What is Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation (ESR)?
Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation is a gentle laser treatment for wrinkles and sun damage as well as broken capillaries and red spots.  This no-downtime procedure is appropriate for the face but also for the chest, neck and hands - or anywhere else that sun damage shows.

Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation is a non-ablative, non-invasive procedure - the surface of the skin is not damaged or removed.  The gentle laser correct pigmenation irregularities and broken blood vessels and encourage new collagen growth to smooth out existing facial wrinkles.

Who is appropriate for ESR?
The ESR process uses Iridex (formerly Laserscope) lasers.  When used at the proper settings, these lasers are safe for most skin types and colors.

What can I expect during a treatment?
Prior to treatment your provider might recommend that a mild, topical anesthetic be applied to your face or another region that is scheduled for treatment.  While not necessary, most patients do prefer to be treated after an anesthetic is applied.  At Sierra Cosmetic Laser we use a combination of Benzocaine, Lidocaine and Tetracaine in a gel base to numb the skin.  If you have any allergies to topical anesthetics, please inform your provider prior to treatment.

The first portion of the treatment involves direct targeting of visible broken blood vessels and smaller sunspots with a 2mm laser "pen" called the Dermastat.  Then, a cooled ultrasound gel is applied in a thin layer over the treatment area and the next portion of the treatment begins.  A larger handpiece with a cooled tip is used to "paint" over the treatment area first to treat diffuse pigment and redness.  Then, your provider will change laser wavelengths and paint over the skin, using the laser to induce collagen stimulation for wrinkle reduction.

Is the treatment painful?
Most patients feel minimal discomfort during the procedure.  A topical anesthetic can be applied to make the treatments more comfortable.

What can I expect following treatment?
Following the treatment the provider will recommend a sunblock for daily wear.  Make-up can be applied immediately after treatment and you can resume normal activities..  Many patients schedule their treatments over lunch and return to work right after.  There may be some redness or swelling for a few hours or, less often, a few days.

Darker pigments and freckles may get darker after the initial treatment and flake off in a few days.  It is not unusual after the scab falls off that the treated area will look pink or reddish compared to surrounding skin.  This fades after 1-4 days and the skin will have normal color again...but without the pigmented spot!

Because the lasers reduce wrinkles by encouraging new collagen growth, wrinkle improvement is gradual.  At the time of your third treatment, nine to twelve weeks after your initial treaments, you will begin to not wrinkle improvement.  That being said, most patients have modest skin tightening apparent about 6-8 weeks after just one treatment!

How long do treatments take?
ESR typically uses two laser wavelengths in each treatment session.  Each session takes between 30-60 minutes depending on the size of the treatment area.  The first session typically takes a bit longer and you have to allow time to numb the skin, so ask your provider how long your treatment will take prior to your appointment.  Depending on your skin type and condition anywhere between 1 to 8 treatments might be necessary.

How long do the effects last?
The improvements are permanent, however, aging is progressive.  The wrinkles and sun damage that are visible today were often caused years before.  Care should be taken to wear sun block to prevent further sun damage.  Additionally, new wrinkles cannot necessarily be stoped from appearing.  However, the laser's encouragement of collagen growth should help slow the appearance of new wrinkles.

So even though we can't stop the march of time, we can turn back the clock a bit!

Why should I choose Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation?
ESR is a wonderful, cost-effective alternative for patients who want a more youthful appearance without needles, cosmetic surgery or weeks of recovery time.

I've heard the term "photofacial", is this a similar procedure?
In a sense, yes.  ESR addresses sun damage and redness the way a photofacial can, but is much more targeted to your specific skin issues and also adds the element of wrinkle reduction via collagen stimulation.