Laser Rejuvenation

Is your skin now showing signs of aging from time, sun, wind and toxins  in the air that take their toll?  Reverse the years of damage to your skin, whether it’s your face or other areas of your body that bother you. Common areas of treatment include face, neck, décolleté, arms and hands.

We offer advanced laser technology and the latest medical science to revitalize your skin. Our lasers target pigmented lesions, facial redness, spider veins, scarring and other irregularities while stimulating new collagen production to eliminate fine wrinkles, tighten the skin and deliver a more youthful, healthier appearance.  

At Southern Surgical Arts, Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal can tailor a rejuvenation package specifically for adding either microdermabrasion or vibradermabrasion to maximize your results.  Alternating laser treatments with microdermabrasion or Vibraderm® will help eliminate the older, outer-skin layers letting your newly toned and revitalized look emerge.

As part of our commitment to you, the staff at Southern Surgical Arts will create a treatment plan during a complimentary consultation that is tailored to your aesthetic needs and goals.  Skin health analysis is included with every appointment.   Call now for more information or to make an appointment at 706-629-8622 or 423-266-3331.  We want you to love the skin you are in!

Q & A about Laser Rejuvenation

What is Skin Rejuvenation?

We offer several lasers for skin rejuvenation of the face, neck, chest and hands, including our new, Affirm CO2 resurfacing laser.  We also offer non-ablative IPL and YAG treatments that helps you keep a younger and fresher look with no downtime.  The safe, visible light emitted from the Ellipse I²PL flash-lamp makes your face look younger by removing age spots and diffuse redness, and by improving your skin texture.  Uneven pigmentation is also reduced.

What is Intense Pulsed Light?

In its simplest form, this is a way of saying short flashes of very bright light.  Ellipse  I²PL uses short, safe bursts of light emitted from a flash-lamp to treat specific skin condition.  The technology is rather sophisticated, the Ellipse I²PL system carefully controls the overall delivery of the light – both the amount of light and the speed of its delivery to your specific skin condition are exact and precisely controlled by Ellipse I²PL’s built-in computer.

What is the difference between laser and IPL?

Treatments with laser and with intense pulsed light both work in the same way, choosing wavelengths that are absorbed by the target.  But while a laser uses light with one  specific wavelength, intense pulsed light uses a band of wavelengths.

Can I be treated?

As skin rejuvenation is based on light absorption by melanin and hemoglobin, treatments are most effective in patients with light skin who are not sun-tanned at the time of the treatment.  The lighter the skin, the more pronounced the contrast between the age spots or blood vessels and the skin, making treatment easier.  However, Ellipse I²PL has pre-programmed setting for different skin colors that deliver the correct energy output for your complexion.  And with the Candela YAG laser, all skin types can be treated for rejuvenation (and hair removal, leg and facial veins).

Does it hurt?

Tolerance of pain varies greatly from person to person.  No anesthetics are required with the IPL and YAG lasers.  Topical anesthesia cream is used for the Affirm CO2 fractionated resurfacing laser, and many patients describe it as a warming sensation similar to the feeling one has after a day at the beach and a little too much sun.

Do I need to take special precautions before and after treatment?

The light used with IPL technologyis a completely safe, visible light.  Potentially harmful wavelengths are removed by the unique Ellipse I²PL Dual Mode Filtering system.  Since tanning takes place by accumulation of pigment (melanin) in the skin, it is important to avoid tanning (sun, solarium or self-tanning cream) before and during the treatment period.  Otherwise, your tanned skin will absorb more light, which may lead to adverse effects.  Generally, no post-treatment care is necessary.  Furthermore, it is recommended to use a sunblock which blocks UVA and UVB with zinc oxide (minimum SPF 30) for a few weeks following treatment.  Sunscreens and sunblock are available in prescription strength at our offices.

What can I expect after treatment?

You may notice that the skin looks a little “discolored” for a few days following treatment.  After that, you will find that your skin looks smoother and fresher.  It is recommended that you have one or two annual maintenance treatments in order to keep your youthful appearance.

How can I be sure Ellipse I²PL is safe and effective?

Clinical studies documenting Ellipse I²PL’s safety and effectiveness have been completed, and the results of these studies are published in respected medical journals.  Please visit www.candelalaser.com to view these scientific papers.  The settings used for your treatment will be based on the settings recommended by the clinicians who carried out the clinical trials.

Q & A for the Affirm CO2 Fractionated Laser

How does it work?

Cosmetic laser treatments with the Affirm fractionated CO2 laser reverse the signs of aging and sun-damaged skin by stimulating collagen production and promoting tissue tightening.  Acne scarring can also be treated with this laser technology.

Am I a candidate?

If your skin is showing signs of aging, sun damage or scarring then you are a candidate for laser treatment. Dr Nease and his highly trained staff of nurses and aestheticians can help you determine your specific needs.

Are there any side effects to treatment?

Laser anti-aging treatment should cause only minimal discomfort.  Any redness, swelling or puffiness that occurs is typically gone within a few days, but may last up to a week if the treatment goals included significant wrinkle reduction or smoothing of deep acne scars.

How many laser anti-aging treatments are required?

Results vary with each patient. You may be very satisfied with a single treatment, but in some cases a series of 3-4 treatments will be reommended to achieve desired the results. Each session will last from 15 to 30 minutes.

How long do results last?

Just like the aging process itself, this varies from person to person. However, if you take steps to protect and preserve your freshly laser rejuvenated skin — such as using SPF sunscreen, facial cleansers and prescription creams available in our office – the results will last longer.

How much does the Affirm Fractionated CO2 laser cost? $1,750 

Commitment to the Specialty of Cosmetic Surgery

Dr. Nease and Dr. Deal are Double-Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeons. Their practice at Southern Surgical Arts is 100% committed, focused, dedicated to cosmetic surgery.  They do nothing else but Face & Neck Lifts, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Tummy Tucks, Liposuction and SmartLipo, Mommy Makeovers, Vaginal Rejuvenation and other cosmetic procedures and services that can enhance your appearance and improve your self-confidence.

During Dr. Nease's and Dr. Deal's cosmetic surgery fellowships, each performed more than 700 major cosmetic surgical procedures in their training year alone.  Since then, each of our surgeons have devoted their practices around the latest laser technology to bring the patients a practice dedicated to experience and excellence.  After more than 3,500 cosmetic surgery cases, 2 Best of the Best Awards, 2 Reader's Choice Awards and many happy patients in the Before and After Gallery, we believe our surgeons are the best in the area and the Cosmetic Surgeons for you.

State-of-the-Art Surgery Center

Southern Surgical Arts is a fully accredited (AAAHC) and the most advanced cosmetic surgery center in North Georgia and the Chattanooga area. We offer two convenient locations in Calhoun and Chattanooga with a state-of-the-art surgery center coming soon to the historic Southside district of Chattanooga. 

Complimentary Consultations

For more information or to make an appointment at Southern Surgical Arts, please call 706-629-8622 or 423-266-3331.