What You Need To Know About Skin Resurfacing Laser Treatments
Those who have ever suffered from acne, scars, blotches or deep wrinkles can celebrate in the fact that there is a new leading treatment which is providing to be effective for smoothing out the skin and making you look younger and healthier. This treatment is referred to as “skin resurfacing laser” therapy and it can shed years off of your appearance with just one treatment.
What Happens During The Procedure?
Skin resurfacing laser treatments are a quick and effective outpatient procedure. The most cutting edge ablative laser resurfacing treatments involve CO2 laser resurfacing (also known as fractionated CO2) where very short pulses of light energy (ultrapulse) are delivered in a continuous scanning pattern. These pulses remove thin layers of the skin with minimal heat damage.
The base of the scar is treated in a “deeper mode” while surrounding unaffected areas are treated more superficially so that you receive a smooth and even result. These remove thin layers of the skin with minimal heat damage.
The doctor will apply a local anaesthetic to minimize any discomfort and he or she will treat the all areas of concern which you shared during your consultation such as:
· Non-responsive skin after a facelift
While skin resurfacing may have taken up to two hours in the past, now most procedures are completed form start to finish in less than half an hour.
Fractional laser treatments are able to create microscopic channels which then remove small portions of scar tissue while simultaneously triggering the production of new elastic and collagen fibers. This modern procedure is able to leave some skin in between the channels completely unaffected which significantly expedites your healing.
Preparing For Skin Resurfacing Treatments
Prior to any treatment being administered, you will meet with your treatment provider who will ask you a series of questions about your lifestyle and any medications which you currently take.
Your doctor will then advise if any medications you are currently taking should be stopped or limited. This is because some medications (such as ibuprofen, aspirin or vitamin E) can cause blood clotting issues. You may be asked to stop taking these ten days prior to the surgery.
If you smoke, your doctor may advise you as soon as possible to stop smoking. The minimal amount of time is two weeks, though the longer you can go without smoking before the procedure, the better as smoking can prolong the healing process.
The surgeon may also prescribe an antibiotic prior to the treatment to help prevent any bacterial infections. It is also not uncommon for an antiviral medication to be prescribed.
What Happens After The Procedure?
Once the treatment is complete, the areas which have been treated will likely be warm and may be swollen and slightly red (this depends on the customized treatment settings). The majority of patients are able to resume their daily activities within days after the treatment.
