Your Essential Guide for Unparalleled Skin Rejuvenation
The desire for beautifully smooth, radiant and youthful skin is nothing new. Our drive to reverse the damaging caress of Father Time dates back thousands of years. From Cleopatra bathing in spoiled milk to the legendary tale of the Fountain of Youth, humanity is obsessed.
While we no longer embark upon grand journeys in search of a mythical fountain, the thirst for restored youth remains unquenched. During the 19th and 20th Centuries, as science and technology grew faster than ever before, we turned away from fiction and into the realm of fact.
One of the most powerful new weapons in our anti-aging arsenal is the fractionated CO2 laser that is used to perform laser skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing is a non-surgical treatment used to reverse the signs of aging and sun damage such as fine lines, roughness, wrinkles, age spots, and uneven pigmentation. The result of this procedure is far more effective and lasting than other treatments such as department store potions, facials, or medium-depth chemical peels. Dr. Joseph Russell, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, offers this state-of-the-art procedure right here in Charleston, SC.
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Your Journey to Youthful Skin Starts Here
The fractionated CO2 laser has revolutionized the treatment of sun damage and aging in the face. While CO2 lasers have existed for decades, the fractionation is the key—instead of stripping off the entire skin surface, which occurs in dermabrasion and deep chemical peels, the laser beam is broken up into columns of light, or fractions. This leaves thousands of tiny islands of skin cells ready to replenish the cells that are removed by the laser. The end result is a powerful rejuvenation of the skin that heals much faster than dermabrasion or deep chemical peels. This treatment can be used on one specific area of the face or on the whole face; it can be performed alone or in conjunction with surgical procedures, such as a facelift or browlift.
How is Laser Skin Resurfacing Performed?
The majority of laser skin resurfacing procedures are performed in the office. Dr. Joseph Russell first applies topical lidocaine ointment to the patient’s skin to start the numbing process. With the surface of the skin numb, he will then perform a series of lidocaine injections to ensure maximum comfort during the procedure. Patients who are nervous about the procedure may opt for IV sedation or general anesthesia, though this is rarely necessary.
The treatment takes about 30 minutes to treat the entire face once the numbing process is complete. After the treatment, Dr. Russell soothes the patient’s skin with an ointment, which the patient will continue to apply at home for 1 week. Follow up is scheduled for 1 week after the procedure to confirm healing is complete. During healing, complete sun avoidance is essential to avoid damage to the freshly rejuvenated skin. Once healing is complete, daily sunscreen use is essential to maintain the rejuvenation the laser procedure has provided.
Who is a Good Candidate Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Most people who live in the Lowcountry and spend any significant time in the sun without sunscreen use on the face become candidates for laser skin resurfacing in their late 40s to early 50s. Many teenagers and younger adults use it to remove acne scars. However, people with the following conditions should not undergo the procedure:
- Current Accutane (isotretinoin) use—this must be discontinued for at least 6 months prior to laser skin resurfacing
- Active acne
- Warts or rosacea
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Skin that tends to develop hyper- or hypopigmentation
- Keloid skin
- Very thin skin
- Active facial skin cancer
The Consultation
During a consultation for this advanced treatment, Dr. Russell will ask about the patient’s medical history, including sun exposure, history of skin cancers, and whether they are currently taking medications or supplements. He will also need to know if the patient smokes or is a heavy drinker because these activities can interfere with healing. Depending on the extent of laser treatment required, a 6-week medical skin pretreatment may be necessary to optimize the treatment results.
Ready to Experience Beautiful Skin? Schedule Your Consultation Today
When it comes to laser skin resurfacing, who performs the procedure is just as important as the treatment. Trained in New York City by one of the world’s leading facial surgeons, Dr. Joseph Russell offers the precision your face requires.
Located in Charleston, SC, his clinic offers dynamic services designed to create and restore your natural beauty. Schedule a consultation and experience the professionalism, compassion and skill found only in the top facial plastic surgeons.