When it comes to laser skin tightening, an infrared light source (a laser) is used to tighten skin by heating the collagen beneath the surface of the skin. 

This is as least invasive as it can be for a non-surgical process. Immediately after the treatment, the facial skin tightening outcomes will be apparent. The med spa procedure involves no downtime, which makes it ideal for busy moms and working professionals.

The patient will experience additional skin tightening over the next few months. Although, for optimal outcomes, they may need two to three treatments spaced around one month apart. The FDA has cleared laser skin tightening for the reduction of skin laxity, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Key Aspects

The outcomes of laser skin tightening may not be as dramatic as those of facelift surgery, but patients enjoy moderate results with zero downtime. Another benefit of laser skin tightening is that it is safe and effective for restoring a tauter, more youthful skin appearance all over the body. 

Dr. Q Medical Spa, led by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q), provides laser skin tightening treatments to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding locations.

Collagen Growth Promotion with Laser

Laser skin tightening also promotes the development of fresh collagen in the treated sites as well as encourages the absorption of more collagen from surrounding, untreated regions. 

The production of new collagen enables laser skin tightening patients to achieve softer, smoother, and a more youthful skin appearance. The effects continually enhance over the next few months after this procedure, as the skin’s natural reserves of collagen are slowly replenished.  

Defining the Picture of a Laser Skin Tightening Session

It is vital for patients to remove all makeup, sunscreens, oil, and other substances from their skin prior to a skin tightening treatment session. Subsequently, the laser skin tightening provider will apply a topical anesthetic cream to the treatment area and provide the patient with protective eyewear. 

Laser skin tightening is non-ablative, and no further anesthetic should be necessary. But patients who have an especially low tolerance for discomfort may choose to take an OTC pain drug before the treatment.

Laser skin tightening is performed in the surgeon’s office or a med spa. During this procedure, the practitioner uses a handpiece to deliver short bursts of laser energy to the skin. The laser emits a continuous stream of cool air to ensure that the patient stays comfortable. 

In the case of most laser tightening systems, the provider will need to go over the treatment area thrice for optimal outcomes. The treatment sessions typically take between 30 minutes to one hour to complete, depending on the location and size of the treatment area. 

Post-Treatment

Patients are immediately able to resume work or other normal activities right after a laser skin tightening treatment. The side effects are minimal, including redness, a warm sensation to the skin, or minor inflammation. The side-effects of a skin tightening treatment typically resolve themselves naturally in a few hours. 

Successful laser skin tightening can create permanent outcomes as this treatment regenerates collagen beneath the skin, creating a more youthful appearance. Laser skin tightening is an effective and safe procedure to reduce the ill-effects of time on the skin. 

Dr. Q Medical Spa receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and nearby areas for laser skin tightening treatment. 

For more information on Plastic Surgery and Non-Surgical Medical Spa Procedures and Treatments in the Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and surrounding areas please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) by clicking here or calling 760-324-2660.

In laser stretch mark removal, striae (stretch marks) are eliminated using laser resurfacing. This treatment involves the removal of the outer skin layer to help restructure the overlying skin. 

Laser stretch mark removal uses beams of light in concentrated amounts to promote new growth. This med spa procedure cannot entirely eliminate the stretch marks, it can certainly make striae appear smoother, softening their appearance. 

For skin resurfacing treatment, two types of lasers are used. These are:

• Ablative (CO2, Erbium YAG) lasers: This type of laser treats stretch marks by destroying the topmost layer of skin. The newly created skin tissues will be smoother in appearance and texture. 
• Non-ablative lasers (such as Fraxel): These lasers do not destruct the uppermost skin layer. They target the underlying regions of the skin’s surface to encourage collagen growth from the inside out. 

Dr. Q Medical Spa, led by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q), provides laser skin rejuvenation treatments to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding communities. 

Laser Treatment Time and How Long Recovery Typically Takes

Each procedure is relatively fast in terms of time. It may take about an hour and a half to complete an ablative laser treatment while non-ablative treatments can be performed in 30 minutes or less. 

Laser therapy is categorized as a non-invasive treatment. This means that the recovery duration should be much briefer in comparison with traditional surgery. But the patient should still plan to take time off on the day of their treatment, at the minimum. 

The total time taken to complete the procedure can last between 30 and 90 minutes. This will depend on the type of laser used. In addition, the patient will also need to spend time filling out paperwork and prepping for the procedure.

After each med spa treatment, the patient may notice that their skin is slightly pink or red. This is normal and should resolve within a few weeks. In the treatment of stretch marks, ablative lasers are the most effective. 

However, they also have the most side-effects due to their aggressive nature. Mild discomfort and raw skin are some such side-effects. The skin will also scab over before revealing new tissues around the striae. 

Some people choose to take several days of leave from work after the procedure, depending on the region of the body being treated and the type of laser that is being used. The full outcomes of the procedure may take several months to become apparent, particularly with non-ablative lasers. 

How long do the outcomes last?

Laser specialists report that skin resurfacing treatments for striae removal can “last for years.” But the catch is that depends on how well the skin is taken care of. 

Sometimes, stretch marks may only require one ablative laser treatment. However, non-ablative treatments are not as aggressive. According to ASAPS, the patient may require, on average, between one and six non-ablative laser treatments.

The monetary amount of each treatment will typically be the same as that of the first treatment. The exception might be if the specific provider offers discounts for multiple treatment sessions. There will be a time lag of three to four weeks between each scheduled session. 

After the skin is fully healed, and the treatment sessions are complete, the outcomes may last for years, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Q Medical Spa receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and nearby areas for laser skin rejuvenation treatment. 

For more information on Plastic Surgery and Non-Surgical Medical Spa Procedures and Treatments in the Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and surrounding areas please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) by clicking here or calling 760-324-2660.

Birthmarks correlate with congenital, unsubstantial skin aberrations which exist at birth or appear shortly afterward, often in the first month. These irregularities can manifest anywhere on the skin. 

Various reasons can lead to birthmarks, such as excess pigmentation or grouping of blood vessels. Laser med spa treatments can address all kinds of birthmarks. But some types may require a higher number of treatment sessions than others. 

Laser therapy involves the use of an intense but gentle light beam on birthmarks without causing damage to the surrounding tissue. It may sound severe to have a birthmark removed with a laser, but it is actually an advanced and predictable treatment. 

In this procedure, the practitioner will use a laser with a light wave chosen for the particular color of the birthmark to disintegrate the mark until it fades away. This disintegration will occur over the course of several treatments and does not cause any scarring.

Dr. Q Medical Spa, led by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q), provides laser skin rejuvenation treatments to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding locations. 

Key Attributes of Laser Light Therapy for Birthmarks

• Birthmarks can be medically handled with laser/light therapy.
• Lightening of 70 to 90 percent is a reasonable expectation.
• Treatments can be performed repetitively every one to three months, depending on the type of birthmark, until the patient’s objective is accomplished.
• The pain and recovery duration is minimal.
• The procedure is non-invasive in nature. 

Which Laser Birthmark Removal Treatment is Right for you?

The laser that is used for this med spa treatment will depend upon the type and color of birthmark that the patient has, and the provider will confirm this during the initial consultation. 

In the situation of vascular birthmarks, the treatment provider may use a more intensive laser technique involving the delivery of a laser light beam to heat up the compromised blood vessels that form the birthmark. This will cause the blood vessels to collapse and restrict blood from flowing into the region, which will fade the birthmark. 

An Impressive Laser

An ND Yag laser may be used on pigmented birthmarks. The energy delivered by the laser beam disintegrates the cluster of accumulated pigment cells into tiny pieces, which are then naturally eliminated by the body’s immune system. This will cause the birthmark to fade.

What to Expect after the Procedure

• The patient may not see any major difference until several weeks after the treatment.
• The treated region may be pink or red for a period of four to eight hours after the treatment.
• Patients may experience a mild stinging sensation, similar to a mild sunburn, in the treated region. This sensation typically resolves within four to six hours. 
• Moist cloths or cool packs may be applied to reduce the feeling.
• Mild inflammation in the treated site typically goes away after several days. The feeling is more benign after every day goes by. 

Patients should also:

• Avoid the use of lotion, makeup, deodorant, perfume, or any potential irritants to the treated site for either 24 hours or until all signs of stinging and redness have resolved. 
• Apply a reliable and respectable moisturizing lotion to the treated site twice a day for the duration of the treatments and for at least three months after the last treatment episode. 

Dr. Q Medical Spa receives patients from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and nearby areas for laser skin rejuvenation treatment. 

For more information on Plastic Surgery and Non-Surgical Medical Spa Procedures and Treatments in the Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and surrounding areas please contact the offices of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt (Dr. Q) by clicking here or calling 760-324-2660.