Laser Skin Resurfacing
As we age, the effects of sun damage and environmental pollutants begin to take their toll on our skin, creating lines and wrinkles on our faces. Laser resurfacing can help minimize fine lines as they begin to occur, particularly those that form around the mouth and eyes. Laser treatments can be tailored to a variety of other skin problems as well.
Laser resurfacing is a relatively new method of improving skin texture and appearance. In many situations, it can provide the doctor with more control over the penetration of the skin than other resurfacing treatments, such as chemical peels and dermabrasion. In addition to skin resurfacing, lasers can sometimes be used to remove facial scars, acne scars, and unwanted hair.
If you're considering laser resurfacing, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a board-certified physicians with experience in laser resurfacing.
| What are some of the most common benefits of this surgery? |
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The laser is used to remove layers of damaged and wrinkled skin so that new, smoother, and more vibrant looking skin can form. Depending on the type of laser and amount of surface skin removed, you may also see a significant improvement in the tightness and firmness of the skin.
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| What will happen at the initial consultation? |
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| During the consultation, your doctor will advise you on the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. He/she will explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, its risks and limitations, and costs.
Your doctor will begin with a complete medical history and will examine your face, both the skin and underlying bone. He/she may also take photos, give you specific instructions to follow, that may include instructions for pre-treating your skin before the operation.
Your doctor will determine if laser resurfacing – or another form of skin resurfacing – is right for you. This decision may depend largely on your skin type and color, since laser resurfacing can cause uneven skin tone formation on people with darker skin tones.
Be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements), if you have been exposed to significant amounts of radiation, if you have a history of unusual scarring, or if you have had cold sores around the mouth (like herpes or shingles). Also tell your doctor if you have had previous plastic surgery, if you smoke, or if you take any drugs or medications, including aspirin.
Take this opportunity to ask all the questions you have about the procedure, and ask to see photos of the doctor’s recent patients, before and after the procedure. Also ask for, and follow up on, patient references. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision.
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| How is laser resurfacing performed? |
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| Brief, high intensity emissions of light from the laser remove layers of damaged or wrinkled skin at precisely controlled levels of penetration.
The surgery will follow these steps. First, the doctor, or an assistant, will cleanse your face to remove oils from the skin. Antibiotic is then applied to kill bacteria. A beam of light from a microphone-shaped instrument is passed over the skin to vaporize the outer layers of damaged skin. The laser can be can be programmed for varied levels of penetration. The doctor may choose to penetrate more deeply in some areas, in order to remove deep scars, stubborn spots, and wrinkles. As the laser works, you may hear it zapping, and smell smoke. Finally, your doctor, or a medical assistant, may apply a protective ointment or bandage to the treated area.
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| Will I be awake or a sleep? |
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To treat small areas of the skins surface, your physician will most likely use a local anesthetic with or without an oral sedative. For complete facial resurfacing, physicians most commonly use intravenous sedation or a general anesthesia with monitoring of your ECG, breathing and other vitals signs. Check with your physician to see which method applies to the procedure that you have selected.
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| Which is better, the CO2 laser or the erbium laser? |
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The CO2 laser has been in use for several more years than the erbium laser. It seems to tighten the skin more effectively, but it also leaves the patient’s skin red for a longer time after surgery. It is also much more suited to patients with lighter skin tones. Often African-Americans, Asians and Latinos are better candidates for the erbium laser, which has a lower chance of prolonged redness and irregular pigmentation. However, the results may not last as long as results from the erbium laser. Examine this issue thoroughly with your physician to determine which laser is best for you.
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| How long does the procedure take? |
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The amount of time that the procedure takes varies, depending on the size of the area being treated, as well as the severity of the skin condition. It can last from just a few minutes to an hour and a half. The procedure may later be repeated to achieve desired results.
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| Will I need to stay in a hospital? |
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| Laser resurfacing procedures may be performed in a hospital, an outpatient surgical facility, or surgeon’s office. Extensive laser resurfacing, or resurfacing performed in conjunction with another surgery, such as a facelift, is generally performed in an outpatient surgical facility or hospital. |
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| How much pain is there? |
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| Even patients who remain awake during the procedure report feeling only minimal discomfort. Many doctors use a local anesthesia or a local anesthesia with a sedative. This is similar to the anesthesia used by dentists. After the surgery, the pain is mild to moderate. |
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