a reset button for your skin!
Aesthetix Dermatology of Ft Lauderdale provides laser resurfacing procedures where a laser is used to “erase” problematic parts of the skin. After such a procedure, the skin is regenerated in a more youthful even, and radiant structure.
The CO2 Deka Dot is a best-in-class resurfacing laser that can be used to achieve a variety of goals. The beauty of this particular “dot” laser is the ability to send fractions of laser beams as opposed to a full field laser beam thereby avoiding risk and lowering down time. Dr. Chaplik carefully listens to the patient’s desires and problem areas before recommending this gold standard technology. Patient selection and the proper settings are crucial in achieving the patient’s goals. The fractional laser is adjustable based on both the results wanted and the downtime allowed.
There are two types of downtime involved in this technique. Physiologic down time is usually one to two days. This means that the patient should not leave the house for over 30 minutes at a time. The other type of downtime is social downtime. This is the period whereby another person will clearly notice that there is a change in the skin… anywhere from a sunburn to swelling, oozing, and brown streaks. Social downtime typically takes anywhere from 1-7 days and can either be planned for or adjusted. All of this can, of course, be varied depending on patients’ needs and social schedule.
Immediately after the procedure, the skin is warm and tender like a sunburn. Ice packs are encouraged. The next two days, the skin is swollen and slightly tender. Frequent moisturizing is encouraged. The skin will also ooze during this phase. After day 3 to 4, the skin turns dry and eventually peels off. The complexion revealed beneath is beautifully even and glowing, with a noticeable reduction or softening of wrinkles.
Fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, red spots, and even tone and texture can be addressed with just one 30 minute procedure. On these moderate settings there’s no physiologic downtime and the social downtime is only 3 days.
When more aggressive settings are used, even deep wrinkles, jowls, “over eye” and under eye and bags, can be addressed and tightened. The deeper laser peel usually carries one to two days of physiologic downtime, and about 5 to 7 days of social down time.
