Laser Resurfacing is a relatively new procedure used mostly to minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. Dr. Tehrani uses an Erbium or a carbon dioxide laser to remove areas of sun-damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer.

The lasers work by vaporizing the surface layers of the skin one layer at a time. The short bursts (or pulses) of the laser beam are very powerful, yet they are of such short duration that they do not generate significant heat. Therefore, there is virtually no harm to the surrounding tissues. So, the laser can very precisely and accurately vaporize only the tissue being treated, leaving the other tissues completely unaffected. The wrinkled or scarred upper layers of skin are thus removed, leaving behind a new, healthy, smoother layer of skin.

Laser resurfacing provides a variety of beneficial effects. Some of these effects include softening or erasing wrinkles, particularly around the moth and eyelids, improving the texture of the skin, distributing the skin color more evenly and a mild firming and tightening of the skin.

Laser resurfacing not only diminishes facial wrinkles, but also causes a tightening of the skin. We believe that the laser does this by affecting the collagen in the dermis of the skin. The collagen, which is shaped like a coil, tightens like a spring. As the coil shrinks, the skin shrinks as well.

The number of treatments required depends on the problem being treated. Fine wrinkles around the eyes of a young patient are often eliminated in a single treatment. Very deep lines around the mouth of an older patient may require two or three treatments. In all patients, the goal is the improvement, rather than the total elimination of the deepest wrinkles.