Laser resurfacing can be used to treat the whole face, neck, chest and hands – or simply specific “problem areas”, like isolated scars or cheek acne scarring. Usually, it is preferable to treat the face in “aesthetic units”, such as the lower eyelids or around the mouth. Most often, however, sun damage, wrinkling, and uneven pigmentation affects the whole face and better results are obtained when the entire face is treated.
Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is frequently combined with other cosmetic procedures such as facelifts and lower eyelid surgery. For the first time, because of the fractional nature of the new Ultra Pulse laser, it can safely be done simultaneously with a face and/or neck lift. There is no need to separate the timing laser resurfacing from a surgical facelift any more. This greatly speeds up the patients’ recovery and allows the patient to look better in a shorter amount of time.
In terms of the lower eyelids, it is Dr. Shah’s opinion that tightening the lower eyelid skin with the CO2 laser is much more effective and safer than trying to tighten the skin by surgically removing skin. The laser gives the skin a fresher, smoother appearance with less little risk of scarring or changing the position of the lower eyelid.