Plastic Surgery Center of the South
120 Vann Street Northeast #150
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 421-1242
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing reduces the appearance of your fine lines and wrinkles by treating damaged skin layer by layer. It minimizes skin irregularities from blemishes, acne scarring, facial scars, or uneven pigmentation. You may choose to do your whole face or a specific area, such as the eyes or around your mouth.
Your experienced board-certified plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery Center of the South can help determine your individual needs. Laser resurfacing at our metro Atlanta center in Marietta, GA, serving Roswell, Woodstock, Smyrna, Sandy Springs, and beyond, is popular with both women and men.
CO2 Laser (Skin Resurfacing)
Before & After Photos
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
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What Concerns Can Laser Skin Resurfacing Address?
Laser skin resurfacing is a highly effective treatment that targets various skin concerns, improving texture, tone, and overall appearance. Here’s how it addresses specific issues:
Age Spots and Sun Damage
Sun exposure is the primary reason for developing age spots, also known as sunspots. Laser resurfacing targets these pigmented areas by breaking down excess melanin, effectively reducing the appearance of age spots and promoting a more uniform skin tone. Patients often notice a brighter, more youthful complexion with a more balanced skin tone after treatment.
Skin Texture and Large Pores
Uneven skin texture and large pores can create a rough or bumpy appearance. Laser resurfacing works by removing the outermost layer of damaged skin, which promotes collagen production and smooths the skin’s surface. This process shrinks pores and creates a refined, polished look, resulting in a smoother, more even texture.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Laser resurfacing is particularly effective for addressing fine lines and wrinkles, especially those around the eyes and mouth. By stimulating collagen production deep within the skin, this treatment smooths out fine lines and softens wrinkles. The result is a firmer, more youthful appearance, with skin that looks rejuvenated and revitalized.
Sagging Skin
If you have mild skin sagging, laser resurfacing tightens and elevates tissue by promoting the production of new collagen. More severe sagging or jowls may require facial plastic surgery.
Acne Scars
Acne scars can be a lifelong concern without treatment. Ablative laser skin resurfacing removes the skin’s outer layers, exposing new, smoother skin. This treatment won’t always eliminate all acne scars, but it can make them less noticeable.
Melasma
If you’ve tried other treatments without success to reduce the appearance of melasma—dark patches on areas of the face such as the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip—laser resurfacing is an option. Patients with darker skin types may not be good candidates for laser melasma treatments.
Rosacea
Laser resurfacing removes thickening skin associated with rosacea and may reduce redness and visible blood vessels. Not all rosacea patients are good candidates for laser resurfacing and you should discuss your treatment options with one of our providers.
Laser skin resurfacing offers a versatile solution to a range of skin issues, significantly improving skin quality and appearance.
Candidates for Laser Skin Resurfacing
If you have fine lines around your eyes from natural facial movement, such as squinting, blinking, or the aging process, laser resurfacing can help enhance your appearance. Do you have fine vertical creases above the mouth, also known as lipstick lines? Then, you can have a noticeably smoother upper lip in just a few weeks.
Men and women of all ages can benefit from laser resurfacing, especially if you have fair, healthy, and non-oily skin. However, not everyone is a candidate, if you have very dark or black skin you may be at an increased risk for changes in your pigmentation. If you have active acne or have taken Accutane in the past 12 to 18 months, you may not be an appropriate candidate. Alternatives such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels may be a better option for you. To find out what is best for you, call us at (770) 421-1242 or request a consultation online.
Meet Our Surgeons
Committed to the core values of ethics, integrity, honesty and education, our board-certified plastic surgeons draw patients from Atlanta and across the U.S.
Credentials You Can Trust
An Award–Winning Team
Plastic Surgery Center of the South won Family Life magazine's "Best Of" contest for Canton for 2016, 2018, and 2019, and for Woodstock in 2017. Experience our difference for yourself.
About the Procedure
The procedure is done by using concentrated beams of light or laser energy in short pulses delivered directly to the outer layers of the skin. The vaporizing of the upper layers of skin is done by controlled levels of penetration precisely delivered resulting in fewer problems with hypopigmentation (lightening of skin). There are two types of lasers most commonly used in laser resurfacing: CO2 (carbon dioxide) and erbium. Both limit the amount of heat absorbed by the skin. The CO2 is a deeper method used to treat different skin conditions such as wrinkles, scars, and enlarged oil glands on the nose or some skin cancers. The erbium is designed for more superficial or medium resurfacing on the face, hands, chest or neck. There are other lasers designed to correct small spider veins, red moles, or purple facial birthmarks.
All these procedures can be done in our state-certified operating rooms at the Plastic Surgery Center of the South or in our minor procedure room as outpatient procedures. Procedure time will vary from 30 minutes to 1-1/2 hours, depending on the number of layers penetrated and whether you treat your whole face or a specific area.
Commonly Combined Procedures
Several other procedures, both surgical and nonsurgical, can complement the results of laser skin resurfacing. Our board-certified plastic surgeons may combine a facelift , forehead lift , or eyelid surgery with laser skin resurfacing for comprehensive rejuvenation. BOTOX and filler injections around the eyes are other treatments we can combine with laser resurfacing.
Recovering from Laser Skin Resurfacing
Recovery from laser resurfacing will depend on the depth of the treatment. Mild swelling and discomfort is normal during the recovery, and there may be minimal bleeding because of the treatment’s precision.
During the 10 to 14 days it typically takes to heal, we ask that you:
- Clean your face 2 to 5 times daily with a diluted vinegar solution or saline
- Apply Vaseline®, Eucerin®, or Aquaphor® to the treated area after cleansing
- Keep the area moist to prevent scabbing
- Avoid picking at the crust to prevent scarring
Once the area has healed, you may begin to wear oil-free make-up to camouflage the pinkish-red color of your skin normally seen after resurfacing. This redness in laser-treated sites will begin fading after 2 or 3 months but may persist for up to 6 months. Our medical skin care esthetician can help you choose suitable make-up to even out your skin tone.
Maximize Your Results
For the best, most enduring results, you will need to protect the treated area from the sun until all the color has returned to normal (and continually after). Limit sun exposure, wear a broad-spectrum sunblock with SPF 15 or higher, and shade your face with a hat/visor and sunglasses when you go out.
Laser skin resurfacing will significantly improve the quality of your skin, giving you a fresher, smoother appearance. It is important that you understand that your results will be long-lasting but not permanent. Protecting yourself from the sun and following a skin care regimen recommended by our esthetician will help you maintain your rejuvenated look.
Laser Skin Resurfacing FAQs
What’s the difference between laser skin resurfacing and laser skin rejuvenation?
Even though the phrases are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference between the treatments. Laser skin resurfacing removes the outer skin layers to treat deep wrinkles and scars, requiring more downtime. Laser skin rejuvenation is gentler, targeting pigmentation and mild wrinkles with minimal recovery time. Both stimulate collagen production for improved skin texture.
Can laser skin resurfacing be used as an alternative to facelift surgery?
Facelift surgery and laser skin resurfacing target different signs of facial aging. Laser resurfacing primarily targets skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation issues, while a facelift addresses sagging skin and deeper structural changes.
How long will my results last?
Laser skin resurfacing results typically last between 3 to 5 years. The longevity of your results depends on several factors, including how well you care for your skin after the treatment. To extend the duration of the results, follow a daily skincare regimen, avoid extensive sun exposure, and stay hydrated.
What’s the best age for laser skin treatments?
There is no “best” age to get laser skin treatments. Women and men of all ages who want to address concerns with their complexions, scars, or wrinkles can benefit from a laser treatment.
Is laser resurfacing worth it?
Most patients believe the results following laser resurfacing are worth the investment. On the RealSelf website, 90% of patients who underwent laser resurfacing said the procedure was “worth it.”
Is the treatment painful?
There is minimal discomfort during the procedure because our surgeons provide patients with a local anesthetic with sedation. During the recovery, you may experience some discomfort that can be managed with over-the-counter medication.
At your consultation, your surgeon will discuss in detail the procedure, risks, benefits and your options. Be very frank, and do not be afraid to ask questions. A thorough medical examination and medical history will help your surgeon provide you with the information needed to make the decision that is right for you. To learn more about laser skin resurfacing in Atlanta, Georgia, please call (770) 421-1242 or request a consultation online.
How to Visit Us in Marietta
Because of our top-notch patient care and beautiful results, Plastic Surgery Center of the South has built a strong reputation in the region. If you are interested in visiting our Marietta practice from a nearby community, choose your area below to get easy-to-follow driving directions.
Roswell Canton Smyrna Douglasville Kennesaw Woodstock