Cosmetic Enhancements Now Available at WakeMed Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: Laser Skin Renewal and Hair Removal

Medically reviewed by Sam Brown, PA-C

Our faces are our ambassadors to the world. Imperfections, including blemishes and scars, can reflect both serious and pesky past issues. Fine lines and wrinkles inevitably tell the story of aging. For many, the appearance of their face significantly impacts self-esteem, either boosting their confidence or making them withdraw in shame. Recognizing the face's profound influence, WakeMed Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery is proud to offer two advanced technologies: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and ResurFX.

IPL targets a variety of concerns:

• Pigments and vascularity in the skin
• Brightening the skin
• Reducing the appearance of scars
• Ridding the skin of sun damage and visible vessels
• Creating a better skin tone

It also can be used on both the face and other small areas of the body for laser hair removal.

The ResurFX technology is the infrared, fractional laser that helps a lot with other skin issues:

• Texture
• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Skin tightening
• Collagen production

It goes deeper into the skin, allowing the body to renew the skin surface. Hence, the name ResurFX.

Do these technologies help with hyperpigmentation?

Ultimately, IPL addresses hyperpigmentation and hypervascularity to the skin. The ResurFX laser helps with challenges that can cast a shadow over parts of the skin, including hypertrophic scarring from acne, surgical procedures as well as inflammatory changes in the skin that can lead to thicker scarring or unwanted divoting.

Should patients have concerns of radiation or potential carcinogens?

Radiation wavelengths are different than the wavelengths used for the IPL and the ResurFX laser, so they're different than X-rays. They're not at all harmful to the body in the way that radiation waves would be.

What are the wave lengths for IPLs and ResurFX?

IPL systems emit a broad spectrum of light, typically ranging from 500 to 1200 nanometers. To target specific chromophores and structures within the skin, cut-off filters are used to selectively block lower wavelengths and narrow the emitted spectrum. Cartridges that we put into the system allow different types of wavelengths to go through it, allowing us to target specific depths and cell targets depending on our cosmetic goal.

ResurFX uses a 1565 nanometer fiber laser uses an advanced scanner, which allows the device to only pass over the skin one time during a treatment. This helps us achieve the desired results, while, ultimately, protecting the patient's skin. Similar to the IPL, the ResurFX settings can be customized to benefit different skin tones and cosmetic goals. None of these are harmful systemically to the body.

Are these procedures for people with fair skin, or can darker skinned people take advantage as well?

It depends on the IPL if fairer skin will see better results than darker skin. We need to be careful with our darker skinned patients because the IPL specifically targets melanin in the skin. This can lead to a great result when applied to unwanted sunspots or hyperpigmentation, but it also can damage the surface level melanin in the skin. For certain darker pigmented patients, there is a risk of hypopigmentation of the skin or even surface level damage with the IPL if settings are not adjusted properly. Yet, we do our best to target those settings to help tailor the laser for the skin tone.

Conversely, the ResurFX laser does not target melanin as strongly as IPL does. Its primary target is the water in our cells. So, this laser is safe for all skin tones.

Do these procedures make skin more prone to sun damage?

Pre-procedure, we tell our patients to avoid excessive sun exposure for two weeks because the IPL targets melanin in the skin. The more changes a patient puts on the face or other treatment areas, the more the target IPL is effected.

Following IPL and ResurFX treatment, we inform patients to avoid the sun for at least two weeks post treatment because the skin is more sensitive to the sun during this time. It is more sensitive following treatment because we are temporarily irritating and inflaming the surface layer of skin, making the skin more sensitivity in the short term.

What patients are eligible for the laser skin renewal?

All patients are welcome to receive the ResurFX laser skin resurfacing. The only requirement is to follow the pre- and post-procedure instructions, which span from up to two weeks prior to the procedure to two weeks afterward. These include the following:

• Avoiding the sun (IPL before and IPL and ResurFX after)
• Refraining from using exfoliants, including vitamin Cs and retinols: Patients should wait a week before they resume using exfoliants and creams. Unlike makeup that simply goes on the surface of the skin, retinols, vitamin C serums and other exfoliants or scrubs further irritate the skin when it is already inflamed from the procedure.
• Rescheduling if there is an active inflammation or open infection in the skin that needs time to heal
• Avoiding makeup for a day following the procedure: Patients should avoid wearing make up for 24 hours after any procedures. While sunscreen is a must following the procedures, any pigmented creams and powders should be avoided to avoid clogging those fenestrations created in the face during the procedure.

How often do patients need maintenance treatments?

First-time patients who have never undergone these procedures typically need about four to six treatments for maximum effectiveness although many times patients are satisfied with results after the second or third treatment. We space treatments about four to eight weeks apart. The natural cell regeneration cycle happens within that timeframe, and that allows us to retarget those newly generated cells to optimize results.

Thereafter, patients will generally need to return every so often for maintenance cosmetic treatments as natural aging continues and new sun damage develops. If we are treating scars, the results from the IPL/ ResurFX may be permanent and maintenance treatments will not be needed.

How long does skin take to recover from a laser treatment?

The IPL has a much lower down time of 24 to 48 hours. In fact, patients may have minimal redness following the procedure. Typically, patients may feel slight stinging and skin tightness afterward. The skin will also feel drier in that area, so it is important to moisturize the skin and drink water to support recovery. 

The ResurFX goes a bit deeper into the skin, using a fractional non-ablative laser. A positive aspect is that because it is non-ablative, it has a quicker recovery time of about three to five days compared to an ablative laser, such as a carbon dioxide laser, which has a much longer recovery window. Following ResurFX, patients may notice some redness and swelling to the skin, more aggressive flaking or dryness compared to the IPL, but generally speaking, patients who are comfortable returning to work could return to work immediately. There is no down time required.

What is the downtime for IPL hair removal? Is it painful?

Patients notice a little bit of of redness to the area for the first 24 to 48 hours. After affects may include a little stinging, irritation and/or warmth. Other than that, they may feel back to normal within 24 hours.

What are the benefits of IPL hair removal?

The IPL is used for hair removal in small areas. It is recommended for people with dark, coarse hair and lighter pigmented skin because the IPL targets melanin in the hair follicle, so the greater the contrast between skin and hair, the better. If a patient desiring this procedure has a lot of melanin in his or her skin, we risk damaging the skin when attacking the hair follicle. As such, a smaller percentage of patients qualify for this procedure.

Cosmetic usages are recommended for patients who are prone to ingrown hairs or razor burn.

It takes six to eight treatments to fully destroy the hair follicle. While most of the hair follicles are damaged after a series of treatments, occasional maintenance treatments may be needed. Generally, if a hair follicle remains intact after treatment, the hair will be much thinner and lighter.

Are IPL and ResurFX procedures good for the skin?

During the natural aging process, people lose collagen over time, thereby, losing the fullness in their faces and other areas, including their hands. The laser helps the body restimulate that collagen production and maintain what is naturally being lost. 

Patients who undergo resurfacing treatments for maintenance purposes before they start noticing significant signs of aging will help their skin keep up with the natural loss that is occurring before it becomes overly visible. Collagen is a crucial component that gives skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues their structure, support and strength.

Why is WakeMed Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery doing more aesthetic procedures?

Adding cosmetic enhancements to our services falls in line with the work we currently perform for patients. We use the IPL to help with resurfacing scars from trauma, burns or other medically-related scars. It is a natural progression to start opening up services to the public for cosmetic reasons. The laser and IPL system in our clinic is widely used in the aesthetic world, and we're excited to expand into this aspect of the industry.

Why should people choose WakeMed over a spa?

We work with a wide range of patients from reconstruction to cosmetics, so we have a lot to offer in different modalities to help patients get the results that they're looking for. Additionally, not all IPLs and ResurFX lasers are created equally. The Stellar M22 laser that we use has extremely advanced technology that allows targeting and individualized settings to treat a wide variety of patients with different skin tones and textures safely and effectively.

When will services be available to the public?

Cosmetic skin renewal and hair removal are now available. Procedural costs start at $156 for the first thirty minutes. The average total costs is $615 for four episodes of treatment. There is a consultation fee starting at $303.

Patients can schedule a consultation with Samantha Brown, PA-C, at Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery - Cary by calling 919-350-7546. 

Here is the address:

210 Ashville Avenue
Suite 410
Cary, NC 27518

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About Sam Brown, PA-C

Samantha Brown is a board-certified physician assistant with clinical interests in surgical scar revision and reconstruction, as well as minimally invasive laser therapy for burn/scar treatment. She received her master’s in physician assistant studies from Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey, and bachelor’s degree from High Point University.

Brown’s approach to caring for patients is to make them feel as involved as possible in their healing journey. Brown knows medicine can be very overwhelming, especially surgery, so she does her best to ensure her patients feel as comfortable and knowledgeable as possible with their treatment plans.

Outside of work, Brown enjoys exploring new cities and restaurants, traveling with her family, and playing endless fetch with her dog.