Skin resurfacing treatments help to restore a more youthful, beautiful complexion to your skin.
A beautiful, healthy complexion is essential to looking your best. When your skin looks smooth, clear, and even, this alone will enhance your appearance.
Skin resurfacing encompasses a variety of nonsurgical treatments that will renew and revitalize your skin with minimal downtime including:
Our Cosmetic Self Evaluation can help you decide if skin resurfacing is the right treatment for you.
TAKE OUR SELF EVALUATIONAs the largest organ we have, our skin serves as the first line of defense, protecting us from the wind and sun, as well as keeping out would-be germs. Over time, the outer layers of skin start to show wear and tear from aging, injury, and environmental factors, appearing in the form of wrinkles, scars, age spots, discoloration, visible vessels, enlarged pores, and small growths. Skin resurfacing treatments help to reverse these signs of aging and stress, helping you look younger, and even healthier, in the process.
Skin resurfacing treatments help to restore a more youthful, beautiful complexion by removing the most damaged outer layers of skin to reveal the healthier-looking skin beneath and encouraging new, health skin cell growth.
You may be a good candidate for skin resurfacing if you are looking to improve the skin’s appearance including conditions such as:
It’s important to be in good overall health and to have realistic expectations.
Special care must be used for patients with yellow, olive, brown, or black skin.
There are a variety of skin resurfacing treatments that can be chosen, including:
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing uses coherent beams of light to improve the skin’s tone, texture, and appearance.
Laser skin resurfacing can improve the skin in multiple ways:
Lasers remove outer layers of skin and encourage new skin to heal in its place. There are several types of laser treatments available. Dr. Fan will determine the best laser for your depending on your skin type, your goals, and the nature of the concern you wish to address.
One of our most popular laser treatments is the fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The fractional CO2 laser only removes a portion of the skin in the treatment area which allows the laser to safely penetrate into the deeper layers of skin to achieve more dramatic results with minimal downtime. The fractional CO2 laser is best suited for improving fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, and scarring. Depending on the depth of treatment chosen, fractional CO2 laser resurfacing may require some downtime ranging from a few days up to one week.
The improvements possible with laser resurfacing are long-lasting and can be dramatic, but they will not appear overnight. Most patients will require a series of treatments spaced over a few months. It takes several months for the full effects of new skin cell and collagen growth to take shape, and residual after-effects of treatment, such as skin that appears pink at the treatment site, can take a few weeks to subside. It is also essential to protect the skin from the sun, as skin will be more sensitive to sun damage after laser treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacial
Intense pulsed light, common known as IPL, uses a broader spectrum of light to improve the skin’s tone, texture, and appearance.
IPL can improve the skin’s appearance in multiple ways:
IPL is one of our most popular treatments for improving the skin’s overall appearance and texture including reducing brown spots, redness, prominent blood vessels, and enlarged pores. IPL typically requires a series of 3 to 6 treatments spaced apart over several months. There is no downtime with IPL treatments, but redness for a few days after treatment is common. It is also essential to protect the skin from the sun, as skin will be more sensitive to sun damage after IPL treatment. The results from IPL can be dramatic but take several months to appear.
Chemical Peels
Another way to resurface the skin to apply a chemical peel that causes the outer layers of skin to peel away. Chemical peels are usually performed by a doctor or a specialist such as an aesthetician or nurse. During treatment, a chemical solution is applied to your skin, left in place for a certain amount of your time, then removed. After your treatment, the affected layers of skin will gradually peel away, revealing a smoother, younger-looking complexion.
Chemical peels can improve your skin in the following ways:
Chemical peels may be classified into superficial and deep peels. This refers to how many layers of skin are removed during treatment. Light chemical peels will typically reach partially through the epidermis (the outermost layers of skin) and use a milder acid solution such as glycolic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), salicylic acid, fruit enzymes, or a low concentration of trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Light peels can be safely applied by a trained aesthetician under the supervision of a plastic surgeon, and typically involve little to no downtime.
Deeper peels will reach further into the epidermis or even into the next layer of skin, the dermis. Deeper peels are recommended to address more advanced signs of aging, such as deeper wrinkles and extensive sun damage, or severe acne scars. Examples of deeper peels include phenol peels, stronger TCA peels, and croton oil. While medium to deep peels can produce more dramatic improvement, they are more involved treatments. Anesthesia may be needed to keep a patient comfortable during treatment, and several days of downtime are required to allow the skin to heal.
We will recommend a peel based on your skin type, the specific issues you want to address, and how deep the peel needs to work to achieve the desired results. After the initial healing period following a chemical peel, some improvement will be immediately noticeable such as brightened skin, tighter-feeling skin, and a more even skin tone. However, the effects of a peel are cumulative, and many patients find repeated treatment periodically is needed for optimal results.
Microdermabrasion & Dermabrasion
Another class of skin resurfacing treatments are those that involve mechanical exfoliation, where an instrument is used to slough off outer layers of skin to remove visible skin damage and reveal smoother, healthier, and younger looking skin. Such treatments include microdermabrasion and dermabrasion.
Microdermabrasion is a gentle procedure that can be used on the face, neck, hands or body. During treatment, the area is exfoliated using a very fine tipped instrument or by applying a fine mist of abrasive particles. The exfoliated skin is then immediately vacuumed away. Microdermabrasion can help reduce fine lines and help skincare products work more effectively. Unlike some other skin resurfacing treatments, microdermabrasion is safe for all skin types. There is very little risk for side effects, and no downtime is required. Microdermabrasion does not require any anesthesia and can be safely administered by a trained and experienced aesthetician.
Dermabrasion is a more powerful mechanical resurfacing technique that uses a rotating instrument to precisely remove skin from the treated area layer by layer to the desired depth. Because it reaches more deeply into the skin’s surface, dermabrasion can affect skin pigmentation and is not recommended for every skin type. Dermbrasion is particularly helpful for reducing facial wrinkles including vertical lip lines, improving acne scars, and smoothening the skin. After dermabrasion treatment, the skin will be tender and raw and require a short healing time. Dermabrasion may require some form of anesthesia and should be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon.
Microneedling
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is another type of mechanical skin resurfacing treatment. During treatment, a device with fine needles creates tiny punctures in the skin, which triggers the body to create new collagen and elastin. Microneedling can help improve texture and firmness, as well as reduce scars, pore size, and stretch marks. The effects of microneedling are seen gradually over time, and most patients choose to undergo a series of treatments. Patients may experience mild swelling and redness after each treatment. Microneedling can be performed by a trained and experienced aesthetician or doctor.
What to Expect After Treatment
The recovery period after skin resurfacing will vary depending on the type of treatment, depth and extent of treatment, your skin type, and your individual response.
The most gentle treatments such as microdermabrasion and light chemical peels are typically associated with minimal side effects and no downtime.
Stronger treatments such as a laser skin resurfacing, IPL treatment, medium depth chemical peels, and microneedling are commonly associated with temporary side effects such as swelling, redness, light crusting, and shedding of skin cells. These side effects may last a day or two up to ten to fourteen days. There may be zero to three days of downtime.
The strongest skin resurfacing treatments such as deeper laser skin resurfacing and deep chemical peels may be associated with more prolonged side effects and recovery. The skin may remain pink for a few to several weeks. A recovery period of up to ten to fourteen days may be needed.
Your skin will be more vulnerable to the effects of the sun during your healing period. Protection from the sun including meticulous avoidance of sun exposure and frequent use of sunscreen are very important.
Skin resurfacing is a delicate treatment that requires a high level of experience, skill, and understanding of laser biophysics. It is important to note that no single treatment is appropriate or “best” for all patients, and that skin resurfacing treatment should be individualized for each patient depending on their goals, condition, and skin type.
Dr. Fan has a deep understanding of laser biophysics and is highly experienced with a variety of skin resurfacing treatments including laser, IPL, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microneedling. He will select the best skin resurfacing treament for your specific goals and skin type. Dr. Fan believes that less is more and will use the simplest, safest, and most reliable procedure to help you look your best.
Dr. Fan is also highly experienced with a variety of skin rejuvenation treatments including skin care, nonsurgical cosmetic treatments, and surgical cosmetic treatments, so he will be able to help you understand the benefits, expected results, risks, and limitations of each type of treatment so that you can decide which treatment is best for you.
Dr. Fan is known for his elegant sense of artistry and refined skills. You will look rested, refreshed, younger, and natural.
The cost of skin resurfacing varies from person to person depending on your individual condition, needs, and goals. The costs range from $100 to $10,000.
We offer a range of patient financing plans including low monthly payment plans and plans for those with suboptimal credit histories.
You can find more information about our Financing plans here.
The results from skin resurfacing can be dramatic but usually take several months to appear.* Each treatment is additive, and most patients require a series of treatments to obtain optimal results. Periodic maintenance treatments are also usually required.
Skin resurfacing is a range of cosmetic procedures including laser resurfacing, intense pulsed light (IPL), chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, and microneedling that treat damaged skin. Skin resurfacing treatments can treat sun damaged skin, fine lines, facial scars, uneven pigmentation, and acne scars.
A good candidate for skin resurfacing is a physically healthy man or woman who is looking to improve the skin’s appearance.
BOTOX Cosmetic and its related products, Dysport® and XEOMIN®, use a purified form of the botulinum toxin to temporarily relax the muscles that contribute to wrinkles – specifically, the wrinkles caused by facial movement (think crow's feet and frown lines). The active ingredients in dermal fillers are used to physically fill in wrinkles, hollows, and other areas that lack volume. Fillers and Botox are commonly combined to help achieve a smoother, younger look.
How long the effects of injectable filler treatments will last varies widely, depending on the product used, the area of treatment, and the patient. Generally speaking, the denser the product is and the more deeply it is injected, the longer it will last. To maintain your results, repeat injections are simply performed.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most popular type of filler used and commonly recommended for first-time filler patients. HA fillers typically last 6 to 12 months, depending on treatment. For example, injections to the lips tend to wear out fast than those to the nasolabial folds. Certain HA fillers, such as Voluma, are formulated to last longer (eg. up to two years), but are usually limited to certain areas, such as the cheeks.
Synthetic fillers tend to be longer lasting. They can be a good option for the right patient, but you need to be ready to commit to results that will be there for several years.
To maintain results, injections are simply repeated.
Some skin resurfacing procedures such as microdermabrasion and light chemical peels do not require anesthesia. Many skin resurfacing procedures are commonly performed under topical or local anesthesia. Some deeper or more extensive skin resurfacing procedures may require sedation or even general anesthesia.
For the treatment of smaller areas, skin resurfacing can take as little as a few minutes while larger areas take over an hour. In addition, multiple sessions may be required for some patients.
Most skin resurfacing procedures are not painful, although deeper or more extensive procedures may require some anesthesia. Some patients may experience some amount of discomfort after treatment.
If sedation is used for skin resurfacing, you will not be able to drive yourself home.
The recovery period after skin resurfacing will vary depending on the type of treatment, depth and extent of treatment, your skin type, and your individual response.
The most gentle treatments such as microdermabrasion and light chemical peels are typically associated with minimal side effects and no downtime.
Stronger treatments such as a laser skin resurfacing, IPL treatment, medium depth chemical peels, and microneedling are commonly associated with temporary side effects such as swelling, redness, light crusting, and shedding of skin cells. These side effects may last a day or two up to ten to fourteen days. There may be zero to three days of downtime.
The strongest skin resurfacing treatments such as deeper laser skin resurfacing and deep chemical peels may be associated with more prolonged side effects and recovery. The skin may remain pink for a few to several weeks. A recovery period of up to ten to fourteen days may be needed.
Your skin will be more vulnerable to the effects of the sun during your healing period. Protection from the sun including meticulous avoidance of sun exposure and frequent use of sunscreen are very important.
Time to return to work after skin resurfacing will vary depending on the type of treatment, depth and extent of treatment, your skin type, and your individual response.
You should be able to return to work immediately after gentle treatments such as microdermabrasion, light chemical peels, and some IPL treatments. Deeper treatments such as a laser skin resurfacing, deeper IPL treatment, medium depth chemical peels, and microneedling may require up one to three days off work. The deepest treatments such as deep laser resurfacing and deep chemical peels may require two weeks off work.
Hypoallergenic makeup can be worn to help conceal any redness or swelling after treatment once the initial healing has occurred.
Skin resurfacing is generally considered safe. Abnormal color changes, burns or injuries from treatment, cold sores, infection, and scarring are some complications that can occur with skin resurfacing. Special care must be used in patients with yellow, olive, brown, or black skin. Proper aftercare including avoidance of sun exposure is vital. Some patients may require a special pretreatment regimen.
Fat transfer is a procedure that involves harvesting fat cells from other parts of your body and injecting them into a treatment site to increase volume. Fat transfer to the face is often performed in conjunction with a facelift to restore lost volume in the cheeks, folds around the nose and mouth, lips, and temples.
Learn More About Fat Transfer Coming Soon.
Our skin care programs involve the use of medical grade skin care products that can brighten, smoothen, and even out aging skin. Our skin care programs are frequently used to enhance the results of facelift surgery.
Injectable fillers such as Juvederm Ultra, Voluma, Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse, Belotero, Sculptra, and Bellafill are very popular treatments used to restore lost facial volume and plump up deep folds and hollows associated with aging of the cheeks, eyes, mouth, nose, forehead, temples, and lips. Injectable fillers are administered during a quick, in-office procedure with little to no downtime. Injectable fillers are commonly used before and after facelift surgery.
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of eyelids. Blepharoplasty may be performed on the upper and lower eyelids. It is often done in conjunction with a facelift, or in some cases in place of a facelift when the main area of concern is the eyes.
Ultherapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that uses ultrasound energy to firm, tighten, and lift the skin. The improvement seen after Ultherapy treatment is much more subtle and modest compared to the results of a facelift. Ultherapy is often used for maintenance treatment after facelift surgery. Ultherapy is not a suitable replacement for a facelift; patients who desire a facelift but choose Ultherapy are seldom happy patients.
Total facial rejuvenation encompasses a comprehensive treatment plan that includes tightening loose skin, restoring lost volume, repairing sun damaged skin, and relaxing the facial muscles. A facelift is one of the main components of total facial rejuvenation, as are eyelid surgery, brow lift surgery, fat transfer, injectable fillers, laser resurfacing, IPL photofacial, medical grade skin care, and Botox treatment.
Learn More About Total Facial Rejuvenation - Contact Us
I did a lot of research before choosing to have a costly elective procedure, and I’m glad I did. Dr. Fan is an exceptional surgeon. He has a remarkable sense of aesthetics. He made suggestions and recommendations I would not have come up with on my own but afterwards saw he’d been absolutely right about. In addition to all of this, he is a genuinely kind person. I have no regrets and if I were going to have anything done in the future I would go back to Dr. Fan."*
— Ms. L
Dr. Larry Fan is an award winning, Harvard educated, and nationally recognized plastic surgeon. He is a progressive, compassionate thinker who is committed to achieving the highest levels of excellence and the very best aesthetic results. Dr. Fan is an expert facelift surgeon who is known for achieving natural beauty, never “overdone.”
Dr. Fan is known for his elegant sense of artistry and refined surgical skills. He will perform your surgery with expert, world-class execution and has the results to prov
Dr. Fan and his team are committed to providing you with exceptional care, counseling, and support before, during, and after surgery. We take pride and joy in caring for you and have received numerous awards for our compassionate care.
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In this feature length book, you will learn:
This book was written by top plastic surgeon, Dr. Larry Fan.
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During your consultation, Dr. Fan will review your specific goals and discuss your treatment options. He will determine if you are a good candidate for skin resurfacing and review the results that can be realistically achieved. He will also help you determine which skin resurfacing treatment is right for you and which complementary procedures may benefit you the most. We believe that every patient is unique, and that your treatment should be customized to meet your specific condition and goals.
Larry Fan, MD - 77 Plastic Surgery
77 Van Ness Ave #302
San Francisco, CA 94102 Directions
care@77plasticsurgery.com