Laser Skin Resurfacing

Answer : The carbon dioxide laser is commonly used to decrease wrinkles and acne scars.  It is absorbed into the water in the skin cells and vaporizes the cells.  New skin grows in within a week.

Here is a great resource from my website that explains it all: http://www.drbentkover.com/procedures/facial_resurface-worcester-boston.shtml

Answer: Not generally. Vascular birth marks called port wine stains require the pulsed dye laser. Congenital moles need to be excised. Laser resurfacing is generally for scars, wrinkles and facial rejuvenation.

Answer : Yes, we keep the energy a bit lower, but this works nicely.  We can also treat the area with Portrait® for very similar results with a little less down time.

Here are some links to show what can be done:
http://www.drbentkover.com/photogallery/portrait-psr3-plasma-skin-rejuvenation/patient-3
http://www.drbentkover.com/photogallery/wrinkles-scars/patient-4
http://www.drbentkover.com/photogallery/wrinkles-scars/patient-4

Answer : Yes, chemical peels of various depths can decrease this pigmentation.  In our practice we prefer superficial peels done by our aesthetician followed by one of the Obagi systems for long term improvement and skin rejuvenation.  You skin will not just be lighter, it will look healthier. This is a gradual process.  Often, however, we can get an even better overall clearing of the spots, fine lines and overall skin rejuvenation with our Portrait® skin rejuvenation with just one treatment.  For the neck and chest, we like IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). 

Here are some images to look at for all three options:
http://www.drbentkover.com/procedures/brown_photos-worcester-boston.shtml

Answer :
Probably yes, but if you look at your face consistently with a magnifying mirror, you will drive yourself nuts.Laser Resurfacing will give significant improvement but will not eliminate every wrinkle. 

Answer:
Every operation has potential complications, but surgeons tend not to do procedures with high complication rates.   Preventing complications with laser skin resurfacing has a lot to do with correct patient selection, pre op preparation and post op care.  You should not have a lot of pain after the procedure.  It should feel like a bad sunburn for 3-6 hours.  If you are have a lot of pain a day or two after surgery, I would be concerned that you might have a viral infection. You would be on an anti-viral medication to prevent.  You will also be on an antibiotic to prevent bacterial infection.  If you have dark skin, you are at risk for hyper pigmentation (increased irregular pigment).   You might not be a candidate for the procedure.  If you have very light skin, the laser can lighten it too much; the surgeon needs to know how to blend the edges of the lasered areas and dial back the energies.  Scars are possible but rare.  You need to make sure that the skin does not peel prematurely after the procedure.  We use generous amounts of Aquaphor to prevent this. Sun screen is key in post op laser resurfacing and care adherence to post op instructions is most important.

Answer:
Laser or plasma will remove brown spots that are the result of sun damage but not actual freckles that you were born with.

Answer:
This all depends on the extent and location of the scars.  Some can be treated medically with silicone applications and massage or steroid injections.  Sometimes a surgical scar revision may help.

Answer:
It all depends on the extent of your wrinkles or scars.  Acne scars can usually be improved about 30% or more.  Wrinkles can be improved more.

Answer:
Silicone injections are not the usual approach.  This use of silicone is frowned up by the FDA.  It can be dangerous.  Hyaluroinic acid injections are safer and more main stream.  Here is a link to our “LIP” page.  You can judge for yourself:
http://www.drbentkover.com/procedures/lip-augmentation.shtml