Cutera Pearl

What is Cutera Pearl?

Cutera Pearl is a combination multi-application laser and light-based laser treatment to revitalize and resurface the skin and improve the appearance of birthmarks, scarring, and damaged skin. This technology utilizes both ablative and non-ablative laser energy. In medical terms, ablative means the directed energy of the laser will remove or vaporize tissue, whereas the non-ablative aspect of the treatment is non-invasive. Reduced side effects and shorter downtime make this combined procedure an attractive option for patients’ facial rejuvenation. ⁽¹⁾If you are unhappy with skin damage, scarring, and blemishes, or if your skin is just in need of a pick-me-up, trust professional Cleveland plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Fedele to help! Conveniently located close to route 271 in Beachwood, Dr. Fedele has been providing plastic surgery and pioneering rejuvenation treatments to his patients with expert care since 1998. He is committed to providing his knowledge, skills, and specialist expertise to help you reach your beauty goals. Contact our team at (216) 464-1616 or fill out this simple online inquiry form to begin your journey toward renewed, healthier-looking skin!

Before and After Photos

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About Combined Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing technologies are an effective treatment option for patients to improve the tone, texture, and pigmentation of their skin. ⁽²⁾ Cutera Pearl can help to renew your bodily aesthetics by simultaneously pulsing light into the surface of the skin and heating the deeper layers. This stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen; the key protein for skin repair and support. This process can improve the appearance of scarring as a result of acne, age-related damage, sun damage, and a multitude of other cosmetic concerns. 

A trained surgeon can use the Cutera Pearl system for the following conditions.

The extensive number of skin ailments Cutera Pearl can treat illustrates how versatile its laser technology is. Don’t wait to improve the condition of your skin! To book your personal consultation with Dr. Fedele, please call (216) 464-1616 or fill out a contact form on our website so we can assist you with your request.

Benefits of Cutera Pearl Treatment

Lasers are a safe and effective tool for skin resurfacing. ⁽⁴⁾ Many patients choose Cutera Pearl treatment because it’s a powerful and effective way to improve skin quality, and a more efficient procedure with shorter downtime compared to other cosmetic skin treatments. It can address numerous skin conditions. Some of the benefits of Cutera Pearl are outlined below.

Find out more about laser resurfacing and other cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures on Dr. Fedele’s blog!

Candidates for Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing candidates can approach the Cutera Pearl treatment with skin damage as a result of aging, UV light, acne scarring, birthmarks, and dispigmentation, among a great many other skin conditions. The best candidates for this type of laser resurfacing procedure are patients with lighter complexions who want to improve the tone and texture of their skin. The Cutera Pearl technology may cause hyperpigmentation in patients with darker skin tones, but other treatments may be available that garner similar results. You may not be able to receive Cutera Pearl treatment if you have excess skin sagging, very deep lines, and/or keloid scarring. Similarly, patients with active acne on isotretinoin treatments may have to wait to treat their skin after the condition has calmed and healed and the medication course is complete.

Personal Consultation

Prior to your Cutera Pearl treatment, Dr. Fedele will obtain all the necessary information about your skin from you. He wants to find out about you and your skin conditions so that he can address them successfully! We offer each of our patients a chance to speak frankly about their skin conditions and areas for treatment at a personal consultation. During this private session, Dr. Fedele will ask you for a brief medical history, take photographs of the area(s) for treatment, and thoroughly examine the skin you would like to improve with laser resurfacing.

Preparation for Cutera Pearl Treatment

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

In the weeks before your laser resurfacing treatment, you should take great care to avoid UV light in any form, where possible. This includes staying out of the sun, tanning beds, and sun showers. If you are spending extended periods of time outside, Dr. Fedele recommends wearing SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.

Avoid Certain Medications

Dr. Fedele will ask you to refrain from taking medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood thinners, as these can cause bruising and clotting issues during and after laser treatment. Similarly, you should avoid taking vitamin E supplements, as these can also affect the way that blood clots during treatment.

Stop Smoking

If you are a smoker, you should be prepared to stop smoking two weeks before, and two weeks after your Cutera Pearl procedure. Nicotine inhibits skin healing and can increase your risk of complications after treatment.

Cold Sores

Talk to Dr. Fedele if you are prone to cold sore outbreaks. Studies have shown that anti-virals including acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir can reduce the risk of reactivation of facial herpes if started a few days before treatment and continued for several days after. The same studies have illustrated that preoperative topical tretinoin may help prime the skin for quicker healing after laser treatment. ⁽⁴⁾

Cutera Pearl Laser Procedure

Our patients describe the Cutera Pearl procedure as intense, but worth it! First, we will thoroughly cleanse your skin and apply a numbing cream for your comfort. Once this has had time to work into the skin, we will furnish you with special eyepieces to protect your eyes from the laser energy. We will then guide the pulsing laser device over the area of treatment. This fine movement of the handpiece gently removes the top layers of the epidermis, stimulating new collagen production. Some people describe the sensation as a “warm zap” during the procedure, and liken it to a mild sunburn once complete. Facial Cutera Pearl resurfacing takes approximately 30 minutes, though the duration may vary from patient to patient depending on the size and location of the area for treatment.

Results & Recovery After Laser Skin Resurfacing

Aftercare

In the coming hours and days, you will experience temporary redness and skin tightness. Immediately after your Cutera Pearl procedure, we will apply a non-stick dressing to the area. You must keep this dressing on for 24 hours to aid healing. At this time, he will give you specific aftercare details, which may include using a topical saline-based solution and a hypoallergenic ointment (such as Vaseline or Eucerin) to prevent scabbing. Depending on the size and location of the treated skin, patients can expect full healing to occur in a few weeks.

Makeup

Patients with very fair skin (natural blondes and redheads) may find that skin discoloration persists for a few months, but it can be easily camouflaged with some excellent doctor-approved cosmetics. If you have had Cutera Pearl laser treatment on your face, you may wish to cover redness with a gentle non-oil-based foundation. If your skin tone is darker, you may be given skin lightening cream to limit hyperpigmentation.

Lasting Results

Skin resurfacing procedures can produce long-lasting, rejuvenating results! The Cutera Pearl treatment removes dullness on the surface of the skin, promoting healing collagen, and producing a radiant, renewed skin aesthetic!

Call our Cleveland offices at (216) 464-1616 for more information about a personal laser skin treatment consultation with Dr. Fedele!

Cost of a Cutera Pearl Procedure in Cleveland, OH

Cutera Pearl pricing is dependent on individual patient circumstances. Larger areas for treatment and patient skin quality are both factors that affect the price of laser skin resurfacing. For more information about cosmetic treatment funding, please see our financing page!

FAQ

What is Cutera Pearl?

Cutera Pearl is a laser resurfacing treatment for age-related surface changes, scarring and skin discoloration, skin pigmentation issues, and sun-damaged skin. A trained medical professional uses focused laser energy and heat from the Cutera Pearl handpiece to destroy and regenerate skin, encouraging natural, renewing collagen production. The effects are smoother, blemish-free skin in the area of treatment.

What is an ablative skin resurfacing treatment?

An ablative laser procedure destroys the topmost layer of dead and dull skin in a safe, controlled way. It can be effectively employed to improve skin ailments and damage such as: mild to moderate wrinkles and lines, rosacea, acne scarring, liver spots, age spots, and photodamaged skin. Some laser treatments combine both ablative and non-ablative technology to renew and revitalize the skin surface.

Who can provide laser skin resurfacing treatments?

Only trained medical practitioners can perform laser-based skin resurfacing procedures. Depending on the class of laser, board-certified plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists, and other medical professionals can implement laser resurfacing to improve the texture and tone of your skin.

References

1. Cohen M.D., J. L., & Ross M.D., E. V. (2013, February). Combined Fractional Ablative and Nonablative Laser Resurfacing Treatment:A Split-Face Comparative Study. JDDonline – Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. https://jddonline.com/articles/combined-fractional-ablative-and-nonablative-laser-resurfacing-treatmenta-split-face-comparative-stu-S1545961613P0175X/ 
2. Preissig, J., Hamilton, K., & Markus, R. (2012). Current Laser Resurfacing Technologies: A Review that Delves Beneath the Surface. Seminars in Plastic Surgery, 26(03), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1329413 
3. xeo®. (2021). Cutera Aesthetic Solutions. https://www.cutera.com/solutions/xeo/ 
4. Verma, N., Yumeen, S., & Raggio, B. S. (2020). Ablative Laser Resurfacing. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557474/