Who doesn't want to look younger in the next family photo -- or wish to put on the best possible face for a wedding, family reunion, high school reunion or job interview? Laser facials are an innovation now offered in several local medical offices to help patients look refreshed and feel their best.

Numerous procedures on the market today are used to reduce unwanted lines and wrinkles. The laser facial is one of the safest FDA-approved treatments promoting healthy-looking skin in men and women.

Unlike injectable substances that utilize human or bovine tissue, the laser facial procedure is noninvasive, greatly reducing the risk for complications. This procedure treats the most common skin conditions typically associated with signs of premature aging such as wrinkles, large pores, facial veins, redness and sun-damaged skin. Patients typically describe the treatment as a gentle warming of the skin's surface.

One of the advantages of having the procedure performed in the privacy of a doctor's office is that it gives patients the assurance of confidentiality mandated at healthcare facilities in a cleaner and more hygienic environment.

Physicians are keenly aware of the importance of treating the patient "from the inside out" and are careful to screen patients for lesions and any other signs of excessive sun exposure, as well as other health symptoms that may go unnoticed by practitioners outside of the medical field.

"We're all getting older, and sometimes the changes aren't easy to accept," said Stephen Bajo, MD, internal medicine physician who offers laser therapy in his Sparks office. "That's why I've embraced an age-management program that includes fitness, diet and laser rejuvenation therapy."

Joe Johnson, MD, Sparks family practitioner who also offers physician-based laser services, has found the laser beneficial for hair removal as well as diminishing fine lines and wrinkles and shrinking superficial vessels of the face and leg. "Laser hair removal reduces and many times eliminates the need for shaving, waxing, plucking or electrolysis," Dr. Johnson said. "While blonde, gray or red hair isn't treated well by laser hair removal, all skin types and colors respond to laser treatment."

The laser facial is fast, safe and essentially painless. Laser facials use nonablative lasers, a less intense alternative to ablative lasers that remove upper layers of skin. Nonablative lasers work beneath the surface of the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines, age spots and other imperfections. The procedure takes about 20 minutes. Immediately after treatment, most patients experience some minor redness, which usually lasts only a few hours. Overall, results are subtle yet noticeable. Patients can immediately apply makeup, return to normal indoor activities and, with sunscreen application, outdoor activities as well.

What's best is that the procedure requires little healing time. On average, patients may require from four to six treatments in order to achieve their desired results. Since every patient's skin condition varies, it is important for patients to discuss their expectations with the physician to ensure the best outcome.

Stephen Bajo, MD    Joe Johnson, MD

Dr. Stephen Bajo's PRIME Laser Solutions office is located on the campus of Northern Nevada Medical Center in Suite 304, Vista Medical Terrace, 2345 E. Prater Way, Sparks. For more information, please call 331-5147. Dr. Joe Johnson's Sierra Nevada Family Medicine laser center is located in Suite 103, 1625 E. Prater Way, Sparks. For more information, please call 352-7200.

Northern Nevada Medical Center 2375 E. Prater Way, Sparks, NV 89434 775-331-7000