Laser Treatments

Laser-Treatments-Newport-Beach

Lasers can resurface skin or target specific skin concerns such as pigment with tremendous precision. This lets Dr. Leong customize your treatment to give you the best possible results. The lasers we invest in produce excellent results, and we continue to upgrade our technologies as newer lasers enter the marketplace.

What are Laser Treatments?

Laser treatments include a variety of different technologies that use an intense, targeted beam of light at a specific wavelength to target skin issues like hyperpigmentation, lines and wrinkles, and hair reduction. Dr. Leong uses several different types of lasers in her practice.

Lutronic

What Types of Laser Treatment Are Offered?

Fraxel® Dual Laser Skin Resurfacing

This laser system works on multiple layers of skin for both superficial and deep resurfacing in one treatment. It creates tiny micro-channels in the skin that trigger neighboring cells to make healing factors and start producing new collagen, resurfacing the skin from beneath and revealing bright, healthy skin at the surface for a full on glow.

Lutronic LaseMD™

This laser provides mid-depth correction of hyperpigmentation, brown spots, and other pigmentation issues that make people feel self-conscious. The laser can be customized to each person’s aesthetic concerns. Along with pigmentation issues, this laser can also address fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production for a lighter and brighter complexion.

eCO2™ Laser System

This powerful resurfacing laser creates micro-channels spaced evenly apart on your skin. This triggers the skin and underlying layers to begin a process of repair and rejuvenation for a total skin re-do. While the recovery process is several days longer than our lighter lasers, most people only need one treatment instead of several sessions with other devices. Our patients report great satisfaction with the superior results offered by this fractional laser therapy. Learn more about this fast, stable, and efficient laser resurfacing system here.

Spectra™

This laser facial, popularly referred to as the Hollywood Peel, is a wonderful treatment for many of our patients including those with darker skin.

We will apply a dark gray/black photo-enhancing lotion to your facial skin to bolster the laser’s ability to remove dead skin cells on your skin. Your laser technician will pass the device over your face in several different directions. The skin will begin to feel warm, but the procedure should not cause you pain. In the second round of passes, the shadowy lotion should disappear under this application. You should see brighter, cleaner skin right after your appointment that gives you the perfect lite glow, which is why this is such a popular treatment before special events!

One of the only lasers FDA-approved to treat melasma, this laser also targets pigmentation concerns.

Radiofrequency with Microneedling

Combining microneedling with the power of radiofrequency (RF) energy, the GeniusTM system by Lutronic uses microneedling to create channels in the skin and RF energy to send signals to the cells deeper in the dermis. This results in deeper, more complete renewal and even more skin-tightening collagen.

Most people benefit from at least two to three treatments, each lasting less than an hour. Redness and irritation usually fade within 24-48 hours. The combination of two or more treatments can produce better results in fewer sessions.

Vbeam® Laser

This system uses Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) technology to treat redness from bruises, rosacea and broken capillaries in the skin. The laser uses a patented cooling device to keep the skin comfortable in between intense pulses of light. The areas of redness absorb the laser energy, helping to get rid of them without damaging the rest of your skin.
The technology is very precise and is highly focused on the target area, which helps it not affect the nearby skin. Once the vein dies off, it takes about 4 – 6 weeks for it to be reabsorbed by the body and disappear.

Birthmarks, port wine stains, spider veins, and leg veins can be red, purple, or blue, which makes them really difficult to conceal or mask. Laser vein treatments for these conditions (often performed as a series) are not without risk and should be performed by a trained provider and overseen by a plastic surgeon like Dr. Karen Leong. If the vein is large and bulging, surgery may be necessary. We will work with each patient to determine their best treatment choice based on their specific concerns and goals.

Thermage®

This treatment uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to travel through the skin and trigger intensive collagen remodeling. RF energy is used in facial and body applications because of its excellent results in stimulating collagen and achieving tighter, firmer, more resilient skin.

Lutronic Clarity™ laser for Hair Removal

The Clarity laser produces laser energy that can target the pigmentation in the roots of the hair. Because hair grows inside follicles, the hair root absorbs the laser energy and shuts down hair production from the follicle. People usually need about six sessions to make sure all follicles have been targeted.

Lutronic Clarity™ laser for Sun Spots

The Clarity laser can also target brown spots such as those caused by sun damage. These pigmented areas absorb the laser energy while the skin around them remains undamaged. This effectively and quickly removes areas of pigmentation, leaving skin looking rejuvenated and more youthful.

PicoSure®

This laser excels at laser tattoo removal, the process of using laser energy to break up and remove ink particles under the skin. Unlike some lasers that can only target certain pigments, PicoSure® removes even bright, stubborn colors. While tattoos may not disappear completely, they will fade to the point where most people may not notice them at all.

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What Is a Laser Treatment Like?

While some laser treatments feel completely comfortable, others may require numbing cream. Some lasers even come with their own cooling system to prevent the heat energy from making the skin feel too warm. We may offer you a fan or a machine that produces cool air specifically for your face during a laser treatment.

The laser light will usually be administered with a handheld wand or applicator that emits pulses of laser energy. The wavelength of this energy often affects how deeply under the skin it works and what types of skin issues it will target most effectively.

Recovery and Results After Laser Treatment

Many laser treatments have little to no recovery time, but with some, people may experience sensitivity, redness, tingling, or swelling. This should go away within a few days for most people.

Some lasers are used for overall skin resurfacing, which works by treating the face to stimulate new collagen and bring healthy, fresh cells to the surface. Other lasers target pigments like those in hair or tattoos and use their energy to break these pigments apart for removal. You may see results immediately, although you will have to wait a few weeks with collagen-stimulating lasers. With some lasers, you will need several treatments to achieve your final results.

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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between laser resurfacing vs. a chemical peel?

Chemical peels essentially take off a layer of your skin. Laser resurfacing creates micro channels in the skin that give results similar to ablative lasers (these take off the top layer of skin) without the downtime. Both peels and laser resurfacing treat skin to specific depths for specific concerns. Recovery varies depending on which treatment is recommended for you. While treatments can be light, medium, or deeper; all can be amazing for anti-aging and clarity in your skin. Lighter, more frequent treatments may be more appropriate for your skin type and concerns, this doesn’t mean they are any less effective. Dr. Leong will go through your options at your first appointment.

Is this treatment safe enough for blemished or sunburned skin?
Each candidate will have a skin assessment before any treatment is performed on the skin. If you have a sunburn, it is never appropriate to have any treatment on sunburned or traumatized skin. Please consult with a medical skin professional if you have concerns.
How often should I get laser resurfacing treatments?
Depending on the resurfacing type you and Dr. Leong select for your treatment, you may need to wait weeks or even months between appointments. Deeper treatments will provide longer-lasting results but will require a longer recovery period. You should talk to Dr. Leong about how often you are willing to come back for treatments so she can take this into account when recommending a type of resurfacing during your consultation.
What’s the best type of resurfacing for me?
Dr. Leong will help you decide which laser resurfacing treatment is best for your needs and goals during your consultation. The best treatment for you will depend on the health and condition of your skin, your skin concerns, and how deep you want your treatment to go. How long you are willing to give your recovery may also be a deciding factor when choosing your treatment type. When in doubt, it’s beneficial to start with a lighter treatment to see how you like your results and adjust as needed for your next appointment.
How can I help prepare my skin for a resurfacing treatment?

During your consultation, Dr. Leong will perform a thorough assessment of your skin to evaluate color, texture, volume and elasticity. She will make recommendations on skin care to help you achieve brighter, clearer, smoother skin. Oftentimes this will be started in the weeks before your laser or peel to prepare the skin and optimize your treatment results.

How can I help my skin recover after a resurfacing treatment?
Dr. Leong or a member of our team will talk to you about how you can help your skin heal after a laser resurfacing treatment. The most important rule is to not pick or peel your skin. This could cause lasting damage, including scars. You should skip all hair removal methods in the treatment area, which means no shaving, waxing, or depilatory creams. We will recommend an ointment to nourish and soothe your skin.
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