Laser Skin Resurfacing and Phototherapy

New Patient Appointment or 214-645-2353

UT Southwestern Medical Center plastic surgeons are experts in determining which types of laser skin resurfacing and phototherapy will work best for each patient.

As one of the premier cosmetic and reconstructive surgery clinical and research centers in the country, UT Southwestern leads the way in using the latest skin resurfacing and phototherapy methods to attain a natural look.

Why Choose Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Skin resurfacing lasers use focused beams of light to gently remove damaged, scarred, or wrinkled skin, exposing the healthier, smoother layers below. The generated heat can trigger collagen production, which improves skin elasticity.

Laser skin resurfacing is an effective option for some patients but not everyone. We can determine if the results will be successful based on a patient’s skin type, gender, ethnicity, and other factors.

All of our surgeons have completed extensive training in plastic surgery, typically six to nine years after completing their medical residencies. Our board-certified surgeons have passed rigorous written and oral exams to receive board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

After an evaluation, our plastic surgeons will suggest safe, effective options – without bias for any one treatment or product. We have found that, for some patients, combining treatments produces the most natural, refreshed look. Our goal is simply to achieve the best results for each patient.

What Types of Lasers Are Used in Skin Resurfacing?

We use the following types of lasers to address a variety of skin concerns:

CO2 lasers: Carbon dioxide lasers are among the oldest and most effective lasers for skin resurfacing. They’re often used for treating deep wrinkles, scars, and pigmentation issues.
Erbium lasers: Erbium lasers target the outer layers of the skin and are often a good option for patients with darker skin tones. They can be effective for treating fine lines, sun damage, and acne scars.
Fractional lasers: Fractional lasers deliver energy in a pattern of tiny, evenly spaced beams, targeting only a fraction of the skin's surface at a time, allowing for faster healing and reduced downtime. They can be either ablative (removing the top layer of skin) or non-ablative (affecting the underlying skin tissue only). Both CO2 and erbium lasers can be used in fractional modes to achieve these results.

What are the Treatment Options for Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Microlaser Peel

Uses

Removing the skin's tough, dull, outer layer to reveal younger skin beneath
Promoting the growth of newer skin cells while removing superficial, damaged skin layers
Brightening the complexion dramatically

How It Works

Laser technology removes a controlled 30 millionths of an inch of skin tissue at a time.
Patients can go back to work or activities with makeup in one to two weeks and more strenuous activity in two to three weeks.
Thin layers of skin are removed and replaced by newer skin growth.
The recovery time takes one to two months for swelling and redness to completely subside.

Fractional and Full Ablative Resurfacing (Active FX)

Uses

Restoring the skin to a more youthful appearance
Treating wrinkles, scars, acne marks, pigment problems, and other skin issues
Providing effective treatment for women and men of all skin colors

How It Works

Laser resurfacing skin treatment technology improves skin texture, tone, and firmness in just one treatment.
Fractional resurfacing uses laser technology to remove a controlled 30 millionths of an inch of skin tissue at a time.
Patients can go back to work with makeup in seven to 10 days and more strenuous activity in two to three weeks.
Thin layers of skin are removed and then replaced by newer skin growth.
Heat causes collagen deposition. Results continue to evolve over the next three to six months.
The recovery time takes one to two months for swelling and redness to go away completely.

What is the Healing Timeline After Skin Laser Resurfacing?

After undergoing laser skin resurfacing, patients should follow proper recovery and care guidelines. This encourages optimal results and helps ensure effective healing for the skin.

Immediate Post-Treatment Care

Laser skin resurfacing is typically performed on an outpatient basis, often using local anesthesia combined with sedative medications. Post-procedure care involves several important steps to promote healing and prevent complications:

Initial Care

After the procedure, a nonstick dressing is applied to the treated areas for the first 24 hours. The treated areas should be cleaned two to five times a day with saline or a diluted vinegar solution as directed by the plastic surgeon.

Moisturization

Ointments such as Vaseline or moisturizing creams like Eucerin or Aquaphor should be applied to prevent scab formation and keep the skin hydrated.

Sun protection

Once healing has begun, it is essential to use sunscreen daily, especially one formulated for sensitive, rejuvenated skin. The plastic surgeon will recommend the appropriate type of sunscreen to protect the treated areas effectively.

Recovery Timeline

The healing time varies depending on the type of laser used and the extent of the treatment:

CO2 laser: Typically takes up to two weeks
Erbium laser: Typically requires about one full week

Redness and Pigmentation Changes

The treated areas will initially be red or pink, and this coloration can last from two to three months, potentially up to a year for some people.
For those with darker skin tones, there is a higher risk of hyperpigmentation (darker skin) post-treatment. A physician may recommend a bleaching agent to help lighten the skin.
Redness tends to persist longer in individuals with blonde or red hair.

Long-Term Care

Once the skin has healed, makeup can be used to camouflage any remaining redness. Green-based makeup is particularly effective in neutralizing the red color.
Oil-free makeup should be used to avoid clogging pores and irritating the new skin.
Products like Retin-A and glycolic acid can be resumed around six weeks post-resurfacing, but only if directed by a physician.
It’s important to use sunscreen as part of a daily skincare routine.

What is Phototherapy?

Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, is an innovative option to effectively treat many types of skin ailments. It’s a safe alternative to topical and oral medications, which can be messy, cumbersome, or have bothersome side effects.

The technology uses ultraviolet (UV) and other types of light to treat conditions affecting the skin on any part of the body. Certain types of LED light therapy, such as red and near-infrared light therapy, penetrate the skin deeply and stimulate the cells to produce more collagen, which is essential for maintaining the skin's elasticity and firmness.

UT Southwestern’s dermatology team includes physicians and nurses who guide patients through the comprehensive range of phototherapy treatment options available. Our specialists are leading experts in the many varieties of phototherapy, including:

Ultraviolet B therapies (narrow band UVB)
Targeted phototherapy (Excimer laser)
Photodynamic therapy
PUVA (psoralen UVA) therapy

We have the only UVA-1 phototherapy unit in the Southwestern United States.

A wide variety of skin disorders can be treated with phototherapy, including:

Actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous skin cells)
Atopic dermatitis
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides)
Eczema
Graft versus host disease
Hand/foot dermatitis or palmoplantar psoriasis
Lichen planus
Morphea (localized scleroderma)
Polymorphic light eruption (sun poisoning)
Prurigo nodularis
Pruritus (chronic, severe itching that may be the result of liver or kidney disease or infection with HIV)
Psoriasis
Scleroderma
Vitiligo

Phototherapy can improve symptoms associated with these conditions. It can also:

Improve skin tone and texture
Improve the appearance of scars
Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Reduce signs of sun damage

Red light therapy can be used after laser treatments such as Fraxel to help reduce inflammation.

What are the Phototherapy Treatment Options?

Photorejuvenation

Uses

Correcting benign skin issues, such as blemishes and skin imperfections
Reducing superficial pigmentation, such as dark spots from sun-damaged skin, aging, or other biological factors
Minimizing pore sizes
Decreasing redness from rosacea and flushing
Eliminating unattractive small veins
Evening out skin discolorations
Improving the skin’s appearance on the face, neck, hands, arms, chest, and back

How It Works

Non-laser technology using broad-spectrum light reaches below all levels of the skin to target pigment and vascular issues that are causing the damage.
Treatment includes a series of five to six treatments initially, followed by one to three yearly treatments for maintenance.
Results can be seen in five to 10 days after initial treatment.
There is no downtime – patients are back to regular activities on the same day.

Levulan Photodynamic Therapy

Uses

Treating acne scars, age spots/brown spots, and melasma (mask of pregnancy)
Rejuvenating the skin
Reducing pore size
Rejuvenating sun-damaged skin on the face, neck, and shoulders

How It Works

Levulan therapy works in conjunction with pulsed light.
The system uses light to treat actinic keratoses, or rough patches of skin caused by excessive sun exposure, which can develop into squamous cell carcinomas.
A topical solution is first applied to the skin. The area is then exposed to a blue light, which destroys the actinic keratoses.

What is UT Southwestern’s Approach to Phototherapy?

UT Southwestern dermatologists apply a comprehensive approach to care, including the evaluation and treatment of routine – as well as complex and rare – skin ailments that may be treated with phototherapy. Treatments are based on the individual patient’s condition and long-term needs. In addition, patients are educated on managing skin conditions over the long term.

A UT Southwestern dermatologist and registered nurse, who are specialists in phototherapy, oversee all treatment plans.

Depending on a patient’s needs, we can administer the light to affected sites only (hands and feet for example) or to the whole body. Patients experience no pain during these treatments.

UT Southwestern dermatologists also participate in clinical trials to evaluate new phototherapy treatments. If appropriate, we provide patients access to these studies.

Why Combine Laser Skin Resurfacing and Phototherapy?

Combining laser skin resurfacing with phototherapy offers a complementary approach to skin rejuvenation.

Laser skin resurfacing removes damaged layers of skin, stimulating collagen production and revealing smoother, healthier skin underneath. When paired with phototherapy, particularly LED light therapy, the healing process can be further enhanced. Phototherapy works to reduce inflammation, promote collagen synthesis, and accelerate the regeneration of new skin cells.

This combination not only optimizes the immediate outcomes of skin treatments but also supports long-term skin health and maintenance.