For many years, the carbon dioxide laser was a popular surgeon's tool for laser skin resurfacing, or peeling. Its use has been limited due to the risk of scarring and pigment changes resulting from the deep thermal damage (or heat build-up) produced in the skin.
The introduction of the Sciton Erbium laser now allows the same type of excellent results but with much less risk of complications.
UPMC Hamot Plastic Surgery offers a wide variety of depths of laser peels depending on your needs and schedule.
The Sciton MicroLaser Peel is a light to moderate peel that is ideal for treating wrinkles, sun-damage, and other skin conditions on the:
During your consultation, we will thoroughly examine your skin and discuss with you what type of comprehensive skin care program will deliver the optimum results for you.
Conditions We Treat With the Sciton MicroLaser Peel
The Sciton Erbium MicroLaser works best on superficial skin conditions, such as:
- Acne scars
- Age spots
- Baggy eyelids
- Blotchiness (dark and light patches)
- Cafe-au-lait spots
- Crows feet
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Enlarged pores
- Forehead lines
- Freckles
- Hyperpigmentation
- Keratoses (pre-cancers)
- Melasma
- Scaling
- Wrinkles
The skin in these conditions is resurfaced or rejuvenated by the vaporizing action of the laser.
What to Expect During Your Laser Skin Peel
When the skin is treated with the Sciton Erbium laser, a clean, layer-by-layer vaporization of the skin occurs. The undesired skin literally evaporates due to the high water content of the epidermis. The result is younger looking "new" skin.
- The procedure is quick and virtually pain-free.
- The initial healing process takes place over 2 to 7 days, depending on the depth of the peel.
- Typically, patients can return to their regular work or social activities almost right away.
Because the Sciton Erbium laser is so precise, the risk of scarring or other complications (such as infection) is minimized.
