LASER TREATMENTS
While we often take it for granted, light is a powerful form of energy, and when harnessed properly, can be an important tool in the pursuit of aesthetic perfection. Laser-based light, in particular, utilizes a potent combination of light and heat to treat a range of different aesthetic problems safely, comfortably, and cost-effectively. Dr. Hugh L. Vu, Board Certified plastic surgeon and lead physician at Vu Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, located in Stockton, California, is committed to offering only the latest state-of-the-art laser treatments in order to help his patients achieve their aesthetic goals while maximizing their safety and comfort. His dedication to the highest level of personal integrity means that he does not offer standardized, “cookie-cutter” treatments. Instead, he earns his patients’ trust by providing only personalized procedures designed to meet the unique aesthetic and medical needs of each individual, ensuring successful, high-quality results and complete patient satisfaction each and every time.
LASER TREATMENT OPTIONS
Laser treatments are extremely powerful and versatile, and can be utilized to safely and effectively treat a wide range of aesthetic conditions. At Vu Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we are pleased to offer laser-based treatments for:
Skin Rejuvenation
Laser treatments offer powerful skin rejuvenation by minimizing the appearance of sun damage, age spots and liver spots, uneven pigmentation or skin discoloration, rosacea and melasma, acne scarring, and fine lines and wrinkles. Laser skin rejuvenation can be either non-ablative, for mild to moderate skin damage, or ablative, to provide the most significant rejuvenation:
- Non-ablative Laser Skin Rejuvenation: During a non-ablative laser resurfacing treatment, the laser is broken up into microscopic columns of intense energy and directed onto the surface of the skin. The heat produced by the laser is gently absorbed into the skin, stimulating the body’s natural production of collagen to restore the skin’s healthy skin tone and youthful glow. Non-ablative treatments are non-invasive with minimal side effects and downtime, but require multiple sessions for maximum results.
- Ablative Laser Skin Rejuvenation: Ablative laser resurfacing involves “wounding” the skin in order to jump-start the body’s production of collagen. Microscopic beams of light from the laser instantly drill very tiny holes into the skin and heat the deeper layers of the skin. The tiny wounds caused by this process triggers the body’s own healing mechanisms, delivering powerful rejuvenation in just one session. While still minimally-invasive, this treatment is more intense than a non-ablative treatment, and may require several days of downtime.
Hair Removal
Intense, pulsating beams of laser-based light can be used to remove unwanted hair from every area of the body except the eyelids. As the energy from the laser is painlessly absorbed through the skin into the pigment in the hair follicle, the energy burns away the carbon in the follicle, killing the hair and permanently preventing new hair growth in that follicle. Laser hair removal can be performed in the office without anesthesia. A normal session may take a few minutes or a few hours, depending on the amount of hair to be removed, and patients can return to their normal activities immediately. Most patients will require five to seven laser treatments to permanently remove the hair from the target area, although the exact treatment plan will depend on each patient’s hair type and color, skin tone, and location and size of the treatment area.
Vein/Vascular Lesion Treatment
Vascular problems such as varicose veins or spider veins occur when one-way valves inside the vein become weak and damaged, preventing the blood from flowing properly through the vein back to the heart. The blood backs up and pools inside the vein, causing the vein to become inflamed or dilated. For some individuals, the vascular lesions this pooling causes can be extremely painful and lead to the development of unsightly vein lines that show through the skin. Laser-based treatments can offer an effective, non-surgical tool for mild to moderate vascular damage. During a laser treatment, a focused beam of light heats and damages the vein, causing scar tissue to build up and seal off the vein. Once the vein is sealed and blood is no longer flowing through it, the vein dies and is painlessly reabsorbed back into the body. Small vascular problems can be treated through the skin, while larger vascular lesions require the use of a tiny catheter to deliver the laser directly into the vein underneath the skin; this type of treatment will require the use of a local anesthetic or mild sedative. Laser-based vascular treatments are minimally-invasive and require little or no downtime, but multiple treatments may be required to completely heal some vascular lesions.
Contact Vu Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
At Vu Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in Stockton, CA, we set ourselves apart from other cosmetic enhancement practitioners with our professionalism, state-of-the-art facility, and commitment to providing exceptional patient care. Our lead plastic surgeon Dr. Hugh L. Vu operates under the premise of two very simple, yet critically important goals:
- Offer only the most advanced surgical and cosmetic techniques in order to maximize your safety and comfort
- Earn and maintain your trust and confidence by upholding the highest possible code of ethics and personal integrity
When you select Dr. Vu as your cosmetic surgeon, you can feel confident knowing that you will receive the highest quality care and the best possible results. If you would like more information about laser treatment options at Vu Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, please contact our office today for an initial consultation. We look forward to speaking with you!