Give your face a total refresh with a laser resurfacing peel from Allegro in Northern California! We love laser skin resurfacing with Fraxel laser technology. This nonsurgical cosmetic procedure uses pulsating beams of light to eliminate dead and damaged skin layers. Address facial lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and more with this gentle but effective treatment.
Fraxel laser facials are ideal for anyone who wants softer, clearer, more radiantly youthful skin.
Contents
- 1 About laser resurfacing peels
- 2 Types of laser treatments in Northern California
- 3 Non-ablative fractional skin resurfacing with Fraxel
- 4 What causes skin to age in the first place?
- 5 Ideal Candidates for laser resurfacing peels in Northern California
- 6 How does a laser resurfacing peel work?
- 7 How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?
- 8 What’s the best type of resurfacing for me?
- 9 How can I help my skin recover after a resurfacing treatment?
- 10 Should I get laser skin resurfacing, a chemical peel, or dermabrasion?
- 11 How often should I get a laser resurfacing peel in Northern California?
- 12 Schedule a Fraxel laser resurfacing peel in Northern California today!
- 13 Sign up for our newsletter
About laser resurfacing peels
Laser peels use targeted light to minimize skin flaws by eliminating the damaged layers and boosting regenerative properties. The Fraxel laser is adjustable so we can offer a customized treatment to every patient based upon their needs. Because the treatment is a peel, there is some downtime associated with a laser resurfacing peel in Northern California.
Our aesthetic team will address any questions or concerns you may have during your assessment and consultation.
Types of laser treatments in Northern California
Allegro MedSpa offers three types of laser skin resurfacing treatments. During your consultation, we will thoroughly discuss your options and choose the right one based on the condition of your skin and your goals.
We offer laser facials that could be compared to deep chemical peels, while some only cause “micro-penetration,” and others fall somewhere in between. The difference between facial lasers leads to different results and different recovery times.
Ablative laser treatments: The most intense laser peel
Ablative lasers treat thin layers of skin, like a deep chemical peel or dermabrasion, with a precision that allows the technician to reduce skin damage. Ablative lasers are best for firming the skin and treating wrinkles and acne scars.
Non-Ablative laser treatments: Gentler, progressive results
Non-ablative lasers do not remove any skin—the light simply causes micro-damage to the skin to encourage natural skin healing. Non-ablative facials are great for addressing fine lines and wrinkles on patients who are willing to wait 2–3 months for strong results.
Fractional laser treatments: Rejuvenate from inside
Fractional lasers are both ablative and non-ablative. They create small holes in the deeper layers of the skin to trigger and enhance skin healing. The skin’s self-healing process creates tighter, firmer, and healthier skin. Fractional lasers may also be performed to treat fine lines, acne scarring, sun damage, and pigmentation issues.
Non-ablative fractional skin resurfacing with Fraxel
The Fraxel is the first non-ablative fractional skin resurfacing treatment. The properties of this treatment improve tone, texture, and radiance for those with aging, sun-damaged or scarred skin.
A single treatment is enough to create a more youthful appearance with minimal downtime. With this unique laser resurfacing peel, you’ll look younger with no cutting, needles, or fear of dramatic changes. Thanks to integrated cooling, you’ll even enjoy a comfortable experience.
Fraxel is FDA cleared as an effective treatment for:
- fine lines and wrinkles
- surface scarring
- pigmentation
- sun damage
- actinic keratosis
This laser resurfacing peel targets aging and sun-damaged skin with microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin to expedite your body’s production of new collagen. Because the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, it leaves the surrounding tissue intact. This innovation promotes very rapid healing compared to more aggressive ablative laser resurfacing peels in Northern California.
What causes skin to age in the first place?
Why does aging affect the skin so much? And why do some people look so much older or younger than they are if everyone ages?
Skin plays host to your “skin flora,” also called a skin microbiota. This is a part of your overall microbiome. Skin flora benefits us in many ways, mostly by hanging out on our skin and stopping pathogenic bacteria from taking over. This keeps us healthy!
Skin: The real-life replicator
With such an important job, your skin needs to be resilient. And for people up to their mid-20s, it generally is. The skin is constantly busy regenerating itself from the inside out during our youth. Old cells slough off the surface while new ones are produced in the deepest layers of the skin. In addition to skin cells regenerating, your body produces bountiful collagen and elastin proteins.
This process means your skin is generally plump and vibrant until your mid-20s or so, when that regenerative function begins to slow. By your late 20s, skin cell turnover is much slower and dead cells accumulate to create a dull complexion.
In addition to slower cell turnover, after the age of about 20 skin produces 1% less collagen each year. Existing collagen then becomes thicker, clumpier, and looser, according to researchers at Dartmouth. With less fresh collagen, skin begins losing elasticity over time.
As time goes on, more of your skin’s youthful functions slow or stop altogether. In your 30s, moisture transfer between skin layers slows down and leads to shrinking fat cells and a deflated appearance. By the time you’re in your 40s, skin isn’t producing new collagen and is much thinner than when you were 25.
Once you’re 50 or so, skin is dryer from the inside out. It is easily damaged, bruised, and broken. The damage just continues over time when you’re not doing anything to counteract it. This is referred to as “intrinsic aging.”
Seize your ability to slow time
Extrinsic aging, on the other hand, refers to the process and causes of aging that occur outside of the body or because of choices a person has made. Extrinsic aging factors that make someone appear older more quickly include:
- Smoking tobacco (secondhand smoke counts!)
- Unprotected or prolonged UV exposure
- Poor diet and skin care habits
- Pollution
On the other hand, some external factors can slow or even reverse skin aging, like:
- Consistent healthy skin care habits
- Healthy diet & regular exercise
- Protecting skin from UV exposure
- Visiting a medical aesthetics practice for collagen-inducing and other anti-aging treatments
Ideal Candidates for laser resurfacing peels in Northern California
Laser resurfacing peels in Northern California are ideal for people who are unhappy with their skin’s appearance. Laser peel treatments can be helpful if you deal with:
- Sun damage
- Acne scars
- Age spots
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Redness
- Pigmentation troubles
- Scaly patches
- Rough Texture
- Other skin abnormalities
Who should avoid laser resurfacing peels?
This treatment is not recommended if you have very dark skin or active acne. Additionally, it is important to know that there is downtime associated with these laser treatments. Some patients, depending on the condition of their skin, may need up to 2–3 weeks for their skin to normalize. You’ll want to avoid laser resurfacing peels if you’ve got any important upcoming event.
How does a laser resurfacing peel work?
Depending on the type of laser being used, these peels remove damaged and dead skin cells while stimulating new collagen production. The Fraxel non-ablative fractional laser strike a fine balance between “wounding” (ablative) lasers and “nonwounding” (nonablative) lasers.
The Fraxel delivers the power of light deep into your tissue while leaving microscopic columns of untreated tissue throughout the treatment area. This shortens the recovery time after your treatment while reducing the already miniscule risk of side effects. It’s called a fractional laser because the divided laser beam targets a fraction of the skin at a time. These are the only types of laser resurfacing peels in Northern California that work at both the epidermal and dermal layers of your skin.
What to Expect
Here’s what you can expect for your laser resurfacing peel in Northern California.
Treatment
Before having a deeper or more intense laser peel treatment, you may be asked to use a retinoid product for a few weeks prior to the appointment. This prepares the skin for more effective results. We suggest medication prior to the treatment to help lessen any pain during your session.
If your skin needs mild correction, we use a topical anesthetic to numb certain areas where the laser will target. For the full face or more intense laser treatments, some kind of sedation may be required. During the procedure, you will relax in our treatment chair while the laser glides over the skin, precisely targeting the needed surfaces for rejuvenation. You will feel the heat of the laser followed by cold air from the built-in cooling system.
After your treatment
Following lighter peels, a healing ointment will be applied to the skin, and you can return home to recover. After the treatment, most patients feel like they have a sunburn, which usually diminishes in 1 to 3 hours. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3 months after your last treatment, and wear a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun.
Side Effects
The skin will appear red, and there will be some irritation and swelling. This should subside within a couple of days, and the peeling process will last over a 3–5 day timeframe. If you are receiving more intense laser treatment, your recovery time will last longer. The treated areas will most likely be covered by dressings and the burning, irritation, and swelling symptoms will be stronger after the more intense treatment. Medication can be prescribed to lessen these side effects. The recovery period associated with deeper laser treatment can last 2–3 weeks.
All patients should minimize their sun exposure after their laser peel and apply sun protection throughout the day. For all laser peel treatments, the skin will naturally flake, crust, and peel away. It is crucial to avoid interfering with the healing process and to protect your skin from environmental exposure to evade scarring.
Results
Once the peeling process has been completed, your skin will feel softer and look rejuvenated, clearer, and more youthful.
How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?
Laser skin resurfacing costs vary based on the treatment you receive. In your consultation, we will ask about your skin problems and goals before reviewing the different types of resurfacing treatments. Then, we can help you decide on your resurfacing method and discuss costs. Allegro MedSpa of Santa Rosa often runs treatment specials and discounted packages, so ask about current specials during your consultation!
What’s the best type of resurfacing for me?
Our aesthetic team will help you decide which laser resurfacing treatment will best meet your goals. The best treatment for you depends on the condition of your skin and whether you want more dramatic or more subtle results. Another deciding factor for many patients is the amount of downtime needed after. When in doubt, it is best to select a lighter treatment to see how you like your results and adjust as needed for your next treatment.
Just remember, our expert team has the experience and expertise to translate your skin’s condition and your goals into an effective treatment plan.
How can I help my skin recover after a resurfacing treatment?
A member of our team will provide you with recommendations on the best skin care after laser resurfacing. The number one rule is to not pick or peel your skin. This could create lasting damage, including scars. You should skip all hair removal methods in the treatment area, which means no shaving, waxing, or depilatory creams. We will also recommend an ointment to help soothe and heal your skin.
Should I get laser skin resurfacing, a chemical peel, or dermabrasion?
After listening to your skin problems, we will help you decide whether laser skin resurfacing, a chemical peel or dermabrasion treatment will best achieve your goals. While they all improve the surface of the skin, each has its own benefits and drawbacks. During your consultation, we review each option and make a recommendation for your treatment.
How often should I get a laser resurfacing peel in Northern California?
Depending on the resurfacing options selected for your treatment, you may need to wait several weeks or even months between appointments. Deeper treatments will provide longer-lasting results but will require a lengthy recovery period. You should talk to our staff about how often you are willing to come back for treatments so we can take this into account when choosing a type of resurfacing during your consultation.
Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 3–5 sessions spaced about 2–4 weeks apart. Depending on your condition and schedule, you and the physician may choose to space treatment sessions further apart. Results are immediate and progressive, with optimal improvement usually visible in 2–3 months. This time frame and treatment structure allow for healing and the production of new collagen to replace damaged tissue.
Schedule a Fraxel laser resurfacing peel in Northern California today!
Improve the tone and look of your skin! With a Fraxel laser facial from the aesthetic experts at Allegro MedSpa, you’ll be on track to youthful skin that’s even, vibrant, and exactly what you’ve been dreaming about.
We are here to help fulfill your medical spa needs. Give us a call at (707) 537.2123 or get started with a virtual consultation. Don’t forget, you can always shop online for skincare products! We carry Obagi, Alastin, SkinBetter, SkinMedica and more trusted, effective brands.
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