Micro Laser Peel

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa

Micro Laser Peel Plastic Surgery Specialists Dr. Yngvar A. Hvistendahl

A micro laser peel (MLP) is a treatment that refreshes your skin for a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. Laser peels address impurities and raise your skin’s collagen levels. The gentle laser beams penetrate the skin to address fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and/or sun damage. This reliable, customizable treatment can help you enhance your skin, restoring your self-confidence with long-lasting results.

At Plastic Surgery Specialists, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Yngvar A. Hvistendahl has helped many patients improve their appearance. A micro laser peel is customizable and gentle enough to address many different skin types without damaging the skin.

Contact our office online or call (415) 925-2880 to learn more about how we can help you achieve clearer skin!

About Micro Laser Peel

As you age, changes to your skin can affect your appearance and self-esteem. Micro laser peels can address sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, and many other signs of aging with just 1-3 treatments.

A micro laser peel is an energy treatment that stimulates collagen production, which increases cell turnover to naturally refresh and rebuild the skin. (1) These treatments produce long-lasting results, and when paired with healthy skincare practices, patients can enjoy a youthful appearance for many years.

Micro Laser Peel vs. Traditional Laser Resurfacing

Traditional lasers, such as a CO2 laser, can reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, (2) but they do not use Sciton’s erbium resurfacing technology, which requires less downtime than traditional CO2 lasers. For this reason, a micro laser peel is more gentle on the skin. Additionally, we can address the entire face or specific areas to meet your rejuvenation goals.

Benefits

Treating your skin with a micro laser peel is an effective way to refresh your skin. This treatment offers several benefits, which include:

  • Smoother skin: Addressing scars and breakouts with a micro laser peel will result in a smooth, even appearance.
  • More even skin tone: If you have skin discoloration concerns, we can target these areas with precision.
  • Reduced scar visibility: Laser treatments will help scars fade as your skin rebuilds.
  • Increased collagen production: As one of the main structural proteins in the skin, collagen is vital to healthy skin structure.
  • Customizable treatment options: We can personalize your treatment plan to address multiple skin conditions and concerns.
  • Lasting results: If you take good care of your skin, you can enjoy long-lasting results.
  • Reduced pore size: Resurfacing the skin will reduce pore size, resulting in a smoother surface.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

The most effective treatment for your goals will depend on your skin type and medical history. Candidates should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about the results they can achieve with treatment. Candidates should also not have any active acne or other skin conditions that could affect treatment. If you do, we will postpone your laser peel.

Consultation

During your consultation, we will examine your skin and create a personalized plan based on your Fitzpatrick skin type. We will provide specific instructions to help you care for your skin before and after the procedure. Please come prepared with any questions you have so we can address them and recommend additional treatments, if necessary, to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

How to Prepare

To prepare for a micro laser peel, you should avoid excessive sun exposure that could damage your skin and take good care of yourself in the weeks leading up to your appointment. You should also stop drinking alcohol for 24-48 hours before your treatment. During your consultation, we will provide you with specific preparation instructions that cater to your unique goals and skin concerns.

If you have an important event coming up, we recommend scheduling your micro laser peel at least two weeks beforehand to give your skin time to heal.

Treatment Process

On the day of your procedure, you should arrive with clean skin without makeup or skincare products. We will cleanse your skin and administer the laser energy in an even pattern to ensure an even distribution of energy. As the lasers treat your skin, the gentle heat produced will stimulate collagen production, resulting in skin improvements over time. The treatment process can take 30-60 minutes, depending on the condition of your skin and whether you need additional treatments to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Recovery

Micro Laser Peel Plastic Surgery Specialists Dr. Yngvar A. Hvistendahl

It is common to experience redness that can last a few days after your treatment. Your skin will need between 4 and 14 days to heal after your treatment, and you will likely need a series of 1-3 treatments. We recommend that you take 1-7 days of downtime, though this may vary depending on the extent of your treatment. Patients notice optimal results within 2 weeks to 6 months.

While healing, we recommend using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated without causing any damage. You should also stay out of direct sunlight and avoid excessive sun exposure. We will provide specific instructions about how to care for your skin properly to ensure optimal results.

Results

After your laser peel, you can enjoy a more even skin tone and smoother skin. Collagen will continue to build for several months after your procedure, resulting in refined results and improved skin tone in the long term. If your results fade, you can repeat your laser peel treatment.

Additional Skin Treatments

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers add natural-looking volume to your skin for a smoother, plumper appearance. Replacing lost volume can also help diminish fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a more youthful look. We can administer dermal fillers in multiple areas during a single appointment to refresh your skin.

Scarlet Radio-Frequency (RF) Microneedling

Scarlet RF microneedling raises your skin’s collagen levels with tiny needles that penetrate the skin’s surface to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Depending on your treatment plan, we may make multiple passes over your skin to refresh it. This treatment can also improve your skin’s elasticity with minimal downtime.

If you would like to learn more about the other treatments we offer and how they can help you achieve your goals, please sign up for our newsletter!

Cost of Micro Laser Peel In the Bay Area

The cost of a micro laser peel or laser resurfacing will depend on your treatment plan. Dr. Hvistendahl will provide an all-inclusive quote during your consultation after establishing a treatment plan. We can also discuss financing options to help make your treatment more accessible.

Contact our office online or call (415) 925-2880 to learn more about how this well-tolerated treatment can help you improve your appearance with minimal downtime.

FAQ

Can I combine a micro laser peel or laser resurfacing with other treatments?

Yes, many patients choose to combine laser resurfacing with other treatments to rejuvenate their skin. We can help you address multiple aesthetic concerns during a single treatment session.

How will I know if laser resurfacing treatment is right for me?

A laser resurfacing peel can help you address most mild to moderate skin concerns, like acne scars, pigmentation, and other signs of aging, for beautiful results with minimal downtime.

What if I experience changes to my skin after receiving a micro laser peel?

If you experience changes to your skin after your micro laser peel, whether they are due to sun damage, continued aging, or results fading faster than expected, we can readminister the treatment to obtain your desired results.

Who would be a bad candidate for a micro laser peel treatment?

While micro laser peels can help many different patients improve their skin, some may have to postpone their treatments. Patients with active skin conditions, like acne or cold sores, may experience complications. Patients with certain autoimmune disorders may also not be eligible for treatment, and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals are recommended to discuss their options with Dr. Hvistendahl or their primary care physicians before undergoing treatment.

Will I have scarring after a laser resurfacing treatment?

No, a micro laser peel rejuvenates your skin without incisions, so you can enjoy natural-looking results with minimal downtime and without scarring.

How long do the results of a chemical peel or laser resurfacing last?

The results can last for several months or longer, depending on how well you take care of your skin. Using high-quality skin care products and sun protection regularly will help prolong your results. We will also provide you with instructions and recommendations on how to best care for your skin during your recovery and for months following treatment.

References

  1. Al-Atif H. Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: a Paradigm Shift in the Field of Dermatology and Cosmetics. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual. 2022;12(1):e2022018. doi:https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.1201a18
  2. Kotlus BS. Dual-Depth Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing for Periocular Rhytidosis. Dermatologic Surgery. 2010;36(5):623-628. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2010.01516.x