Lasers and Peels

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA

Lasers and Peels in Santa Monica and Los Angeles

Lasers and peels are both skin rejuvenation treatments that are designed to improve the health and appearance of your skin. These treatments use advanced technology and specialized chemical solutions to target imperfections, restoring brighter, more radiant skin. Whether you are looking to restore smoother skin or address deep wrinkles or scars, our lasers and peels can be tailored for your needs.

The Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center is one of Santa Monica’s premier dermatological practices. No matter your skin concerns, our team of providers can help you with a highly personalized approach.

To start working with our dermatological team, please schedule a consultation online or call (310) 829-4104.

About Lasers

At The Dermatology Institute and Skin Care Center, we offer Excel V+ laser to repair and rejuvenate the skin. Excel V+ is effective for reducing wrinkles and fine lines, reversing sun damage, and removing veins and spots. This laser is also non-ablative, which means it addresses skin concerns without removing the topmost layers. (1)

About Peels

Chemical peels are chemical solutions that can be applied topically to exfoliate the skin. Peels can be categorized into three distinct categories based on the depth of penetration, which also correlate with the severity of the concerns they address. These categories include light, medium, and deep. (2)

Benefits

Both our laser and peels are associated with numerous benefits. These benefits include:

  • Diminished Signs of Aging: Our laser and peel treatments can stimulate the production of collagen in the treated areas, reducing the appearance of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles.
  • Smoother Skin: Lasers and peels can be performed to address rough skin texture and acne scars, restoring smoother, more even skin.
  • Reduced Pigmentation Concerns: The Excel V+ laser can target redness in the skin, restoring a brighter and clearer complexion.
  • Long-Lasting Results: The results of our treatments are designed to last for several months, offering continuous improvements in the health and appearance of your skin.
  • Non-Surgical Nature: Lasers and peels provide significant results without requiring incisions, general anesthesia, or a lengthy recovery time.
  • Tailored Treatment Plans: Our team of dermatologists will select your laser settings or peel strength around your specific concerns and needs, providing you with an individualized solution for enhancing your skin.

Candidates

Our laser and peel treatments may be used to address numerous skin concerns and conditions, including, but not limited to:

  • Spider Veins
  • Broken Capillaries
  • Port-Wine Stains
  • Sun Spots
  • Rosacea
  • Facial Wrinkles
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Acne
  • Acne Scars
  • Melasma
  • Enlarged Pores
  • Actinic Keratosis

Potential patients should be in good general health without any skin conditions or disorders that may affect their ability to receive or recover from their treatment. It is also important to hold realistic expectations regarding what this treatment may achieve. Our team of dermatologists will determine each patient’s candidacy for our lasers and peels during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, your skin expert will meet with you personally to determine the most effective treatment for your specific needs. They will ask you about your medical history and current prescriptions, as well as your concerns and treatment goals. They will also evaluate the condition and quality of your skin.

Your dermatologist will recommend either our Excel V+ laser or a chemical peel and craft your treatment plan. They will discuss the most suitable laser settings or peel depth with you, and may suggest additional skin treatments based on your desired results. Throughout the consultation, they will also answer any questions you may have about lasers and peels, or skin rejuvenation in general. By the end of your consultation, you will feel well-informed and have a treatment plan designed just for you.

If you are ready to schedule this consultation and meet with your dermatologist, please contact us online or call (310) 829-4104.

Preparation

Once you have decided to proceed with your treatment, you will be given a set of detailed instructions.

  • You may be asked to refrain from taking certain medications or supplements with blood-thinning properties.
  • You may need to modify your skincare routine to avoid harsh or acidic skincare products, including retinoids, peels, or exfoliants.
  • Sun protection should be worn when leaving the house, but direct or excessive sun exposure should be avoided altogether.
  • On the day of your appointment, you should arrive with clean skin that is free from any skincare or makeup products.

Procedure

Laser Procedure

If you receive a laser procedure, your dermatologist will adjust the settings of your laser to account for your skin tone, type, and concerns. They will pass the Excel V+ device over the targeted areas. As the device works, it will shoot beams of laser energy into the skin to heat its underlying layers and target imperfections. As it does so, an internal sapphire cooling system will keep your skin cool and minimize discomfort. Laser treatments typically take 30-45 minutes to perform, depending on the size of the treatment area being addressed.

Chemical Peel Procedure

Your dermatologist will apply your chemical peel topically using a spatula or brush. Chemical peels may be light, medium, or deep; each contains a combination of alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and other protein denaturants to achieve its effects. This peel will be left to sit on the skin for a certain amount of time before a neutralizing serum is applied to stop its effects. Your specialist will then rinse your face to ensure the removal of any remaining product. Chemical peels can take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the depth of the peel.

Recovery

After your appointment, you may experience redness and swelling around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will dissipate on their own within a few days, depending on the strength of your treatment. You should protect your skin by using sunscreen and a gentle moisturizer, as well as avoiding harsh or abrasive skincare products or treatments.

Your dermatologist will provide you with a full set of detailed recovery instructions after your treatment. These instructions will outline any activity restrictions, products to avoid, and how to best care for your skin while it heals.

Results

After your skin has fully healed, you will be able to enjoy the full results of your laser or peel treatment. You will be able to enjoy clearer, brighter, and smoother skin overall, as well as improvements in its tightness and elasticity.

Cost of Lasers and Peels in Santa Monica and Los Angeles

The cost of your laser or peel treatment can vary depending on the type of treatment performed, the type of concerns being addressed, the depth of your treatment, as well as several other factors. Once the details of your treatment have been established, your specialist will discuss the pricing of your procedure with you and provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate.

To learn more about the cost of your laser and peel treatment, please schedule a consultation online or call (310) 829-4104.

FAQ

How will I know if lasers or peels are more suitable for my skin concerns?

During your consultation, your specialist will assess the quality of your skin to determine which treatment is more appropriate for your needs. They may recommend additional treatments depending on your goals.

Can all skin types and tones be treated with lasers and peels?

Most skin types and tones may be treated with lasers and peels. Certain laser settings or peel depths may be more suitable for lighter skin complexions, while others may be more effective on darker skin tones. Both treatments are highly customizable, but in order to find out if you are a candidate, you should consult with a skin expert at our office.

How many treatment sessions will I need to see my desired results?

Some patients can achieve the results they want after just one treatment, while others may benefit from a series of treatments. The number of treatment sessions required can vary depending on the type of corrections being performed, the severity of the concerns being addressed, as well as the depth of your treatment. During your consultation, your specialist will discuss the ideal number of treatment sessions for your desired results.

Is Excel V+ an ablative or non-ablative laser?

The Excel V+ laser is non-ablative, meaning it targets the underlying layers of tissue for comprehensive skin remodeling and targeted imperfection removal without removing the outermost layer of skin.

Can my lasers and peels treatment be combined with another skin rejuvenation treatment?

Yes, your skin rejuvenation treatment may be combined with another for more comprehensive and cohesive results. For more information on combining treatments, we recommend scheduling a personal consultation. Our team can also provide recommendations for ways you can best optimize your skincare regimen outside of the office.

References

  1. Preissig J, Hamilton K, Markus R. Current Laser Resurfacing Technologies: A Review that Delves Beneath the Surface. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2012;26(03):109-116. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1329413
  2. Shireen Samargandy, Raggio BS. Chemical Peels for Skin Resurfacing. Nih.gov. Published October 29, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547752/#article-29107.s4