Laser skin resurfacing could be the ideal solution if you have visible acne scars, wrinkles or other imperfections on your skin that bother you. This quick and noninvasive procedure may provide effective relief.
Laser treatments can enhance the surface of your skin while stimulating new collagen and elastin growth underneath, creating natural firmness and elasticity within.
How It Works
Laser skin resurfacing employs laser technology to remove the outermost layers of facial skin, thus reducing fine lines, improving uneven texture, removing scars, and decreasing oil gland appearance. Furthermore, it can help alleviate redness and irritation as well as treating sun damage. Lasers can penetrate the skin to target damaged tissues and stimulate new collagen, elastin, and other beneficial proteins that promote firm and healthy skin. The type of laser used to perform laser skin resurfacing depends on the condition being treated. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, consulting a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon specializing in this procedure can help determine which lasers will provide optimal results with minimal side effects for you and your specific skin tone/type. Doing this can prevent unpleasant surprises in addition to providing optimal results.
Before your laser skin resurfacing procedure, your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort. Furthermore, tanning and prolonged sun exposure should be avoided for several weeks prior to beginning laser skin resurfacing treatments.
Your doctor will clean the treatment areas to remove dirt, oils and bacteria before instructing you on how to care for them post-treatment. For instance, they may recommend applying nonstick dressings for 24 hours before cleaning with saline solution or dilute vinegar solution two or five times a day for fast healing and to prevent scab formation. Furthermore, an ointment or moisturizing cream might also be given out in order to promote quick healing of any affected areas and speed recovery time.
Once your laser resurfacing treatment is completed, your skin will start healing naturally – which may take from one to 21 days, depending on which laser was used and its natural healing processes. For optimal results and speedy recovery timeframe, follow all post-treatment instructions issued by your physician in order to reduce complications and speed recovery.
As laser skin resurfacing is noninvasive, you will be able to return home after your treatment session. You should take caution in terms of taking medications and supplements that could influence clotting and bleeding processes as these could prolong healing while increasing the risk for infection. It is also wise to avoid smoking which prolongs recovery while prolonging healing times and increasing infection risks.
Side Effects
Laser treatment stands out among skin treatments by offering long-term and impressive results that are permanent. Resurfacing removes old skin cells while heat from the laser prompts collagen thickening on your face’s new layer, giving your complexion a youthful and smoother complexion with improved tone and texture.
Laser resurfacing often leads to side effects similar to mild sunburns, including redness, swelling, itching, crusting and soreness. Cold packs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) may help alleviate these symptoms; depending on the extent and severity of laser treatment you may need a few days or weeks for full recovery.
After laser skin resurfacing, it is vitally important to use broad-spectrum sunscreen on the treated area and refrain from direct sun exposure until the damaged tissue has fully healed. Furthermore, oil-free makeup should also be applied and follow any additional recovery guidelines provided by your physician. During the healing process, small white bumps known as milia may appear; these should be allowed to heal naturally, which typically takes around one month.
Before undertaking laser resurfacing, it is important to discuss your medical history with a healthcare provider. Laser treatment should not be undertaken if there is an active infection or immunocompromised condition; additionally patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, skin disorders or vascular lesions should avoid receiving it.
Before and after laser treatment, you should avoid medications or supplements that affect blood clotting for 10 days prior. Smoking cessation will speed up healing; if you’re prone to herpes outbreaks, your doctor may also prescribe an antiviral drug such as Valacyclovir or Acyclovir to decrease risk during recovery.
Before the procedure, your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort. Laser treatment itself typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes without the need for overnight hospital stays – making this procedure an efficient alternative to more invasive plastic surgery procedures for improving skin tone, texture and tightness.
Recovery
Laser skin resurfacing can help transform the way aging or sun damage have left you with scars, wrinkles, or other forms of facial disfigurement. A laser beam removes the outer layer of skin while heating underlying tissue to stimulate production of new collagen fibers that produce tighter, healthier skin – some results appear immediately while others take several months as your body heals itself.
Your doctor will bandage the treatment area after surgery. To maintain optimal healing results, it’s essential that it remains clean and you apply an ointment four to five times a day until its crust breaks up; typically within three weeks post treatment. A cool compress or wrapped ice pack applied every hour or two can help minimize swelling.
Laser treatment may cause your treated skin to turn red or blackish in colour and form a crust, which should eventually fade on its own. It’s important not to pick at or peel at this crust as doing so could result in scarring. For those with sensitive skin, your doctor may advise taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prior and post treatment in order to avoid skin infections.
As part of your treatment for laser skin damage, it’s also vitally important to use a daily broad-spectrum (protecting both ultraviolet B and A rays) sunscreen to safeguard its healing process. Furthermore, smoking and alcohol consumption can impede healing.
Doctors may recommend bleaching cream to quickly fade hyperpigmentation in the affected area. They might also prescribe an antiviral medication in case there has been a history of herpes simplex infections in that spot, such as oral cold sores or genital warts.
At the hands of skilled professionals, laser skin resurfacing is safe and effective. Be sure to select a qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist with certifications from highly regarded medical boards when selecting your provider; find someone with significant experience performing laser treatments rather than selecting those offering low prices or the latest technology; make sure they are licensed and insured and conduct interviews until finding one who best fits you!
Cost
Cost of laser skin resurfacing varies considerably based on the area being treated and its type, size and complexity. When choosing an experienced cosmetic surgeon to assist in selecting an appropriate laser resurfacing treatment option for you based on your goals, be sure to take into account your skin tone, type and condition so you get safe yet effective results.
Laser resurfacing not only removes damaged skin layers but also stimulates natural collagen production by the body to make new cells and tighten existing ones resulting in firmer, smoother skin with reduced softness and sagginess which enhances beauty and facial structure.
An effective analogy for this phenomenon would be how a paper cut heals: Your doctor uses laser technology to injure your skin, which triggers the wound-healing response and produces healthy tissue which replaces any damaged parts, leading to improved skin texture, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, more even skin color and ultimately younger looking appearance.
Laser resurfacing treatments typically aren’t covered by medical insurance plans, though many clinics provide financing options to make the procedure more affordable for patients. Treatment length and number can have an effect on costs as will downtime requirements differ between laser types; typically ablative lasers come at a higher price per treatment session than non-ablative ones but more likely deliver long-lasting and satisfactory results after just one session.
One side effect of laser resurfacing may include leaving your skin looking sunburned or flaky for several days after treatment, making it important not to scratch or pick at it, which could result in scarring. You will also become more sensitive to sunlight and may experience hyperpigmentation as a result.
Under the care and supervision of highly-trained professionals, laser skin resurfacing can produce dramatic improvements to your skin’s appearance. However, untrained users may cause unintended or harmful results with laser treatment. When selecting a provider based on experience and qualifications instead of price point or discount alone.
