Best Skin Laser Treatments for Wrinkles and More in San Francisco

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We offer laser treatments using state-of-the-art energy devices for all skin types and a number of skin conditions, including sun and age spots, matted blood vessels, skin damage, skin discoloration, fine and deep wrinkles of the face, acne scars, and more. Discover your best and healthiest skin yet with laser treatments at the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery.

Conditions Treated with Laser Surgery and Energy Devices

Energy and light-based devices are commonly are used in various skin treatments to address a wide range of dermatological concerns. These devices utilize different types of energy sources, such as lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL), radiofrequency (RF), and ultrasound, to target specific skin issues and promote rejuvenation. Treatments vary from mild treatments with minimal recovery time, prompt return to normal activities, and subtle results, to more invasive treatments, with a few days to two weeks of recovery time, and dramatic improvements in a number of conditions such as severe acne scarring, deep wrinkles, and sun damage. Learn more about some of the skin conditions that we treat with our state of the art laser and energy-devices at the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery.

  • Wrinkles and the appearance of fine lines on the face appear with age. These can be in many ways, including Botox, chemical peels, and lasers. Laser and energy device treatments for wrinkles is a popular and highly effective option for addressing signs of aging, treating wrinkles and improving skin texture. Laser and energy devices emit focused beams of light or other energy, such as radiofrequency or ultrasound energy, that can target specific layers of the skin, causing controlled injury to old, damaged collagen in the skin, stimulating new collagen production and reducing the appearance of wrinkles in the skin. With this type of laser treatments, it is possible to have younger-looking skin free of wrinkles and blemishes. We offer four general types of energy-based devices for wrinkles:

    Fractional resurfacing lasers such as Sciton Joule Halo, and Fraxel laser

    Full ablative resurfacing lasers that peel the top layer of the skin on the whole face, called the epidermis, to reveal new skin (such as Lumenis ultrapulse carbon dioxide and Sciton Joule Erbium-YAG lasers). When combined with a more invasive procedure such as a facelift this is a fantastic tool for treatment of deep wrinkles in target areas such as the upper lip and around the eyes, often with very dramatic results.

    Non-ablative lasers such as the Lumenis Resurfx laser and Fraxel laser deliver heat energy to the deeper layers of the skin, to stimulate collagen production, without removing the top layer of skin. This results in improvement in wrinkles with minimal recovery time.

    Radiofrequency Microneedling: This is a different type of energy treatment that combines the benefits of microneedling and radiofrequency energy to rejuvenate the skin. This advanced treatment can address various skin concerns and is particularly effective in improving skin texture, reducing wrinkles, and promoting collagen production, with minimal recover time.

  • We offer a number of treatments for different types of scars, including acne scars, scars from skin cancer surgery, and other types of scars. Some of the offered laser skin treatments for scars include Pulsed Dye Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for the treatment of red scars, Resurfx laser, Lumenis Ultrapulse laser for raised, deep scars, and Sciton Joule Erbium laser for resurfacing and blending of existing scars. We offer laser technologies for scars in all skin types, including darker skin tones.

  • Acne Rosacea is a chronic condition usually located on the face, cheeks, forehead and nose that causes redness, red bumps and generalized facial redness and flushing. This can be treated effectively and greatly improved by our board certified dermatologist with a combination of medications and vascular lasers such as Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) and IPL with vascular filters, with great results.

  • Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a popular and effective treatment for broken blood vessels and pigmented discoloration such as sun spots, age spots, hyperpigmentation, melasma, and other imperfections. This treatment is called a Photofacial, and is a great treatment for any skin that is prone to redness and broken blood vessels, such as Caucasian skin. With careful settings performed by an experienced dermatologist, this energy treatment can also be safely performed in other complexions prone to redness, such as East Asian skin. The Photofacial is often combined with other treatments such as the Lumenis Resurfx, for a combined improvement of skin texture and color. With careful settings performed by an experienced dermatologist, this treatment can be safely performed in pigmented skin types such as East Asian skin.

  • Laser Skin Tightening is a non-invasive or minimally invasive procedure that uses laser technology to penetrate into the deeper layer of the skin called the dermis. This laser energy is then converted to heat deep in the skin in order to stimulate collagen production and skin tightening, without downtime or the risk of serious side effects. This is a great treatment option that can be used to tighten the skin, decrease fine lines, produce smoother skin, and decrease pore size in treated areas. With Laser Skin Tightening, a series of five treatment sessions, approximately a month apart, are recommended for optimum results. Maximum results are seen about 90 days after the last treatment.

  • Are you tired of endless shaving, waxing, plucking, electrolysis of unwanted hair? Have you experienced laser burns and other side effects after getting laser hair removal treatments from a med spa? If so, the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery has the perfect solution for you. We have state-of-the-art lasers for hair removal, specific to each skin type and level of pigmentation for the best and safest results.

  • Spider and varicose veins on the legs can be successfully treated with sclerotherapy (injections) or lasers. Lasers can also be used to treat unsightly veins on the face and in other areas of the body, such as the breasts, feet, and the back of the hands.

  • Stretch marks are a common concern for many individuals, often appearing as a result of pregnancy, growth spurts, or weight gain. While stretch marks are harmless and pose no health risk, some people seek treatment options to minimize their appearance and boost their self-confidence. At the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery, we offer the effective and advanced laser treatments for stretch marks, designed to lighten or smoothen their texture.

  • Baggy, saggy eyelids can be treated with traditional scalpel surgery to remove wrinkles, excess fat, and skin. While these techniques are effective, they may also result in undesirable effects including bleeding, bruising, scarring and prolonged recover time. There is a better choice. Laser eyelid surgery (also called Blepharoplasty) uses a pulsed laser to remove excess skin, fat, and wrinkles, resulting in considerably less bleeding, bruising, post-treatment pain, and risk of scarring. No scalpel or scissor cutting is involved. This method is the most effective method for removing eyelid wrinkles than any other method currently available. The procedure is performed with mild oral sedation and local anesthesia.

  • Rhinophyma is a skin condition and a subtype of rosacea, where chronic inflammation in the skin results in a bulbous, enlarged, and red appearing nose. Rhinophyma is more commonly observed in men and can cause significant distress and self-consciousness. At the California Center for Dermatology, we use lasers to remove the swollen and enlarged tissue, artfully reshaping the nose to a more normal appearance.

  • Sun damage to the skin results in conditions such as formation of precancerous spots on the skin called actinic keratoses. 1 out of 100 of these spots go on to develop into a skin cancer after many years. Actinic keratoses may be treated with different methods, such as anti-cancer creams, blue light therapy, or laser resurfacing. At the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery, we offer individualized laser treatments for precancerous skin lesions. This can be life saving for patients with severe skin damage and numerous precancerous spots as this treatment will greatly reduce the risk of future actinic keratoses and skin cancers.

Are Laser Treatments Right For Me?

When performed by an experienced board-certified dermatologist, laser and energy-device treatments can be beneficial for a number of conditions in all skin types. Board-certified dermatologists are the ultimate experts in all things skin related, particularly when it comes to the skin's interaction with light and other energy-based interactions. It is best to consult with a board-certified dermatologist to find out if you are a good candidate for laser surgery. Your doctor will device a treatment plan for your skin concerns based on your aesthetic goals, and will help you on your journey to better looking skin.

A Dermatologist that Provides Outstanding Patient Care

At the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery, all treatments are performed by Dr. Carlson, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, rather than a nurse, nursing assistant, or esthetician, to ensure the safest and most effective results, and to minimize the risk of serious adverse effects and complications, which may occur with any laser treatments. Our patients are in the best hands when it comes to the use of energy devices for skin rejuvenation.

Our Office Serves the Entire Bay Area Including Oakland, Berkeley, Marin County, the Peninsula and Beyond

Our team of aesthetic dermatology experts at the California Center for Dermatologic Surgery are ready to help you discover and accentuate your healthiest skin and your best features. Visit us today for a consultation!

Schedule an appointment today for laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology services.