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Dr. Robert Cutchen Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Meet Dr. Robert Cutchen

In 2009, Dr. Cutchen founded Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute, a clinic dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. His goal was to provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options all in the comfort of his office without the need for hospitalization. Our goal is to treat every patient the way we ourselves would hope to be treated.

Read Dr. Cutchen’s full bio here

Vein Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Vein Treatments

We provide our patients with the most advanced and comprehensive vein treatments. See the difference between before and after.

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Aesthetic Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Aesthetic Treatments

We utilize the power of advanced laser technology to treat a multitude of cosmetic concerns. See what a difference our treatments can make.

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Patient Resources Albuquerque & Santa FeDo you have a question?

Discover our FAQ pages to find your answers. If you still have a question, please call us at (505) 848-8346 and we will be happy to assist you.

Sagging Skin
Sagging-skin-albuquerque & Santa Fe

Sagging Skin

Skin can begin to sag as we age, with many factors contributing to when and where it occurs. For mild to moderate sagging, laser resurfacing treatment may give you tighter, firmer skin.

Skin sags over time because it has been stretched, fat has been lost from beneath it, and/or because the skin has lost its internal support network of collagen and elastic. For many people, this sagging skin causes self-consciousness and shame, and many struggles to hide it from the world. Fortunately, skin resurfacing with the Opus™ Plasma laser technology from Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute can treat this common issue.

What is Sagging Skin?

What Causes Sagging Skin and Sagging Jowls?

How is Sagging Skin Treated?

Am I a Good Candidate for Sagging Skin Treatment?

What Results Can I Expect From Sagging Skin Treatment?

Sagging skin occurs for many reasons, but in all cases, it means the skin has lost elasticity and cannot bounce back to its original, firmer shape. Causes of skin laxity include:

  • Pregnancy (worse with multiple pregnancies)
  • Weight loss, especially when it happens quickly
  • Genetics, making some people more prone to the condition
  • Age-related loss of fat from the facial structure
  • Age-related decrease in collagen and elastin from the skin


Losing fat under the skin of the face can cause the jowls and cheeks to sag
. Gravity pulls this loose skin downward.

Skin’s ability to bounce back after being stretched and to hold its youthful shape result from collagen and elastin, two proteins that form a support network keeping the skin lifted and full. Sagging of the face and jowls tends to come from the loss of these proteins.

Sagging skin in other areas often occurs when the skin has been stretched, such as while pregnant or after losing weight. If skin has been stretched and cannot shrink back to its original state, it will sag. Collagen and elastin play a role in this rebound process, so as we age our skin stops bouncing back after being stretched.

At Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute we treat sagging skin and jowls with the Opus™ Plasma laser resurfacing treatment. This treatment creates microchannels in the skin, and radiofrequency energy penetrates beneath the skin.

As a response, the body will flood the area with healing factors, and surrounding skin will go into repair mode. On a deeper level, the body will begin to produce new collagen, tightening and firming the skin. This treatment results in firmer, lifted skin with a better tone and less sagging.

The Opus™ Plasma laser is adjustable and treatment can be customized from mild to intense. That means that even those with sensitive skin can be candidates for this treatment. You will need an examination and consultation with your Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute doctor to decide for sure which treatment will help you.

You can expect redness, along with dryness and flaking, for about 48 hours after treatment. Your doctor may recommend several treatments for the best results. As a result, you should see smoother, tighter skin, a reduction in lines and wrinkles, and minimize stretch marks that often accompany skin stretching.

Sagging skin occurs for many reasons, but in all cases, it means the skin has lost elasticity and cannot bounce back to its original, firmer shape. Causes of skin laxity include:

  • Pregnancy (worse with multiple pregnancies)
  • Weight loss, especially when it happens quickly
  • Genetics, making some people more prone to the condition
  • Age-related loss of fat from the facial structure
  • Age-related decrease in collagen and elastin from the skin


Losing fat under the skin of the face can cause the jowls and cheeks to sag
. Gravity pulls this loose skin downward.

Skin’s ability to bounce back after being stretched and to hold its youthful shape result from collagen and elastin, two proteins that form a support network keeping the skin lifted and full. Sagging of the face and jowls tends to come from the loss of these proteins.

Sagging skin in other areas often occurs when the skin has been stretched, such as while pregnant or after losing weight. If skin has been stretched and cannot shrink back to its original state, it will sag. Collagen and elastin play a role in this rebound process, so as we age our skin stops bouncing back after being stretched.

At Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute we treat sagging skin and jowls with the Opus™ Plasma laser resurfacing treatment. This treatment creates microchannels in the skin, and radiofrequency energy penetrates beneath the skin.

As a response, the body will flood the area with healing factors, and surrounding skin will go into repair mode. On a deeper level, the body will begin to produce new collagen, tightening and firming the skin. This treatment results in firmer, lifted skin with a better tone and less sagging.

The Opus™ Plasma laser is adjustable and treatment can be customized from mild to intense. That means that even those with sensitive skin can be candidates for this treatment. You will need an examination and consultation with your Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute doctor to decide for sure which treatment will help you.

You can expect redness, along with dryness and flaking, for about 48 hours after treatment. Your doctor may recommend several treatments for the best results. As a result, you should see smoother, tighter skin, a reduction in lines and wrinkles, and minimize stretch marks that often accompany skin stretching.

If you would like to learn more about how to treat sagging skin, please call our office at 505-848-8346 today to schedule a consultation or fill out the form on this page and one of our trusted staff members will reach out to you promptly.