According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 650,000 Americans tried laser light treatments to turn back the signs of aging. Now, there's a new way to look younger and smooth out sun-damaged, sagging skin.

"I don't want to look like an old lady," said Betty Howell, who did not want to undergo major surgery. "I don't mind looking older, but not old."

She said she is trying a new laser that offers permanent results in one treatment.

The Deep FX is a fractional laser, which means it heats the skin in tiny, individual columns instead of a solid layer that resurfaces superficially.

That deep checkerboard pattern, doctors say, speeds healing because the healthy skin moves in to repair the damaged portions.

"Anything else that I've seen, it goes deeper," said Dr. Jeffrey Kenkel, a UT Southwestern Medical Center plastic surgeon. "I mean literally, we can go as deep as we want to."

Dr. Kenkel admitted that with dozens of lasers on the market, it can be hard to tell which one is best for a patient. Also, new lasers, like the Deep FX, don't have a track record that proves they work well. But, Dr. Kenkel said early experience shows this one does work differently than other skin resurfacing lasers.

"I think first and foremost [it resurfaces] the more aggressive signs of aging," he said. "The deeper wrinkles and acne scars, it's going to help."

It also treats sun damage and fine lines around the eyes and mouth.

Because the laser is so powerful, pain can also be a significant issue. Howell required a dental block to ease the discomfort.

Howell will also experience several days of peeling and a sunburn-like feeling.

But unlike other lasers that might require three to 10 treatments, the Deep FX takes just one session. Howell walked out of the office in about an hour.

A single treatment with the Deep FX can cost between $500 to $3,000, which is similar to laser packages that include many treatments.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com