As we age, many of us wish we could turn back time and have the skin we had in our twenties for the rest of our lives. However, as not only age sets in but environmental elements as well, skin can start to show signs of damage and wear. There are a variety of treatments that are designed to help rejuvenate skin and return that youthful glow. One option is a micro laser peel, often called the “weekend peel” due to the quick recovery time.

A micro laser peel is a light, full-face laser peel that revitalizes the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation irregularities, keratoses, laxity, acne scars, and uneven skin texture. It is a minimal to full epidermal laser peel that precisely removes the outermost layers of the skin. The procedure is individually tailored to the patient’s needs and allows for an almost infinite choice in how gentle or aggressive the laser peel will be. Each level provides a different end result, adjustable to fit the lifestyle needs and end desires of the patient. The treatment can be similar to a glycolic acid peel or up to a full resurfacing effect.

One of the primary advantages of the micro laser peel is that it causes little pain because it does not penetrate very deep into the skin. Depending on the size of the area being treated a procedure usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Typically, the procedure is repeated 2-4 times, spaced 6-8 weeks apart. The doctor can recommend the number of peels needed to achieve the desired result. One procedure could be sufficient for at least 6 to12 months, but additional procedures can be performed as required.

Depending on the depth of treatment, most patients feel comfortable enough to return to work within 3-4 days. Because only the outer layer of skin is treated, most patients notice an obvious improvement in tone, texture and color evenness once the skin heals.

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 SCITON MicroLaserPeel. The Institute of Colorectal Health & Wellness is located at 218 Atlanta Avenue, in Stuart. For more information, call 772-539-9556 or visit InstituteHealthWellness.com.