After 25 years of practicing dermatology in Charlotte, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan still uses nearly every laser she started with in 2001. Intense pulsed light (IPL), the pulsed dye laser, and today’s fractional lasers remain some of the most reliable tools at Charlotte Skin & Laser. Her biggest advice for patients who feel let down by their results is simple: complete more treatments.
In the 25th anniversary episode of Queen City Skin, Dr. Rostan sat down with Alexxa Forte to look back on how laser dermatology in Charlotte has changed, what still works, and what patients should expect from a practice they trust with their skin.
Listen to the full 25th anniversary episode of Queen City Skin: Charlotte Skin & Laser's First Chapter | What 25 Years of Practice Taught Dr. Rostan
How Did Dr. Rostan's Charlotte Practice Begin?
Dr. Rostan opened her Charlotte practice in September 2001. She had completed her dermatology residency at Duke University, where she served as chief resident, followed by a fellowship in laser and cosmetic surgery in California. The practice has operated as Charlotte Skin & Laser since 2011.
In 2001, Charlotte needed more dermatologists, and very few practices offered cosmetic lasers. Dr. Rostan recalls only one other local practice doing much laser work at the time. The dermatology groups she spoke with weren’t ready to invest in the technology, so she built what she envisioned herself: full-service medical dermatology with a comprehensive cosmetic practice alongside it.
“You’ve got to be committed to making the investment in the technology, making the investment in your learning and your training and your growth.” (Dr. Elizabeth Rostan)
The first office was on Randolph Road, where Dr. Rostan answered phones, scheduled appointments, and filed insurance claims herself. Her mother worked the front desk on opening day. The practice later moved to its current Myers Park building on Providence Road and grew into two connected floors: cosmetic and laser services downstairs, medical dermatology upstairs. Today, Charlotte Skin & Laser welcomes patients at two locations in Charlotte and Huntersville.
Which Lasers From 2001 Are Still Used Today?
Nearly all of them. The only original device Dr. Rostan has retired is the fully ablative CO2 laser.
- IPL Photofacial: still one of the most-used treatments in the office for redness and brown spots. Some practices call it BBL (broadband light). Dr. Rostan keeps using it because it’s very well studied and consistently useful.
- Pulsed dye laser: now in a newer version, it treats redness and broken blood vessels as part of the practice’s vascular and redness treatments.
- SmoothBeam: Dr. Rostan’s “little antique.” She still uses it for syringomas, small benign bumps around the eyelids, and for xanthelasma, yellow plaques near the eyes. Other physicians refer patients to her specifically for it.
- Erbium laser: a freehand device she still uses and loves.
How Have Laser Treatments Changed in 25 Years?
The biggest shift has been in fractional lasers. Early fractional treatments were transformative for patients, but they required a series of sessions spaced a week apart. Today’s non-ablative fractional lasers work more superficially and gently.
Charlotte Skin & Laser now relies on two of them:
- Tixel, a thermomechanical device
- The Lutronic Ultra 1927
The practice also offers non-ablative radiofrequency for skin tightening. Dr. Rostan trusts the 1927 enough to treat her own cheeks with it, and it’s the one treatment she’d keep forever.
Why Aren't My Laser Results Better?
The most common reason is too few treatments. Dr. Rostan puts it plainly:
“If you’re disappointed with your treatments now, it’s probably because you’re not doing enough treatments.” (Dr. Elizabeth Rostan)
For wrinkles, she calls the 1927 her workhorse. Other devices may get there faster, but a full series delivers. Her advice: “Well, do 10 of them. Trust me.” You can see what a combination approach looks like in The Chest Reset.
What you do at home matters too. Our guide to making laser results last covers aftercare. The Skin Store carries post-procedure care and sun protection picked by our team to protect your investment.
What Makes a Dermatology Practice Worth Trusting for 25 Years?
Charlotte Skin & Laser is built on five core values: excellence, honesty, teamwork, learning, and success. For Dr. Rostan, success starts with the patient. If a patient needs to be seen, the team finds a way, whether they’re running late, worried about a new spot, or dealing with a rash heading into the weekend.
Every treatment plan comes with a backup plan:
“I don’t know if this is going to work, but I want you to have the tools to get better when you need them.” (Dr. Elizabeth Rostan)
She holds her team to the same standard. She reviews charts, runs weekly learning sessions, and mentors the practice’s physician assistants and its newest dermatologist, Dr. Alexandra Montgomery. That investment extends to the next generation through the practice’s Medical Assistant Program.
Early in her career, Dr. Rostan built strong relationships with Charlotte’s referring physicians, and some of her most memorable cases came from those consults:
- A hospitalized patient was about to have a long-term IV line placed for a leg infection. Dr. Rostan recognized venous stasis dermatitis, which cleared with steroid ointment and support hose, and the surgery was canceled.
- An infant had a painful open sore from a vascular birthmark that wouldn’t heal. After treatment with the pulsed dye laser, it healed quickly and she avoided surgery. Years later, she came back to the office to tell Dr. Rostan, “you saved me.”
Over 25 years, those relationships have crossed generations. Patients Dr. Rostan treated as teenagers now bring in their own children for pediatric dermatology visits. She still tells today’s teens to wash their face and their hair, trends aside. A good routine starts with the right cleanser.
As healthcare has consolidated into larger systems, Charlotte Skin & Laser has stayed independent. Dr. Rostan’s goal is “big office expertise with small office feel,” and you can hear it in our patient stories and reviews.
What's Next for Charlotte Skin & Laser?
Dr. Rostan is focused on fine-tuning the practice into a well-oiled team and mentoring the next generation of providers. Her hope is that 10 years from now, patients still walk in and feel welcomed by a team that takes pride in its knowledge, its ongoing learning, and its patients’ success.
Here's to the Next 25 Years
Whether you’ve been with us since 2001 or you’re just finding us, we’re ready for you. Book online or you can call or text our team at 704-333-9113.
Schedule A Consultation
Integrating The Art of Medicine with the Science of Beauty
At Charlotte Skin & Laser, we offer personalized skincare with a boutique touch—combining medical expertise and aesthetic artistry to deliver natural, results-driven care. From skin checks to rejuvenation, our expert team is here to guide you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Charlotte Skin & Laser?
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan opened her Charlotte practice in September 2001. She trained in dermatology at Duke University and completed a fellowship in laser and cosmetic surgery.