Laser Skin Treatments

Double board-certified Cypress dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Christopher Downing, M.D., FAAD, and board-certified dermatologists Joel Byrne, M.D., and Rachel Gordon, M.D., FAAD, can help you enjoy smoother, younger-looking skin with laser skin treatments at Houston Dermatology Specialists in Cypress and Magnolia, Texas. Modern lasers such as the CO2RE® and LUCENT IPL lasers make healthy-looking skin attainable no matter your concern. On this page, you’ll find answers to all your questions about how laser skin treatments work, what the recovery process is like, and more.

How does laser skin resurfacing work?

Dr. Downing, Dr. Byrne, and Dr. Gordon primarily perform resurfacing with the FDA-approved CO2RE laser. The ablative fractional CO2 laser works by vaporizing tiny channels in the skin’s surface and heating the dermal layers below, triggering the body’s natural healing response. This healing response includes increased collagen and elastin production, which gives your skin a smoother, firmer, and more evenly pigmented look.

How much do laser skin treatments cost?

The cost of laser skin treatments at Houston Dermatology Specialists varies depending on the size of your targeted area, the depth of your treatment, the number of sessions you need, and other factors. During the consultation process, we will provide you with a personalized pricing estimate based on your unique treatment plan.

What does fractional CO2 laser resurfacing treat?

CO2 laser skin resurfacing treats a variety of concerns, including:

Alternatives to Laser Skin Resurfacing

Beyond laser treatments, we offer chemical peels for sun damage, acne scars, and other concerns.

For patients dealing with acne scars, dermal fillers may be an option. This treatment temporarily smooths out and fills in depressed scars, creating a more even and refined skin texture. Dermal fillers are a minimally invasive option that produces immediate results.

Another excellent alternative is SkinPen® microneedling, a procedure that uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This process stimulates the body’s natural healing response, promoting collagen and elastin production. Microneedling effectively reduces the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, and other skin concerns, leaving the skin looking rejuvenated and healthier.

What does the LUCENT IPL laser do?

The LUCENT IPL laser breaks up pigmentation in the skin to treat blue, brown, red, and purple pigmented lesions and is an excellent hair removal treatment. It addresses many concerns, including:

These treatments are relatively quick with little to no downtime. Redness and swelling subside within 2 days, and most people notice their concerns fading after 2 to 6 weeks. Some people may need multiple sessions to treat significant discoloration.

Treating Vascular Lesions (Spider Veins, Rosacea & More)

The LUCENT IPL laser is a highly effective treatment for a variety of vascular skin concerns, such as hemangiomas, port wine stains, and broken capillaries. This advanced light-based technology targets visible blood vessels and discoloration with precision, helping to improve skin tone and clarity with minimal downtime. Two of the most frequently treated concerns are spider veins and rosacea, both of which respond well to IPL therapy.

Spider Veins

Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels that appear close to the surface of the skin, often forming web-like patterns. Genetics, aging, hormonal changes, prolonged standing, and sun exposure commonly cause them. While not usually medically serious, they can be a cosmetic concern. The LUCENT IPL laser treats spider veins by delivering pulses of light that heat the blood in the vessels, causing them to collapse and gradually fade.

Rosacea

This chronic skin condition leads to facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels, typically on the cheeks, nose, and chin. Sun exposure, stress, hot beverages, and spicy foods can trigger it. For patients with rosacea, the LUCENT IPL laser can significantly reduce persistent redness and visible capillaries by targeting and shrinking the affected blood vessels, resulting in a calmer, more even complexion over time.

Laser Hair Removal with LUCENT IPL

LUCENT IPL also uses intense pulsed light (IPL) laser energy to remove unwanted hair from the face and body safely and effectively. By targeting the melanin in the hair follicle, LUCENT destroys the hair follicle, stopping from hair regrowing.

Laser hair removal can be performed on the face, neck, chin, arms, legs, chest, and anywhere else on the body where you have unwanted hair.

Laser Treatments FAQ