About Skin Resurfacing
Skin blemishes such as acne scars, sun spots, rough texture, hyperpigmentation, and other common afflictions can detract from your overall appearance and can be difficult to remedy on your own. Plastic surgeons Dr. Mark A. Petroff and Dr. Brian Scott offer laser skin resurfacing to their Lake Oswego and Portland, OR patients who are suffering from complexion irregularities. Laser skin resurfacing using either ablative or non-ablative techniques can target and heat the deep tissues of the skin to promote healing and collagen production for a brighter, smoother, and more even skin tone. At Petroff Center Plastic Surgery & Medi-Spa, we can provide both the following types of resurfacing techniques based on your unique skin concerns:
ABLATION VS. NON-ABLATION
Laser skin resurfacing can be administered in different levels depending on your needs. Ablative treatments are more aggressive and are generally reserved to treat more severe skin issues such as deep wrinkles and lines and serious sun damage. Ablative laser procedures target the deep layers of the skin, causing the damaged layers to eventually peel off. It can take up to three weeks for the skin to heal following this treatment. If deemed appropriate, we offer the following laser to perform ablative resurfacing:
- Lutronic’s eCO2 is a premier, advanced fractional ablative laser that delivers the full spectrum of laser skin resurfacing treatments to our patients
A non-ablative laser treatment is a milder resurfacing approach that heats up the deep tissues of the facial skin in order to increase collagen production that will help heal the skin and present a smoother, brighter complexion. Unlike ablative lasers, this procedure does not remove skin, so the downtime will be significantly less, and patients can expect to see results within a few days. Multiple treatments may be performed to maximize the outcome. The following laser is used to perform non-ablative resurfacing:
- Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser is the first tunable hybrid fractional laser, combining non-ablative and ablative wavelengths in a single pass to maximize results and control downtime, giving you the custom outcome you want with an easier recovery
Both techniques help the skin regenerate. As new layers of skin develop, skin problems such as wrinkles, mild scars, pigmentation, discoloration, sun spots, age spots, and freckles are minimized.
Best Candidates
Ideal candidates for receiving laser skin resurfacing will have:
- Discolored areas caused by sun exposure or aging, fine lines, and general loss of elasticity
- Had little success with topical treatments
- A desire for a long-term solution
- Good overall health and a strong immune system
What to Expect
Depending on which laser technology is utilized, either Dr. Petroff, Dr. Scott, or one of our aestheticians will aim a brief, pulsating beam of light to the damaged skin. The depth depends on the patient’s particular condition and needs. The laser beam targets the outer layer of skin, which is known as the epidermis. At the same time, the laser is heating the dermis, the layer underneath, which stimulates the growth of collagen. During an ablative procedure, once the damaged layers of skin are destroyed, it will begin to crust, flake, and peel away over the course of several weeks. During a more mild treatment, the skin will have some redness for a few days. Once this process is complete, new skin will appear in its place that’s healthier, brighter, younger looking, and more even toned.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Reviews
I highly recommend the Petroff Center. I scheduled a consult with Dr. Petroff in early 2023 to discuss the CO2 laser for what I felt was significant acne scarring from my teen years. Dr. Petroff recommended that I instead do a couple sessions of the Halo laser, which would be performed by a medical esthetician. (The Halo does not require general anesthesia and therefore is much less expensive. This made me feel extra confident that the Center had my best interests in mind.) I had my first Halo session in March 2023 and second in January 2024, both with Brittany Mckinster. Brittany answered all of my questions thoroughly, talked me through the procedure, and made sure I was as comfortable as possible. I was 100% confident in her expertise from the start. I was thrilled with the results from my first Halo session, and honestly could have been satisfied stopping there, but now I’m addicted! The scars were softened to the extent that I rarely worried about them after I had healed from the procedure (~3 weeks for me). I also noticed overall improvement in pore size and texture. I am excited to see how my second session heals. Thank you, Petroff Center!
Kasey did an excellent job, answering all my questions prior to my Halo treatment and setting my nerves at ease. This was my first laser procedure.
Melissa is knowledgeable, skilled and caring. She is professional and shares skin care advice along with thorough post procedure teaching.
I have received care from Dr. Petroff at the Petroff Center (facial surgery) and Melissa at Premier (laser skin treatments at the medi-spa side of the center). My experiences exceeded all expectations, and as someone who has seen many healthcare providers, the attention to detail and level of care provided at the Petroff Center is unmatched. The entire team is friendly, kind, knowledgeable, and supportive, and so quick to respond to questions. Dr. Petroff was thoughtful and open during our initial meeting and consultation, and helped me understand what realistic expectations could look like. He is highly skilled, and the results of my surgery were above and beyond what I expected. For me, the care I’ve received at the Petroff Center/Premier has been life-changing, and while I always hope that internal beauty and character trumps the importance of physical appearance, most of us do care deeply about how we look. Dr. Petroff and his team were able to make incredible changes to my two primary sources of insecurity (a core facial feature and skin-related challenges) and they are now two of my favorite things about my appearance. This has exponentially increased my quality of life. The Petroff Center is truly a world-class practice, with an incredible and skilled team of professionals, beautiful and impeccably maintained offices and facilities, and the best care and service. They think of every detail and make themselves fully available for questions and concerns. I would recommend the Petroff Center to anyone seeking support of the types they offer. They’re wonderful!
Everyone is so wonderful. From Dr Scott, Christy the nurse, and all staff members are very patient and answer all of your questions. Very, very professional and accommodating.
15
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating
Plan Your Procedure
Average Procedure Time
1-2 Hours
Post-op Follow-up
1 Week
Anticipated Results
During recovery of an ablative laser treatment, the treated area will need to be kept clean and protected. Crusting can also occur, so the patient must refrain from picking since this can lead to permanent scarring. The new skin is usually generated in about 1 – 2 weeks, though it can take up to three weeks in some cases. With nonablative procedures, a patient can expect swelling and redness, which can be remedied with ice packs. With a customized skin care regimen, patients can prolong their results and prevent or minimize the appearance and recurrence of hyperpigmentation. Wearing a sunscreen is a must. The sunscreen must be broad spectrum (i.e., it blocks both UVA and UVB). A single day of excess sun can undo months of treatment.
Our Featured Work
Treat Sun-Damaged Skin Today
Petroff Center is highly equipped to treat advanced or minor cases of sun damage and age spots. If you're ready to get the even complexion you've been wanting, then schedule an appointment at our Lake Oswego, OR office today to discuss laser skin resurfacing. We can explain both the ablative and non-ablative options to you and help decide which one will give you the results that you desire, presenting you with smoother, more radiant skin.