached a certain age, so it seems only natural to want the outer appearance to demonstrate the energy we feel on the inside. One way we help our patients do this is with laser skin resurfacing.

Lasers and Lights and Luster, oh My!

There is no doubt that laser and light therapies are beneficial for various skin concerns. This method of dermatologic treatment can minimize the appearance of rosacea, brown spots, and wrinkles. Depending on the strength of laser light, it is even possible to significantly improve the texture of the skin that has been marked with acne scars.

Laser treatments, in particular, are important to aesthetic medicine because the concentrated stream of light that penetrates the uppermost layers of tissue can be adjusted for individual preferences. Many people assume that laser treatments are quite painful, but that is not the case. There are two ways that lasers can treat the skin: ablatively or non-ablatively.

Ablative laser treatment is more aggressive and achieves dramatic results more quickly. This is because the stream of light literally removes the top layer of skin cells in a controlled manner. Patients are kept comfortable with appropriate medication both during and after their procedure. The benefit of an ablative laser treatment is that the deeper cells, which produce collagen and elastin, are not only stimulated, they are reorganized to work more efficiently.

Non-ablative laser treatments are gentler and do not require that you take time off work to recover. On the flip side, multiple treatments are usually necessary to achieve the desired results using this less concentrated or fractionated stream of laser light. Over the course of multiple treatments, this method of skin rejuvenation will support healthy collagen production for a  younger appearance.

Our job is to help you determine the treatment or treatments that will bring out your inner, youthful self. To learn more about laser resurfacing or the other treatments available in our Denver office, call (303) 839-1616.

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