Skin Tone & Texture

Uneven skin tone develops from multiple factors including cumulative sun exposure (which triggers irregular melanin production), genetics, hormonal changes, previous skin inflammation or acne, melasma, and natural aging processes. UV exposure is the most significant contributor—causing brown spots, freckling, and overall discoloration. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne or other skin conditions can also create uneven patches. Our board-certified dermatologists evaluate the specific causes of your discoloration to select the most effective laser treatments that break up unwanted pigment and reveal a clearer, more uniform complexion.

Lasers improve texture through two primary mechanisms: resurfacing the damaged surface layers and stimulating new collagen production in deeper tissue. Fractional lasers like Fraxel create controlled micro-injuries that trigger your body’s natural healing response, building fresh collagen and elastin. This process smooths rough patches, reduces pore size, softens fine lines, and enhances overall softness and suppleness. Improvements continue progressively as new collagen forms over several months following treatment. The result is skin that looks and feels dramatically smoother and more refined.

Yes. Our comprehensive approach can address multiple concerns simultaneously. Devices like IPL Fotofacial and Vbeam specifically target redness and vascular concerns, while Fraxel DUAL and Clear + Brilliant brighten brown pigmentation and sun damage. Using multiple technologies strategically often creates the most balanced, comprehensive result—addressing all aspects of uneven tone for a uniformly clear complexion. During your consultation, our physicians will recommend the optimal combination for your specific mix of concerns.

Treatment quantity varies based on your specific concerns, skin condition, and desired outcome. Most patients benefit from a series of treatments for optimal results. Fraxel DUAL typically requires two to four sessions. Clear + Brilliant is often performed as a series or for ongoing maintenance. IPL may show significant improvement after one to three treatments. CO2 resurfacing often achieves dramatic results in a single session. During your DermDesigned™ Consultation, your dermatologist will recommend a personalized plan tailored to your goals and establish realistic expectations for your treatment timeline.

Downtime varies significantly by treatment intensity. CO2 laser resurfacing involves the most recovery—typically one to two weeks of redness, peeling, and healing—but delivers the most dramatic transformation. Fraxel DUAL requires several days of redness and mild flaking. Clear + Brilliant and IPL offer minimal downtime with slight pinkness that resolves quickly. Microneedling causes temporary redness for a day or two. Our physicians will help you select treatments that balance your desired results with your lifestyle and schedule constraints.

Absolutely. Many laser treatments dramatically improve radiance by accelerating cellular turnover, breaking up dull surface pigmentation, and stimulating fresh collagen production. This reveals the fresher, more luminous skin beneath while improving overall skin health. Patients consistently report that their complexion looks “lit from within” following laser treatments. Results often continue to improve with consistent sun protection, proper skincare, and occasional maintenance treatments to sustain that healthy glow long-term.

Most treatments can be safely customized for various skin types when performed by experienced physicians. However, certain skin tones require specialized protocols and settings to minimize risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Our board-certified dermatologists have extensive experience treating diverse skin types and understand how to adjust laser parameters for safe, effective results regardless of your complexion. During your consultation, your dermatologist will determine which devices and settings are optimal for your specific skin type.

Absolutely. Addressing tone and texture proactively supports collagen health, maintains cellular turnover, and helps slow the visible progression of aging. Preventative laser treatments in your thirties and forties can preserve skin quality, prevent sun damage from worsening, and keep skin smoother and more vibrant for years to come. Many patients use Clear + Brilliant or regular IPL treatments as ongoing maintenance to sustain youthful skin quality and prevent deeper changes from developing.

Yes. Our fellowship-trained physicians specialize in subtle, elegant improvement that enhances your natural skin quality rather than creating an artificial appearance. Your complexion will look refreshed, healthier, and more radiant—not overdone or obviously treated. The goal is for people to notice you look great without being able to identify that you had a procedure. Progressive improvement over several months creates particularly natural-looking transformation as new collagen develops gradually.

During your DermDesigned™ Consultation, your board-certified dermatologist will evaluate your specific concerns, assess your skin type and quality, consider your lifestyle and downtime availability, and discuss your aesthetic goals. You will receive a precise, personalized treatment plan using only the technologies that will deliver safe, natural, and effective results for your unique skin. Our physicians consider factors including the severity of texture or tone issues, whether you have primarily pigmentation or redness concerns, your age and skin health, and whether you prefer gradual improvement or more dramatic transformation.