Laser resurfacing quick guide

Laser facial treatments have revolutionized anti aging in recent years.  A laser facial is one of the latest treatments reducing wrinkles, lines and age spots without facial cosmetic surgery.

Skin resurfacing removes layers of damaged and wrinkled skin so that new, smoother, and younger looking skin can form.  Now the precision of the laser is being used in the same way.

Although laser resurfacing doesn’t involve facial cosmetic surgery – it is still a radical treatment and there’s a lot to consider before you decide to go ahead.

You may wonder how laser resurfacing compares with other skin resurfacing treatments like glycolic peels or dermabrasion. With the laser, a skilled cosmetic surgeon can precisely target just the area requiring treatment rather than removing the whole surface of the skin as happens with dermabrasion or a peel.

The other big plus – depending on the type of laser used – laser resurfacing will have a skin firming and skin tightening effect. Chemical peels and dermabrasion only deal with the skin surface.

Laser skin resurfacing has to be done by a skilled cosmetic surgeon who will pass a beam of light from a laser over your skin to vaporize the outer layers of damaged skin. The surgeon can vary the level of penetration required to remove deeper scars or stubborn age spots, and wrinkles. As the laser works, you may hear it zapping, and smell smoke.

A laser facial is always done under an anesthetic. For small areas – you’ll probably get a local anesthetic and possibly an oral sedative. If you are having your whole face resurfaced then intravenous sedation or a general anesthetic is the usual approach. Ask your cosmetic surgeon what will happen in your case.

Laser resurfacing can be done in a hospital, an outpatient surgical facility or even in-office depending on how extensive your treatment is and what level of anesthetic is required.

After pain is described as ‘mild to moderate’. But if you have a lot of work done you may find it’s quite a bit more than moderately painful. It all depends on your tolerance of pain and the amount of resurfacing carried out. Laser resurfacing will certainly create swelling and discomfort and you will probably need ice-packs and pain killers during the healing process.

As with any skin resurfacing procedure – recovery time depends on how much you have done and how quickly your body heals. Scabs may form, and last for about 10 days. After that skin redness may persist for several weeks, or longer. The redness gradually lightens to pink, and then to a lighter, more natural color.

Proper after care is important. You may have a bandage over the whole area. If not you will have to wash your face and apply a special ointment several times a day.

You may want time off work or out of the limelight as you won’t be able to wear any make up for a couple of weeks. After that you will be able to cover skin redness with a suitable make up.

Once you’ve had laser resurfacing you’ll need to be extremely careful of the sun. You need to wear a high SPF sun block with both UVA and UVB protection every day. If resurfacing was done around your eyes – make sure you wear sunglasses.

Don’t forget – laser resurfacing won’t leave you with wrinkle free smooth skin forever. As you move your face naturally over time – some of the lines and wrinkles will come back. How quickly depends on your lifestyle, your skin care regimen and your diet. If you expose your skin to the sun and smoke for instance your skin will deteriorate much more quickly.

The cost of laser resurfacing is quite high but don’t try and save money. Look for the best cosmetic surgeon or cosmetic surgery clinic in your area. Skill and expertise in laser resurfacing means that you’ll pay more but the results will be worth it.