Laser Resurfacing - C02
Lafayette Parish – Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, Louisiana Dermatology and Medical Spa
Dr. Hubbell and a Jeuné Advanced Medispa are proud to bring the Fractional CO2 Laser SmartXide DOT therapy to Lafayette. Renew your skin in about an hour!
DOT Therapy™ CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing:
- Reverse the appearance of aged and sun damaged skin
- Improve texture and firmness
- Smooth wrinkles and lines
- Reduce the appearance of acne and other scars
- Renew your skin
- Downtime adjustable by physician
What exactly is the SmartXide DOT CO2 Laser?
The carbon dioxide CO2 laser has been the premier skin resurfacing tool for the past decade. Its primary advantage over peeling and other laser techniques is that it tightens the skin naturally, while stimulating increased collagen production. The results approximate that of a mini-face lift, without incisions. CO2 laser resurfacing had been the “Gold Standard” for non surgical facial rejuvenation and removal of facial skin wrinkles and photo aging since 1995. However, due to its power and complete removal of the skin, it requires intravenous or general anesthesia. It also has several limitations including a prolonged and difficult recovery period often lasting three weeks, prolonged facial redness that can last three months, permanent hypopigmentation or lightening of skin color, and the potential for infection which can lead to scarring. During the past five years, new technology called fractional laser resurfacing has been developed which has dramatically shortened recovery time and lessened the occurrence of complications. With fractional laser resurfacingthe laser beam is broken up or fractionated into many small micro beams (DOTs!) which are separated so that when they strike the skin surface. Small areas of the skin between the beams are not hit by the laser and are left intact. These small areas of untreated skin promote a much more rapid recovery and healing with less risk of complications. The small areas treated by the fractional micro beams, called micro treatment zones, cause sufficient laser injury to promote new collagen production and resultant facial skin rejuvenation.
What Will DOT Therapy Do for Me?
If you have spent years in the sun, especially without adequate sun protection, then you know what it can do to your skin. Wrinkles, skin discoloration, sun spots, skin laxity may be reduced or eliminated with DOT Therapy. Also, if you have scars from acne or other skin injuries, then you may also be a candidate for this procedure. Now, using DOT Therapy, an innovative, new laser technology, less than 30 minutes in your doctor’s office may restore your skin’s youthful appearance. While the aging process cannot be stopped, with proper care you can maintain your rejuvenated skin’s appearance for many years!
What is a SmartXide DOT treatment like?
Treatment begins with understanding the patient’s desires and needs. The laser settings Dr. Hubbell chooses are determined by the problem the patient wishes to emphasize. While most treatments will improve both skin color and provide skin tightening or scar improvement, Dr. Hubbell has the ability to emphasize one area over another. Superficial problems like pigment disorders or mild wrinkles are treated with different laser parameters than are deeper problems such as scars or deep skin creases. Skin problems in areas off of the face can also be treated. Upper eyelids can be done with laser eye shields in place. The area is first covered with a topical anesthetic. Using the topical anesthetic allows the SmartXide DOT treatment to be done with little discomfort. Immediately after having the procedure, the area we treated will feel warm.
So how well does SmartXide DOT actually work?
The results from SmartXide DOT treatments are impressive and approach those of full CO2 ablative treatments. Skin crease improvements are substantial. Pigment improvements are also excellent, and generally better than other treatments. Overall, clinical results confirm the promise of SmartXide DOT therapy and position it to dominate the skin resurfacing market for the next decade.
SmartXide DOT CO2 laser treatment should replace conventional CO2 resurfacing as the “gold standard” of treatment and should dominate a large part of the cosmetic market for many years to come and with the SmartXide DOT CO2 Fractional laser and modern techniques, facial skin can be resurfaced in the office setting in a manner that is very comfortable for the patient.
So, what kind of anesthesia and downtime are we talking about?
The DOT SmartXide treatment typically requires only local, topical anesthesia (for the smaller facial areas) that is applied several minutes prior to the procedure. For full face treatments injectable local anesthetic may also be used, rendering the treatment very comfortable. At approximately 3-4 days after the procedure, you will peel the upper layers of skin, revealing a fresh, new surface. We prescribe medications during this period to promote wound healing and minimize discomfort. After this phase, there may be some residual redness but most patients can resume their normal activities. The results of the new collagen production begins to show at about 3-4 weeks after the procedure and we would like you to follow-up at this point.
Who is a candidate for SmartXide DOT CO2 Laser Treatment?
DOT therapy can be used to treat the skin of all ages and most skin types. It is ideal to treat the signs of sun-damage including pigment irregularities, wrinkles, mild skin laxity/sagging, and rough texture. It also can be used to treat all types of acne scarring and stretch marks. We also have several other treatments that we couple with DOT therapy if necessary, depending on an individual’s needs, to maximize results.
