Laser Facelift Bellevue & Kirkland

Around the age of 25, the skin slows collagen production, and existing collagen also begins to break down. This is what causes wrinkles to form and skin to sag. Many people begin to see changes in their appearance in their late twenties and early thirties due to this natural decline in collagen. Even with a good skincare routine and low amounts of damage, aging will still occur. For those seeing their skin sag or their skin becoming overall less elastic, but who do not have the advanced sagging seen in surgical facelift patients, a laser facelift may be a way to promote tighter, younger skin. Dr. Khezri at Northwest Face & Body performs the best laser facelift Bellevue and Kirkland have to offer.

Laser Facelift Summarized

A laser facelift is a skin resurfacing procedure that uses a fractionated ablative laser to create controlled damage that stimulates collagen damage and skin tightening. Performed under local anesthesia, this procedure does not cause as much damage as a CO2 laser resurfacing procedure that usually requires general anesthesia. However, the laser is specifically calibrated for skin tightening and facial rejuvenation, which makes it perfect for treating mild skin laxity concerns.

One major difference between a laser facelift and other laser resurfacing procedures is that it can treat all skin tones. Dr. Khezri will alter the settings based on your skin tone. Lighter skin tones will receive the higher settings since their skin is less likely to experience hyperpigmentation as a result of the laser. It also takes more laser energy to adequately treat light skin. For darker skin tones, Dr. Khezri will turn the laser to lower settings since darker skin is more sensitive to laser treatment, and because the laser targets pigment, not as much energy is needed to create the necessary amount of controlled damage.

Ablative vs. Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Lasers used for skin resurfacing belong to two categories: ablative and non-ablative. What are the differences? The simplest difference is that ablative lasers create visible wounds in the skin while non-ablative lasers do not. Beyond this, each category of laser involves different strengths and types of lasers. For example, some ablative lasers are surgical, while others are not. The table below provides more detail about the difference between ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing.

Ablative

• Sometimes surgical
• Removes some or all of the upper layers of skin
• Visible damage/wounds
• Requires downtime (at least one to two days, but sometimes as long as two weeks)
• Dramatic improvements in one session
• May require general anesthesia
• Results expected to last one to five years

Non-Ablative

• Non-surgical
• Does not remove or fully remove skin
• Other than some redness, there should not be much visible damage
• May require limited downtime, but can usually return to normal activity within a day
• May require multiple sessions
• Usually does not require general anesthesia
• Result length varies
  

The laser facelift in Seattle uses a type of ablative laser known as a fractionated CO2 laser. This means that not all of the skin is removed and it is more selective, only targeting damaged or dead skin. Overall, this tends to cause less trauma to the skin than a fully ablative, surgical CO2 laser skin resurfacing procedure. Due to this, Dr. Khezri can perform a laser facelift without general anesthesia and limit the recovery time to just a couple of days.‍

What It Treats‍

A laser facelift was designed to primarily target mildly saggy skin. This may include some minor sagging along the jawline and neck. It generally is not enough to warrant surgical intervention, but it sometimes does cause distress. Although, along with this, a laser facelift also treats many other signs of aging such as:

• Sun spots/damage
• Hyperpigmentation
• Crow’s feet
• Shallow fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Thin, crepey skin
• Discoloration
  

Benefits And Risks‍

Like with any procedure, there are benefits and risks to consider before going under the laser. Many patients find that the advantages of a laser facelift outweigh the differences. However, based on your medical history, goals, anatomy, and various other factors, Dr. Khezri may determine the risks are too high to proceed. This will be thoroughly discussed at the consultation, though is fairly rare.

First, let’s look at the many benefits of a laser facelift in Bellevue. Some advantages and benefits include:

• Promotes skin tightening
• Can produce younger looking skin
• Reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
• Treat sun spots and damage
• May address both the face and neck
• Create a more defined jawline
• Lessen surgical and acne scars
• Promote thicker skin
• No incisions
• Performed under local anesthesia
• Low risk of scars
• Little to no downtime or recovery
• Less time than surgery
• Typically require fewer sessions than non-ablative lasers
• Often produces a visible difference after one session
  

The risks of a laser facelift are fairly minor when performed on an ideal patient with an experienced provider. However, they can still happen under optimal circumstances and it is important to understand them. In general, most of the side effects and complications are temporary, treatable, or minor. Among the risks of a laser facelift include:

• Prolonged side effects such as bruising, swelling, peeling, or redness
• Hypo/hyperpigmentation
• Unideal healing
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Burns (from the laser or the sun afterward if not adequately protected)
• Scarring
• Acne breakouts
• Skin irritation
  

As mentioned above, most of these risks or complications are temporary or treatable. Rarer side effects and complications are exceptionally rare. Those with darker skin may have higher risks associated with the procedure. Dr. Khezri accounts for this by adjusting the laser settings to lower the risk.

From Beginning To End: A Laser Facelift Procedure

Consultation

Before undergoing a laser facelift, Dr. Khezri will need to determine that you are a good candidate for the procedure. This involves making sure that you have a low chance of experiencing risks or complications, and that it will provide you with the best results that are in line with your goals.

The consultation will start with a brief discussion about your concerns and what you hope to achieve with a laser facelift. Following this, Dr. Khezri may ask about aspects of your medical history and lifestyle. This might include an overview of the medications you currently take and have taken in the past year, if you smoke, and if you have ever undergone a laser procedure before. 

Finally, he may physically examine the treatment area to determine if the laser can provide the best results. At this point, Dr. Khezri can decide on whether or not you are a good and viable candidate for a laser facelift. If you are, he will then further describe the procedure and you can schedule your appointment. If not, he will likely provide recommendations on what may give you the results you seek.

Procedure

After you check-in for your laser facelift, Dr. Khezri will greet you and take you back to a treatment room. There, he will start by disinfecting the treatment areas with alcohol. Next, he will begin the numbing process. This may entail topical numbing agents and/or lidocaine injections. It can take anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour to fully numb in preparation for the procedure. 

Once you are adequately prepared, Dr. Khezri will begin your laser facelift in Kirkland. He adjusts the laser’s settings based on your skin tone and goals. He will then gently glide the laser across the skin in horizontal and vertical directions. Dr. Khezri will go over each area multiple times.

The process takes between an hour and an hour and a half to complete. You should remain completely comfortable and feel little to no discomfort during your laser facelift. Once finished, Dr. Khezri will give you the appropriate aftercare instructions.

Aftercare And Recovery

Dr. Khezri tends to recommend between one and two days of downtime and recovery. You can still walk around your house and even work from home but should use caution. It is best not to exercise, rest a little more, and perform the necessary aftercare Dr. Khezri prescribes. You should also refrain from drinking alcohol and eat a good diet during your healing time.

Dr. Khezri will likely recommend taking a break from your normal skincare routine and applying makeup. He may prescribe special moisturizers to apply to prevent dryness and improve your comfort. Most patients can return to their full daily routine after about two days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Laser Facelift The Best Way To Tighten Skin Without Surgery?

Generally, yes, a laser facelift is the best way to tighten the skin without surgery. Many other options may work better for younger patients such asand fillers. PDO threads also are effective, but come with more risks and do not last as long. Lasers, while sometimes requiring multiple sessions or semi-annual sessions, make long lasting improvements to your skin.

What Are The Expected Side Effects?

Immediately after your Kirkland laser facelift, your skin will likely look like you have a sunburn. It may also feel a little tight and irritated. Swelling can also occur, but it is usually minimal. While not overly common, bruising can occur. Side effects should clear within one to two weeks.

Do At-Home Laser Tightening Devices Work Just As Well?

No, at-home devices are not regulated and not medical grade. While not as strong as medical grade lasers, they can still cause major injury to the skin such as burns and pigmentation problems that can be permanent. It is best to seek out a professional with experience in ablative laser resurfacing procedures.

Can It Replace A Surgical Facelift?

No, if your facial sagging is severe enough for a traditional facelift, a laser facelift is unlikely to provide adequate results. While it may improve skin quality and smooth out the skin, it will not tighten it to the point a surgical procedure could. This is because a facelift removes excess skin while a laser does not. That said, it is common and often recommended to under CO2 laser resurfacing concurrent with a facelift.

Is It Performed In The Operating Room?

No, a laser facelift is performed in a clinical setting and is considered a non-surgical procedure. Though, there are forms of laser resurfacing that are considered facial plastic surgery.

The Top Laser Laser Facelift In Bellevue And Kirkland

Laser skin tightening is a growing and always advancing science. With laser technology becoming safer and more precise, the results achievable with lasers will continue to impress. The skin tightening that Dr. Khezri can achieve without surgery and with a laser would have been unprecedented just a few decades ago. Northwest Face & Body offers the best laser facelift Bellevue and Kirkland can provide.

Northwest Face & Body has a thirty year history of treating the Eastside’s cosmetic needs. Nestled on the shores of Lake Washington, our facility is easily accessible from all nearby major cities. Our medical team has decades of experience and comes from a wide range of backgrounds. Yet, they come together in their shared goal of helping you achieve your ideal aesthetics in a comfortable and safe environment.

To schedule a consultation, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also reach out online using our chat, contact form, or Price Simulator®.