Fractional Laser Resurfacing & Laser Resurfacing

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Santa Monica and Los Angeles

Fractional Laser Resurfacing & Laser Resurfacing Derm & Rejuvenation Institute

Rejuvenating your skin with laser resurfacing treatments is an effective way to improve the tone and texture of your skin without the lengthy downtimes or the risk of scarring. Laser treatments can help you tighten your skin, diminish fine lines, improve the appearance of wrinkles, and reduce dark spots by increasing collagen production.

At the Derm & Rejuvenation Institute, we have helped thousands of patients improve the appearance of their skin with customizable treatments suitable for a variety of skin conditions. Contact our office or call (310) 526-8301 to learn more about how we can help you achieve a more youthful, radiant glow.

About Fractional Laser Resurfacing & Laser Resurfacing

As you age, collagen– the protein in your skin that helps it maintain its structure and elasticity– naturally declines. With low collagen levels, it is common to experience signs of facial aging such as fine lines, sun spots, wrinkles, and skin laxity. UV exposure also contributes to approximately 80% of skin aging, (1) and the effects of long-term sun exposure become more pronounced when your collagen levels decrease.

Laser treatments are an effective method for resurfacing your skin, and specialists performed more than 3.5 million skin resurfacing treatments in 2023 (2) to help patients achieve a smoother, more radiant appearance. Laser treatments are non-invasive and customizable for several different areas of the body:

  • Hand rejuvenation: If you are experiencing volume loss from aging or would like to improve an uneven skin tone on your hands from sun damage, we can perform laser treatments with dermal fillers so you can enjoy smoother, more youthful-looking hands.
  • Sun damage: As you age, sun spots can become more prominent from lower levels of collagen in your skin. With laser treatments, we can help treat your skin barrier for smoother, more radiant skin.
  • Stretch marks: If you have visible stretch marks, increasing the levels of collagen in your skin with laser treatments can help you achieve a more even skin tone.

Fraxel Lasers

Fraxel laser therapy is a skin rejuvenation treatment that improves the tone and texture of your skin for a smoother, tighter complexion. Many patients receive Fraxel laser therapy on the face, neck, and chest– areas that are often exposed to the sun. By improving the elasticity of your skin, the laser treatment can help you achieve a more youthful appearance and long-lasting results. The treatment also increases collagen production and can help you achieve natural-looking results with minimal downtime. Many patients receive Fraxel lasers to improve the appearance of:

  • Wrinkles
  • Scars
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Acne
  • Enlarged pores
  • Forehead lines
  • Frown lines
  • Sun-damaged skin

During a Fraxel laser procedure, Dr. Kormeili will apply a topical numbing cream to your skin and use a hand-held device to administer the laser treatment. The laser is non-ablative, meaning it stimulates collagen production without resurfacing the upper layer of the skin. The hand-held device administers microscopic columns of energy that penetrate the deeper layers of the skin barrier while preserving the surrounding tissue. During the treatment, some patients experience a comfortable, warm sensation from the laser energy. Many patients enjoy this treatment because the recovery is minimal and the treatment does not require extensive downtime.

Ulthera

Ulthera (Ultherapy) is a treatment that tightens your skin for a nonsurgical kind of facelift. During the treatment, Dr. Kormeili will use a hand-held device to administer ultrasonic energy to your skin. The ultrasonic waves penetrate the skin barrier to stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and mildly sagging skin. She can perform Ultherapy for several different kinds of treatments:

  • Facial rejuvenation: The ultrasonic energy can reduce skin laxity in the cheeks, jawline, and brow region to improve your overall facial contour
  • Neck lift: She can lift and tighten the skin on your neck to reduce the appearance of a “turkey neck”
  • Décolletage treatment: If you are starting to experience sagging skin and wrinkles on your chest, the treatment can help you achieve firmer skin and minimize the appearance of wrinkles for a more youthful look

If you have crepey skin or have noticed droopy eyebrows, the treatment can also provide a noninvasive eyelid lift. Unlike a traditional eyelid lift that removes excess skin, Ultherapy tightens the skin above the eyes to restore the natural eye crease and improve your field of vision.

To learn more about the treatments we offer, see the blog.

Benefits

After laser resurfacing, patients can enjoy several benefits including:

  • Improved skin texture: Laser treatments restore the skin barrier by increasing the collagen protein in your skin for a more youthful appearance.
  • Wrinkle reduction: Dr. Kormeili can help you reduce wrinkles for a younger-looking complexion.
  • Diminished acne scars: The collagen levels from the laser energy can accelerate your skin’s healing process after acne and improve the appearance of scars.
  • Pigmentation correction: If you have hyperpigmentation, the treatment can help you achieve a more even skin tone by correcting the appearance of sunspots, age spots, and other forms of hyperpigmentation.
  • Minimal downtime: You can return to your normal routine immediately afterward.
  • Long-lasting results: If you take good care of your skin and wear sunscreen to prevent signs of aging, you can enjoy results for several months or years.
  • Well-tolerated and customizable treatment: The laser energy is well-tolerated by most skin types and we can perform a series of treatments with a personalized plan based on the condition of your skin.

Candidates

Suitable candidates for laser treatments would like to enhance their skin with noninvasive treatments. Candidates for fractional laser resurfacing would like to improve the appearance of:

  • Sun damage
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Stretch marks
  • Acne scars
  • Enlarged pores
  • Overall skin laxity

If you are in good overall health and would like to achieve long-lasting skin rejuvenation, then the treatment is likely a good fit for you.

Personal Consultation

Fractional Laser Resurfacing & Laser Resurfacing Derm & Rejuvenation Institute

During your consultation, we will examine your skin and ask about any skin conditions you have that could affect your results. We will also ask about your aesthetic goals to determine whether or not you will need additional treatments to achieve your desired look. Many patients choose to combine laser treatments with dermal fillers, which is especially common during hand rejuvenation when we can address both discoloration and volume loss. If you suffer from acne, Fraxel lasers can also help reduce the appearance of scarring. More than 47% of people who suffer from acne also experience scars. (3)

Please come prepared with any questions you have about the treatment as well. Lasers can also help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks by stimulating collagen production for a more even skin tone.

Preparation

To prepare for your treatment, you will need to:

  • Avoid medications and supplements that thin your blood
  • Refrain from using products that contain retinol
  • Reduce sun exposure to prevent damaging your skin

It is also important that you stay hydrated and moisturize your skin for the best results. You will also need to avoid sun exposure because sun damage can cause us to delay your appointment.

Treatment Process

During your procedure, we will cleanse the treatment area and apply a topical anesthetic to your skin. Dr. Kormeili will use a hand-held device to administer the laser energy in an even pattern. The beams of light and heat will stimulate collagen production, and you may feel a warm sensation during the treatment. She will treat the entire treatment area, which can take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size of the treatment area. Afterward, you can return to your daily routine, but you will need to take good care of your skin. She will provide specific recovery instructions based on the type of laser treatment you receive.

Recovery

Although the treatment does not require downtime, it is common to experience some redness or slight swelling immediately afterward. It is best to avoid sun exposure, and you will need to take good care of your skin afterward. Wearing SPF, moisturizing your skin, and using skin products for your skin type will be important for maintaining your results. You may also need to avoid wearing makeup while your skin heals from the treatment.

Results

After laser resurfacing treatment, you can enjoy smoother skin and a more even skin tone. Since the treatment increases the levels of collagen in your skin which helps it maintain its structure and elasticity, you can enjoy results for 6 months to a year if you take good care of your skin. Many patients enjoy more youthful-looking skin afterward and feel more confident about their appearance.

The Cost of Fractional Laser Resurfacing & Laser Resurfacing in Santa Monica

The cost of the treatment will depend on the size of the treatment area and the number of treatments you receive. Some patients may opt for a treatment series for more comprehensive skin rejuvenation. We can discuss your needs during a personal consultation and provide an all-inclusive quote to help you achieve your desired results.

Contact our office or call (310) 526-8301 to learn more about pricing.

References

  1. Amaro-Ortiz A, Yan B, D’Orazio J. Ultraviolet Radiation, Aging and the Skin: Prevention of Damage by Topical cAMP Manipulation. Molecules. 2014;19(5):6202-6219. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19056202
  2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
  3. Liu, Lin, et al. “Prevalence and Risk Factors of Acne Scars in Patients with Acne Vulgaris.” Skin Research and Technology, vol. 29, no. 6, 1 June 2023, https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13386. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023.