Question:
I’d love to get laser hair removal. Can you tell me what happens during the procedure so I have an idea of what to expect?

Answer:
Laser Hair Removal is performed in a series of 6-10 treatments at 4-6 week intervals. Some describe the sensation to be similar to a rubberband snapping your skin. The procedure is very tolerable with minimal discomfort. With each treatment hair is lessened until eventually gone.

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Question:
What are the best uses of laser resurfacing?

Answer:
Laser resurfacing can include a wide variety of laser treatments done to improve the texture, color and look of the skin. While surgery is ideal for lifting skin, resurfacing is the best way to smooth out wrinkles, remove sun damage, and even out skin tones.

Fractional laser resurfacing provides rejuvenation with minimal downtime. Patients note that their skin texture is smoother and softer. Brown spots are lightened, skin tones are more uniform, and fine lines are softened. Some skin tightening occurs as well. Minimal improvement is seen with moderate or deep rhytids. With down time of less than a week, this is an ideal resurfacing procedure for those with an active lifestyle.

Traditional fully ablative CO2 laser provides more dramatic improvement than possible with fractional resurfacing. Moderate to even very deep rhytids can be softened if not eliminated. Even extremely sun damaged and aged skin can see dramatic improvement. Precancerous lesions are lessened or removed.

Downtime, however is up to two weeks. Only lighter skin types are typically amendable to traditional CO2 laser. Most patients will experience some skin lightening, and need to be careful about the sun.

Laser resurfacing can provide skin rejuvenation in different degrees; the choice depends on patient’s skin type, lifestyle and goals.

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Question:
What is the best option for really deep lines throughout the face? Will the laser work for this?

Answer:
Facial wrinkles are difficult to eliminate, despite what you see on television. Many fractional or minimal downtime lasers and even some skin care products will promise the ability to soften wrinkles and lines. Yet deep rhytids in my experience require a fairly aggresive treatment to really make a difference.

For years the options included either dermabrasion or a deep chemical peel. Since the introduction of ablative CO2 laser resurfacing, those options have faded in their use. And the reason is simple-nothing out there reduces wrinkles and lines, even deep ones, with the same consistancy and safety as CO2 laser. While the treatment is aggresive and there is downtime and risks, for those patients wanting maximal improvement with the most predictable technique, CO2 laser is the choice.

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Question:
I would like to have a facelift, but also skin rejuvenation. Is this possible?

Answer:
Dr. Hamilton has long performed combined facelift and CO2 laser resurfacing procedures. Previous studies have shown this can be done safely with often dramatic results. Now with the advent of fractional lasers, these procedures can be done with less downtime and lower risks.

Sciton and Active FX are two fractional lasers that Dr. Hamilton can use.
These devices can provide skin rejuvenation with less downtime. For patients
With more extensive skin/sun damage and deeper rhytids, Dr. Hamilton still prefers traditional fully ablative CO2 laser. Call the Carmel plastic surgery office at (317) 859-3810 for more information.

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Question:
I have several large blue vessels in my temple and around my eyes.
They are not attractive and difficult to cover with make-up. Are there any options?

Answer:
Facial vessels are a common development with sun and aging. Thinning skin and genetics can make blue vessels (veins) more visible. For years we have had a good understanding that red vessels could be treated with laser technology. Only recently is there understanding that these blue vessels may be treated as well.

Blue vessels have been shown recently to respond well to NdYAG 1064 lasers. Often only one treatment is necessary. Dr. Hamilton uses the Candela GentleYag 1064, which provides a protective cooling spray to prevent skin injury. Laser treatment sessions only last a few minutes and the procedure involves minimal discomfort. Recovery time is brief; patients can apply make-up that evening. Studies have shown results to be long lasting.

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