Laser Therapy

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, our dermatology and plastic surgery specialists use the most advanced laser technology for safe, effective skin rejuvenation and correction. Our board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons perform several types of laser therapy to address skin concerns such as wrinkles, scars, and rosacea.

What Is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy uses a narrow beam of high-intensity light to treat minor skin issues on the face to improve appearance. Some types of lasers remove thin layers of skin, and others pass through the outer layers of skin to deliver energy to blood vessels, causing them to shrink.

Our knowledge of the latest advances in laser research, combined with our experience in patient care, provides the best treatments available. Our dermatologists and plastic surgeons work closely with patients to decide which laser therapy will work best for their individual needs.

What Are the Benefits of Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy offers numerous benefits for skin treatment, including:

• Precision: Lasers can target specific skin issues without damaging surrounding tissues, which allows for precise treatment of skin conditions like scars, wrinkles, and pigmentation issues​.
• Minimal downtime: Many laser treatments require minimal to no downtime, allowing patients to quickly resume daily activities. This is particularly true for noninvasive procedures that help rejuvenate the skin without significant recovery periods​.
• Versatility: Laser treatments are highly versatile, capable of treating a variety of skin concerns, from acne scars to unwanted hair. Different types of lasers are used depending on the specific skin issue, ensuring tailored treatment that meets individual needs​.
• Long-term results: While results can vary based on the type of treatment, the patient's skin condition, and post-treatment care, many patients experience long-lasting improvements in skin texture and appearance. Some treatments also stimulate collagen production, promoting further skin rejuvenation over time​.

What Laser Therapy Treatments Are Available?

New laser technologies are available each year. Knowing how to select the appropriate laser and the most effective means of delivery requires the expertise of a specialized physician.

Our dermatologists and plastic surgeons carefully evaluate each patient’s medical history and current condition. We recommend safe, effective options tailored to each patient’s specific needs and treatment goals.

Types of Laser Therapy

At UT Southwestern, our laser therapy options include:

Pulse Dye Laser Therapy

Uses

• Treats vascular lesions or broken blood vessels
• Minimizes the appearance of facial redness
• Treats vascular birthmarks and angiomas
• Treats pigmentation and melasma
• Improves skin wrinkles and lines

How it works

The type of laser used and the target area determine the tissue that will be affected. Lasers work in a number of ways. They can:

• Heat the blood vessels at the surface layer of the skin causing them to shrink
• Apply heat to pigmentation in the skin, facilitating exfoliation
• “Sand” or obliterate the surface, stimulating new growth of skin

Results can take up to two weeks and may require more than a single treatment. Treatment can be associated with some bruising or puffiness of the skin that can usually be covered with makeup, minimizing downtime. Patients can resume normal activities immediately after treatment.

Photorejuvenation

Uses

• Corrects benign skin issues such as blemishes and skin imperfections
• Reduces superficial pigmentation such as dark spots from sun-damaged skin, aging, or other biological factors
• Minimizes pore sizes
• Decreases redness from rosacea and flushing
• Eliminates unattractive small veins
• Evens out skin discoloration
• Improves the skin’s appearance on the face, neck, chest, arms, hands, and back

How it works

• Intense pulsed light or broadband light (IPL/BBL) technology reaches below all levels of the skin to target pigment and vascular issues that are causing damage.
• Treatment may be a series of two to five treatments initially, followed by one or two yearly treatments for maintenance.
• Results can appear in five to 10 days after initial treatment.
• Patients can go back to regular activities the same day, with no downtime.

Microlaser Peel

Uses

• Removes the skin's outer layer to reveal younger skin beneath
• Promotes the growth of newer skin cells while removing superficial, damaged skin layers
• Brightens the complexion dramatically

How it works

• Laser technology removes a controlled 30 to 50 millionths of an inch of skin tissue at a time.
• The removed thin layers of skin are replaced by newer skin growth.
• Patients can go back to work or light activities with makeup in one to two weeks and more strenuous activity in two to three weeks.
• Complete recovery time takes one to two months for swelling and redness to completely subside.

Fractional and Full Ablative Resurfacing

Uses

• Restores the skin to a more youthful appearance
• Treats wrinkles, scars, acne marks, pigment problems, and other skin issues
• Provides 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.
• The procedure removes thin layers of skin that are replaced by newer skin growth.
• Heat causes collagen deposition. Results continue to evolve over the next three to six months.
• Patients can go back to work with makeup in seven to 10 days and more strenuous activity in two to three weeks.
• Complete recovery time takes one to two months for swelling and redness to go away completely.

Levulan Photodynamic Therapy

Uses

• Treats acne scars
• Rejuvenates the skin
• Reduces pore size
• Rejuvenates sun-damaged skin on the face, neck, and shoulders

How it works

• Levulan therapy works in conjunction with intense pulsed light (IPL).
• The specialist first applies a topical solution to the skin, then treats the area by exposing it to a blue light, which destroys the actinic keratoses.

Skin Tightening Procedures

Uses

• Treats early skin laxity involving the lower face and neck region

How it works

• Uses energy to heat small areas of the skin for controlled stimulation and skin tightening
• Procedures are done under a local anesthetic and may require a few days of recovery for swelling to resolve.
• Results generally take three to six months to be achieved.

How Should Patients Prepare for Laser Therapy?

Patients should begin by consulting with an experienced dermatology or plastic surgery specialist to determine the most appropriate type of laser therapy. The specialist may recommend:

• Avoiding medications or supplements that could interfere with blood clotting, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or vitamin E, for at least 10 days before the procedure
• Arranging for someone to drive the patient home post-procedure, since they may still be under the influence of anesthesia or sedatives

Patients should inform their doctor if they have a history of cold sores or fever blisters around their mouth, as laser treatments can trigger breakouts.

For patients who smoke, it’s recommended to stop smoking at least two weeks before and after the procedure to encourage better healing.

After the procedure, an antibiotic may be prescribed to prevent bacterial infections. Patients who are prone to viral outbreaks may be prescribed an antiviral medication.

How Long Does It Take for Laser Therapy to Work?

The effectiveness and speed of results can vary significantly depending on the type of treatment and the patient’s condition.

• Pulse dye laser therapy: Typically, results can be observed within two weeks, although multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Photorejuvenation: Initial improvement can typically be seen within five to 10 days after the first treatment. It may require a series of two to five treatments initially, followed by one or two annual treatments.
• Microlaser peel: Most patients see results in three to five days.
• Fractional and full ablative resurfacing: Patients who have undergone fractional resurfacing typically see noticeable results after two to four treatments spaced over weeks or months. Full ablative resurfacing patients usually see significant improvements after about two to four weeks.
• Levulan photodynamic therapy: For improvement of skin tone and texture and the reduction of pre-cancerous sun damage, patients typically require two to three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart.
• Skin tightening procedures: Results are typically seen within three to six months.

How Long Do the Effects of Laser Therapy Last?

The duration of results from laser therapy depends on various factors, including:

• The type of laser used
• The specific condition being treated
• Individual factors such as skin type, lifestyle habits, and post-treatment care

Generally, cosmetic laser treatments, such as those for pigment reduction or hair removal, can offer results that last from several months to years. Treatments that address signs of aging or provide skin resurfacing often require ongoing maintenance.

Procedures aimed at stimulating collagen production, such as fractional laser treatments, might show results that improve over time and can last for a few years with proper skin care and occasional follow-up sessions.