Treating Sun Damage with Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays can, over time, do damage to the skin. This damage frequently shows up in the form of sunspots, which are places that appear darker than the surrounding skin. These spots develop as a result of an overproduction of melanin in those sections of the skin. Melanin is what gives the skin its pigment. It is also what causes it to tan after being in the sun. The body produces melanin as a means of protection against the harmful rays of the sun. Sunspots occur when excessive melanin occurs unevenly, leading to the appearance of spots.

Sun damage can make a person appear older than he or she really is. Fortunately, treatment options are available to remove things like sunspots. Among these options is laser resurfacing, which can be in the form of ablative or non-ablative methods.

Fractional ablative laser resurfacing is done when the concentrated beams of light that constitute lasers are delivered in pulses to the targeted areas of the skin. The body’s natural healing process takes over to replace the cells that were destroyed. The new skin cells will then have a smoother look, and the sunspots will no longer be there.

Ablative laser resurfacing is more aggressive than its non-ablative counterpart, but the desired improvements in skin tone can typically be achieved with a single treatment. Following treatment, patients may experience minor, temporary side effects like itching and swelling. Both of these side effects can be expected to disappear within a very short time after the treatment.  

If you have skin that has been damaged by too much exposure to the sun over the years and are looking for ways to restore that youthful look, you should have a discussion with our team of professionals at the Center for Dermatology about the various treatment options that are available. If you want to know more detail about how fractional ablative laser resurfacing may benefit you, an evaluation of your condition and medical history can be done at our office in order to determine if this method is feasible for you without the risk of serious side effects. It may be that this option is the best one for you. If not, there may be other available choices.

The Center for Dermatology is located in Lawrenceville and happily serves the Grayson, Suwanee, Auburn, Johns Creek, Dacula and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for fractional ablative laser resurfacing.