An illuminating look at the unique power of lasers for skin resurfacing
Resurfacing services play a significant role in many medical spas in Lanham, Maryland, and the surrounding areas of Prince George’s, Charles, and Montgomery counties. However, the specific types of services offered can vary greatly from one office to another. At Access Medspa Rejuvenate, Dr. Asongtia Ntonghawah has invested in advanced technologies to provide powerful, highly customizable, safe, comfortable, precise, and efficient treatments. This ensures you receive better results without the associated risks while enjoying a convenient and hassle-free treatment experience. One of the key services offered is laser-assisted skin resurfacing.
What is skin resurfacing, and why do I need it?
Skin cells originate in the lower epidermis and travel to the surface, where they eventually slough off. As we age, this journey to the surface takes longer. Due to this change, dead and damaged skin cells can build up on the epidermis. This process of sluggish cell turnover contributes to a tired, dull complexion and dry, leathery skin. Such intrinsic aging can also show up on our face and other areas of our body prematurely due to the effects of UV damage from unprotected sun exposure and tanning. We can remove the damaged skin cells and bring fresh, new ones to the surface with resurfacing services.
How do you resurface the skin?
Medical spas generally encourage healthy cell turnover and skin renewal through chemical, mechanical, and laser means. Procedures like chemical peels involve the application of special, customized formulas to the skin. These formulations penetrate and remove the skin at various depths to promote new cells and a youthful appearance. Mechanical methods of skin resurfacing include microdermabrasion and dermaplaning. These services involve using special devices to slough off damaged and dead skin and even ultra-fine vellus hairs or “peach fuzz.” Lastly, a carefully selected laser may be directed toward your areas of concern. The laser energy precisely heats the targeted areas to stimulate the body’s natural healing response, as well as the production of collagen and elastin.
Why are collagen and elastin so important?
Laser-assisted skin resurfacing is particularly powerful because it renews the substances that support the skin. Both collagen and elastin are the building blocks of the skin. They contribute to the skin’s firmness, elasticity, hydration, and overall health. As we age, our body makes less of these vital components. Without that structure, flexibility, and moisture, the effects of intrinsic aging can manifest on your face as dullness, dark spots, uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin, and areas that lack definition.
What can I expect from treatment?
Laser skin resurfacing is not invasive. So, it is generally a comfortable treatment. We can discuss ways to keep you relaxed throughout your appointment. As the laser energy is absorbed, the targeted tissues are heated. This process encourages natural healing. Your body responds by making more of those building blocks to heal the treated sites. We can, in turn, replenish the collagen and elastin lost due to aging. Treatment may be completed over your lunch break, and side effects are generally easy to manage. They include temporary red discoloration and swelling that is similar to a sunburn. We can advise on ways to help with any irritation afterward and encourage further healing. It’s particularly important to exercise good sun/UV protection, as your skin will be more photosensitive afterward.
When will I see the results?
Any time a healing process is triggered, expect to see gradual improvements in your skin’s appearance, texture, and overall quality. As more collagen and elastin are produced, you will notice that your skin increasingly looks smoother and brighter and that it feels softer and silkier. We are happy to discuss considerations like how many treatments you may need and how to keep the results from those treatments during a consultation. Serving Lanham, MD, and Prince George’s, Montgomery, and Charles counties, the Access Medspa Rejuvenate can be reached at (301) 830-8533 to schedule your appointment and answer any other initial questions you may have.
