As an expert provider of multiple laser resurfacing treatments, including those above, our team at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center is here to detangle these often jumbled-together concepts so that you can be more confident in your choice of treatment(s). Before we dive into the many benefits of Pearl Fractional Laser and Active FX CO2 laser, it’s best to start with a quick clarification of terms
Laser Lingo: A Quick Primer to Laser Resurfacing Treatment Terminology
Without venturing too far into some of the more niche treatment approaches, the following is a simple overview of some of the terms you can expect to see most often when researching this kind of procedure:
Ablative: This term describes a laser treatment that destroys the most superficial layer of skin (epidermis) in order to more effectively resurface the skin and promote healing processes. Non-ablative lasers are less invasive, but are not as effective for more serious skin concerns.
Fractional: A type of laser treatment in which the beam is split into thousands of tiny “microbeams,” creating deep controlled injuries in the skin while clearing up debris. The controlled injuries stimulate healing processes. Fractional lasers can be ablative or non-ablative.
CO2 Laser: A type of laser that produces concentrated light by exciting the molecules within a mixture of gas containing CO2, nitrogen, and helium. CO2 lasers are highly effective at targeting water molecules beneath the skin for precise application.
While there are plenty of other terms you will hear thrown around among laser resurfacing treatment providers and patients alike, understanding these is key to understanding the majority of popular treatment platforms being used today. Speaking of, it’s time to introduce Pearl Fractional Laser Treatment and Active FX CO2 laser.
How Does Pearl Fractional Laser Treatment Work?
Deriving its name from the way patients describe the aftereffects—as leaving a “pearl-like” radiance—Pearl Fractional laser treatment is among one of the most thorough and well-balanced treatments on the market for a variety of skin concerns. Its versatility, skin-brightening power, and the duration of results have informed its rapid rise to the upper echelon of laser resurfacing treatments.
Pearl Fractional Laser is an ablative fractional laser that penetrates well beyond the most superficial layers of skin to stimulate your body’s natural healing processes. Being a fractional treatment allows it to comprehensively cover a broad treatment area.
As part of the body’s response to the minor injury induced by the laser, key constituents of healthy skin like collagen and elastin will be produced and proliferated. These substances enhance the skin’s texture and elasticity, allowing for a naturally youthful appearance. As the collagen fibers mature over time, patients notice consistently improved results. By leveraging your body’s existing healing and repair faculties, Pearl Fractional laser allows for effortlessly natural-looking results that harmonize perfectly with the surrounding tissues. This procedure carries an average downtime period of between 3-5 days, and pairs well with other treatments.
How Does Laser Resurfacing Work?
The laser resurfacing treatment platform our team at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center uses is called Active FX. There is significant overlap between this treatment and Pearl Fractional Laser in terms of mechanism, benefits, etc., but with plenty of differences as well.
Active FX addresses wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage by stimulating the body’s healing responses using an ablative CO2 laser. The body produces collagen, a key structural protein that enhances the skin’s firmness and elasticity, as a way of mitigating the damage caused by the laser.
Active FX produces results with just 5-7 days of downtime, and can work on a wide variety of skin types. As with Pearl Fractional laser, you may notice some improvements soon after the treatment, but the full results will be realized in the weeks (and/or months) following your most recent treatment session.
Which Of These Two Approaches Is Best for Me?
Pearl Fractional Laser is favored for its ability to produce a radiantly rejuvenated appearance, and is typically better suited for more superficial skin concerns. Active FX laser resurfacing is a highly effective option for treating deeper and more significant wrinkles and other skin concerns.
If you have minor skin discoloration, frown lines, and/or other texture issues, for example, you may be an ideal candidate for Pearl Fractional Laser. Deeper sun damage, wrinkles, and other concerns are often better addressed by Active FX laser resurfacing.
If you are still unsure as to which treatment will be best for you, there’s no need to be fully decided before seeing us for an initial consultation. After examining the area you would like to have treated, interviewing you about your goals and expectations, and completing a full assessment of your eligibility, we can recommend certain treatments and work with you to create a treatment plan.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Laser Treatments?
The majority of potential patients in reasonably good health and with reasonable expectations of treatment will qualify for the above anti-aging laser treatments and most others. As laser cosmetic treatments are minimally invasive, they accommodate a wide range of patients of various ages.
However, there are still some circumstances which may negatively impact your eligibility for laser treatments, including medical conditions, pregnancy, medication use, hypersensitive skin, and more. Here’s a more detailed (but not exhaustive) list of said factors:
- Medication use (anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory drugs, photosensitivity-increasing meds like accutane, etc.)
- Certain diseases and disorders (some cancers, bleeding disorders, heart disease, epilepsy, some immune disorders, skin disorders, and more)
- Tattoos
- Pregnancy
- Infections around the treatment area
As mentioned, even patients who are fit for treatment physically may still not be well-qualified due to misaligned expectations. Laser resurfacing treatments are an excellent option for reducing the appearance of sun damage, fine lines, and other imperfections, but patients who are expecting additional benefits may be better suited for alternative (or additional) treatments.
For this reason, our team at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center will sit down with you to personally ensure that you have accurate expectations of treatment so that you will be delighted with your results.
Can Laser Resurfacing Be Paired With Other Treatments?
The short answer is yes. Laser resurfacing is quite often paired with a variety of additional non-surgical cosmetic treatments to enhance results in various ways. Treatments commonly combined with laser resurfacing include injectables, microneedling, and chemical peels.
Laser Resurfacing and Injectables
The anti-aging effects of laser resurfacing treatment combined with the volume-boosting and wrinkle-reducing action of dermal fillers and neuromodulators makes for a powerful combination, aesthetically speaking.
For example, patients looking to clear up sun spots and other signs of aging while also volumizing thin lips or sunken cheeks can combine laser resurfacing treatments with popular dermal fillers like Juvederm or Restylane.
Laser Resurfacing and Microneedling
Microneedling treatment involves the use of tiny needles to create microscopic, controlled injuries throughout the superficial layers of skin in order to elicit key healing responses that support improved skin texture, tone, and much more. These benefits perfectly complement the effects of laser resurfacing treatments to create a more powerfully rejuvenated, yet natural-looking appearance.
Laser Resurfacing and Chemical Peels
Finally, combining laser resurfacing and chemical peels empowers patients to treat a broader range of skin issues while penetrating deeper into the skin layers. This combination, for example, can improve sun damage, texture imbalances, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, and more. While each of these treatments addresses most of these issues individually, the combination strengthens these effects.
Whichever combination(s) of treatments you may be considering, keep in mind that pairing treatments up often requires a carefully timed and orchestrated approach to ensure maximum results and minimal downtime. Our team will collaborate with you to set up a customized treatment plan that delivers the results you’re looking for safely and effectively.
Laser Resurfacing FAQ
What does laser treatment feel like?
Different lasers can vary in terms of the sensations associated with treatment, but the majority of patients report little to no discomfort. Some patients experience a slight tingling or warmth, where others describe the feeling as being gently snapped by a rubber band.
Also dependent on the type of laser and the treatment parameters, you may experience increased skin sensitivity for several hours (to 1-2 days) following treatment sessions. This is a sign that healing processes, which involve inflammation, have been successfully stimulated by the treatment.
Which areas of the body can laser treatments be used on?
While lasers are most commonly used on the face to treat sun damage, age spots, wrinkles, and other common concerns, these treatments can also be applied throughout many areas of the body including: the arms, legs, torso, back, etc. Depending on the treatment type and parameters, lasers are used to treat varicose veins, remove unwanted body hair, reduce fat, tighten skin, and other applications.
How many treatments will I need?
Most patients will receive the most benefit from 1-2 treatments, but in some situations, additional follow-up appointments (especially over longer periods of time) may be required. After an initial consultation, we will be better equipped to recommend the appropriate number of treatments for your situation.
Does laser resurfacing work for people with dark skin?
People with darker skin tones can still undergo laser resurfacing and other cosmetic laser treatments, but with a few added precautions. Darker skin tones are more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is best prevented by adjusting parameters like energy and wavelength. When properly managed, laser treatments are just as safe and potentially effective for darker skin tones than for lighter skin tones.
What should I do before and after treatment?
Facial laser resurfacing patients are generally recommended to limit their sun exposure as much as possible prior to receiving treatment. Tanning bed use is also discouraged for a period of at least two weeks prior to treatment. You may be asked to take certain medications, and/or to pause the use of certain medications, supplements, and skincare products during the pre-treatment window.
Post-treatment guidelines mirror pre-treatment guidelines in several instances. For example, minimizing sun exposure is once again recommended, as is staying hydrated, avoiding temperature extremes (hot showers, saunas, etc.), using cold compresses as directed, and more. As always, consulting with our team is key for navigating the pre-treatment and post-treatment process.
Beautifully Renew Your Skin With Facial Laser Resurfacing by Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center
Proudly serving Noblesville and Shelbyville, IN, Danville, IL, and Healdsburg and Ukiah, CA, with multiple next-generation laser resurfacing treatment options, Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center is deeply committed to delivering a transformative experience for every patient that walks through our doors.
As your trusted laser resurfacing provider, we will work with you to map out the perfect treatment plan that exceeds your expectations with no surgery required and very little downtime.
Contact us for a consultation today and take the next step towards smooth, beautifully renewed skin.
