Dramatic, longer-lasting skin renewal, performed by our board-certified dermatologist-led team in Nashville, TN.
Laser
Some skin concerns respond well to gentle, gradual treatments. Others -- deep wrinkles, significant sun damage, long-standing acne scars -- call for something more decisive. Ablative laser resurfacing is the most powerful resurfacing option available outside of surgery, removing damaged outer layers of skin to reveal noticeably smoother, more even skin underneath.
The treatment works by vaporizing thin layers of skin in a controlled way, which sounds intense because it is -- this is a bigger commitment than a lunchtime laser, both in the treatment itself and in the week or two of recovery that follows. In exchange, it delivers a level of texture and tone improvement that lighter treatments simply can't match, often in a single session rather than a long series.
Because ablative lasers work by intentionally injuring the skin's surface to trigger dramatic renewal, the margin for error is real -- too aggressive a setting risks scarring or pigment changes, too conservative wastes the recovery you're already committing to. That's exactly why this treatment is planned and overseen by our board-certified dermatologists at Progressive Dermatology, with laser settings calibrated to your specific skin type and tone rather than a generic default.
Recovery involves visible redness, swelling, and peeling for one to two weeks, which is why most patients plan this around time off work or social commitments. What follows is skin that looks and feels genuinely renewed -- not just "improved," but structurally different in a way that tends to last for years.
If you've tried lighter treatments and haven't gotten the transformation you're after, Progressive Dermatology in Nashville, TN can help you decide whether it's time to consider the more dramatic option.
Deep wrinkles, significant sun damage, acne scarring, and uneven texture that hasn't responded to lighter treatments. CO2 and Erbium lasers are the two most common ablative technologies used.
Significant -- expect 1 to 2 weeks of redness, peeling, and swelling, with full healing over several weeks. Most patients need to take time off work or social plans during recovery.
Patients seeking the most dramatic, longest-lasting improvement in skin texture who are able to commit to a longer recovery period, typically in a single more intensive session rather than a series.