Laser Resurfacing and IPL Photofacials for Sun-Damaged Skin  

Posted on August 27, 2019 in Skin Care

Summertime is a time when you want to be outside with the sun shining down on you. Although it feels good basking in the glow of the sun, it can take a toll on your skin. We all have heard that a person looks better with a tan or “healthy glow” but at what cost to our skin. The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) light that will cause damage to your skin. Overtime UV exposure may lead to wrinkles, dry skin, sun spots, and melasma. You know what wrinkles and dry skin are but sun spots or melasma may be new to you. Sun spots or age spots form where your skin has been exposed to the most sun. Sun spots appear as flat spots in varying shades of brown. Melasma causes brownish patches of skin discoloration. Melasma often returns or becomes darker with sun exposure.

Dr. Evan Ransom at Ransom/MD specializes in non-surgical cosmetic treatments like ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing as well as IPL photofacials to help sun-damaged skin. Below is a quick summary of ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing and IPL Photofacials.

• Ablative Laser Resurfacing – A eCO2 laser is used to remove the outer layers of skin while heating the skin underneath causing collagen to shrink. This is done in a doctor’s office as an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia, light sedation, or general anesthesia. After the treatment, your skin will look red and feel sensitive. New skin will form within 1-2 weeks depending on the resurfacing depth. The number of treatments needed and recovery time will depend on each patient. Ablative laser resurfacing is good for wrinkles, sun spots, uneven skin tone, sun-damaged skin, and acne scars.
• Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing – The Cynosure Icon Palomar 1540 and Er: YAG 2940 lasers are used to pass through the skin without removing layers to stimulate new collagen growth. This is done in a doctor’s office as an outpatient procedure with a topical numbing cream. Tenderness in the area can be expected and you should be able to resume normal activities immediately. Each patient is unique and the number of treatments will be based on each patient. Non-ablative laser resurfacing is used for sun spot elimination, decreasing melasma, improving skin texture, and smoothing wrinkles.
• IPL Photofacials – Intense pulses of light are penetrated deep into the skin and causes blood vessels and collagen to shrink without harming the top layer. Redness and swelling after the procedure will disappear quickly with no downtime. Typically 4-6 treatments will be needed for optimal results. IPL photofacials target sun spots, melasma, facial blood vessels, and rosacea.

Dr. Ransom at Ransom/MD is a phone call away if you have been enjoying too much fun in the sun. To find out which procedure is right for you, call Ransom/MD today to start your skin getting that healthy glow.

Posted on behalf of Ransom/MD

Dr. Ransom

Dr. Evan Ransom is an Ivy League-educated and Ivy League trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. He is a Double Board Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and fellowship-trained in facial plastic, reconstructive, and laser surgery. His practice is in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving patients from San Francisco, Oakland, Marin County, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, Walnut Creek, the East Bay, and all over Northern California.