Laser Skin ResurfacingAbout The Procedure
Laser Treatment can definitely improve the appearance of wrinkles, but these treatments will not be able to completely remove the appearance of all wrinkles. Laser Skin Resurfacing or Laser Treatment is only able to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 25 to 75% depending on the severity of the wrinkle. However, shallow wrinkles can, in most cases, be completely erased as can mild pigmentation lesions.
Procedure Description
Laser pulses target the surface layer of the skin, vaporizing water and the skin’s surface without affecting deeper layers. A new surface layer will then grow back – a layer that is soft, wrinkle-free, and younger looking. The heat generated during the process also shortens the collagen fibers in the skin, which restores some of its elasticity.
Different types of lasers are available. They vary according to their wavelength and pulse duration. These differences account for the depth at which they target the skin, the level of heat generated, and the likelihood of affecting surrounding tissues.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) lasers – the most powerful laser, used for deep wrinkles. Note CO2 lasers may be unsafe for people who have had silicone injections, as the laser can burn and scar the skin over implanted areas.
ErbiumYAG (ErYAG) laser - gentler than the CO2 laser and effective for mild wrinkles. It targets tissue more precisely than the CO2 laser and causes less damage to surrounding tissue. Recovery after ErYAG laser treatment is shorter than that after CO2 laser treatment. When used at sufficient depth, some surgeons can remove deep wrinkles with the CO2as effectively as the more powerful CO2 laser, but with fewer side effects. The Variable Pulse YAG laser alternates between pulses that destroy tissue with pulses that heat the skin, and this process also resurfaces the skin as effectively as CO2 but with fewer side effects.
A combination of CO2 and ErYAG laser treatments is now gaining popularity. In this treatment, the ErYAG laser is first used to remove the epidermis, followed by use of the CO2 laser to achieve contraction of underlying collagen. This produces the collagen-tightening benefits of CO2 therapy but with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
NLite – Non-ablative laser resurfacing, also called Photorejuvenation, uses light energy to stimulate the new growth of collagen without removing skin tissue. While it is less powerful at removing wrinkles than other resurfacing methods, it may be used for delicate areas such as the eyes and neck, and causes little irritation.
Best Candidates for Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser Skin Resurfacing candidates must be in good health, have no active diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions, and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of the surgery. Generally speaking skin resurfacing is usually only recommended for people in their 50s and later. Patients with light skin color represent the best candidates for laser skin resurfacing. Those with dark skin pigmentation may experience hyperpigmentation or depigmentation of their natural skin color after laser resurfacing. Good candidates are those who have fine lines or wrinkles around the eyes, mouth or on the forehead, scars from acne, or non-responsive skin after a facelift.
If you have active acne or if you have very dark skin, you may not be a candidate. This technique is also not recommended for stretch marks.
Length of the Procedure
A partial-face Laser Treatment takes 30-45 minutes and the full-face treatment takes 1-and-one-half to 2 hours.
Anesthesia
Laser Treatment is typically performed under local sedation.
Inpatient or Outpatient?
Laser Skin Resurfacing is typically performed on an outpatient basis.
Possible Side Effects
Milia, which are small white bumps, may appear in the laser-treated areas during healing. These may be removed by gentle cleansing with a washcloth. Hyperpigmentation (increased pigmentation), and more rarely hypopigmentation (decreased skin pigmentation), may result in the laser-treated areas. In general, the hyperpigmented areas may be treated with bleaching cream to speed fading of the pigment.
Recovery
While the laser procedure is virtually painless, post-procedure redness and irritation can be severe. The face looks skinned, swollen and may become crusty during the first ten days. Redness, itching and sensitivity may last up to four months. Patients must stay out of the sun during healing, and after recovery, should always avoid sunbathing.
Oral antibiotics and analgesics are routinely prescribed, and in some cases anti-inflammatory medications may be used as well.
Dressings are used to keep the skin moist during the first two weeks. Depending on the type of dressing used, more or less oozing and crusting may be expected. After the dressings are removed, patients need to apply moisturizers for another 2 to 3 weeks.
Duration of Results
Laser Skin Resurfacing results are long lasting.
Risks
In about one percent of patients, scarring and infections may occur. In darker-skinned patients, unpredictable lightening of the skin can be a troublesome effect. Patients with herpes simplex may experience flare-ups of fever, facial pain, and flu-like symptoms following the procedure. The long-term effects on the skin are not yet known.
Cost
Expect to pay $2,000 to $4,000 per Laser Skin Resurfacing session.
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