Laser Resurfacing

Skin resurfacing is a method of revitalizing the look and texture of the skin using medical-grade technology. With skin resurfacing, wrinkles, fine lines, marks, scars, stretch marks, or areas of inconsistent color or texture can be smoothed, reduced, or eliminated. Our skin resurfacing treatments help to increase protein production and encourage cellular turnover so your skin can be healthier and more consistent in texture without downtime or long periods of residual peeling or healing time.

Fractional laser skin resurfacing is effective in helping you have the smooth, even skin you’ve dreamed of having. 

In order to resurface your skin, the body needs to produce brand new, healthier, more protein-rich skin cells. The production of new skin cells happens deep within your skin — much deeper than you can see. As your skin cells die away and slough off, new fresh cells rise to the surface. 

Novuskin uses two procedures for skin resurfacing: 

Frax Laser

Non-ablative lasers send the heat below the epidermis and into the dermis where it creates microdamage. This safe damage triggers a healing response and signals the body to make collagen and elastin. The top layers of the skin slough off naturally with no blistering or peeling and reveal the healthy layers underneath.

Our ‘Frax’ fractional laser treatment is a non-ablative laser used for resurfacing the entire face and body, so you can have a laser skin resurfacing treatment that is safer and causes less pain than traditional ablative lasers.

The heat from a Frax skin resurfacing laser causes micro-injuries deep within the skin. These injuries trigger a cascade of events in the body. This cascade encourages the body to generate new skin cells and proteins, specifically protein and elastin, which are the primary contributors to smooth, youthful, healthy looking skin. As these new cells are produced, the old cells slough away, revealing fresh, beautiful skin cells that are no longer scarred. 

The Frax laser really works to improve the look and texture of your skin. Non ablative lasers like Frax cause less pain than ablative lasers with far less downtime. 

Venus Viva

Venus Viva skin resurfacing treatments use 160 nano needles, which are extremely tiny pins that deliver heat beneath the skin’s surface. This heat is caused by Radio Frequency. These pins create very small micro-injuries which cue the body to begin a cascade of healing. This process encourages the skin to regenerate tissue and produce collagen and elastin to  repair signs of skin damage. 

If you are seeking wrinkle reduction, Venus Viva includes use of the DiamondPolar applicator which uses Radio Frequency and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields to further heat the skin. This process results in smoother skin with less sagging. Everyone will notice how much more youthful you appear.

Laser resurfacing using Venus Viva or Frax laser can be a bit painful, although they are generally less painful than other resurfacing treatments and ablative lasers. While many people can tolerate the pain of fractional resurfacing, a numbing cream is available to help make the treatment more comfortable.

You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for your treatment. If you are able, come to your treatment free of makeup and skincare products.

Please avoid direct, unprotected contact with the sun for at least 2 weeks before treatment. Be sure to wear an SPF of 30-50 if you plan to be in the sun.

Please don’t use retinols or other chemical peels for about 30 days before your treatment.

Your skin resurfacing session time will be approximately 45 minutes, depending on the size of the area we are treating.

After your Frax treatment, you’ll likely be a bit red and may feel a little sore. This is normal and should fade within a few hours. Within a few weeks, as your skin sloughs away, you’ll begin to see the results of the treatment. 

With a Venus Viva treatment, you may see a small amount of redness which should dissipate after your treatment within a few hours to a few days. 

You should notice after effects of fractional laser resurfacing or Venus Viva: smoother, more even, less wrinkled skin.

You’ll begin to see results 1-2 weeks after your treatment and your skin will see the full effects of the treatment within 4 weeks. You’ll likely need more than 1 treatment to see optimal results. After your final treatment, you will need touch up treatments about every 6 months to maintain the look.

You may need a few hours to a day to see any residual redness appear after this treatment. The micro-injuries caused by the treatment begin to heal immediately, triggering the healing cascade of events. But because this treatment doesn’t cause excessive peeling and the healing process begins right after the treatment ends, you should be able to return to your regular activities immediately.

Be sure to apply a moisturizer on your treated area throughout the entire healing process, even under sunscreen. Following your treatment, you must wear an SPF of 30-50 for at least 4 weeks, every day to protect your skin from the sun. Wear sunglasses and a hat if you plan to spend time outdoors. If your skin peels, avoid makeup until it is fully healed.

What skincare do I need to use after skin resurfacing?

Your aesthetician will give you specific instructions based on your individual treatment. We recommend you use an SPF of 30-50 after your treatment (and every day!) to protect your skin. We always recommend high-quality skin care products that are designed to nourish your skin from the inside out. Please be sure you are gently washing your face after your treatment and moisturizing with both a protective day cream and a nourishing night cream. This will help your skin heal quicker. You may notice you have dry skin and this is normal. 

If you have dark skin, these steps are extremely important, and even if you don’t normally use sunscreen, we recommend you use one at this time.

What not to do after skin resurfacing?

Do not use any retinols, chemical peels, or other harsh products for at least 2 weeks following your treatment, but speak to your aesthetician for specific instructions about your skin.

While you’ll probably see some results after one treatment, we usually recommend fractional laser skin resurfacing as part of a treatment plan. Often, to see the best results from fractional laser skin resurfacing, you should use the treatment once a month from anywhere from 3-9 months depending on your skin concerns and goals.

For good candidates, there are very few risks of facial resurfacing. The Frax Laser is FDA-approved for use on the skin and is not considered dangerous. If you are a good candidate for treatment, you will find the laser can provide excellent results for anti aging, reducing hyperpigmentation, and smoothing of scars and stretch marks while also generally improving the tone and texture of your skin.

If you have darker skin, Frax Laser may not be a suitable treatment for you. Frax Laser may leave areas of dark pigmentation on your skin. Venus Viva may be a better choice for you. Speak to your aesthetician for a full recommendation.

Contraindications

It may be best to avoid Frax Laser if you:

• Have taken Accutane in the months leading up to your treatment
• Have a weak immune system or any condition that inhibits clotting or healing
• Tend to easily form scars
• Have cancer or have had cancer in the past
• Have skin color that is darker than Fitzpatrick Skin Type V
• The laser should not be used during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding

There are very few risks to Radio Frequency treatments. Venus Viva is incredibly safe for all skin types and tones. However, if you have any of these conditions, your technician may ask you to forgo your treatment.

For safety reasons, you may not be able to get this treatment if you:

• Have a pacemaker or defibrillator, or other electrical implant.
• Have a rash or open wounds in the treatment area
• Have sunburn
• Have had cancer (either in the present or past)
• Have any metal plates or permanent implants in the face or on the treatment area.
• Are pregnant or nursing
• Are otherwise sick or injured
• Have uncontrolled diabetes
• Are taking prescription medication to thin the blood
• Have had cosmetic injections within the past 2 weeks
• Have had surgical procedures in the past 3 months
• Have had other resurfacing treatments or chemical peels in the past 30 days
• Have tattoos in the treatment area
• Have a skin-related autoimmune disease such as lupus

Skin resurfacing side effects

Frax Laser may cause adverse effects such as redness and swelling on the treatment site. Generally, people experience a sunburn-like sensation and for a few hours to a few days following their treatment. While there are few complications with Frax laser, in some cases, there may be mild peeling of the skin. If so, it’s best to allow the skin to fully heal on its own.

If your skin is too dark for treatment, you can be left with areas of uneven pigmentation. Please allow our aestheticians to make a recommendation for you if your skin is darker than a Fitzpatrick Skin Type V.

Venus Viva has very few side effects, but you may experience redness or a bit of soreness following your treatment. Allow the skin to fully heal on its own and simply keep it well hydrated.