Laser Facial Treatments
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Laser Cosmetic Treatments for Your Face
Understanding How Types of Cosmetic Laser Treatments Work
Most of us love the outdoors and warm sunny vacations, but the sun can cause premature aging by breaking down collagen in the skin, leading to redness, inflammation, wrinkles, and sunspots. Even brief exposure to the sun, such as going for walks, driving, and spending time outdoors can cause skin discoloration. VIVAA is proud to offer the most effective and advanced laser treatments to rejuvenate sun-damaged skin for ALL Fitzpatrick skin types.
VIVAA's expert aestheticians, who specialize in laser resurfacing treatments resulting in skin rejuvenation, will improve your appearance to reveal a more youthful and enhanced version of your skin. Our cosmetic laser resurfacing procedures use state-of-the-art laser technology. Lasers are highly effective and popular devices that resolve and treat various discolorations and other benign skin growths. They are now the gold standard for cosmetic skin resurfacing work. Laser treatments are minimally or non-invasive, have little to no downtime, and leave no scars or incisions like invasive cosmetic plastic surgeries. A cosmetic laser skin resurfacing treatment can treat improve the following skin concerns:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Age spots and sun damage
- Uneven skin tone
- Uneven skin texture
- Acne scars
- Redness or vascularity
- Birthmarks
- Enlarged pores
- Broken capillaries
- Stimulates collagen production
At VIVAA, our goal is to ensure you feel more confident and comfortable in your skin by utilizing our industry-leading laser technology to reveal more youthful skin. Dr. Sidhu and his caring staff will ensure your visits are as comfortable as possible. It starts with a complimentary consultation with one of our talented aesthetic nurses to evaluate your concerns, and goals, and create your customized treatment plan.
Our Laser Treatment Technologies
We use three different laser technologies to help mitigate the effects of environmental stress and aging. While they all have similar features, each has different effects to target specific types of skin conditions/concerns. Using a process known as selective photothermolysis, our advanced lasers can target specific skin layers in the treatment area with incredible accuracy and break down pigmented skin cells.
Non-Ablative Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
Non-Ablative fractional lasers are non-invasive treatments ideal for strengthening and remodeling collagen and improving the appearance of irregular skin to achieve an overall more even skin tone and skin texture. This treatment is beneficial for:
- Scarring (acne or surgical)
- Wrinkles or fine lines
- Age spots and other blemishes
- Stretch marks
- Collagen stimulation
- Enlarged pores
Non-ablative laser treatments break up pigment cells by sending micro columns of energy into the epidermis and other pigmented lesions deep in the dermis to reveal a brighter and more even skin tone. These columns of laser energy also stimulate collagen production and remodel disorganized collagen (scar formations) to reduce scarring and fine lines and wrinkles. A series of laser treatments is usually required to achieve optimal results. Non-ablative lasers work deep in the skin without removing or damaging the top layers or surrounding tissue. Patients have little or no downtime after non-ablative treatments.
Intense Pulsed Light Photofacials
IPLphotofacials use intense pulsed light to reach various depths of skin to reduce sun damage and vascularity (redness). They are ideal for treating red and brown pigments. The short pulsed light energy from this treatment results in the constriction of blood vessels to reduce redness and destroys the melanin that forms sunspots. IPL is an ideal laser treatment for Fitzpatrick skin types I- III, who have discoloration such as rosacea, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. Intense pulsed light photofacial benefits appear slowly in the days to weeks immediately following the treatment and can be used throughout the entire body.
You may benefit from IPL laser treatments if you have one of the following conditions:
- Sun damage or discoloration
- Freckles
- Rosacea
- Spider veins
Laser Treatment for Vascularity
To treat redness, the short pulsed light energy penetrates the skin and transforms into heat as hemoglobin from damaged blood vessels absorbs it. This head coagulates the vessels and leads to their elimination. Laser treatments are appropriate for:
- Cherry angioma
- Venous lakes
- Vascular lesions
- Spider veins (anywhere on the body)
PicoSure Laser
The PicoSure laser is a powerful and effective treatment for all skin types but is especially safe and effective for darker skin tones. This technology delivers ultra-short bursts (a trillionth of a second) of energy to targeted areas to address acne scars, boost collagen production, and reduce enlarged pores, melasma and hyperpigmentation throughout the entire body. Using pressure instead of heat, this laser is safe for all skin types and has minimal side effects and no downtime. PicoSure laser skin resurfacing creates an overall rejuvenation that makes your skin glow and improve the sun damage/ pigmentation as well as fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin concerns addressed by the PicoSure laser:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Birthmarks
- Sun damage
- Enlarged pores
- Melasma
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Scarring
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Uneven skin tone
- Uneven skin texture
- Collagen stimulation
What to Expect
Depending on the severity of the skin condition and your individual goals, you'll need multiple treatments, usually three to six, scheduled about one month apart. At VIVAA, our friendly and calming atmosphere makes treatments comfortable, and our patients have amazing results.
Am I a Candidate for Cosmetic Laser Resurfacing?
To ensure you are a candidate for a specific treatment, we encourage you to come in for a complimentary consultation outlining a treatment plan developed for your needs. Before starting laser treatments, our providers will ensure your skincare regimen is supplemented with professional medical-grade products to ensure you sustain results after completing your skin treatments.
Before undergoing any laser treatments, make sure to follow the following protocols:
- Avoid fake tanners/sunless tanners two weeks prior to treatment
- Avoid retinoids/retinoids at least seven days prior to treatment
- Avoid active sun exposure/tanning at least two weeks prior to treatment
- Avoid photosensitizing antibiotics/drugs a week prior to treatment
- Avoid sun exposure and retinoids for a week after treatments
- Avoid saunas, extraneous workouts, or soaking the treated area for 48-72 hours post-treatment
Possible Laser Procedure Side Effects
As with other cosmetic treatments, laser skin resurfacing has possible side effects. Most are mild, especially when undergoing nonblative treatments. Generally ablative lasers cause more pain, but they also offer longer lasting results. The follow are some typical side effects you may encounter from non-ablative and ablative lasers:
- Redness, itching, pain and swelling. Intense redness can last for several months.
- Acne. Avoid applying thick creams and bandages after treatment as those can worsen acne or cause temporary develop tiny white bumps on the treatment area.
- Infection. Laser treatment ca lead to various types of infections. The most common is a flar-up of herpes, the virus that causes cold sores.
- Changes in skin tones. Laser skin resurfacing can cause darker skin in the treatment area. Permanent changes in skin tone are more common in people with darker brown or black skin. Discuss with your plastic surgeons about which lasers reduce this risk.
- Scarring. Ablative lasers pose a slight scarring risk.
Contraindications for Laser Treatment Sessions
Laser skin resurfacing work provides myriad benefits for treated skin. However, these procedures are not for everyone. We may caution you against a laser treatment if you have the following:
- Have taken the acne medication Amnesteem during the past 12 months
- Have a connective tissue or autoimmune disease or a weak immune system
- History of keloid scars
- Radiation therapy on the face
- Prone to cold sores or had a recent outbreak of the herpes virus
- You have very dark skin
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have a history of an outward-turning eyelid
Which Laser Treatment is Best for Me?
Cosmetic lasers provide an ideal way to rejuvenate and create new skin plus restore your looks and confidence. To learn more about the types of cosmetic laser treatments we offer, including laser hair removal and tattoo removal, contact Vein Vascular, Primary Care & Aesthetic Associates today! We serve patients in Everett, Issaquah, Kirkland, Newcastle, Seattle and Sammamish.
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We Use Nitrox for Pain Relief

Nitronox is a proven safe and effective treatment for managing any pain and anxiety you might feel during treatments. The Nitronox system delivers a mix of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen directly to you on an as-needed basis to provide comfort. This treatment enhancement is ideal for short, minimally-invasive treatments such as tattoo removal when pain is a concern.
You won't need this extra comfort for most of the services at VIVAA, but we want you to have it available for you should it be helpful.
Q & A about Laser Treatment (by Dr. Sidhu from RealSelf)
Wrinkles when smiling?
Q: I have done restalyne filler with great results and I have no wrinkles when I don’t smile. What type of laser treatment or peel can help?
A: There are several methods to treat your problem so a consultation is necessary so we can determine the problems with the face in the smiling stage. Even botox can help this area.
How long after laser is it safe to become pregnant?
Q: I am 34 years old and want to get laser (I'm not sure which one yet) to address the sun damage on my cheeks. I am considering having another baby but I know this is not safe to do while pregnant or breastfeeding. I don't really want to wait 2 or more years to have it done so is it safe to get pregnant shortly after having it? If it is safe, will pregnancy hormones mess with the results, rendering it a waste of money? Thanks in advance!
A: There is no time range after laser when you can be pregnant. There is no side effect of lasers towards the ovarian function. Pregnancy hormones can affect the skin though.
What is the best skin tightening treatment for the abdomen?
Q: I have carried two children and would like to tighten my stomach. What are the best treatments and how long do they usually last? I am not open to a tummy tuck, so I'm hoping laser treatment or something with less downtime will work for me. Thank you!
A: Just looking at the pictures, surgical options might be the best way to go but if you are not ready for that then the non-surgical options can be tried but might need more than one modality and several treatments. The best way would be a consultation to evaluate the degree of laxity, see if there is any fat component etc and then give you the recommendations.
Can I have skin laser treatments while on medication?
Q: aspirin 81g, metformin 250mg, 2xa dayatrovastin, 80mg 1x a day, rampril 2.5mg 1x a day, miratazpine 30mg 1 a day, bisoprol 1.5mg 1x a day
A: Good question. None of these medications listed should be an issue but each practice has their own threshold so please make sure those medications are listed on the intake form and discussed with the provider.
Is it possible to use lasers to treat broken capillaries from the upper eyelid?
Q: I have developed some small, red broken capillaries on my upper eyelid close to the lash line. They have remained without improving for over six months. Is there a treatment that could minimize/eliminate their appearance? Are lasers used in this area?
A: Great question. That area is little tricky since its so close to the eye and is actually inside the eye socket margins. Lasers are successful but will need a hard shield for the eyeball while doing laser procedures.
19-year-old: Will a chemical peel or a laser be a good option for me?
Q: Hi I am a 19-year-old male who has hereditary dark circles as well as minor forehead wrinkles when I scrunch up my forehead and minor frown line wrinkles as well.
A: Good question. Without pictures and actually examining 19-year-old very hard to say one treatment is better for you than the other. Each of your concerns can be addressed with more than one way, starting with good skin care. A consultation with our staff will help you make a better decision.
Laser treatment on sunspots on Asian skin?
Q: I'm Asian and have sun spots on my face thinking of laser treatments. I heard the laser will bring out all the other potential sun spots underneath and there will be lots of black dots/scabs when it's healing. Also because of my skin colour, there could be marks after the treatment. Should I just do a few sunspots treatment rather than my whole face? I'm scared I might end up with more spots/marks after the treatment.
A: Great question. IPL treatment is best only for certain skin types. Asian skin is usually little darker so there are concerns for adverse outcome with IPL, but at our practice, we actually use a skintel machine in addition to just looking at the skin to determine if IPL is a good procedure for you. We can also recommend some appropriate skin products that suppress melanin to help lighten the spots, so the best course is to have a consultation to discuss all areas of concern.
Laser treatment and leg scars
Q: I don't know what to do about these scars. I picked at my skin. Then I used a TCA peel. The peel made everything permanent and worse. Hydroquinone 4% only works temporarily and not that great. What would help?
A: It’s very hard to look at any scars on these pictures. If its the hyperpigmented area, it can certainly be lightened with laser. If its a scar and is relatively fresh it can be softened with laser. Older and wide scars don't respond well. The best way to assess if you are good candidate would be an in-office consultation.
To rejuvenate your skin, choose the double board-certified surgeon at Vein Vascular, Primary Care & Aesthetic Associates. For more information or to make an appointment, call us today at 425-250-9999. For your convenience, you can use our online Request an Appointment form.