Duke offers laser cosmetic surgery with the CO2 UltraPulse laser to reduce facial wrinkles, acne scars, and sun-damage blemishes. Laser resurfacing may also help to correct dark circles under the eyes.

This procedure moderately tightens the skin, smoothes the surface, and provides a more youthful appearance. It is comparable to superficial chemical peels in its effect, but cannot remove very deep wrinkles. It is believed that the laser allows the body to generate new collagen that reverses the skin’s aging process.

Treatment usually takes 20 to 60 minutes, depending on what areas of the face are resurfaced. After treatment, dressings are applied for two to 10 days to encourage rapid healing. Although complete healing may require several months, the patient can usually return to work in 10 to 14 days.

How It Works

In two passes, a specific therapeutic wavelength of laser-guided energy is applied to the skin using a computer-generated pattern of spots.

The first pass removes the outermost-damaged skin layer, or epidermis. The second pass tightens and shrinks the deeper collagen-containing dermis, which is responsible for wrinkles.

More passes may be required if the skin is severely damaged. The treated areas become resurfaced with new undamaged epithelial cells, and new collagen is laid down in the dermis.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Gandhi, Parag D.
• Richard, Michael J.
• Woodward, Julie Ann

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Aesthetics Center
  3475 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705
• Duke Eye Center
  2351 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710
• Duke Eye Center of Cary
  2000 Regency Parkway, Suite 100, Cary, NC 27518
• Duke Eye Center of Winston-Salem
  2025 Frontis Plaza Blvd, Suite 100, Winston-Salem, NC 27103