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What Laser Resurfacing Would Be Best for my Face?

asked 1 year ago by crowley.s in Dallas, TX
Latest answer by William Ting, MD
Question viewed 1,725 times
Tags: age 45-54, eyelids, eyes, forehead, jowls, mouth, wrinkles, female, best, Caucasian, options, smile lines, tightening

I am a very light skinned, 46 year old caucasian female. I am wanting to get laser resurfacing done on my face to take care of wrinkles around my eyes, smile lines around my mouth and deeper lines on my forehead. I would also like to get some benefits of skin tightening around my jowls and on my eyelids. I have found a derm that uses Active FX/Deep FX for $3K, a derm that uses an Erbium laser for $1800, and a plastic surgeon that uses Erbium/fractioned CO2 combination for $3K. What is best?

12 answers to What Laser Resurfacing Would Be Best for my Face?

+1

Micro Fractional CO2 Laser most ideal for laser resurfacing for face

Laser resurfacing of face is one of the best aesthetic and medical procedure for the face. Micro Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing offers the best balance of efficacy and manageable recovery period (i.e., typically one week). Traditional CO2 laser resurfacing may be more effective; however, the downtime associated with the procedure is not acceptable for most working procedures where as erbium laser may not show significant clinical benefit. You should look for an experienced board-certified... more
William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrWilliamTing.com

+1

Laser Resurfacing Is Great for Sun Aging Lines and Wrinkles, But Still Think Fillers for Those Lip Lines

Laser resurfacing is not just about smoothing our lines and wrinkles, but is all about skin surface collagen tightening. There are no other facial treatments that show as much gain for you skin, pores, texture, acne scarring, and lines as does resurfacing, But, what does laser resurfacing mean and which laser or surgeon to choose. We offer our patients choices of either Fraxel Dual, for pigmentation and texture, or DOT SmartXide, our carbon dioxide laser for lines... more
Douglas J. Key, MD

Portland Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

There is no best laser for laser resurfacing

As I have said many times on this forum, it is not the modality of the treatment which is important in giving patients the results that they seek. It is the experience and the expertise of the treating physician with that particular modality that matters most of all. IMHO, chemical peels often provide the same results as the laser, usually at less cost. My advice is find someone experienced in the art of chemical peeling. If you simply must have a laser, choose a... more
Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

+1

Laser Resurfacing procedures and which to choose?

With the multiple list of items you would like resolved I would suggest a fractional CO2 laser as this will allow the removal of the lines and wrinkles while providing some tightening of the skin. You would also probably benefit from Botox Injections to relax the muscles that are causing some of the wrinkles in the areas of concern. If you would like to send me a photograph at the link below I would be happy to give a further evaluation. Best regards!
Michael Elam, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Best Laser for Wrinkles and Fine Lines

There are two points to consider regarding Laser Resurfacing:   1. The quality of the laser 2. The quality/experience of the doctor I would consider a fractional CO2 laser for your skin type, to get the best possible result with least amount of downtime. The Ultrapulse laser (Active/Deep/Total fX) is highly regarded and what we use in our practice. The best laser however is useless unless you have an experienced practitioner choosing the parameters for you... more
Roy A. David, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser resurfacing for wrinkles and skin tightening

For the facial rejuvenation you seek, there is certainly no perfect laser to do everything. However, I can add some support for the Active FX treatment, which will certainly address many of the problems that you want addressed. I would seek appointments with multiple physicians who use different laser modalities; this will help you to make the best, most informed decision. Good luck.
Ryan Greene, MD, PhD

Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

YAG, Erbium Skin Resurfacing, Sun Damage, Skin Tone, Laser

The Erbium-YAG laser is designed to remove or decrease wrinkles and improve the overall skin texture of the face, neck and hands. Sun exposure, age and personal habits combine to give the skin a wrinkled, freckled or dried out appearance. Laser skin resurfacing with the Erbium laser is done under local anesthesia in the office setting with minimal discomfort compared to older Carbon dioxide laser systems, which require extensive anesthesia and a longer healing time.
Ramtin Kassir, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Your best results will come from choosing the best doctor, rather than the right machine or price.

As a plastic surgeon with several lasers and a busy non-surgical practice I encourage you to seek in-person consultations with several experienced, board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons.  Evaluate their references and photos, and allow them to evaluate the various facial issues that concern you.  I agree that someone with your concerns may benefit from more than a single laser treatment; perhaps including neurotoxins (Dysport or Botox), HA fillers (Perlane or... more
Sutton Graham II, MD

Greenville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser resurfacing for facial wrinkles

Before you decide on which laser to have treat your skin, you must be clear on what improvement you are hoping to achieve. I doubt you will see any long term improvement of your forehead wrinkles or smile lines. These are related to your muscular motion and the smoother skin after laser will still "accordion" when the underlying muscle moves. Eyelid wrinkles are similar and best treated by botox, although the result only lasts for four months to five months. Jowls may tighten a... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Laser Resurfacing

I would use the Erbium/fractional laser for your issues. It seems to be what can improve you in a relative easy method. Seek additional in person opinions. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is a great way to treat the fine lines and wrinkles as well as skin dyschromias.  The doctor's expertise will be the best way to decide which laser to use.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Which laser resurfacing procedure to choose

You describe a number of issues here that may not all be addressed by a particular laser modality.  You may need a combination of a number of treatments. Erbium fractional resurfacing, such as a ProFractional would help with overall facial rejuvenation and improvement of wrinkles.  However, functional wrinkles like crows feet and lines on the forehead would do well with a combination of resurfacing and Botox.  Smile lines around the mouth would do best with a dermal... more
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

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