Laser Dermatology San Diego

The quality of your skin greatly affects how you feel about yourself and how others see you. Our team of dermatology professionals offers a range of laser treatments designed to improve the feel of your skin and boost your skin’s overall health and appearance. Laser therapy has evolved from laser hair removal. These therapies are an exciting innovation in skin care and can provide stunning results for skin of any age and condition.

What Is Laser Dermatology?

A laser is a specialized device that produces pulses of a powerful, intense, focused beam of light. This concentrated light beam increases the temperature of the skin and causes a heat reaction that can be used to resolve a number of skin imperfections. The therapeutic action of the laser depends on the unique properties of the light; different lasers are useful for different therapies. Lasers have the great advantage of providing precise, controlled treatments; physicians and aestheticians can control the treatment depth and can completely avoid touching skin outside the treatment area. Laser treatments are safe, effective, and can be done with minimal patient discomfort and downtime.

The laser dermatologists at Academic & Aesthetic Dermatology Consultants provide our patients with a wide range of laser removal and anti-aging treatments.

Anti-Aging Laser Treatments

Lasers are one of the most powerful anti-aging tools available. Laser resurfacing treatments help patients achieve fresh, revitalized skin with minimal discomfort and downtime. The heat reactions triggered in the skin by the lasers work to remove thin layers of surface skin and reveal smoother, unmarked skin. These heat reactions also stimulate collagen growth. As your skin “heals” from the effects of the laser, newer, firmer, smoother skin is created.

Laser resurfacing treatments work well as therapies for the following conditions:

Chicken pox or acne scars
Fine links and wrinkles on the forehead and around the nose, lips, and eyes
Large pores across the nose
Liver spots on the face and hands
Loose skin
Sun-damaged skin on the face and hands
Uneven skin tone
Redness from broken blood vessels

Tighten your skin, even your skin tone, and erase unsightly scars all without the need for surgery! That’s the reality of anti-aging laser resurfacing treatments.

Laser Removal Treatments

In addition to resurfacing treatments, lasers are a powerful tool for removing unwanted elements on the skin including:

Cancer – Mohs surgery uses a laser to remove tumors and precancerous lesions safely and thoroughly.
Hair—Lasers target the pigment in hair follicles, destroy the follicles, and prevent new hair growth.
Tattoos—Lasers break down the tattoo pigment until it is small enough for the body’s lymphatic process to flush it away.
Warts, external hemorrhoids, keloids, and other unwanted growths—Lasers effectively remove these conditions for healthy, smooth skin.
Acne scars, birthmarks, and age spots—Light energy removes thin layers of scarred skin to create a new skin surface and reduce the appearance of unsightly marks and discoloration.
Psoriasis and nail fungus—Focused doses of light can clear up scaly patches without harming the surrounding skin, even in hard-to-reach areas such as the knees and elbows.

Laser removals are performed as outpatient procedures and recovery is short; you can typically return to your routine as soon as you leave our clinic. In all cases, focused, pulsating beams of light are used to carefully target affected areas without harming surrounding skin. Compared to surgery, laser procedures result in less discomfort, less swelling, less bleeding, and a lower risk of scarring.

What Can You Expect During a Laser Procedure?

Before the Procedure

Begin by talking to our staff of skilled technicians about your skin concerns. We’ll do a thorough examination and discuss your laser treatment options with you. Once your procedure is scheduled, we’ll give you pretreatment instructions that you should follow carefully. These might include avoiding certain medications prior to treatment or a course of antibiotics or antivirals if you are prone to infection or cold sores.

During the Procedure

All laser dermatology treatments are done as outpatient procedures in our office by our licensed dermatologists. Every effort will be made to help you feel comfortable during the procedure. Lasers work by using light to generate heat reactions in the skin, so it’s common to feel a burning sensation. Many patients liken it to being snapped with a hot rubber band; laser pulses are fast and hot. For small areas, a numbing agent will be applied. For larger areas or more significant removals, local anesthetics may be required. The length of the procedure is completely dependent upon the size of the area being treated.

After the Procedure

Minor swelling, itching, and redness are normal following laser treatments, the severity of which will vary from person to person and from procedure to procedure. You also may experience some dryness and peeling. Keeping your skin well-moisturized will help alleviate many of these effects. With some exceptions, you can return to using your regular skin care and makeup products right away. Always remember to protect your skin with sunscreen and a good hat! Some laser removals, like Mohs surgery, require stitches and more careful postsurgical care. Your dermatologist will explain in detail how to care for you treated skin to help it heal effectively. Many laser treatments require repetition to get the best results. Our team will discuss a treatment program with you and schedule an appointment for you to return.

Love the Skin You’re In

At Academic & Aesthetic Dermatology Consultants, we want all our patients to love the skin they’re in. Call for a same day appointment (858) 292-7525 or schedule your appointment online. Get started on your journey to healthier, more beautiful skin.