Your skin is something you have to wear for the rest of your life, so feeling confident in it is a necessity. An aged and sun-damaged face can create a complexion you’re not proud of, and leave you to believe you just have to deal with the imperfections. But thanks to technology, you can effectively eliminate years of damage and restore your skin to a more youthful state.
If “guaranteed to work” moisturizers aren’t providing your desired results, trust in Dr. Andrews and his qualified staff at Des Moines Plastic Surgery to help you understand how SmartXide DOT works, what treatment and recovery involve, who is a good candidate, and how to schedule a consultation for personalized skin rejuvenation.
Why DOT Therapy Works
At Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, we understand that everyone’s skin is unique, and we are determined to find the best solution for you. We are proud to now offer the DEKA SmartXide DOT laser—a fractional resurfacing therapy that can reverse the appearance of aged and sun-damaged skin for a more youthful appearance.
Prior to fractional therapy, many patients seeking skin rejuvenation had to endure long, painful laser resurfacing procedures that required an extended healing period. DOT is a co2 laser that uses fractionated technology results to target only a percentage of the skin at a time, supporting collagen growth while speeding recovery. With DOT therapy, patients receive the best of both worlds: age-defying results and a speedy recovery. The DOT laser can simultaneously correct skin surface issues while treating deep wrinkles and scars.
Laser Resurfacing Benefits
For those considering DOT therapy, you can expect improvements with many skin condition, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Scars
- Overly large pores
- Skin discoloration
- Sun damage (sun spots)
- Uneven skin tone and texture
- Skin laxity (loose skin)
With so many benefits, fractional laser therapy is quickly replacing traditional laser skin resurfacing techniques. For certain concerns, other non surgical technology cannot match the same level of resurfacing correction. This laser treatment is truly a welcome addition to cosmetic medicine.
Procedural Expectations
The laser treatment begins with the application of a topical anesthetic. Depending on the depth of the wrinkles and fold around the mouth, small injections of local anesthetic may be required. It takes about 30 minutes to treat the full face, eyes, mouth and neck. Because the treatment depth can be controlled, the patient can determine their desired downtime. With lighter treatments, the period of skin healing and redness is significantly reduced for minimal downtime.
You are then free to relax as Dr. Andrews uses the controlled laser beam to apply a pattern of tiny scanned pulses of energy across the treatment area. With the thousands of microscopic holes that are created with the laser, a fraction of the damaged skin is immediately removed. Unlike other laser resurfacing procedures, DOT therapy leaves islands of healthy tissue surrounding the tiny holes, allowing your skin to heal more quickly. Heat is also applied to the underlying skin, which promotes immediate skin tightening. The treatment stimulates new collagen and elastin production over time, so patients benefit from smoother texture and firmer-looking skin. Many of our patients only require one treatment, but this will depend on your specific cosmetic goals.
When you come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Andrews or his staff will take the necessary time to get to know your skin and its history. He will listen to your unique concerns and come up with a treatment plan that best suits your needs. Because the DOT therapy techniques can be completely personalized, Dr. Andrews will find the best laser settings to treat your skin.
Results and Recovery
Immediately following the procedure, a silicone skin protectant is applied to trap moisture in the tiny open areas created by the laser, and you’ll receive complete aftercare instructions along with the products needed during recovery. For the first couple of days, the treated areas will feel like a sunburn with mild redness and swelling but there is virtually no downtime. You may experience slight peeling as younger-looking, smoother skin appears. Once the skin begins to peel, it’s usually considered safe to resume makeup application. In most cases, most patients find it takes about a week to 10 days for skin to return to its normal appearance, though new collagen production continues after that, gradually revealing an improved skin tone and texture.
As you recover, we suggest applying a hydrating lotion to keep skin moist and promote healing. Following a strict skin care regimen will help to ensure long-lasting results. It’s also important to avoid sun exposure during healing, since sun exposure can affect recovery and increase the chance of unwanted pigment changes. While the aging process cannot be stopped, with the right skincare regimen and sun protection you will be able to maintain beautiful, healthy-looking skin for many years to come.
Who Can Benefit?
Anyone with significant signs of photoaging is a potential candidate for DOT therapy. People with fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, fine wrinkles, deep folds around the mouth, and skin laxity are great candidates for the technology. Patients come to us from all walks of life, and at any age. If you have brown spots, acne scars, surgical scars, or loose skin, you can also benefit from SmartXide Dot laser resurfacing therapy for improved skin texture.
Schedule a Consultation
Don’t let sun-damaged skin add years to your complexion. At Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, we want to help. Dr. Andrews and his staff give full attention and focus to their patients, striving for exceptional outcomes every time.
If you’re ready to significantly improve the appearance of your skin with non-surgical facial rejuvenation, our knowledgeable staff would love to speak with you. Call us today at 319-318-6625 to set up a consultation with Dr. Andrews and his staff to see if DEKA DOT therapy is right for you.
