Laser Skin Resurfacing
The animation to the right is a generalization and may not be the exact way Dr. Niamtu performs this procedure. This procedure is performed with IV sedation and takes about 20-30 minutes. The healing is related to how deep the laser treatment is. Light lasers may heal in several days and deeper laser treatment can take up to two weeks to heal. Dr. Niamtu has a busy laser practice and has performed over 1,000 full face CO2 laser treatments.
Laser skin resurfacing is a procedure that can take decades of aging off the face in a matter of minutes. Although chemical face peels are reliable for sun damage and fine wrinkles, the laser can address much deeper wrinkles, acne scars and other complexion problems. Ideal laser patients are those without extreme skin sagging, but with wrinkles and sun or age spots. Laser skin resurfacing can be done on patients with lax skin, although these patients may benefit from face-lift or other cosmetic procedures at the same time. Laser skin resurfacing is still the gold standard for wrinkle improvement and to date no technology has surpassed laser skin resurfacing. The recovery is one to two weeks, but don’t be fooled by “light” lasers claiming huge results with minimal downtime. It is a myth! If you want to improve 40-50 years of aging, ten days is not an unreasonable recovery.
Dr. Niamtu has had a longtime interest in laser therapy and lectures internationally on the subject. Our office has eight types of lasers on premises at our accredited surgery center.
The video below shows some of the common cosmetic laser treatments performed by Dr. Niamtu.
These lasers are used for resurfacing (ablative lasers) and for minimally invasive (non ablative) treatments such as spider veins, facial skin pigmentation and sun damage and skin tightening. Dr. Niamtu is also involved in a clinical research project with several laser wavelengths for minimally ablative skin resurfacing. He is working with Lumenis and Iridex corporations for their Fraxel-type technology and has presented this information at scientific meetings.
CO2 Laser Resurfacing Remains the Real Gold Standard for Wrinkle & Pigment Improvement
Laser Treatment Only
Laser Treatment Only
Laser and Facelift
Laser for Acne
Laser Treatment Only
Laser for Scar Improvement
Laser and Facelift
Laser for Acne
Laser for Acne Scars
Before and after a single laser treatment for acne.
Laser Resurfacing Treatment for Pre-Cancerous Facial Lesions
Deep CO2 laser resurfacing (not fractional or light laser) is an effective means of removing multiple precancerous lesions of the facial skin. The patient below was referred to Dr. Niamtu for laser treatment of multiple, scattered precancerous lesions, which were effectively treated as seen in the post laser pictures below.
This patient is shown with ultraviolet photography before and after laser resurfacing by Dr. Niamtu. Notice the improvement of the sun damage and age spots. This is also a recognized treatment for precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses.
The Patient above is shown with ultraviolet photography before (left) and after (right) CO2 laser resurfacing. Notice the improvement of the age spots in the after picture.
Laser Recovery
This patient is shown 3 days after full face comprehensive (deep) laser resurfacing.
The patient below is shown 2 weeks after comprehensive (deep) CO2 laser. The pinkness can be covered with makeup and resolves over several weeks
If you are considering laser resurfacing, the videos below explain the post laser recovery and care in great detail.
Everything You Wanted to Know about Laser Recovery
Dr. Niamtu has prepared a copy written comprehensive guide for your post laser care. Please click on the link below to download the written Post-Laser Recovery Guide
Post Op Instructions for Laser Resurfacing
The information below discusses more miscellaneous information about Dr. Niamtu and laser skin resurfacing.
Dr. Niamtu is also a Fellow with the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery and a member of the International Society of Cosmetic and Laser Surgeons, Inc. and DASIL.
Dr. Niamtu received the best speaker award at a medical meeting in Florence, Italy for his papers on laser resurfacing technology. See more information on this award.
Active FX, Fraxel and Fractional Laser Treatments
The Video below shows Dr. Niamtu performing Deep FX laser for a neck scar.
One of the new technologies in laser skin treatments is Fraxel or fractionated laser resurfacing. Dr. Niamtu owns the Lumenis Active FX laser which is one of the leading fractional lasers. This is a technology that allows for good results with minimal downtime. This type of skin resurfacing is not as effective as more aggressive CO2 laser treatment, but is a good compromise for those patients that need some improvement but cannot afford the 10-12 day recovery of more aggressive laser treatments. Although the Active FX, Deep FX, Fraxel and fractional lasers have a place for many patients, the media and some doctors overplay the effects of these lasers. They cannot and will not equal the effects of more aggressive laser treatment and may need several treatments on some patients. To see more about the Active FX, Fraxel and fractional laser treatment click on chart at top of page.
The newer fractional lasers such as Active FX and Fraxel, have even shorter recoveries of 3-5 days, but again are a step down in results.
Deep FX laser resurfacing is also a fractional treatment but penetrates much deeper than Active FX or other lasers. The combination of deep penetration and fractional treatment (only selected areas of the skin) enable good results with less downtime. This laser has some new and exciting applications for burn patients and scars such as acne scars or traumatic scars.
Dr. Niamtu is an instructor for Lumenis Lasers and is shown teaching other physicians the use of the Lumenis Deep FX laser
Before and After Active FX Laser
The above patient is shown during the healing phase of Deep FX laser resurfacing with improvement of her acne scars
Click here to see Dr. Niamtu’s Blog on sunscreens and protecting the skin from sun damage.
More information about Laser Resurfacing from Dr. Niamtu's library of articles
We now have 6 lasers in our office and we have added a new device to our laser lineup, the Syneron/Candella Core laser. This is the latest technology in laser resurfacing that produces maximum results with less downtime. This laser can perform the lightest treatments that heal in 3-4 days as well as traditional laser resurfacing that heals in about 7-8 days with is about 4 days faster than previous lasers. Dr. Niamtu reviews and demonstrates this laser in the video below.
We all know that sun exposure does bad things to the skin. It causes premature aging, wrinkles, brown spots and sometimes malignant cancers. All adults and even young children have sun damage that you can’t see with the naked eye.
Ultraviolet light enhances epidermal and dermal melanin and what shows up is usually enough to make people scream! We have a skin scanner at our office which shows the hidden damage and is a good way to get people serious about sun protection and skin rejuvenation.
The above image show a patient in the skin scanner.
The image above shows a patient in normal photographic lighting (left) and the same patient photographed in the skin scanner (right). The hidden pigment and sun damage is remarkable.
Most people don’t realize what lies below and are usually shocked to see the amount of hidden damage they actually have. Non-surgical treatment includes avoiding intense sun, using sunscreen, using medically based skin care including Retin-A and bleaching cream and some light based devices. Surgical options include chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing.
The patients below are show before (left) and after (right) laser skin resurfacing. The improvement in their sun damage is obvious.
The patient shown above illustrated significant improvement of wrinkles, brown spots and skin laxity.
Generally, laser procedures that can be performed awake are much less effective and require multiple treatments. The patients shown above underwent deep CO2 laser resurfacing by Dr. Niamtu which has a more intense recovery of approximately 2 weeks, but also remains the gold standard for improving deep wrinkles and deep pigment.
Dr. Niamtu suggests that every patient visit their dermatologist on a yearly basis for mole checks and skin health.
Any person desiring a free skin scan can schedule this through our office front desk at 804-932-FACE (3223)
Joe Niamtu, III DMD
Cosmetic Facial Surgery
Richmond, Virginia
www.lovethatface.com
TV commercial where Dr. Niamtu talks about removing decades of aging with laser resurfacing
DR. CHARLES H. TOWNES: I MET THE MAN THAT INVENTED LASERS
One of my proudest handshakes was with Dr. Charles Townes. This guy pretty much invented the LASER. That includes the one on your key chain, the ones I treat patients with and the ones on our military aircraft. Talk about a cosmetic surgery super hero! When we chatted, he talked about Einstein’s opinion of his project! He worked with Einstein, I had goose bumps, I felt like I was standing next to Sir Issac Newton!
Dr. Niamtu with Dr. Townes in 2010
DR. NIAMTU IS PART OF THE FACULTY AT NATIONAL LASER MEETING IN NEW YORK
Dr. Niamtu described a technique to enable digital photography and software to be used with UV light to evaluate facial pigmentation abnormalities and aging changes. This is very useful in deciding the appropriate laser treatment and is the first description of this method in the scientific cosmetic literature. This article was published in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery in December 2001.
Click to view article
In September 2008, Dr. Niamtu published an article proving that multiple pass, high energy laser skin resurfacing could be safely performed without wiping away the char layer (burnt skin). Previous to this article it was thought that leaving the laser char would complicate the result but Dr. Niamtu performed the first human histologic study in the scientific literature to prove this point and dispel previous articles on this subject. The problem with the previous methods of wiping char with gauze between laser passes increased the damage to the skin and resulted in longer healing, increased post laser pain and increased skin redness after laser. Dr. Niamtu’s research has made laser recovery faster and easier.
Click above image to read Dr. Niamtu’s research article
To see other articles Dr. Niamtu has written about lasers and laser treatment click on the image.
See media coverage and publications about Dr. Niamtu and Laser Resurfacing.
See how the laser treats Facial Scars and Acne Resurfacing .
Dr. Niamtu demonstrates CO2 laser resurfacing with simultaneous facelift for Cosmetic Surgery Times Magazine.