Laser Skin Treatments

Double board-certified Cypress dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Christopher Downing, M.D., FAAD, and dermatologist Joel Byrne, M.D., can help you enjoy smoother, younger-looking skin with laser skin treatments at Houston Dermatology Specialists in Cypress, Texas. Modern lasers such as the CO2RE® and LUCENT IPL lasers make healthy-looking skin attainable no matter your concern. On this page, you’ll find answers to all your questions about how laser skin treatments work, what the recovery process is like, and more.

How does laser skin resurfacing work?

Dr. Downing and Dr. Byrne primarily perform resurfacing with the FDA-approved CO2RE laser. The ablative fractional CO2 laser works by vaporizing tiny channels in the skin’s surface and heating the dermal layers below, triggering the body’s natural healing response. This healing response includes increased collagen and elastin production, which gives your skin a smoother, firmer, and more evenly pigmented look.

What does fractional CO2 laser resurfacing treat?

CO2 laser skin resurfacing treats a variety of concerns, including:

Can lasers treat vascular lesions?

For vascular lesions such as telangiectasias, Dr. Downing and Dr. Byrne often recommend the LUCENT IPL laser. In addition to treating telangiectasias, the LUCENT IPL laser is highly effective for other types of vascular lesions and conditions, including hemangiomas, port-wine stains, and rosacea. Each of these conditions can cause visible blood vessels or discoloration on the skin, and the precision of the LUCENT IPL laser makes it an excellent choice for reducing their appearance.

Alternatives to Laser Skin Resurfacing

Beyond laser treatments, Dr. Downing and Dr. Byrne also offer chemical peels for sun damage, acne scars, and other concerns.

For patients dealing with acne scars, dermal fillers may be an option. This treatment temporarily smooths out and fills in depressed scars, creating a more even and refined skin texture. Dermal fillers are a minimally invasive option that produces immediate results.

Another excellent alternative is SkinPen® microneedling, a procedure that uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This process stimulates the body’s natural healing response, promoting collagen and elastin production. Microneedling effectively reduces the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, and other skin concerns, leaving the skin looking rejuvenated and healthier.

What does the LUCENT IPL laser do?

The LUCENT IPL laser breaks up pigmentation in the skin to treat blue, brown, red, and purple pigmented lesions, such as:

These treatments are relatively quick with little to no downtime. Redness and swelling subside within 2 days, and most people notice their concerns fading after 2 to 6 weeks. Some people may need multiple sessions to treat significant discoloration.

Laser Hair Removal with LUCENT IPL

LUCENT IPL also uses intense pulsed light (IPL) laser energy to remove unwanted hair from the face and body safely and effectively. By targeting the melanin in the hair follicle, LUCENT destroys the hair follicle, stopping from hair regrowing.

Laser hair removal can be performed on the face, neck, chin, arms, legs, chest, and anywhere else on the body where you have unwanted hair.