AVAVA™ Laser in San Diego — The First in Southern California
San Diego & Orange County’s first AVAVA™ laser, offered exclusively by board-certified dermatologist and laser expert Dr. Melanie Palm at Art of Skin MD.
Art of Skin MD, under the direction of Dr. Melanie Palm, is proud to be the first practice in Southern California — spanning San Diego and Orange County — to offer the AVAVA™ laser. This next-generation, non-ablative resurfacing platform does something no earlier device could: it treats skin texture and tightens skin on the face, neck, and body in a single system, with meaningfully less downtime than traditional resurfacing. In doing so, AVAVA bridges the long-standing gap between gentle non-ablative lasers, full ablative resurfacing, and non-surgical skin-tightening — giving our North County San Diego patients a level of refinement that used to require choosing between comfort and results.
As a nationally and internationally recognized key opinion leader in laser science, Dr. Palm evaluated this technology long before it reached the wider aesthetic community — and selected it for Art of Skin MD because it reflects how she has always practiced: bespoke, science-forward, and built around the patient’s comfort and long-term skin health.
A Southern California First — Backed by Two Decades of Laser Expertise
New technology is only as good as the physician using it. Dr. Melanie Palm is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon with nearly two decades of experience at the forefront of laser and energy-based skin treatment. She has served as principal investigator on more than 60 FDA clinical trials, published nearly 100 peer-reviewed articles, and delivered more than 600 invited lectures across five continents — including presenting on advanced laser technologies at national meetings such as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and American Society for Lasers in Medicine & Surgery.
That depth matters with a device like AVAVA. Its results depend on precise, individualized settings — energy, depth, and density calibrated to your skin type and your goals. Being first in the region to offer AVAVA is not about novelty for its own sake; it is about pairing a genuinely new tool with a physician who understands the laser physics behind it well enough to teach it to other doctors.
What Is the AVAVA™ Laser?
AVAVA is a 1550 nm non-ablative fractional laser that renews skin from the inside out. Unlike ablative lasers, which remove the skin’s surface and require significant recovery, AVAVA works beneath the surface — delivering focused energy to the deeper layers of the skin where texture, tone, and firmness are actually formed, while largely sparing the outer layer (the epidermis). The result is stimulation of the skin’s natural collagen-building and healing response with far less disruption to the surface.
AVAVA is FDA-cleared for skin resurfacing and the treatment of acne scars, and it is engineered to treat safely across all Fitzpatrick skin types (I–VI) — every skin tone, every season.
The technology behind it
- Focal Point Technology™ — A breakthrough “conical ring” beam geometry concentrates energy to a precise point at a chosen depth in the skin, up to about 1.8 mm deep, while protecting the surrounding tissue and the surface. Traditional lasers damage everything in their path; AVAVA targets only what needs treating.
- High energy, precisely delivered — AVAVA can treat at energies up to 150 mJ — more than double the ~70 mJ maximum of many conventional non-ablative fractional lasers, and about three times the energy typically used by these devices — which is what allows it to reach deeper for firmer, smoother results without ablating the surface.
- ComfortCool™ cooling — A super-chilled sapphire window cools the skin’s surface in real time during treatment, protecting the epidermis, reducing discomfort, and minimizing post-treatment redness and swelling.
- Inside-out healing — By stimulating the body’s own regenerative process in the deeper skin, AVAVA promotes gradual collagen production and long-term skin quality, rather than a one-time surface effect.
What Makes AVAVA Different — Bridging Three Treatment Categories
For years, patients seeking skin renewal had to choose a lane. Non-ablative lasers were comfortable and low-downtime but often modest in result. Ablative resurfacing delivered dramatic texture change but with real downtime and, in some patients, real risk. Non-surgical skin-tightening devices firmed the skin but did little for texture, tone, or surface quality.
AVAVA is engineered to bridge all three. It combines meaningful skin-textural improvement with genuine skin-tightening (through targeted soft-tissue coagulation), on the face, neck, and body — with the comfort and reduced downtime patients associate with the gentlest non-ablative treatments. For the discerning patient who wants refinement rather than radical change, it is a rare combination of results, comfort, and recovery.
Why Patients Choose Art of Skin MD and Dr. Melanie Palm for AVAVA
AVAVA is a physician-grade laser, and the physician behind it defines the outcome. At Art of Skin MD, your treatment is guided by one of the country’s most experienced laser dermatologists.
- Board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon.
- Nearly 20 years specializing in lasers, energy-based devices, and cosmetic dermatology.
- Principal investigator on 60+ FDA clinical trials, giving her firsthand insight into how new laser technologies are studied and validated.
- Internationally recognized key opinion leader (KOL) in laser science, with 600+ invited lectures on five continents and near-100 peer-reviewed publications.
- Invited faculty at national meetings, including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, where she has lectured on advanced laser technology.
- Recognized as a Top 25 Cosmetic Dermatologist by Newsweek and honored repeatedly by San Diego Magazine, Ranch & Coast, and Castle Connolly.
What the AVAVA™ Laser Treats
Because AVAVA works at multiple depths and spares the surface, it addresses a broad range of skin concerns — for patients of every skin tone:
- Fine lines, wrinkles, and early signs of aging — smoothing and refining aging skin.
- Skin laxity and loss of definition — firming and tightening for improved contour and jawline definition (through soft-tissue coagulation).
- Rough or uneven texture — improving overall smoothness and clarity.
- Acne scars — resurfacing and renewing scarred skin (an FDA-cleared indication).
- Sun damage and dull skin — revitalizing for a brighter, more even complexion.
- Enlarged-appearing pores — refining the look of pore size.
Treatment areas
AVAVA is versatile across the face, neck, and body. Popular areas at Art of Skin MD include the full face, the peri-oral (around-the-mouth) region, the neck and jawline, the chest (décolleté), the abdomen, and the hands — anywhere skin quality and firmness can be refined.
Your AVAVA™ Treatment Experience at Art of Skin MD
How many sessions will I need?
Most patients complete a series of 2 to 3 treatments, typically spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart. Body areas and higher-energy treatments generally call for the longer end of that interval to allow full healing. After the initial series, many patients maintain their results with a periodic touch-up treatment.
Is AVAVA comfortable?
Comfort is a priority at Art of Skin MD. Treatment is performed after applying a topical numbing anesthetic, and AVAVA’s built-in ComfortCool™ cooling further protects and soothes the skin during the procedure. In clinical use, patients report only mild discomfort on average. Beyond the standard protocol, we layer in our own comfort-first approach — including options such as oral comfort medication and thoughtful distraction techniques — so the experience feels seamless and calm from start to finish. This attention to the patient experience is part of what distinguishes a bespoke dermatology practice from a high-volume med spa.
What to Expect Afterward — Downtime & Recovery
AVAVA is designed for real life. Recovery is meaningfully shorter than traditional ablative resurfacing, and most patients build a short series into their normal schedule.
- Redness (erythema): Expect several days of redness after a facial treatment; some mild redness can linger a little longer with deeper settings.
- Swelling (edema): Typically mild to moderate for a couple of days, often most noticeable at days 2–3 and improving quickly thereafter.
- Skin texture: The treated skin will feel rough or sandpaper-like as it renews — generally for about 4 to 7 days on the face, and roughly 2 to 4 weeks on the body, since body skin heals more slowly.
- Makeup & sunscreen: Most patients can resume mineral makeup and sunscreen the very next day, making it easy to return to daily activities.
- Aftercare: Gentle cleansing, diligent sun protection, and pausing active skincare ingredients (retinoids, AHAs/BHAs) for about a week. Your Art of Skin MD team provides complete, personalized pre- and post-treatment instructions.
When Will I See Results?
Some patients notice smoother, more refined skin within the first couple of weeks, but AVAVA’s results are progressive: as the skin rebuilds collagen from within, improvement continues to develop over the following weeks. Optimal results are typically seen around three months after a treatment and continue to refine as the series is completed.
Are You a Good Candidate for AVAVA?
AVAVA is an excellent option for a wide range of patients. You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Want to improve skin texture, tone, firmness, or the appearance of acne scars without surgery.
- Are looking for refinement — a smoother, firmer, more youthful look — rather than a radical transformation.
- Prefer a treatment with limited downtime that fits into a busy schedule.
- Have a skin tone that has historically been considered higher-risk for laser resurfacing — AVAVA is engineered for all skin types, I through VI.
- Value being treated by a board-certified dermatologist rather than an off-site or non-physician provider.
The best way to know whether AVAVA is right for you is a personalized consultation with Dr. Palm and her team, who will assess your skin and design a plan around your goals.
Precautions & Who Should Wait
As with any medical laser, AVAVA is not appropriate for everyone. During your consultation we review your full history to confirm you are a safe candidate. AVAVA is generally not recommended — or should be postponed — for patients who:
- Have a tendency toward keloid or excessive scarring.
- Are pregnant or nursing (AVAVA has not been studied in these groups).
- Are currently or recently taking isotretinoin (Accutane) or a similar medication, or are on systemic steroids.
- Take medications or supplements that cause photosensitivity.
- Have an active infection, an active cold sore (herpes simplex), an open wound, a suspicious lesion, or recently tanned skin in the treatment area.
- Have a medical history that is otherwise not compatible with laser treatment.
Like all lasers, AVAVA carries potential risks — including temporary redness, swelling, or bruising, and, less commonly, changes in pigmentation, blistering, infection, or scarring. Dr. Palm’s protocols and all-skin-type calibration are designed specifically to minimize these risks. We review them fully with you before you consent to treatment.
Treatments That Pair Well With AVAVA
One of the advantages of a comprehensive dermatology practice is the ability to design a multi-modal plan — combining treatments that address different layers of aging for a more complete, natural result. Depending on your goals, Dr. Palm may pair AVAVA with:
- Neuromodulators (e.g., wrinkle-relaxing injectables) — to soften dynamic lines while AVAVA refines skin quality.
- Dermal fillers and biostimulators such as Sculptra — to restore volume and stimulate collagen, complementing AVAVA’s textural and tightening effects.
- Non-invasive body contouring, muscle toning, and skin-tightening — for patients addressing the body as well as the face.
- Medical-grade skincare — a tailored regimen to protect and extend your results.
Your provider will sequence and space these treatments appropriately, so each one supports the others safely.
AVAVA™ Laser — Frequently Asked Questions
Is Art of Skin MD really the first to offer AVAVA in Southern California?
Yes. Art of Skin MD and Dr. Melanie Palm are the first practice in Southern California — including San Diego and Orange County — to offer the AVAVA laser, reflecting Dr. Palm’s role as an early adopter and key opinion leader in laser technology.
What is AVAVA used for?
AVAVA is a 1550 nm non-ablative fractional laser used to improve skin texture, firmness, tone, acne scars, sun damage, and the appearance of pores on the face, neck, and body. It is FDA-cleared for skin resurfacing and acne scars.
How is AVAVA different from other lasers?
AVAVA uses patented Focal Point Technology™ to deliver high energy (up to 150 mJ, versus about 70 mJ for many non-ablative lasers) precisely into the deeper skin while sparing the surface. This lets it improve texture and tighten skin at once, with less discomfort and downtime than traditional resurfacing — bridging non-ablative, ablative, and skin-tightening treatments.
How many AVAVA treatments will I need?
Most patients need 2 to 3 treatments spaced about 4 to 8 weeks apart, followed by periodic maintenance. Your exact plan depends on your concerns and the area treated.
Does AVAVA hurt?
Most patients report only mild discomfort. Treatment is done after topical numbing, and AVAVA’s ComfortCool™ cooling adds comfort during the procedure. At Art of Skin MD we also offer additional comfort options and distraction techniques to keep the experience relaxed.
What is the downtime after AVAVA?
On the face, expect a few days of redness, a couple of days of mild-to-moderate swelling, and skin that feels rough for about 4 to 7 days. Body areas take longer to heal (roughly 2 to 4 weeks). Most patients can wear makeup and sunscreen the next day.
When will I see results from AVAVA?
Some improvement appears within the first weeks, but results are progressive as your skin rebuilds collagen. Optimal results are typically seen around three months and continue to refine over your treatment series.
Is AVAVA safe for all skin tones?
Yes. AVAVA is engineered to treat all Fitzpatrick skin types (I–VI) safely, which has historically been a challenge for many resurfacing lasers.
Where is AVAVA available near me?
Art of Skin MD offers AVAVA at our Solana Beach practice, serving patients across North County San Diego, greater San Diego, and Orange County. Book a consultation to learn more.
AVAVA™ Laser Near You — Serving North County San Diego & Southern California
Art of Skin MD is located in Solana Beach, California, and welcomes patients from across North County San Diego and the greater Southern California region — including Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, and beyond. As the first practice in San Diego and Orange County to offer the AVAVA laser, we are proud to bring this innovation to the discerning patients of our community, delivered with the academic depth, warmth, and bespoke care that define our practice.
Whether you are researching AVAVA for the first time or ready to begin, we invite you to experience the difference of a physician-led, science-forward approach to your skin.
Schedule Your AVAVA™ Consultation
Discover what Southern California’s first AVAVA laser can do for your skin. Contact Art of Skin MD to schedule a personalized consultation.
