Laser Skin Resurfacing Orange County

Name: Laser Skin Resurfacing
Brand: Refreshed Aesthetic Surgery
Rating: 4.8 (323 reviews)

An excellent option for diminishing the signs of aging — either alone or in conjunction with surgery — is laser skin rejuvenation.

Advanced Laser Skin Resurfacing by Dr. Timothy R. Miller, M.D.

In Aliso Viejo, Dr. Timothy R. Miller, M.D., a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, uses the reliable and versatile ActiveFx™, Total Fx™, and KTP Aura lasers to perform these treatments. Dr. Miller and his staff are highly trained, experienced, and skilled in the proper use of laser equipment. With their expertise, you can expect a safe procedure and a natural-looking, Refreshed result. Could a laser treatment be right for you? Find out when you schedule your personal consultation by requesting your consultation online. People visit Dr. Miller for laser skin resurfacing from Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Newport Beach, San Clemente, and throughout Orange County.

Your Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Laser skin resurfacing is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure in which damaged facial skin is removed layer by layer using a laser. Once the dead and damaged cells are removed, new skin cells are formed during the process of healing and this in turn results in tighter, younger, and rejuvenated skin.

Your treatment begins with a thorough skin assessment and evaluation. For some patients, the VECTRA® 3-D imaging system may be used to better assess areas of sun damage and collagen breakdown. During this evaluation, factors such as skin pigmentation, texture and tone, lines and wrinkles, exposed blood vessels, environmental damage, and skin elasticity and clarity are evaluated, and the appropriate laser treatments are recommended.

Those who are good candidates for laser treatment typically display the following signs of aging:

Sun damaged and rough skin texture
Uneven skin tone or brown spots
Superficial to deep lines and wrinkles
Acne scarring
Skin laxity
Prominent blood vessels and birth marks

Laser Skin ResurfacingBefore & After

View Gallery

Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment

The development of the fractional CO2 laser is considered by many aesthetic professionals to be the most significant cosmetic treatment breakthrough in the past 15 years. The technology maintains the benefits and versatility of CO2 laser resurfacing but without the harsh side effects and extended downtimes that often accompanied these procedures. Our fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing is truly unique, versatile, and individualized to each person's particular skin type and skin thinness. Fractional CO2 laser treatments are an excellent choice for reducing the appearance of fine to very deep etched lines and wrinkles and can be also be used to improve acne scarring, tighten skin, help reduce pore size, and treat uneven skin tones, roughened skin texture, and brown spots.

Before the emergence of fractional lasers, laser skin resurfacing removed the skin's entire upper surface. Healing required extended periods of downtime. In contrast, the fractional CO2 laser transmits small columns of laser energy, making pinpoint treatment sites while targeting the deeper layers of the skin. The development of new collagen and elastin is triggered, and the skin surrounding the tiny treatment sites helps the skin to heal more quickly and safely. Facial skin rejuvenation with the fractional CO2 laser is performed on an outpatient basis and requires about 4 to 10 days of recovery, depending on the skin issues being treated.

Kat's Experience with CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Want to see what the results of laser resurfacing are really like? One of Dr. Miller's patients tracked her day-to-day progress. Hear about how the treatment went, and view her impressive results in this video from RealSelf. You can also watch videos from each day after her treatment.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Recovery

During recovery, it is important to avoid exposure to external factors like the sun and dust. Immediately after the treatment, the skin is bound to look raw and will start peeling off in a couple of days. Refrain from scratching or picking out the skin. Clean the skin and apply the medications as instructed by the surgeon. Avoid stepping out for a couple of weeks until the skin starts healing and always use sunscreen. The skin will regain its health within two weeks or so.

Before and after 3D images illustrating the results after CO2 laser resurfacing by Dr. Miller.

Laser Skin Resurfacing 3D Illustrastion

The time-lapsed 3D video illustrates the typical results achieved after a deep fractional CO2 laser treatment by Dr. Timothy R. Miller, M.D.

woman in white dress with white jacket posing

The Extra Touch

In order to make sure that you get the most from your laser procedure, an additional skin treatment may be recommended. Many people who have laser skin resurfacing in Orange County also undergo injectable treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal fillers to further improve the look of lines and wrinkles or to restore youthful facial volume and contours. With proper skin care and regular "maintenance" treatments, either with additional laser sessions or another option such as a HydraFacial®, your results can be long lasting.

Laser Skin Resurfacing FAQ

How do I know which laser treatment is best for me?

The best way to determine which laser treatment is best for you is to consult a with board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience evaluating and operating high-quality lasers. During your consultation, Dr. Miller will spend a great deal of time examining your skin and listening to your concerns. He will also take the time to educate you about the safety and efficacy of different laser technologies and systems. Together, the two of you will choose the best laser treatment plan for obtaining the best results for you.

Will a laser treatment adversely affect existing dermal fillers?

No. Typically, most of our Orange County laser skin resurfacing treatments do not penetrate deeply enough to interfere with existing dermal fillers. The combination of fillers and laser resurfacing can be very effective, improving both the contours of the face and the color, tone, and texture of the skin. Many individuals choose to combine skin resurfacing treatments with fillers, and in such cases, timing may be a consideration. Dr. Miller may choose to perform a skin resurfacing treatment first, followed by injectable fillers the same day or 1 to 2 weeks later.

How do I know if my skin is too dark for laser skin resurfacing with a CO2 laser?

Skin type is an important factor to consider when assessing whether or not a patient is a good candidate for CO2 laser resurfacing. During your consultation, Dr. Miller determines what is called your "Fitzpatrick" skin type to assess whether the risks of side effects outweighs the benefits of a CO2 laser treatment. Certain skin types are at higher risk for pigmentation irregularities, but our Lumenis fractional CO2 laser can be adjusted to meet the needs of most skin types.

Is Laser Skin Resurfacing a Painful Procedure?

No. At Refreshed Aesthetic Surgery & SkinCare, Dr. Miller performs all laser skin resurfacing procedures. For fractional CO2 laser procedures, a series of steps are taken to ensure your procedure is very comfortable. A specially prepared topical anesthesia lotion is applied to your skin for about 60-90 minutes. During this time oral sedation is provided. Prior to the treatment, additional sedation and pain medication is provided, in addition to targeted local numbing injections. We have found these series of steps to be very effective, with most patients not feeling any laser pulses at all and surprised how comfortable the treatment was from start to finish.

HydraFacial VS Laser Skin Resurfacing

To begin with, both are excellent procedures, but laser skin resurfacing is more effective for wrinkles, acne scars and severely sun damaged skin. In hydrafacial, hydra-derma-abrasion techniques are used to clean, exfoliate, and gently repair the skin whereas laser skin resurfacing involves the targeted removal of the damaged layer of skin cells.

What are the Benefits of Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is effective in reducing the appearance of fine to deeply etched lines and wrinkles, roughened skin texture, discolorations and acne scars. In addition to making the skin appear more youthful and smoother, laser skin resurfacing also tightens the skin, thus giving a more refreshed appearance.