Laser Resurfacing

Advances in laser surgery allow physicians to offer a wide variety of laser techniques to rejuvenate skin. CO2 laser resurfacing remains the gold standard for treatment of deep lines and wrinkles. The aesthetic CO2 laser is used like an artist’s brush tailoring the skin smoothing procedure to your individual needs. Fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes and mouth can be smoothed. Deep laugh and frown creases can be softened. Acne scars and some surgical scars can be minimized. The surface of your skin can be freshened; revealing the new skin underneath and also stimulating skin renewal for a softer, silkier and smoother appearance.

For those patients unwilling to accept the longer healing, we offer the Sciton Contour Erbium laser, the Contour is a unique laser system that allows me to precisely control the depth of skin removal, tailoring the treatment to the amount of sun damage and the degree of wrinkling. In this way, results can be optimized with a minimum of post surgery redness. Moderate sun damage and wrinkling can be rejuvenated with as little as 4 to 5 days of healing time. This is know as a ‘micro laser peel’ and is a significant advance in laser surgery. In addition, this procedure can be safely performed on the neck and chest.

With both CO2 and Erbium laser systems available, skin resurfacing remains at the cutting edge here at Community Dermatology.

Non-ablative Laser Resurfacing

We now use laser systems to improve lines that have no down time associated with them. Though not as dramatic as the CO2 laser, the treatment is fast, simple and pain free. A series of three to five treatments are performed at three week intervals. It is most effective and FDA approved for lines around the eyes. Most patients can expect noticeable improvement in 2 to 3 months. Lasers commonly advertised for this type of treatment include the Cool Touch, N-Lite and Photogenica V. We have used both the N-Lite and Photogenica V.

More recently, intense pulsed light machines have advanced technologically to offer excellent results for blotchy skin changes and broken blood vessels with no down time. We have found the Harmony system from Orion laser to offer consistent and often dramatic rejuvenation in as few as three treatment sessions.

A newer method to tighten skin and smooth wrinkles around the eyes called the Thermage procedure is now available at Community Dermatology in Harrisburg, PA. Dr. Amato reports that for the first time, women and men seeking a more youthful appearance have the option of an aesthetic procedure that does not require invasive surgery, chemicals, needles or lasers.

“The prospect of treating sagging skin and wrinkles without incisions or downtime has great appeal to my patients who are looking for subtle improvements or are not ready for a traditional facelift,” says Dr. Amato who has treated more than twenty-five satisfied patients since the ThermaCool TCÔ device was FDA-cleared in November 2002. “The key is a sophisticated treatment tip that heats and cools the skin at the same time. It emits radiofrequency energy to heat the collagen in the deeper skin layers while protecting the top layers with a cooling spray.”

This heating action causes the deep structures of skin to tighten immediately. Over time, new collagen grows to further tighten skin and produce a more youthful appearance. Because treatment occurs at the fundamental level of tissue construction, the results are more significant than superficial remedies for aging and sun-damaged skin.

Dr. Amato likens the Thermage process to that of pulling on a rope at one end to gradually remove the slack. The procedure typically takes about 60 minutes or less. There is no downtime and no visible effects of the treatment.

Each individual’s response to the Thermage Procedure is unique. A recent patient writes “I just had to write and let you know how amazing my face looks! It changes every day, getting tighter and smoother all the time…..I’d do it again in a second for these results!”