What if you could do more than just treat the visible symptoms of skin aging? What if you could actually reverse the aging process, starting from the “ground up” and addressing the root causes of superficial aging? You can, thanks to an innovative new treatment we’re happy to offer here at Gilpin Facial Plastics. No, we haven’t found the mythical fountain of youth, but we have secured the next best thing: the Sciton laser. Sciton laser treatment has shown significant promise as a way to both remove imperfections and create a lasting improvement in the skin’s overall tone, firmness, and texture. Here’s how it works:

Sciton Laser Treatment Explained

Laser skin resurfacing is not in itself anything new. This type of cosmetic procedure has been around for a couple of decades, and in that time, it’s become very popular thanks to its combination of efficacy and convenience. During laser skin resurfacing, a special low heat laser is pulsed over the skin in order to destroy built up dead skin skills and remove debris. By removing the top layer of the skin, the laser both whisks away damaged cells and prompts the body to produce a surge of the skin-firming compound, collagen. A new layer of skin soon forms, and it’s healthier and more supple than the dry, damaged layer that came before it. If this process is repeated many times over a succession of appointments, gradually, the patient experiences a visible improvement in the condition of his or her skin. Fine lines, age spots, small veins, areas of discoloration, scars, and other surface-level blemishes vanish; meanwhile, the skin becomes tighter and brighter overall.

So, what makes the Sciton laser such a standout star within a treatment modality that’s already effective? It’s the design of the laser itself. Sciton incorporates one of the world’s most powerful IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments called BBL and a deeper Erbium resurfacing laser in the same unit.   It’s associated with a very low risk of skin burning and Sciton BBL treatment is not usually very painful or uncomfortable. Patients who desire a deeper resurfacing option will need a local anesthetic, which Dr. Gilpin will administer before the procedure. Other than a temporary sensitivity to sun exposure, there are no major side effects with Sciton treatment.

Emerging research suggests that Sciton also goes one step further than many conventional skin resurfacing procedures: It can actually change our genetic makeup. According to a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in 2012, repeated Sciton BBL treatments changed the genes associated with skin aging in such a way that they began to resemble the genes of a young person. That’s right: The Sciton BBL  was actually able to reverse the skin aging process rather than simply masking its symptoms. These kind of results don’t happen overnight, of course, and many patients who see the best results from Sciton BBL treatment have multiple treatments over the course of five to ten years. However, because BBL treatment is both safe and quite affordable, most patients are willing to commit to a long-term course of treatment.

Who Makes a Sciton Laser BBL Candidate?

Because laser skin resurfacing is so safe, nearly everyone makes a good candidate for this procedure. The only exception to this rule may be those who have a highly compromised immune system, a blood disorder, an active infection near the treatment area, or extremely sensitive skin. If you have any of the aforementioned issues, you should talk to your doctor before having any skin resurfacing procedure.

Finally, it’s important to note that while BBL “Forever Young” laser treatment is geared towards erasing the signs of aging, the Sciton laser can be used on adults of any age. Separate Sciton laser treatments are available to treat problems like chronic acne in younger patients, for example. Sciton laser treatment kills the bacteria that causes acne, erases old acne scars, and makes skin coloration more even.

Schedule a Consultation

Regardless of what kind of blemishes you have, if they are only skin-deep, the Sciton laser can likely help you. At Gilpin Facial Plastics & Aesthetics, the surgical staff will help aide you in developing a treatment plan that can meet your needs and support your surgical results. If you’re in the Nashville area and are curious about what laser skin resurfacing can do for you, feel free to call us at (615) 942-7301 or fill out our online form. We’ll be happy to explain the science of skin rejuvenation to you in more depth!