Cosmetic Laser Resurfacing

 MiXto Micro Frational CO₂ Laser 

The fractional CO₂ laser is a revolutionay advancement in the world of skin rejuvenation and laser resuracing. These lasers are "fractional" because they only remove a fraction of the epidermis. The laser beam is so small it is measured in microns (thinner than a hair), so only very, very timy amounts of skin are removerd. THis allows for all of the advantages of the original CO₂ lsers, with great skin tightening, wrinkle removal and correction of age spots and brown spots. It has the great advantage of quicker healing times, almost no discomfort and therfore no need for anesthesia, and the ability to be used on the neck, decolletage (chest), hands and on darker skin types. These are huge advances.

The MiXto SX Micro Fractional CO₂ laser is great for treating the lines around the lips and for acne scars. Depending on the degree of danage that you have and how much improvenment you want, will determine if you need only one treatment. Dramatic improvement may require 2 to 3 treatments, but agian with the quick recovery and little discomfort, most people find this very easy to do.  If desired, a second treatment can be schedulted 4-6 weeks later.  

One of the best things about the fractional CO₂, is the ability to effectively improve the appearance of the neck, chest hands.  A great faux pas of anti-aging treatments the face is treating the face and neglecting the neck, decolletage and hands.  It looks unnatural.  There is nothing pretty or natural about having a face that looks 40, and neck, chest and hands that look 60 or older!

The MiXto fractional CO₂ laser is greatly preferable to the Fraxel and Erbium lasers, with a greater degree of improvement, less recovery time and less expensive.  What's not to love!

For more information call Carol at 206-467-1000 or come in for a private consultation.   

CO₂ Laser Resurfacing

CO₂ laser resurfacing remains the gold standard to which every laser, chemical peel, radiofrequency and new emerging technology is compared to.

CO₂ laser resurfacing has the ability to literally erase wrinkles and tighten the skin like no other laser. Your skin will look like it did when you were ten years old. The results are permanent (the aging process of course continues). Pore size is smaller, fine lines and wrinkles are gone, deeper lines significantly diminished and brown sun damage eliminated. It is one of the best treatments available for treating the lines, bags and sagging skin of the lower eyelid area, and sometimes can be used in this area alone, without the need for a full face treatment.

CO₂ laser resurfacing is also one of the best treatments for acne scarring. Acne scars can involve the surface (epidermal changes), the dermis and the subcutaneous fat. Acne scarring tends to worsen as we age as the skin loses its elasticity and collagen. The CO₂ laser provides amazing surface and deep changes for acne scars.

We use the Coherent Ultrapulse Laser which is the finest CO₂ laser available. Not all lasers are created equal. Equally important is the skill of the doctor performing the procedure. Dr. Schell is one of the best laser resurfacing physicians in the country and many cosmetic surgeons in the Seattle area refer their patients to her for laser resurfacing. The procedure takes about one hour to perform while you are under light IV sedation or ‘twilight anesthesia’. There is only minimal discomfort afterwards that is easily controlled with medication. This procedure generally does require one week of recovery time, but the results are well worth it.

If you would like to find out more about this procedure contact us or schedule a private consultation and review before and after photos of patients who have had this procedure by Dr. Schell. We will compare and contrast the results of this treatment to other laser treatments such as MiXto, Erbium and Fraxel to help you make educated decisions in your treatment plan. Experience the difference in the education and expert advice received from our seasoned staff. For treatments that can improve wrinkles around the eyes without downtime consider BOTOX®, Thermage® or Sculptra™. For less aggressive but effective ways of removing wrinkles you can also read about fillers,  peels and the N-lite laser.

Experience and care you can trust