Fractional Laser Resurfacing

Fractional Laser Resurfacing Chevy Chase, MD & Aspen, CO

No matter what age you are, dull, lackluster skin can make you feel less attractive. Over time, facial skin can change naturally due to unavoidable factors like genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental elements such as sun exposure and pollution. However, the effects of these outside influences don’t have to be detrimental to your appearance. The earlier you start taking care of your skin, the sooner you can restore the smooth, even toned skin you started out with.  And it’s not just cosmetic… resurfacing procedures reverse sun damage and lower your risk of developing skin cancer. Even glowing skin is also healthy skin.

When your skin looks great, your confidence can escalate and boost your overall sense of wellness. Laser skin resurfacing can help your skin reclaim that fresh, radiant appearance you deserve.

To learn how laser skin resurfacing can boost your appearance while giving you long-lasting and immediate results, call Dr. West at The West Institute for Skin, Laser + Body Contouring at 301-986-9378 or fill out our online form today.

What is Fractional Laser Resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing treatments effectively remove damaged skin, stimulating new skin growth and boosting collagen production. Ultimately, the treatment creates a smoother and more even complexion. Dr. West uses lasers to treat many issues, including fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, scarring, textural issues, sun damage, precancers, and more.

To refresh your skin from the inside out, laser resurfacing treatments create millions of microthermal treatment zones, microscopic columns of controlled energy that stimulate your own cells to replace damaged collagen with fresh, healthy-looking skin.

What are the Benefits of Fractional Laser Resurfacing?

Patients who receive laser skin resurfacing can benefit from the following results:

  • Smoother and tighter skin
  • Reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
  • Reduced acne scars & imperfections
  • New collagen generation
  • Enhanced skin tone and texture
  • Reversal of cumulative sun-damage
  • In many cases, laser skin resurfacing treatments can reverse the early signs of aging, restoring a natural radiance to your appearance.

What Fractional Laser Resurfacing Methods Can I Choose From Northern Virginia?

Clear + Brilliant®

Clear + Brilliant is the first FDA-approved laser resurfacing treatment to not only correct signs of aging but actually prevent them. With no downtime, Clear + Brilliant helps illuminate and improve skin tone, smooth texture, shrink pores, and boost your skin’s radiance. Clear + Brilliant is the most gentle, least downtime type of resurfacing and is commonly recommended for those in their 20’-30’s to stimulate collagen turnover as a booster to an active skincare regimen. Alternatively, Clear + Brilliant is also a procedure that we recommend several times a year as maintenance for our patients who have completed one or more Fraxel laser treatments.

What Can I Expect with Clear + Brilliant?

A typical Clear + Brilliant procedure:

  • Takes around 30 minutes (not including numbing time).
  • Includes applying a topical numbing before treatment to provide additional comfort.
  • Utilizes the patented Intelligent Optical Tracking® technology to deliver a uniform application to all treated areas.

On average, one to two days of redness and tenderness, along with one to four days of a “sandpaper” feeling or skin dryness, are standard. Patients should not use products that will cause irritation at this time. Most can return to their daily routine after treatment but are advised to follow Dr. West’s specific aftercare instructions closely.

How Long Do Clear + Brilliant Results Last?

The results of treatment are both immediate and progressive. A few days after the treatment, the skin will start to feel softer and have improved tone, texture and radiance. Results can last for months and are complemented by regular application of an active cosmeceutical grade skincare regimen, which will be customized for you by your treating practitioner. For optimal long-term results, four treatments annually are recommended for most patients.

I have been going to Dr. West for about 10 years. She is extremely knowledgeable and up-to-date on the latest procedures, products, and skin care regimens. She carefully explained what to expect the first few days after having the CO2 laser treatment -- and she was right on the money. It is now 2 months since I had the treatment. I get lots of compliments on my skin -- and I don't have to wear heavy foundation.

Fraxel® Dual

With its patented technology, Fraxel is a fractional, non-ablative laser that targets both the superficial and deeper layers of skin for a fresher, smoother, and more youthful appearance. The deeply penetrating laser energy helps stimulate your body’s own collagen production. Fraxel is the optimal procedure for erasing acne scars, evening out brown and red spots, shrinking the appearance of pores, and improving texture.

What Can I Expect with Fraxel Dual?

A typical Fraxel Dual procedure: 

  • Takes around 30 minutes to perform (not including numbing time).
  • Includes a potent topical numbing ointment applied to the treatment area for patient comfort. 
  • Utilizes an integrated skin cooling system to keep the skin at an optimal temperature.

Immediately after the procedure, the area will be tender, and patients will experience some pinpoint bleeding. For the first two to three days, patients can expect redness, throbbing, swelling (like a sunburn). Then between days three to five, the skin will start to roughen up and peel. After the outer layer of skin has peeled, the skin will be slightly pink for the next several weeks. This will improve gradually.

How Long Do Fraxel Dual Results Last?

The results of Fraxel Dual are both immediate and progressive. Soon after the treatment, the surface of your skin will feel softer and smoother, looking brighter and displaying a more even tone. The next three-to-six months will bring more improvement as the deeper layers of the skin continue to create new collagen. If patients continue with an effective cosmeceutical grade skincare routine, the results from the treatment can last for years.

UltraClear®

Developed at Harvard, UltraClear® stands as the world’s newest and most advanced laser technology, marking a transformative advancement in skin rejuvenation. It’s the first and only FDA-cleared MID IR fiber laser solution that offers simultaneous collagen remodeling and ablative skin resurfacing. 

Harnessing the innovative Laser-Coring™ technique, UltraClear® merges tissue coring with laser rejuvenation, ensuring unparalleled cosmetic outcomes, minimized discomfort, and reduced thermal damage, streamlining the skin resurfacing process like never before.

UltraClear®’s groundbreaking 3DMIRACL™ cold fiber laser addresses aging by targeting wrinkles, fine lines, sunspots, age spots, uneven skin tone and texture, large pores, scars, and persistent acne blemishes to reveal the radiant skin you’ve always wanted.

Dr. Tina West is proud to be the first to offer this state-of-the-art technology in the Chevy Chase area. Dr. West and other dermatologists agree that UltraClear® is the best laser resurfacing method on the market due to its effectiveness, versatility, and non-surgical facelift capability.

Your UltraClear® Journey at the West Institute

With UltraClear®, you can anticipate a swift and convenient treatment experience. UltraClear® treatments at the West Institute are:

  • Non-invasive: No surgical procedures, punctures, shots, or bleeding.
  • Versatile and effective: Address a variety of skin issues in one comprehensive session.
  • Quick: A full-face UltraClear® session can be as short as 15 minutes.
  • Recovery made easy: Post-treatment recovery ranges between 0–4 days.

Comfort prioritized: Due to the treatment’s reduced heat, treatments induce minimal discomfort, with most clients reporting a mere 0-3 on the pain scale.

If you’re aiming for smoother skin and a brighter complexion without taking much time off, the lunchtime light peel, with minimal downtime, could be right for you. You might experience slight redness and swelling post-treatment, but makeup can be applied in a few hours, and you can return to work by the following day.

For those targeting deeper wrinkles or acne marks and can spare a few days, a more potent treatment can be opted for, offering notable results but typically requiring about three days of recovery.

The Lasting Effects of UltraClear®

Post the lunchtime light peel with UltraClear®, visible improvements appear within just 2 to 5 days and last for several months. As for the more potent UltraClear® treatments, your skin’s positive transformation will continue for up to a year, with the results spanning between 1 and 5 years. For the best outcome, we advise 2-3 treatment sessions with intervals of 4-6 weeks.

AcuPulse™ CO2 Laser

AcuPulse is a stronger fractional laser that is “ablative,” meaning that it sends columns of laser energy into the dermis, creating tiny holes (smaller than a hair) that result in skin tightening in addition to improvement in wrinkles, tone, pore size, pigment, and skin texture including acne and other types of scarring. AcuPulse carbon dioxide laser resurfacing successfully treats acne scarring, etched wrinkles (including wrinkles above the lip) and is the gold-standard device for smoothing and tightening crepey, finely wrinkled skin under (and above) the eyes.

What Can I Expect with AcuPulse?

A typical AcuPulse Procedure:

  • Can be expected to last approximately 30-45 minutes (not including numbing time).
  • Includes a topical cream that will be applied to the target area to minimize discomfort.
  • Uses SuperPulse™ technology to reduce patient discomfort, downtime, and risk of side effects.

Patients typically experience redness, peeling, swelling, and irritation for the five to fourteen days, after which they can resume their daily activities. Mild pink discoloration may last one to several months. Patients are encouraged to avoid prolonged sun exposure and follow Dr. West’s aftercare instructions carefully.

How Long do AcuPulse Results Last?

The results, as well as new collagen production, after ablative skin resurfacing continue to improve over at least twelve months following laser treatment. Results are maximized and maintained with a long-term daily skincare regimen that includes sun protection and active topical products such as cosmeceutical grade retinoids.

LaseMD Laser Skin Resurfacing in Aspen, CO

For those seeking a milder, non-ablative laser option for skin rejuvenation, Dr. West offers LaseMD exclusively at her Aspen location. LaseMD is a fractional laser that uses a gentler wavelength to target the upper layers of the skin, resulting in improvement in skin texture, tone, and pigmentation. LaseMD is also effective in treating fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.

What Can I Expect with LaseMD?

A typical LaseMD procedure:

  • Can be completed in approximately 30 minutes (not including numbing time). 
  • Includes a topical numbing cream to ensure patient comfort. Uses a non-ablative laser that does not remove any skin. 

Patients may experience mild redness and swelling for a few hours following the treatment, with no downtime required. To ensure the best results, Dr. West encourages all patients to follow her aftercare instructions carefully and avoid sun exposure.

How Long Do LaseMD Results Last?

Patients can expect to see improvements in their skin immediately following the treatment. However, the best results are achieved after a series of treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. Results can last for several months to a year, depending on the patient’s individual skincare regimen and sun exposure.

Whether you choose AcuPulse, LaseMD, or another option, Dr. West and her team are committed to providing the best possible results for each patient. Contact our Aspen, CO location to schedule a consultation and learn more about our laser skin resurfacing treatments.

Why Should I Choose Dr. West for Fractional Laser Resurfacing in Chevy Chase, MD?

Dr. Tina West brings over twenty years of experience to her practice as a board-certified dermatologist and leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, and body contouring procedures. Dr. West’s extensive training and unique techniques help her provide highly individualized results for each of her patients, making her your number one choice for laser skin resurfacing in Northern Virginia. 

Dr. West understands how important looking good is to a patient’s confidence, and she brings this supportive perspective to all her patients. For Dr. West, the most rewarding aspect of her career is watching her patients attain their aesthetic goals, gain confidence, and feel more attractive.

Let's Get Started

Dr. Tina West is a board-certified dermatologist and leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, and body contouring procedures. For over 20 years, Dr. West has dedicated her practice to providing natural-looking results and full patient satisfaction. Dr. West invites you to visit The West Institute for a friendly and informative consultation.

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Let's Get Started

Your Fractional Laser Resurfacing Consultation with Dr. West

After you’ve been welcomed to the practice by Dr. West and her team, you will be asked about your aesthetic goals. Together, Dr. West will work with you to determine the best plan to achieve these aims. If you decide that laser skin resurfacing is your best treatment option, Dr. West will perform the procedure based on the specifications determined during your consultation.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing Follow-Up & After Care with Dr. West

After your procedure, Dr. West will educate you on ways to maintain your results or recommend other procedures to enhance them. We will keep an open line of communication to ensure you can reach us quickly with any issues. Our goal is to form a trusting relationship with each of our patients along their path towards rejuvenation.

Ready to Meet a Younger-Looking You?

Revitalized skin is within your grasp. With laser skin resurfacing treatments, reversing or preventing the early signs of aging to maintain your skin’s youthful glow is easier than ever.

To learn more about laser skin resurfacing in Chevy Chase, MD, contact The West Institute for Skin, Laser + Body Contouring at 301-986-9378 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today!

Skin Resurfacing FAQs

Due to each individual’s needs and aesthetic goals, laser skin resurfacing is a highly customizable procedure that can be performed on multiple areas of the body. As such, the cost of your laser skin resurfacing procedure will vary based on the methods used and the areas of skin treated. West will provide a more accurate price breakdown for your treatment after you have been evaluated.

The West Institute offers treatments for skin tightening, redness & rosacea, brown spots & birthmarks, stretchmarks & scars, skin cancer & mole removal, and aesthetician services. Be sure to also check out all of the other comprehensive state-of-the-art non-invasive and minimally invasive face and body treatments available at the West Institute.