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Laser cosmetic skin resurfacing is a method of reducing the appearance of blemishes on the skin's surface. During the laser skin resurfacing procedure, a laser is used to dissolve the molecular bonds of damaged skin cells layer by layer for a smoother, more even skin appearance. The procedure may also be called laser skin resurfacing because of its anti-ageing benefits, or laser peeling because damaged layers of skin peel off.
Medical considerations
Due to the invasive nature of the procedure, mainly when performed with a CO2 laser, laser skin resurfacing is considered by many physicians to be a surgical procedure even though it does not involve incisions. The healing process after any surgery can be quite exhausting for the patient. Therefore, recovery from laser skin resurfacing will be very difficult for a patient suffering from an immune system disorder. Patients who heal easily should also not attempt the procedure for primarily cosmetic reasons. Connective tissue disorders such as lupus erythematosus or Sjogren's syndrome also have an increased risk of complications. They are a valid reason to forgo treatment.
Although the laser skin resurfacing procedure can be used to treat acne scars, the active presence of acne can increase the risk of infection. Those who experience regular breakouts should consult a dermatologist before undergoing the procedure. The presence of other skin infections, such as cold sores and herpes simplex, also increases the risk of complications during the healing process.
The procedure
Laser skin resurfacing procedure can be done in a hospital or, more likely, an outpatient surgical centre. The procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia (a numbing injection at the treatment site). An oral sedative can also be used or not. More extensive laser skin resurfacing procedures may require intravenous or general anaesthesia, although this is less common. An experienced cosmetic surgeon can determine with great precision how each laser skin resurfacing patient can best benefit from the treatment and anaesthesia necessary to provide adequate comfort.
Once the necessary anaesthesia has been administered, the surgeon uses a special laser to perform the skin resurfacing procedure. Using a precise and controlled beam of laser light, the outer layers of the skin are vaporized, revealing the smoother, younger-looking skin underneath. While the old layers of skin are removed, the growth of new skin cells is stimulated.
A partial laser skin resurfacing procedure generally takes 30 to 45 minutes, and a full treatment can take up to two hours. Both lasers help minimize the potential for complications of laser skin resurfacing by limiting the amount of heat damage to the skin and offering the plastic surgeon a too high level of precision. Your doctor will help you prepare for a beneficial recovery from laser skin resurfacing.
Benefits
Undergoing a laser skin resurfacing procedure can significantly benefit the youth and beauty of your skin. A laser peel can be performed to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, age spots, birthmarks, and skin blemishes. It can also improve the overall texture of the skin, which can become rough and rough as a result of accumulated sun damage. Deep laser skin resurfacing can stimulate the production of new collagen in the lower dermis. Laser skin resurfacing procedure can also be used to remove skin growths like moles and warts, and even as a treatment for early-stage skin cancer. Additionally, laser skin resurfacing is currently one of the most effective means of revising mild to moderate facial scars that result from previous surgery or injury.
Risks
Laser skin resurfacing procedures are generally safe when performed by a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. However, a patient should be aware that complications from laser skin resurfacing, such as infections or abnormal scarring, do occur, although they are rare. Patients who are prone to scarring after a minor injury should not undergo laser skin resurfacing due to the risk of cosmetic damage. Cold sores, acne, and other skin disorders can increase the risk of complications from laser skin resurfacing, and this should be discussed with your dermatologist. Hyperpigmentation or permanent darkening of the skin is a significant risk for darker-skinned people seeking to undergo the procedure. An erbium laser or a Fraxel laser presents a slightly lower risk of permanent skin discolouration than using a CO2 laser to perform the laser peel treatment. Your doctor may recommend using an over-the-counter whitening agent before undergoing laser skin resurfacing to further decrease the likelihood of this occurring. Hypopigmentation or permanent lightening of the skin is also a possibility, but this is less common.
You should discuss your medical history in depth with your dermatologist before undergoing laser skin resurfacing. Drug allergies, medical conditions, especially connective tissue and immune system disorders, past surgeries, medications you are currently taking, and any previous skin treatments, particularly Accutane® and chemical peels, are potential sources of complications of laser skin resurfacing. Smoking decreases the skin's ability to heal, so smokers will need to stop smoking for two weeks before and two weeks after laser skin resurfacing. Your dermatologist will give you pre- and post-treatment guidelines to minimize the risk of complications and unwanted side effects of laser skin resurfacing.
Recovery and results
Recovery and results of laser skin resurfacing vary depending on the type of laser being used and the size of the area you want to treat. More invasive treatments can produce huge improvements but can require a long recovery time of several weeks. A gentler laser skin resurfacing treatment can reduce the appearance of some blemishes and may require little to no downtime. Consult a dermatologist to determine the most appropriate treatment, as well as a specific estimate of healing time and likely results.
Side effects
After laser skin resurfacing, specific side effects can arise in individual patients. However, these are usually relatively minor and should go away in no time. Common side effects include reddening of the skin, swelling of the treated area, and moderate irritation similar to the sensation of a mild sunburn. In rare cases related to laser skin resurfacing, side effects such as burning, scarring, or a change in skin pigmentation have occurred. During a consultation with a trained dermatologist, patients will review potential risks and discuss the likelihood of complications developing for them.
Expected recovery time
After laser skin resurfacing, recovery takes approximately two weeks as the treated area heals and a new layer of healthy skin appears. The flushing or flushing of the skin usually lasts longer, sometimes persisting for up to several months. If this occurs, the discolouration can generally be covered with makeup until it disappears. Patients undergoing treatment should plan to be off work for a week or two. However, this will vary depending on the extent of their treatment.
Results
As successive layers of skin are removed during laser skin resurfacing, the process causes wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes and mouth to disappear. After treatment, new skin emerges during the healing process, leaving the treated area looking softer, smoother and overall healthier. The same renewed appearance can be achieved on the delicate skin of the hands and neck, where many of the signs of ageing first appear. Also, uneven skin pigmentation often improves with laser skin resurfacing; During recovery, freckles, sunspots and other discolourations will begin to fade.
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