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

reviews for Dr Niamtu thanking him for laser resurfacing treatment

Laser resurfacing treatment

Laser Treatment Only

Laser resurfacing treatment

Laser Treatment Only

Laser resurfacing treatment and facelift

Laser and Facelift

Laser resurfacing treatment for acne scarring

Laser for Acne

Laser resurfacing treatment

Laser Treatment Only

Laser resurfacing treatment to improve scarring

Laser for Scar Improvement

Laser resurfacing treatment and facelift

Laser and Facelift

Laser resurfacing treatment for acne

Laser for Acne

Before and after a single  laser treatment for acne.

Laser for Acne Scars

Before and after a single laser treatment for acne.

 Before and after a single  laser treatment for acne
 Before and after a single  laser treatment for acne
 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.

laser treatment of multiple, scattered precancerous lesions
laser treatment for multiple, scattered precancerous lesions

ultraviolet photography before and after laser resurfacing treatment

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.


ultraviolet photography before (left) and after (right) CO2 laser resurfacing

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

HM day3

This patient is shown 3 days after full face comprehensive (deep) laser resurfacing.

6 days post laserThe same patients is shown 6 days after the laser procedure

The patient below is shown 2 weeks after comprehensive (deep) CO2 laser.  The pinkness can be covered with makeup and resolves over several weeks 2-week-erythema

If you are considering laser resurfacing, the videos below explain the post laser recovery and care in great detail.

Post Laser Care Instructions Part 1
Post Laser Care Instructions Part 2

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.

Joseph Niamtu, III, DMD has met the criteria of eligibility and has been elected a member of American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, Inc.(ASLMS Fellow 2006)

Joseph Niamtu, III, DMD has been elected as a member in the International Society of Cosmetic and Laser Surgeons, Inc. (ISCLS)

Certificate of membership awarded to Joe Niamtu III, DMD a recognized member of the Dermatologic & Aesthetic Surgery International League (DASIL)


Dr. Niamtu received the best speaker award at a medical meeting in Florence, Italy for his presentation on laser resurfacing technology

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.

Dr. Niamtu teaches other physicians the use of the Lumenis Deep FX laser

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

Before and After Active FX Laser

Healing after Deep FX laser resurfacing treating acne scars

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.