Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is a procedure specifically designed to dramatically reduce and oftentimes remove superficial and moderately deep wrinkles of the face by using the new Ultrapulse CO 2 Skin Resurfacing Laser. Over time everyone’s skin begins to show signs of the natural aging process. Overexposure to the sun, alcohol use and smoking are all known to accelerate the skin’s aging process and wrinkles develop. These wrinkles are most prominently seen on the upper lip, around the eyes (crow’s feet), and superficially on the cheeks and forehead. As an added benefit skin tightening will usually occur, resulting in a non-surgical facelift.
Unlike dermabrasion and chemical peels, the Ultrapulse CO2 Skin Resurfacing Laser uses a very high energy beam of light to vaporize, or “paint away” wrinkles, lines, acne scars and other skin defects. Laser light penetrates to a very precise controlled depth, making the procedure safe and more predictable. The precision of the CO2 laser allows your surgeon to determine exactly how much tissue to treat during the procedure. Laser skin resurfacing is gentler and more exacting than chemical peels, which may burn the skin to unpredictable depths.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia to ensure a pain free procedure. Local anesthesia, sometimes used by other physicians for full face laser resurfacing, can deform the skin temporarily. This may make it difficult to determine which areas need to be treated and how deeply. Depending on the extent of the surgery, your AesthetiCare surgeon may sometimes recommend a local anesthetic when only very limited areas of the face are resurfaced and tightened. Post-operative discomfort is usually mild. Because pain is highly individual, your surgeon will make sure that you are kept comfortable after your laser skin resurfacing.
For several days after the laser resurfacing, and while the skin is rebuilding from the bottom up, weeping will occur as new collagen and skin are formed by the deep dermal layer. The fresh new skin will have a pink quality, which will generally fade over a period of approximately four to twelve weeks. Depending on your skin’s response to laser treatment, this pinkness usually can be camouflaged by makeup about fourteen days after surgery. Following laser skin resurfacing, it is very important to use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 protection against UVA and UVB rays. You will need to avoid sun exposure for several months as this can cause changes in pigmentation.
As with any surgical procedure there is always a possibility of side effects or even complications, and therefore all surgery must be taken very seriously. The risks of laser skin resurfacing include, but are not limited to burns, infection, pigmentary changes and persistent redness, which as a rule fades over time. Some patients may experience areas of increased or decreased pigmentation. These conditions usually resolve gradually depending on each individual’s pigmentation. Permanent loss of pigmentation, increased pigmentation and infections are uncommon. Your AesthetiCare surgeon and his staff will be happy to discuss with you the risks, alternatives and potential benefits of laser skin resurfacing. It is generally recognized that laser skin resurfacing has fewer potential complications than chemical peel or dermabrasion.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Before and Afters >>
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