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Laser Skin Resurfacing

Pearl Laser Therapy in Palm Desert

At Desert Med Aesthetics, our ultimate goal is to create cosmetic treatment strategies that are backed by scientific evidence and display a proven track record. One such solution is Pearl fractional laser therapy, a facial rejuvenation procedure that effectively removes imperfections caused by sun damage, scarring, and aging.

For years, different laser skin therapies have been developed, each with its own way of targeting aesthetic flaws and improving skin health. Likewise, laser treatments have a broad spectrum of potency, ranging from 30-minute therapies to more extensive solutions that rival plastic surgery in removing deep wrinkles. This broad spectrum and significant treatment variety can be traced to the type of laser being used. In addition to minimally invasive IPL and laser skin tightening, Desert Med Aesthetics offers fractional laser therapy. Using the latest laser technology available, cosmetic specialist Dr. Doriana Cosgrove is able to repair severely damaged facial skin without surgical intervention. 

Skin Resurfacing – A New Approach to Facial Rejuvenation

In recent years, fractional laser therapy has become a staple of medical spas and plastic surgery practices that want to provide a non-invasive skin rejuvenation option for patients. Unlike other laser treatments that utilize infrared wavelengths to treat specific irregularities across the face, fractional lasers are ablative, meaning they remove skin by vaporization in a targeted manner. This unique approach provides patients with rapid recovery and long-lasting results that can be compared to plastic surgery.

In Indian Wells, Dr. Cosgrove’s state-of-the-art medical spa features the Cutera Pearl laser, an innovative solution designed to thoroughly resurface skin in just one appointment.

What Is Pearl Laser Therapy?

The Pearl procedure combines the power of resurfacing lasers with the gentleness and safety of non-invasive procedures to treat aging and sun-damaged skin. Pearl laser therapy reduces fine lines, uneven texture, and sun damage with fewer laser treatments and less overall recovery than other technologies. The result is a healthy, pearl-like glow.

Pearl laser therapy is a fractional laser, targeting fractions of the treatment area at a time and reducing downtime and risk of scarring. Over the course of the session, concentrated pulses of light are delivered to the irregularity, vaporizing the flaw without damaging surrounding tissue. As the light is applied in a column through the skin, neighboring healthy skin is left uncompromised and supports post-procedure healing.

With Pearl laser therapy, our Indian Wells patients receive a multifaceted treatment that improves their appearance in many ways.

Treatment sessions usually last about 15 minutes. While the solution is minimally invasive, some patients find their procedure greatly enhanced with the addition of topical anesthesia or numbing cream. For patients who are anxious, we can provide twilight sedation. This is sometimes referred to as conscious sedation; patients will be completely calm and relaxed but will be conscious during their procedure. You will also be unable to recall details of your treatment. As an experienced anesthesiologist, Dr. Cosgrove is uniquely trained in providing such relief and is dedicated to helping ensure your visit is as comfortable as possible. In a short time, you will notice increased overall skin clarity, smoothness, and softness.

Who Is a Candidate for Pearl Laser Therapy?

While this laser skin rejuvenation procedure was initially designed to provide upkeep treatment, the technology has advanced to the point where it can be used to address a variety of skin problems. At Desert Med Aesthetics, patients who’ve found the greatest success with this solution are individuals with:

  • Hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage
  • Fine lines throughout the face
  • Uneven skin tone or texture


Unlike fractional erbium and CO2 laser procedures, Pearl laser therapy requires shorter downtime and is not associated with extensive recovery. Our patients usually take 3 to 4 days to recover and are then able to return back to their routine schedule. Likewise, the therapy was designed with the intention of providing maximum results in as few treatments as possible. Many patients with minor inconsistencies or flaws can be treated once and enjoy results that last for years.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Cosgrove will walk you through the treatment process and determine whether Pearl laser therapy will be used independently or as part of a larger treatment strategy. Given the minimally invasive nature of this approach, some patients displaying more significant signs of sun damage or aging may choose to combine treatments. For these individuals, our Indian Wells cosmetic specialist offers a number of other laser skin therapies, such as Laser Genesis and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), as well as chemical peels or microneedling.

Fractional Laser Therapy Vs. Other Laser Skin Treatments

Also referred to as laser skin resurfacing, fractional laser therapy is used when surface-level skin cells need to be removed. Rather than targeting a specific area, the fractional laser device is used across the face to reveal healthy new skin layers below the dermis.

Whereas other laser skin treatments are completed using infrared light, fractional laser therapy can be compared with either a CO2 laser or an erbium laser. CO2 laser resurfacing uses short, concentrated light energy to remove the top-most layers of skin and can be used to address a number of skin issues, including wrinkles, scars, warts, and enlarged oil glands. Erbium lasers are recommended for removing moderate to deep wrinkles that appear on the face, hands, neck, or chest. As erbium lasers cause minimal damage to neighboring tissue, recovery is often shorter with this treatment.

At Desert Med Aesthetics, our Indian Wells cosmetic specialist has invested in some of the latest laser technology to provide patients with effective care and lasting results. For laser resurfacing treatment, we use Pearl fractional therapy.

Meet Dr. Doriana Cosgrove

Since opening Desert Med Aesthetics, Dr. Doriana Cosgrove has dedicated her career to providing men and women with comprehensive, personalized care in a welcoming environment.

Starting with your initial consultation, you’ll be welcomed by a staff that is genuinely committed to helping you achieve your goals. For new patients, your first visit is focused on identifying problem areas that are keeping you from feeling confident about your appearance.

Whether you’re visiting Dr. Cosgrove for the first time or returning for touch-ups, the team at Desert Med Aesthetics looks forward to providing you with the aesthetic care you deserve.

Pearl Fractional Laser Therapy Benefits

Fractional therapy describes a treatment that exposes only a fraction of the skin to the laser beam in a pattern of tiny dots. With the Pearl fractional laser, laser pulses place tiny holes in the skin rather than removing the layers of skin at once. Columns of damaged tissue are selectively removed, leaving the surrounding skin intact. This unique approach decreases healing time while stimulating the body’s own natural process for creating new collagen. Pearl fractional laser therapy improves the skin quality, which creates new collagen and plumps the skin from below.

There are several key advantages that accompany Pearl fractional laser therapy in comparison to other traditional fractional solutions. The tiny holes created by the laser enable safe treatment and a rapid recovery, while the penetrating laser ensures deep, effective rejuvenation in a single session.

Depending on the area being treated, fractional laser therapy can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. For patients with more extensive skin damage or a larger treatment area, the session can take up to 2 hours.

As an experienced anesthesiologist, Dr. Cosgrove is uniquely trained to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. She completed a residency in Anesthesiology at Loma Linda University and was head of the anesthesia department at Desert Regional Medical Center. Dr. Cosgrove offers topical anesthesia to numb the skin and ensure your procedure is as comfortable as possible. We are also IMQ certified, and we can offer sedation for more aggressive treatments.

Schedule your Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment in Indian Wells

At Desert Med Aesthetics, our goal is to create cosmetic treatment strategies that are backed by scientific evidence and display a proven track record. With fractional laser therapy, Indian Wells cosmetic specialist Dr. Cosgrove addresses irregularities in facial skin caused by sun damage, scarring, and aging. Call Dr. Cosgrove at 760-777-8772 today and learn how Pearl laser therapy can help you achieve your facial aesthetic goals!