Skin Resurfacing

Dr. Hilinski is "Double Board Certified" in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

Featured Case
Rhinoplasty Case Example

The current Featured Rhinoplasty Case Example was chosen because of the many complexities involved with her surgery. This is an otherwise healthy young lady who desired reshaping of her nose due to several areas of concern. She had no prior surgery on her nose.
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Skin resurfacing involves treatment of the outer skin layers to help rejuvenate aged or sun-damaged skin to provide a more vibrant and youthful look. Whereas a facelift is indicated for deep facial creases, skin resurfacing is the treatment of choice for diffuse, fine facial wrinkles. A number of different resurfacing techniques exist, with laser and chemical peeling being the two most common.

For laser resurfacing, Dr. Hilinski prefers to use either the carbon dioxide (CO2) or Erbium laser. Both are excellent choices for resurfacing moderately severe aged or sun-damaged skin. The laser functions by carefully and uniformly removing unwanted damaged skin layers. Minimal bleeding occurs because the laser also helps seal tiny capillaries (small blood vessels) during treatment. As healing takes place, a new more rejuvenated skin begins to flourish. Regenerating skin is smoother, more uniform in color, and has better elastic properties. The collagen fibers within the skin actually begin to tighten, resulting in somewhat of a "mini-lift" to the face. An added benefit to laser resurfacing is the removal of pre-cancerous skin lesions, such as actinic keratosis. Laser resurfacing is not painful but requires an initial recovery period of 10-14 days. During this time meticulous wound care is necessary in the form of topical moisturizers. By the end of the second week, hypoallergenic make-up can be worn, which helps conceal residual redness. Most people are comfortable returning to normal social activity by this time.

Before & After Photos

Chemical peels are an alternative to laser resurfacing. The concept is similar to laser treatment, but chemicals are used instead to remove the outer layer of skin. Healing takes place in a similar fashion as it does with laser over a similar time period.

Most cases of skin resurfacing are done under local anesthesia (without going to sleep) in a minor surgery setting. Results can be quite dramatic in terms of improved skin texture and overall facial appearance. In many cases, skin resurfacing can help delay the desire or need for facelift or browlift surgery by several years, if not longer. To maintain the healthy benefits of skin resurfacing, an extended skin care program will be offered to you.

Click here to view our San Diego Laser Skin Resurfacing Gallery
Click here to view our San Diego Chemical Peels Gallery

Q - What is a laser peel?
The laser peel, also referred to as laser skin resurfacing, is a procedure which resurfaces the skin using sophisticated lasers. The laser peel minimizes the appearance of fine wrinkling, sun spots, brown spots, freckling, rough skin texture and large pores, providing a more vibrant and youthful look to the skin. The laser peel may be performed on its own, though it is commonly performed with other surgical facial rejuvenation procedures such as a face lift. There are a wide variety of laser devices available today, although those most frequently used in laser skin resurfacing include the carbon dioxide laser, the erbium laser and the fraxel laser.

Q - What is the carbon dioxide laser?
Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing (CO2 laser) is one of the most powerful skin resurfacing lasers available. CO2 lasers are used to rejuvenate aged and damaged skin by smoothing and tightening the skin while also improving skin discoloration. In general, CO2 lasers provide a deep peel similar to the highest settings on other laser systems. The CO2 laser may be performed as a ‘full face’ or ‘segmental’ treatment. Segmental treatment refers to laser resurfacing of only certain areas or segments of the face, such as around the eyes or around the mouth.

Q - What is the erbium laser?
Erbium lasers are another popular choice for skin rejuvenation and they can help to smooth and tighten the skin while also improving abnormal discoloration. Erbium lasers have the capability of being adjusted in terms of the power settings. If the settings are increased, dramatic skin changes can be seen that are very similar to those seen with a CO2 laser. With milder settings, modest to moderate skin changes can be made if desired. These milder forms of erbium laser resurfacing are commonly referred to as a ‘micro laser peel’ or ‘lunchtime peel’ due to their minimal downtime. The erbium laser may be performed as a ‘full face’ or ‘segmental’ treatment. Segmental treatment refers to laser resurfacing of only certain areas or segments of the face, such as around the eyes or around the mouth.

Q - What is the fraxel laser?
Fraxel laser skin resurfacing is a great option for patients with fine wrinkles/rhytids, unwanted brown spots and pitted acne scars who require less downtime from a laser procedure. The fraxel laser is actually an erbium laser with only a fraction of the laser rays allowed to penetrate thru to the skin (thus the term fractional skin resurfacing). On a microscopic level, this results in certain zones of skin that are affected by the laser being in immediate proximity to other zones that are left unaffected. This fraction of skin that is left unaffected by the fraxel laser helps to promote more rapid regeneration of the skin. This concept works particularly well when treating patients with pitted acne scarring of the skin. As opposed to the more intense CO2 and erbium lasers, fraxel resurfacing is done routinely in the office. The fraxel laser may be performed as a ‘full face’ or ‘segmental’ treatment. Segmental treatment refers to laser resurfacing of only certain areas or segments of the face, such as around the eyes or around the mouth.

Dr. Hilinski's office in San Diego, CA is conveniently located near the following: