Laser Facial Rejuvenation

Imagine erasing the ravages of time from your skin.  Though we are born with silky soft skin, as years progress, our skin ages.  Slowly, wrinkles appear or acne scars take their toll on our youthful appearance.  Suddenly, we look in the mirror and find a person who appears much older.

Fortunately, the fountain of youth has been transformed into  a laser that reduces as much as 80% of the fine lines and wrinkles from your face.  The CO2 laser removes old skin and tightens the collagen underneath.  The result is healthy, glowing, natural skin that helps you look as good as you feel.

Although you may be apprehensive at first, we do our very best to put you at ease.  First, you will visit with our founder and medical director, Dr. John Snead.  He will make an assessment of your skin, discuss your concerns and recommend the appropriate laser surgery to meet your needs.  If a full face laser procedure is recommended by Dr. Snead, you will then visit our aesthetic therapist who will conduct another assessment to see if your skin needs pre-surgery conditioning.

You will be given intravenous sedation for a full face resurfacing procedure.  After you drift off to sleep, the doctor will position the laser to apply quick intense bursts across your quick intense bursts across your skin.  As the laser contacts your skin, it vaporizes the first layer or wrinkles.  The doctor may then opt to pass the laser one or more times over deeper wrinkles.  During this time, collagen is automatically tightened.  After the surgeon is finished, a therapeutic dressing will be applied to cover your new skin.

Slowly you will be awakened and you will go home to rest.  The following day, your dressings will be removed in our office.

Day of Surgery:
Your medication will keep you drowsy and comfortable.

One to Two Days Post-op:
Most patients experience very little discomfort.

Three to Four Days Post-op:
As your medication effects subside, you begin to feel some mild discomfort which will progress to an itchy and burning sensation by the third or fourth day.  This sensation usually lasts for only a couple of days and is the worst part of the recovery time.  Cool water helps the discomfort to subside.

Five to Ten Days Post-op:
The discomfort subsides quickly.  You may apply camouflage makeup and return to normal activities by around the tenth day.  You will experience some pinkness after surgery.  It will begin very bright and red, similar to a bad sunburn, but will fade to a light pink within an approximate period of four to six weeks.  The pinkness will continue to fade for up to six months.

John W. Snead, M.D., F.A.C.S. is fellowship trained in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.  He has been practicing oculoplastic surgery for more than 25 years.  In addition to numerous certifications and associations, Dr. Snead is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.  He has served as an international consultant and completed a fellowship in Ophthalmic Microsurgery in Melbourne Australia, where he has been asked to return as a guest lecturer.  Dr. Snead's expertise in oculoplastic surgery is unmatched.