Skin resurfacing lasers are used to treat fine lines/wrinkles, scarring, age spots, pore size, pigmentation concerns, sun damage, and much more. This brief in-office treatment allows you to attain long-lasting results with much less downtime when compared with traditional CO2 resurfacing procedures. The Lumenis ResurFX is the ideal procedure for the patient that wants to rejuvenate and brighten their skin without having to commit to the longer downtime period and greater risk associated with more aggressive resurfacing lasers.
How does the ResurFX treatment work?
The Lumenis ResurFX laser utilizes modern fractional laser technology that delivers tiny, controlled injuries deep within the dermis (the deepest layer of the skin) where collagen is produced. Collagen is a major structural protein within the skin that helps to give it the supple, youthful, and healthy appearance that we all desire. As we age, our skin’s storage and production of collagen begins to deplete, leading to the development of fine lines and wrinkles, laxity, texture irregularities, etc. The ResurFX laser uses energy and heat to send injuries into the dermis, which in turn stimulates the fibroblasts to increase collagen production.
Fractionated delivery of energy means that only a fraction or chosen percentage of the skin is affected by each pulse of the laser. By delivering fractionated injuries we are able to leave healthy, unaffected tissue surrounding the injured skin. Once injured, a holistic healing response occurs where the surrounding healthy tissue helps to heal the injured or ablated skin tissue.
Non-ablative technology means that not all of the tissue is ablated or destroyed, unlike the traditional CO2 lasers that completely ablate both the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) and dermis of the skin. The ResurFX’s non-ablative technology is able to bypass the majority of the epidermis while stimulating collagen renewal within the dermis. This bypassing of the epidermis is why the ResurFX treatment does not have the extended downtime associated with other fully-ablative laser treatments. The provider is also able to customize or adjust the intensity of each treatment depending on the individual desires of the patient.
What is the ResurFX treatment like?
Prior to treatment with the ResurFX, your skin will be cleansed using aseptic technique and the treatment area will be numbed with a topical numbing cream. The procedure itself only takes approximately 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. Patients should plan to be in the office for approximately one hour.
What happens after a ResurFX treatment?
Immediately after treatment, the skin will appear red, puffy, and mildly irritated. The face will feel tight and warm. The skin can remain red and mildly irritated (similar to a sunburn) for a couple of days to one week. Patients can return to normal activities starting the following day.
One extremely vital aspect of both pre and post-treatment care is sun protection utilizing both sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ as well as physical protection (ie. hats).
How many treatments do I need?
The number of treatments needed will depend on the individual and their personal goal. We typically recommend a series of 3-4 treatments spaced one month apart, although each patient’s treatment regimen will vary.
Book your appointment today to speak with one of our Cosmetic Nurse Practitioners and see if the ResurFX laser is right for you!
Written By:
Carli Pasquerella Himelman, MSN, ARNP-C
USF Health Cosmetic & Laser Center