Is Facial Rejuvenation Right For You?

Laser skin resurfacing and rejuvenation are some of the latest advancements in plastic surgery for improving skin color, texture and tone, as well as reducing wrinkles and fine lines. The advanced laser technology our specialists use combines skin resurfacing and tightening techniques to improve your skin’s overall look and feel.

To qualify as a candidate, you should be in good overall health. Lasers don’t make dramatic changes, but they can improve minor facial flaws, such as:

• Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and mouth
• Aged or sun-damaged skin
• Liver spots
• Precancerous lesions
• Rosacea
• Acne scarring
• Enlarged oil glands on the nose

The Penn Experience

How to prepare for and what to expect during laser skin resurfacing

Our facial rejuvenation laser treatment cycles take place over 60 days, during which your experienced plastic surgeon will personalize your specific combination of laser treatments to create a tightened, toned, and soft look and feel for you. To achieve that effect, your surgeon uses a combination of three laser technologies:

• Pixel laser: creates thousands of microscopic perforations, stimulating new collagen to grow
• Alma laser: firms up loose skin through deep heating
• Intense pulsed light: evens out your skin color and reduces tiny broken blood vessels

During the resurfacing procedure, the surgeon guides an invisible carbon dioxide laser light to rapidly evaporate water in the skin, removing top skin layers and tightening lower layers. This helps minimize wrinkles and improve skin irregularities, while resulting in less scarring and bruising than other resurfacing treatments.

Our laser specialists are able to use the lasers to an extremely accurate depth, meaning that you see the best possible results. We’re also able to closely target problem areas, such as fine lines around the eyes and mouth.

To prepare for treatments, your surgeon will prescribe an antibiotic regimen, glycolic acid and other special skin care instructions. If you have herpes, your surgeon may also recommend an antiviral medication to prevent a breakout.

The good news is that while our laser treatments do require some prep on your part, the program requires little recovery time. Most patients return to daily activities immediately after a treatment session, but they may have to avoid the sun or use sunblock. Skin may be pink, tender or swollen for a few days in some cases, but cold packs and pain medication help reduce any swelling and manage discomfort.

Facial rejuvenation cost

Facial rejuvenation cost varies based on your specific treatment goals and other services you may also undergo. Your surgeon will discuss the cost of facial rejuvenation with you during your consultation.

Laser skin care risks

Our laser treatments are safe, comfortable and effective, requiring no injections, surgery, and—for the rejuvenation treatment—no downtime.

There are a few risks specific to laser skin treatments:

• Burns from the laser’s heat
• Scars
• Skin pigmentation changes
• Herpes breakout, if you’re susceptible to infection

To avoid most potential risks and complications, carefully follow your surgeon’s pre- and post-surgery instructions.

Recovery from the resurfacing treatment specifically is more involved than recovery from the rejuvenation treatment. Your surgeon will cover your treatment area with a dressing, and you’ll need to arrange for a ride home afterward. You will likely experience swelling, skin redness, and discomfort for 7 to 10 days following the procedure. Your surgeon will recommend a special skin care regimen to ease the healing process.