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Oct 27, 2009 10:07 am US/Eastern
New Laser Treatment Targets Aging, Acne Scars
BOCA RATON (CBS4) ―
Over the last three years, laser resurfacing has increased more than 450 percent for men and 215 percent for women.
That's according to the Academy of Cosmetic Surgery which said laser resurfacing has proven effective in treating a number of conditions. Now there's a laser procedure that can help reduce acne scarring.
"I had acne very bad as a teenager," said Susan Simpson.
But it wasn't until she became an adult that the acne scarring surfaced. Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Steiger suggested she try a combination of treatments including the eCO2 premium laser. The carbon dioxide skin resurfacing laser is the latest in fractionated technology.
"Instead of sending a beam to the entire surface of the skin a computer on the laser will actually generate small little beams that will only treat 20 to 30 to 80 percent of the skin," said Steiger.
There are three types of acne scarring and Simpson has all three.
And while this laser works for some it doesn't work for all scarring. One major benefit of this laser versus others is the decreased recovery time.
"With the original technology you would have a lot of healing it would be about 10 days of healing of the skin itself and then you'd be red to pink for almost three months," Steiger explained.
With the CO2 laser the peeling and dryness go away in about 4 days; knowing the right amount of energy to use is key to success. Simpson said she saw results after her first treatment.
"First that improved remarkably was the skin color and texture of her skin," said Steiger.
"It smoothes it out a lot as I said got rid of all the discoloration but it made it much smoother," added Simpson.
Simpson will likely need another treatment which she can have after 6 months. Steiger said another use for the eCO2 laser would be to make people look younger.
"What happens with this laser is it stimulates the collagen to reproduce deep inside the skin," Steiger said.
If used for anti-aging, most patients will not need another treatment for several years.
Each treatment costs $2,500.
To reach Dr. Steiger call 561-499-9339 or visit
www.drsteiger.com.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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