Laser treatments can be an effective solution to address wrinkles, freckles, sun spots and other discolorations on the skin. While the procedure itself is typically safe, patients should be aware of any possible adverse side effects during or following their session.
Laser skin resurfacing when performed by an experienced dermatologist stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen; however, this process may result in side effects like redness and swelling.
Redness
Redness is a side effect of laser treatment on face that usually fades as treated areas heal, although itching and discomfort may persist as skin scabs form; they typically fall off in five-21 days. Your doctor may suggest covering the treatment area with nonstick dressing or applying an ointment/moisturizing cream to avoid formation of new scabs; generally, more intensive laser treatments result in greater redness initially.
Laser treatments may be performed while you are under either local or general anaesthesia, depending on the amount of skin being treated and type of laser used by your surgeon. Once completed, instructions will be given on how to clean and care for the treated area while it heals.
Recovery may resemble that of a severe sunburn in its early stages; later, dry and peeling skin will surface, prompting scratching and picking at it in an effort to avoid scarring. You must refrain from doing either for optimal healing.
Laser resurfacing often leads to infection, whether bacterial, viral or fungal. Additionally, this procedure may trigger herpes virus outbreaks causing cold sores. A more serious risk associated with laser resurfacing involves changes to skin color – hyperpigmentation may become darker while hypopigmentation lighter in tone – more likely occurring among people with dark brown or black complexions.
Swelling
Like physical exercise can produce small tears to your muscles that eventually heal and strengthen them, lasers cause similar microtrauma to your skin, which in turn heals to reduce wrinkles and improve acne scars. A skilled clinician will know which laser is appropriate to use for your face based on what concerns it addresses.
Your doctor will typically administer an anaesthetic cream or injection before laser treatment to minimise pain during the procedure. This could either be local or general anaesthesia depending on how much of your face needs to be treated and which laser it uses.
Swelling after laser treatment is common, particularly during its first few days. To manage it, your doctor may recommend oral steroids; alternatively, elevating your head using pillows at night and applying ice packs directly to affected areas may help. Furthermore, smoking can interfere with your body’s natural healing processes and must be avoided to ensure best results.
Changes to skin tone are more likely among people with darker complexions due to laser therapy treatments; hyperpigmentation occurs when melanin pigment accumulates too much and darkens, usually within a month after therapy; your doctor may suggest using bleaching agents post-treatment.
Additional side effects may include temporary acne flare-ups and tiny white bumps called milia, which typically appear during recovery period after laser resurfacing. Some patients also develop an infection as newly resurfaced skin is vulnerable to contamination with bacteria or yeast growth due to its damp environment.
Itching
Laser hair removal treatments on your facial may result in itching as a side effect; however, this should subside within two or three days due to irritation, redness or histamine reactions. It’s important that your hands stay off of this area and apply cream such as Dermeleve in order to soothe itching; such a product will help minimize itching without withdrawal symptoms associated with corticosteroid usage.
Sun exposure can aggravate itching. Therefore, after receiving laser treatments it is wise to avoid direct sunlight until your skin has fully recovered. Also avoid waxing, plucking and shaving in this area until its healing has taken place as these actions could cause hairs to sprout where they shouldn’t.
During a laser skin resurfacing treatment, your doctor will hold your skin taut and use a laser to target damaged spots on it, while simultaneously stimulating collagen growth to minimize wrinkles and wrinkling. After the procedure, they will apply healing ointment to protect the newly treated skin and help it heal more rapidly. In addition, make sure to wear broad spectrum sunscreens with at least 30 SPF for added protection from ultraviolet radiation damage from reaching newly treated skin.
Discomfort
Laser skin resurfacing is a highly popular treatment to enhance skin tone, texture and health while simultaneously stimulating natural collagen production for a smoother and younger-looking appearance. Furthermore, this procedure may reduce wrinkles caused by sun damage as well as scarring from acne scarring. But it should be remembered that the process won’t happen overnight and may take multiple sessions.
After laser resurfacing, your treated area may be red and itchy; to keep it comfortable during recovery you should cover it with thick ointment or bandages as well as use ice packs, while pain relievers may be prescribed by your physician as needed. Your skin should heal within one or two weeks and new skin should cover over it; however, to keep sensitive areas protected it is recommended to wear broad spectrum sunscreen that covers UVA/UVB rays throughout the day and apply reapply throughout.
Redness is one of the more frequently reported side effects of laser treatments, and should it persist or worsen over time, camouflage makeup should be used to conceal problem areas. Infections may also arise as a result of laser procedures; to avoid infection it’s essential that post-treatment care instructions be strictly adhered to and dilute acetic acid soaks be applied after cleaning wounds properly.
Infection
Laser skin resurfacing is used to improve the look of skin by removing damaged, aged, sun-damaged or wrinkled outer layers and encouraging new healthy cells to form beneath. Furthermore, this treatment promotes collagen and elastin production – two natural proteins responsible for providing strength and flexibility to skin tissue.
Dermatologists often perform laser resurfacing as an outpatient procedure in their office or clinic, using an anesthetic to keep you comfortable during treatment. If an extensive procedure is being conducted, general anesthesia may also be administered by your doctor.
After your treatment, your skin will be covered in an ointment or nonstick dressing and should be cleansed two to five times each day with warm soapy water and moisturized accordingly. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for at least a month post treatment as prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of complications like uneven pigmentation or scarring that could require permanent treatments such as these.
Mild side effects of laser resurfacing may include acne, milia formation and the reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV), although your physician can prescribe antiviral medication to lower this risk. More serious complications of laser resurfacing include hyperpigmentation and scarring; focal areas of intense redness could indicate signs of dermatitis or impending scarring and should be treated immediately with strong class 1 topical corticosteroids – your physician will discuss any potential adverse side effects prior to proceeding with laser resurfacing.
Changes in skin color
Redness, itching and swelling are not unusual side effects of laser skin resurfacing treatments that use laser light to eliminate damaged facial tissue in order to treat wrinkles, scarring, fine lines and other imperfections. Although uncomfortable during recovery time, they should subside within hours or days; apply a cooling cream or ice pack if possible to alleviate pain or itching in this timeframe.
Your doctor will bandage the area being treated for 24 hours following its procedures, then instruct you to cleanse it four to five times daily with ointment while avoiding direct sunlight and excessive sun exposure. They may also inquire into your medical history and any medications being taken at that time; following these instructions carefully can prevent infection and enhance results.
Some laser treatments can lead to temporary changes in skin pigmentation, including darker or lighter spots. This effect is most frequently associated with ablative laser therapies; however, nonablative techniques also present risks.
If you’re concerned about the side effects of laser treatment, consider consulting with a dermatologist specializing in skin health for advice. They will guide you through all your options and help determine whether laser resurfacing is the right option for you as well as providing tips and advice to minimize side effects following treatment and developing a suitable maintenance routine so you can experience its full benefits.
