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In the past, dermabrasion treatments
for acne scarring was done using
a small, sterilized, electric sander. Over the last decade,
it has become
more common to use a CO2 or Erbium:YAG laser. Laser dermabrasion
is much easier to control, much easier to gauge the depth
of treatment,
and is practically bloodless compared to classic dermabrasion.
This procedure replaces the earlier CSR (cosmetic skin resurfacing)
which does a remarkable job of removing sun-damaged skin and
stimulating new healthy smooth skin growth. However, the long
recovery
time (7-10 days) is usually more than most individuals with
busy personal
or business schedules are willing to accommodate.
Fractional Laser resurfacing is a procedure
which wounds the skin using
microscopic pulses of light-- the light pulses at a size of
.0025mm, or
about 1/3 the width of a human hair! Over the course of several
treatments, scars are softened as the body regenerates the
areas of
microthermal wounding, permitting the scar tissue to be diminished
or
greatly removed.
Dr. David Waggoner is a board-certified specialist, and has
nearly 30 years
experience as a physician and surgeon, as well as training
on cutting
edge laser surgery tools employing the Cynosure Affirm and
Elite lasers.
Dr. Waggoner has employed laser procedures in his practice
since 1991,
and is constantly reviewing the most current research and
techniques in
laser surgery.
What to expect
Both topical anesthesia and cold anesthesia are used and facial
block
anesthesia (similar to what dentists use) is available. The
eyes are
protected with metal "glasses" and the skin is marked
with an eyebrow
pencil to outline the areas for treatment after the topical
anesthesia is
washed off. The laser is applied in two passes, cross-wise
and length-wise
to assure uniform treatment of the selected areas.
Cold-air cooling and cold packs are used after the procedure
as needed,
and a soothing anti-inflammatory cream is applied to reduce
redness.
Any lingering redness usually disappears within a day, and
in most cases,
makeup can be applied the next morning after a procedure to
touch up
any small areas of redness. This means no downtime!
Click to see a closeup
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