Facial Plastic Surgery
Beverly Hills
Skin-perfecting, problem-solving lasers have come a long way since they were first introduced years ago.
Lasers are light-based devices that target different cells to reduce or eliminate pigmentation, scars, redness, wrinkles, and textural abnormalities. Each wavelength used is unique to a specific problem. With most lasers, our office will numb the area to be treated with a topical numbing cream or use a sedative for heavier lasers. Once you notice a slight tingling sensation or coldness (that means the area is numb), your doctor will hold the handpiece against your skin. As the energy is emitted onto your skin, you may feel some discomfort or pain, signaling that the laser is working.
Non-ablative lasers leave the outer layer of skin intact, but are still able to penetrate. There is no significant skin sloughing or extended downtime, although there may be discomfort after the procedure as the skin heals. Perfect for correcting minimal pigment, light non-ablative lasers are usually downtime-free since they don't break the skin. However, they need to be done more than once to get maximum results. Moderate non-ablative lasers correct minimal sun damage, acne scars, discoloration, wrinkles, and crepiness around the eyes with minimal downtime.
Ablative lasers can be adjusted to increase or decrease the level of penetration. These lasers are amongst the most aggressive lasers available. The more ablative the laser is, the deeper it goes, resulting in a longer recovery ablative lasers can give dramatic results.
Non-ablative fractional resurfacing works by damaging small columns of the skin so that it heals faster. During treatment, your skin will be numbed, so you shouldn't feel any pain.
After treatment, your skin may be pink or red and will feel rough for a few days afterward. My treatments are unique in that I combine them with a topical collagen stimulating agent to enhance your healing skin along with antioxidants and serums to minimize downtime. Treated areas need to be kept moist as the skin begins to flake off. After three to six treatments you'll notice softer skin.
SkinPen, the first and only FDA cleared Microneedling device, has tiny needles that make microscopic channels in the dermis, triggering the body's healing response to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin, plumping up the skin. Collagen is a protein that gives our skin its structure, working like a scaffold to hold skin cells together. Our collagen production helps combat signs of aging.
This procedure takes about 30 minutes, depending on the area(s) treated. Most patients report feeling only the slight vibration of SkinPen during the treatment.
During recovery, due to their non-invasive nature, Microneedling sessions usually require little downtime for patients.
Radio frequency treatment works by sending radio frequency energy to heat up deep layers of skin and increase collagen production while also tightening the surface of the skin. Each machine feels different, some get hotter than others, but overall there's minimal discomfort and some warmth; sometimes a series of treatments are needed to notice a change in the skin.
Recovery takes one to two weeks for swelling.
A graduate of the esteemed Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Kimberly J. Lee is a highly sought-after facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, as well as an accomplished ear, nose, and throat specialist.
