The picture below illustrates the layers of skin. You can easily see the top layer – that’s what is being replaced. In addition to that, the tissue just below gets heated up by laser, which makes it produce more collagen. This, in turn, makes the new skin looks younger and healthier.

The procedure is very uncomfortable, despite numbing gel or even local anesthesia. Patients usually feel the pinches or other unpleasant skin sensations nevertheless. What laser pulse does here is basically damages the top layer of skin forcing the body to rid of it and grow a new healthier layer. According to Cutera’s web site “The Pearl laser replaces the entire top sun-damaged layer of skin with new healthy skin. Simultaneously, it sends heat to deeper layers of the skin stimulating new collagen growth, filling out and decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. New collagen growth continues for 4 to 6 weeks post-treatment. The combination of new skin and decreased wrinkles results in a healthier, more youthful appearance.”

Usually, there’s only one or two laser skin treatments necessary to rejuvenate even very damaged skin. Since this treatment usually applied to face, extreme caution has to be taken in order to avoid sun exposure. Facial skin remains “damaged” for almost two weeks, so this type of laser skin treatment is best done during late fall, winter or early spring – to minimize time a patient will be exposed to sun rays.

While somewhat painful and expensive in terms of both money and time (you may need to stay home first few days and stay away from social events for about a week or two), this procedure is a tremendous help in rejuvenating your skin from vast majority of imperfections.