COVID-19 UPDATE: As of May 11, 2020, we have re-opened our office to regular in-person appointments. We are operating at a lower-than-normal capacity in order to respect social distancing advisories and best protect the health of our patients. We are still offering telemedicine as an option. For more information please call us at (314) 996-8800.

SAINT LOUIS LASER SERVICES

Laser treatments offer patients the opportunity to achieve a rejuvenated, youthful appearance of the skin. While some patients simply desire a refreshed look, others seek to improve fine lines or wrinkles, or improve or eliminate the appearance of acne scars. Results range from subtle to dramatic, depending upon intensity, type and duration of treatment.

West County Plastic Surgeons uses a variety of laser technologies in order to achieve a patient’s desired results. We also offer laser hair removal customized to your skin type and other lasers that can be used to diminish acne scarring. Laser treatments may also be used for reducing the appearance of small veins, such as spider veins, on the face or other areas of the body.

Fractionated Laser Resurfacing

What is fractionated laser resurfacing? We are the first St. Louis cosmetic surgery office to offer the Lumenis® UltraPulse Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser System to our patients. This laser reduces wrinkling and acne scars and enhances skin tightening without the weeks of downtime previously associated with carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. By affecting only a small percentage of the skin, the laser does just enough to induce remodeling of the skin while maintaining healthy skin cells that accelerate the healing process. Comparable fractionated lasers offer inferior results even after multiple treatments and comparable downtime. We offer the following treatment options:

  • ActiveFx™: Dramatically improves uneven pigments in one or two treatments
  • DeepFx™: Induces skin tightening in a single treatment
  • TotalFx™: A combination of ActiveFx™ and DeepFx™ that improves fine lines, uneven pigment, and promotes tightening in a single treatment with only a few days of social downtime
  • SCAAR FX™: Best available treatment for deep, thick lesions

Fractionated-Laser-Diagram

Click here to view a video on laser resurfacing.

Anesthesia: Fractionated laser resurfacing is usually performed in the office. Some treatments can be performed without anesthesia, while others may require anesthetic creams, a cooling fan, or local anesthesia to optimize your comfort.

Length of procedure: 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the treatment.

Estimated recovery time: 5 to 8 days. In 20% of patients, the skin can remain slightly pink for a few more weeks, but this can be masked with makeup. Click here to download our before and after patient instructions for fractionated laser resurfacing.

Side effects: The skin will feel warm and will be red before it peels about 4-5 days later. Please click here to download a detailed consent form from the American Society of Plastic Surgery on laser skin resurfacing.

Dr. Terry Myckatyn, MD and Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum, MD

Dr. Terry Myckatyn and
Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum:

Trusted. Experienced. Committed.

Before & After

Visit our Photo Gallery to see our patient results.

*Results may vary.

View Patient Results

Phototherapy Following Breast Cancer Reconstruction

What is phototherapy following breast cancer reconstruction? Breast cancer therapy and reconstruction can lead to scarring and skin changes. Lasers and/or intense pulsed light can be used to at least improve some of these changes. For example:

  1. Dark blood vessels in scars and in fields treated with radiation. Radiation can cause telangiectasias or abnormal-appearing vascular lesions on the skin. These areas can often be improved by treating with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG long-pulsed laser. Several treatments are often required to optimize the result.
  2. Red and vascular scars. As an example, chemotherapy port scars are often placed in the upper outer chest – an area that is susceptible to forming wide and red scars. These can be treated with intense pulsed light using a 595 nm filter that targets red pigmentation. Several treatments are often required to optimize the result.

Anesthesia: None

Length of procedure: 15 to 30 minutes. May require several treatments for optimal effect.

Estimated recovery time: 1 to 3 days

To schedule an appointment with one of our plastic surgeons, contact our St. Louis office by phoning (314) 996-8800, requesting your consultation online, or emailing us today.


If you have questions or would like to book a consultation with one of the surgeons at West County Plastic Surgery, please call (314) 996-8800.

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