Long term sun exposure, active lifestyle and the wear and tear of everyday living results in visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, light scars and laxity. Women traditionally turn to creams to address these aging issues but there is another option. Laser and light-based skin treatments can address a wide range of issues. Laser stands for light amplified by stimulated emission of radiation. A laser provides a wavelength of light, and different things in our skin will absorb different wavelengths. So a doctor may choose one wavelength to target brown spots and another for vascular skin problems like rosacea and facial vessels.

Laser resurfacing is a treatment used to improve the tone and texture of the skin, remove discoloration, reduce pore size, and encourage more collagen to form, which tightens skin. By directing short concentrating pulsating beams of light at irregular skin, surface-level and moderately deep lines and wrinkles are removed. Hybrid Fractional Lasers (HFL) deliver non-ablative and ablative wavelengths, a hybrid solution that minimizes discomfort and downtime when compared to traditional fractional resurfacing. This type of laser is able to provide results with fewer treatments, typically 1 or 2, and at a lower cost than the older technology. Laser resurfacing is often used to treat sun damage, enlarged pores, discoloration, fine lines, light scars, acne scars, poor texture and other signs of aging.

Broadband Light delivers light therapy that targets the signs of aging and sun damage to provide a more refreshed, rejuvenated and youthful appearance. The light energy will gently heat the upper layers of the skin. The heat absorbed by the targeted area will stimulate the skin cells to generate new collagen. This will help restore the skin and make it smoother and younger looking. The most common areas to be treated are those most exposed to the damaging effects of the sun including the face, neck, back of the hands, chest and shoulders. This type of laser will remove age spots, freckles, redness, small vessels and more. It can also reduce unwanted hair and control active acne. Three or four maintenance treatments per year are recommended to retain skin that is free of sun damage and to promote collagen.

Find out if you are a good candidate by consulting with a doctor who has training and experience in laser skin resurfacing and broadband light. The doctor will determine which laser or light treatment is best for you after considering your medical history, current health, and desired results. Generally, a laser treatment is an outpatient procedure. For small areas, the doctor will numb the areas to be treated with a local anesthetic. The hybrid fractional laser only requires a 72-hour downtime and with the broadband light patients can immediately return to activities.

Deborah DeMarta, MD, FACS, FAARFM is a board-certified Colorectal Surgeon who specializes in Integrative, Functional, Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine. She treats skin conditions using the Halo hybrid fractional laser and the Forever Young BBL (broadband light) laser. The Institute of Colorectal Health & Wellness is located at 218 Atlanta Avenue, in Stuart. For more information, call 772-539-9556 or visit InstitureHealthWellness.com.