Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic treatment that reduces facial wrinkles and minor skin flaws such as blemishes, acne scars, liver spots, and uneven skin tone.
Also known as laser peel or lasabrasion, laser resurfacing involves removing tiny layers of skin from the problem area by using a concentrated, pulsating beam of light.
Two kinds of lasers are in common use:
1. Carbon dioxide (CO2): Generally used for the treatment of wrinkles, warts, scars, and other maladies.
2. Erbium: Useful for removing superficial and moderately deep wrinkles and lines on the face, neck chest, and hands.
The recovery period after CO2 laser resurfacing can be up to two weeks, but people who have undergone erbium laser resurfacing can often be fully recovered in half the amount of time. Erbium laser treatment is also less likely to result in side effects such as bruising, redness, or swelling around the treatment area.
Can Anyone Undergo the Procedure?
Many people who have fine lines or wrinkles around mouth or eyes may benefit from laser resurfacing. People who have been left with non-responsive skin after a facelift can also be good candidates, but laser resurfacing is not generally deemed suitable for the treatment of stretch marks or for anyone who has very dark skin. As with all procedures of this type, a doctor will always be the best person to advise.
First Steps
During the initial consultation, the surgeon will take into account your current state of health and medical history and then determine which, if any, method is the most suitable. It is important to answer any health-related questions in an honest manner and let the surgeon know if you are taking any medications or using supplements. Even over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, have the ability to interfere with blood clotting ability and if the surgeon is left in the dark they will be unable to offer the most fitting advice.
If the surgeon decides you are a suitable candidate for laser resurfacing he may prescribe an antibiotic to take on the days leading up the treatment and/or antiviral medications if you are naturally prone to fever blisters of cold sores.
Smokers will need to forgo their nicotine fix for the two weeks leading up to and the two weeks following the procedure. So if you lack the willpower to resist cigarettes for a month you are unlikely to be an ideal candidate for laser resurfacing treatment.
Undergoing the Procedure
Laser resurfacing is usually carried out on an outpatient basis and there is seldom any need for an overnight hospital stay.
If the treatment area is small the surgeon will probably numb it with a local anesthetic, but for larger areas sedation may be required and the amount of time needed to complete the treatment generally ranges from 30-120 minutes depending on how much work is involved.
After the Procedure is Completed
After the work has been completed the surgeon will bandage the affected area, and people who have undergone extensive treatment will likely have the look of an Egyptian mummy. After 24 hours have elapsed the treated area will require regular cleaning (4-5 times per day), followed by an application of some soothing ointment, such as Vaseline petroleum jelly. This is an important process that is required to prevent scabs from forming.
Side Effects
Some degree of swelling is normal after laser resurfacing and there may also be itching or stinging of the skin for up to 72 hours after the procedure has been completed.
After five days the skin will become dry and start to peel. This is normal. There is no need to worry. Any redness will fade in two to three months and, once the skin has started to heal, much of the redness can be hidden by applying oil-free makeup.
Some Important Skincare Considerations
The skin tone may be somewhat lighter for some time after the surgery and it is important to protect it from the sun by using a quality broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. It is possible the surgeon may make other recommendations, based on the level of treatment received and any medical considerations that may have a bearing on your quick recovery.
Laser resurfacing is normally a pretty simple procedure, but anyone thinking about having it done will need to sit and weigh up the pros and cons very carefully and decide if saying goodbye to their problems areas, such as fine lines or acne scars is worth the sacrifice of stopping smoking for four weeks or living with some temporary redness or whiteness of the skin. In most cases, the answer will probably be yes because the benefits are likely to remain long after the initial inconvenience has become nothing more than a distant memory.
