At Capital Skin and Laser in Columbia, South Carolina, laser resurfacing treatments are carefully selected and customized to address each patient’s unique skin concerns while prioritizing safety, precision, and long-term skin health.
Laser Resurfacing is one of the most effective ways to improve skin texture, tone, and visible signs of aging and sun damage. This non-surgical, advanced aesthetic treatment works by delivering controlled energy into the skin at calibrated depths to stimulate collagen remodeling and cellular renewal. Laser resurfacing generally falls into two categories: non-ablative and ablative.
At Capital Skin and Laser, we offer both non-ablative and ablative approaches using two best-in-class lasers: Fraxel® Dual and Lumenis UltraPulse®.
Fraxel Dual is a non-ablative laser that sends microscopic columns of heat energy into the skin at two different wavelengths (1927 nm and 1550 nm) to prompt collagen and elastin remodeling. This laser is uniquely suited for patients who desire treatment of sun spots and uneven skin tone, fine lines, textural irregularities, early acne scarring, or who are looking for an overall skin “refresh.” Fraxel is the skin rejuvenating treatment of choice for busy patients seeking a noticeable improvement in their appearance, with minimal to moderate downtime.
On the day of your procedure, a topical anesthetic will be applied for 30-60 minutes prior to the procedure to minimize discomfort. Treatment sessions typically take 30-60 minutes, depending on the size and location of the treatment area. Most patients describe a warm, prickly sensation as the laser passes over the skin. You should plan for 2-5 days of “social downtime,” with mild redness and swelling, followed by dryness and flaking.
Our team will provide detailed instructions to support your recovery and enhance your results. Many patients notice increased skin brightness within 1-2 weeks. With diligent skincare and consistent sun protection, ongoing improvement in tone and texture can result as new collagen builds over the following months. Depending on your treatment goals, multiple treatments may be required to achieve your desired result.
Despite their differences, both non-ablative and ablative lasers improve tone, texture, photodamage, and scarring, but they differ in intensity, downtime, and degree of correction.
Ablative lasers often deliver dramatic results in a single treatment, whereas the gentler nature of non-ablative lasers can require a series of sessions to achieve comparable results.
The right choice depends on your skin, your aesthetic goals, your tolerance for downtime, and the level of correction you desire.
The Lumenis UltraPulse is a fractional ablative laser that resurfaces the skin by delivering controlled columns of energy to precisely remove damaged outer layers of skin while stimulating robust deep collagen remodeling. This laser is considered the gold standard for deeper lines and wrinkles, moderate to significant acne scarring, advanced sun damage, and pronounced textural changes. It is also a powerful tool for the treatment of traumatic, surgical, and burn scars. The UltraPulse is the treatment of choice for patients seeking a more dramatic improvement in their appearance in fewer treatment sessions and who can tolerate up to 2 weeks of downtime.
On the day of your procedure, a topical anesthetic and, when appropriate, additional comfort measures are used to ensure the procedure is well tolerated. Protective eyewear will be provided to shield your eyes from the laser light. Treatment sessions typically take 45-90 minutes, depending on the size and location of the treatment area. Immediately afterward, skin will appear red and feel warm, similar to a significant sunburn. Swelling, sensitivity, oozing, and crusting are common during the healing process. Peeling or bronzing typically occurs as new skin regenerates over the next 1-2 weeks.
Our team will provide detailed instructions to support your recovery and enhance your results. Meticulous adherence to post-procedure care and strict sun protection are essential during your healing. While early improvements in tone and texture are visible within weeks, collagen remodeling continues over several months, revealing progressively smoother, firmer, and more luminous skin.
“Dr. Spring was just fabulous to deal with. She listened intently and had a great personality to boot. I’m almost 82 years old, and my initial visit with her was one of the best experiences I have EVER had with any physician. I feel privileged to have her as my doctor, and I highly recommend her!!!”
“Dr. Spring was amazing. She explained everything thoroughly and respected my concerns.”
“Dr. Spring and her staff were upbeat, attentive, and caring. They saw my anxiety prior to my procedure and took an extra moment to talk through it with me, which made me feel like they care about me as a whole person. I’ve never felt anxious prior to treatment before so this extra step really hit home.”
“Kudos to Dr. Spring. She has the Eye of an Eagle, the Heart of a Lion, yet the Hand of a Woman! Best surgeon ever!”
Laser resurfacing treatments are highly individualized and require careful assessment of your skin type, concerns, and desired level of correction. Treatment recommendations take into account the degree of sun damage, textural change, or scarring, as well as your tolerance for downtime. To schedule your consultation, please complete our online contact form, and our team will follow up to coordinate your appointment.
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