NOUVADerm™: Advanced Laser Skin Resurfacing

NOUVADerm Laser Scottsdale

Laser skin resurfacing is a powerful non-surgical treatment modality, which can be used for a variety of different skin concerns. Dr. Henderson has been offering laser treatments in her office for years, and has seen great results for many patients.

As technology advances, more precise tools for laser skin resurfacing treatments become available. Dr. Henderson is always watching the latest developments, so she can offer the most cutting-edge options to her patients. She’s excited to be able to offer a new form of laser treatment called NOUVADerm here in the office. This advanced technology allows us to offer laser skin resurfacing with an unprecedented level of customization.

How does NOUVADerm work?

In general, laser skin resurfacing works by stimulating the skin’s natural healing response. When laser light is shined on the skin, this causes localized heating of the tissues, which creates minor thermal injuries. This brings in the cells and nutrients needed for healing these injuries, and stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin (the skin’s main structural proteins). The result is smoother, tighter skin with fewer irregularities.

NOUVADerm is a fractional laser skin resurfacing treatment. Instead of being used across the entire treatment area, it’s used only in small, discrete spots. Each point where the laser contacts the skin is known as a microthermal zone, or MTZ. At each MTZ, the laser penetrates deeply into the tissues, stimulating a healing response.

The tissues between the microthermal zones serve as reservoirs, providing the healthy cells and nutrients needed for the healing response to occur. As a result, the healing process is faster, while also creating fewer side effects than if the entire surface of the skin were treated.

What makes NOUVADerm different?

Fractional laser skin resurfacing has been around for years, and has been successfully used to treat a variety of different skin conditions. What sets NOUVADerm apart is its versatility and flexibility. The system allows us to customize your laser treatment in ways that we never could before.

In general, laser treatments can be categorized as ablative or non-ablative. Ablative treatments are designed to entirely remove the top layer of the skin. This requires more time for healing, but produces more dramatic results. It can also target issues with the deeper layers of the skin. 

By contrast, a non-ablative treatment leaves the outer skin layer intact. There are fewer side effects and the healing process is quicker and easier. However, the results are more subtle, and the laser doesn’t reach the deeper skin layers.

There is also an intermediate option known as a sub-ablative laser treatment. This targets the deeper layers of the skin like an ablative laser does, but without removing the outer layer of skin. Both the results and the side effects are in between those of an ablative and a non-ablative treatment.

What NOUVADerm offers is the ability to switch between all three of these modalities. The technology can be used to provide ablative, non-ablative, or sub-ablative pulses. This laser offers an unprecedented degree of control over the power of each laser pulse.

This makes the treatment highly customizable, since the power of the laser can be precisely calibrated to address the specific skin concerns of each patient.

What skin conditions can be treated with NOUVADerm?

Because of its versatility, NOUVADerm can be used to treat a wide variety of different skin concerns, including:

• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Skin laxity
• Sun spots
• Scars (including acne scars)
• Melasma
• Hyperpigmentation
• Irregular skin texture
• Stretch marks
• Stimulating hair growth

The wavelength of the NOUVADerm laser is precisely calibrated to allow us to target skin concerns like these, while minimizing the effects on surrounding healthy tissue.

Because the treatment is so customizable, NOUVADerm can be used on virtually any area of the body. Popular treatment areas include the face, neck, and the backs of the hands, but other areas can also be treated. For example, it can be used to address skin laxity on the arms or legs. It can also be used on the scalp, to promote hair growth. We can adjust the power of the laser as needed to achieve the desired treatment effects while minimizing side effects.

What does NOUVADerm treatment feel like?

In general, laser treatments are not painful, but they can be a little uncomfortable for some people. Patients sometimes experience a snapping, pinching, or stinging sensation with each flash of the laser. However, other people only experience a feeling of warmth across their skin – it really varies from person to person.

There’s even more of this variation with NOUVADerm, because the treatment is so highly personalized. If the laser is being used at a higher power to target deeper tissues, then you’re likely to feel it a little more than if it’s being used at a lower power.

We offer a numbing cream to help keep you comfortable during your treatment. We will apply the cream prior to your procedure, and then once it takes effect, we remove the cream and perform the treatment. This helps to ensure that you don’t feel discomfort during your laser skin resurfacing procedure.

What is recovery like after NOUVADerm?

Because the procedure is so customizable, the recovery after a NOUVADerm treatment will vary from person to person. Those who have more surface-level treatments will experience little to no downtime. Those whose treatments are more extensive and target deeper tissues may have about a week of “social downtime,” where the skin may look red or crusty. In some cases, it may peel.

Based on your specific treatment plan, we’ll let you know what to expect, and how to support your skin during recovery.

Do you need more than one NOUVADerm treatment?

Many people do see noticeable results after just one NOUVADerm treatment session. However, as with other types of laser skin resurfacing, some people may need a series of treatments in order to achieve the best results. We often recommend a series of 3-5 treatments, spaced a few weeks apart. The specific treatment plan varies for each individual patient.

During your consultation, we’ll let you know what we would recommend in order to achieve the results that you’re looking for.

NOUVADerm Laser Scottsdale

NOUVADerm is the most versatile laser skin resurfacing tool available today, and Dr. Henderson is excited to be able to offer it to her patients. We also offer a variety of other treatments, including both surgical and non-surgical options. In some cases, NOUVADerm is combined with another treatment modality to produce the best possible results.

If you’re interested in laser skin resurfacing, please schedule a consultation here at our office. After an exam and a discussion of your goals for your skin, we’ll be able to recommend the treatment plan that’s most likely to achieve the results you’re looking for. 

Simply contact our friendly front desk staff to schedule your appointment.