At Sensational Skin in Scottsdale, laser resurfacing is one of the ways the practice addresses uneven skin texture, including enlarged pores, acne scars, fine lines and sun-worn skin. CO2 laser resurfacing uses precise laser energy to remove damaged outer layers of skin while stimulating collagen renewal. The depth and approach are chosen at a consultation, because texture concerns differ from one person to the next.
What does skin texture mean?
Skin texture describes how the surface of the skin looks and feels. Smooth texture tends to reflect light evenly. When the surface becomes uneven, the skin can look rough, dull or crepey, and makeup may sit differently on it.
Several things can change texture over time. Collagen, the protein that gives skin much of its structure, naturally declines with age. Years of sun exposure can leave the surface of the skin rougher. Acne can leave behind scars and marks. In Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the rest of the Valley, the Arizona sun is strong for most of the year, so sun-related changes to texture are a common reason people ask about resurfacing.
Common texture concerns
- Rough or uneven surface, often linked to sun damage
- Enlarged pores
- Acne scars
- Fine lines and crepey skin, including the delicate skin around the eyes
Is laser used for skin texture?
Yes. The practice's CO2 laser resurfacing page lists acne scars and enlarged pores, sun damage and uneven pigmentation, deep lines and wrinkles, eyelid laxity and under-eye wrinkles, and aging skin on the neck and chest among the concerns it uses CO2 resurfacing for. CO2 laser resurfacing is the treatment the practice performs most often.
The idea behind resurfacing is simple. Laser energy removes damaged outer layers of skin, and the skin's renewal process, including new collagen, follows. How deep the laser goes, and how much of the skin is treated, is what changes from one plan to the next.
Lighter and deeper laser options for texture
Dr. Brown uses the Lumenis UltraPulse Encore CO2 laser, a single platform that offers several levels of resurfacing. That range lets the treatment be matched to the texture concern rather than fitting every patient to one setting.
ActiveFX
ActiveFX is a lighter, fractional CO2 treatment done in a single treatment session. The practice uses it for fine lines, pigmentation, sun damage and texture, with less downtime than deeper resurfacing. Fractional treatments leave small bridges of untreated skin between the treated areas, which is why fractional healing is faster than full resurfacing.
Deeper resurfacing
TotalFX, DeepFX, SCAAR FX and MaxFX are further depths on the same platform. MaxFX is deep corrective resurfacing, and the practice notes it allows controlled depth even in delicate areas such as the eyelids. Deeper treatments need more healing time, so the choice of depth is always discussed alongside the downtime a patient can plan for. The practice's article on how CO2 treatment depth is chosen covers this in more detail.
Erbium YAG
The practice also describes Erbium YAG as a gentler option suited to mild to moderate concerns, with faster healing, though it is less effective for deep wrinkles. For some texture concerns, it may be worth discussing.
Other options the practice may discuss for texture
Laser is not the only approach. Depending on the concern, a plan at Sensational Skin may include or combine other treatments:
- Microneedling with MicroPen EVO, an FDA-cleared device. Tiny sterile needles create controlled micro-injuries at adjustable depths, which stimulates collagen remodeling. The practice uses it for skin texture and tone, the appearance of acne scars and other scars, and fine lines, and has offered microneedling for over 15 years.
- Chemical peels, including the ZO Controlled Depth Peel, the ZO 3-Step Peel and the Obagi Blue Peel.
- Medical-grade skin care from ZO Skin Health, Obagi and Alastin, personalized at a consultation and often part of preparing the skin before laser treatment.
For acne scarring specifically, the practice's options include CO2 resurfacing, microneedling and peels. Active acne is a different matter from scarring. Nodular and cystic acne need professional medical care, so anyone with active breakouts should see a qualified medical provider about the acne itself first.
How the right approach is chosen
The practice does not believe every patient needs the same laser treatment. At the consultation, laser settings, energy levels and recovery plans are tailored to the patient's skin type, concerns and goals. Multiple treatment options and levels of resurfacing are discussed, so you can weigh a lighter approach against a deeper one with full information.
Care around a CO2 treatment includes medical-grade skin preparation, a guided recovery protocol, stabilization treatments to support healing, and weekend follow-up care, along with comprehensive pre- and post-treatment guidance. Dr. Brown reviews expected recovery for your specific plan at the consultation.
Some changes in the skin are not texture concerns at all. A spot that is changing, a sore that does not heal, or a rough patch that keeps coming back should be evaluated by a qualified medical provider before any cosmetic treatment.
Who performs laser resurfacing at Sensational Skin?
CO2 laser resurfacing at the practice is physician-led by S. Kent Brown, M.D., Medical Director since 1998. Dr. Brown is an anesthesiologist with more than 40 years of surgical experience and more than 25 years of CO2 laser experience, and he customizes every treatment. CO2 treatment at the practice includes anesthesiologist-directed comfort options. Susan Brown, his clinical assistant, is the practice's Laser Safety Officer and builds treatment plans together with Dr. Brown.
You can browse the practice's CO2 laser before and after gallery. Results vary, and the photos show individual patients rather than a promise of any outcome.
Book a skin texture consultation in Scottsdale
A texture plan starts with an in-person look at your skin, and results may vary from person to person. Sensational Skin is at 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, convenient to North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Arcadia and Biltmore. The practice offers a complimentary consultation. Call or text (480) 596-9111, or request a consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is laser used for skin texture at Sensational Skin?
Yes. The practice uses CO2 laser resurfacing for concerns that include acne scars, enlarged pores and sun damage, and ActiveFX, a lighter fractional CO2 treatment, for fine lines, pigmentation, sun damage and texture.
What other treatments does Sensational Skin offer for skin texture?
Depending on the concern, options may include microneedling with the FDA-cleared MicroPen EVO device, chemical peels and medical-grade skin care, chosen at a consultation.
Who performs CO2 laser resurfacing at Sensational Skin?
CO2 laser resurfacing is physician-led by S. Kent Brown, M.D., an anesthesiologist with more than 25 years of CO2 laser experience who customizes every treatment.
Book a consultation. Every plan starts with a consultation at our Scottsdale office, 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 115. Call or text (480) 596-9111, or request a consultation online.
Individual results vary. This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms or a medical condition, please see a qualified medical provider.