Pearl Laser Skin Resurfacing

Birmingham AL Laser Resurfacing with Certified Laser Technicians

Pearl Laser Skin Resurfacing at Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery and Spa Greystone renews your skin's surface with quick, visible results. Pearl treats fine lines on the face and neck, uneven skin texture, and light and dark spots caused by sun damage.

Pearl Laser Resurfacing Procedure

During a Pearl laser skin resurfacing treatment, the top layer of the is treated with pulses of light. A portion of the epidermis (skin surface) is gently removed and a natural protective dressing is formed on the skin's surface. Most patients feel a series of brief pinches during the treatments. After 3 to 4 days, the protective dressing peels off revealing new, healthy, vibrant skin underneath.

Laser Skin Resurfacing with the Pearl laser replaces the entire top layer of sun-damaged skin with new, healthy skin. Simultaneously, heat is sent to deeper layers of the skin to stimulate new collagen growth, filling out and decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. The growth of new collagen continues for 4 to 6 weeks post-treatment. The combination of new skin and decreased wrinkles results in a healthier, more youthful appearance.

Pearl laser resurfacing treats the entire face, minimizing the number of required treatments. Only one to two treatments are typicallly necessary to renew your skin.

Pearl Laser Resurfacing Frequently Asked Questions

What is "social downtime"?

Downtime is the time spent recovering from a procedure. With "social downtime," you can continue your normal daily activities. However, you may not wish to attend important social events because your face will appear pink/red for 3 to 4 days.

What is a Pearl laser resurfacing treatment like?

Your Certified Laser Technician guides the laser over the skin, gently removing the top layer of the epidermis and heating a layer of tissue below it. The treatment takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes for a full face at our Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama laser spa.

The treatment feels like a series of brief pinches. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing pain, most people report the treatment feeling like a 2 or 3.

What can I expect after treatment?

After treatment, the skin will look like it is sunburned. Your technician will apply ointment to keep the skin moist. The skin should be kept moist for 3 to 4 days. Since you cannot wear sunscreen during this time, you will need to wear protective clothing and limit sun exposure for a few days following treatment. You are free to wear make-up starting on day 3.

After 3 to 4 days, the top layer of skin peels off revealing new, healthy, vibrant skin underneath.

When will I see results?

You will see noticeable results on day 3 or 4 when the superficial tissue has peeled off, leaving fresh, new, healthy skin underneath.

Who is a candidate for Pearl laser resurfacing?

Patients of any age with sun damage, uneven skin texture and fine lines and wrinkles can benefit from Pearl laser skin resurfacing. However, the most common age group seeking treatment is between 25 and 60 years of age.

What areas respond best to Pearl laser resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing smooths the skin's texture and softens fine lines and wrinkles on the face, neck, upper chest and hands.

How many treatments are recommended?

Many patients experience excellent results after just one treatment. Other patients may want a second treatment for best results.

How does Pearl laser resurfacing compare to other laser treatments?

Pearl laser skin resurfacing offers the most effective treatment to address fine lines & wrinkles, sun-damaged skin and uneven texture without wound care and the lengthy downtime required with traditional erbium and CO2 laser procedures.

Today's fractionated technologies treat only small portions of the face during each treatment. Four to six treatments with 4 to 6 days of downtime each and spaced a month apart are typically required to treat the face.

Is there an FDA clearance for the Pearl laser?

Yes, Cutera received FDA clearance in March 2007 for Pearl for skin resurfacing and the treatment of wrinkles. Pearl is used primarily on the face but has also been used on the neck, upper chest and hands.