Superficial ablative resurfacing

Improves skin texture

I have been discussing ways to smooth out uneven pigmentation, wrinkles, and irregular texture of your skin using skin resurfacing. In another article, I highlighted fractional resurfacing. There is another procedure called superficial ablative resurfacing which treats fine lines and wrinkles, as well as uneven pigmentation, with an erbium laser that removes skin as thin as a few microns at a time (which is a fraction of the width of a human hair). This new technique significantly improves the efficacy of skin resurfacing, while eliminating many of the risks inherent with older devices. Most patients notice a softening of fine facial lines and wrinkles, including those around the eyes and lips, after as few as two treatments. As is the case with fractional resurfacing, superficial ablative resurfacing requires only a few days of downtime following the procedure.

According to Dr. Kaminer, "Superficial ablative resurfacing is a great option for those who are just beginning to notice subtle changes in their skin that they would like to correct sooner rather than later.  Both superficial ablative resurfacing and fractional resurfacing can correct most of the common signs of aging, and we often use them interchangeably in follow-up treatments to enhance patient results."

Since the success of most minimally invasive procedures is highly dependent on the skill level of the physician, the American Academy of Dermatology urges patients to do their homework before undergoing any cosmetic procedure and discuss their expectations with their dermatologist. "Treating aging skin with the newer minimally invasive procedures is a process that from start to finish can take between six to 18 months, depending on the patient," advises Dr. Kaminer. "These procedures work best when combined gradually over time, but the end result is definitely worth the wait for those who want to avoid surgery and longer recovery times."

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