Laser Skin Resurfacing

Last Updated: February 03, 2012

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Advances in laser technology have benefited the plastic surgery industry, particularly over the last decade. Until recently, surgeons have relied mainly on chemical peels, dermabrasion, and surgical scar revision for skin resurfacing procedures. More and more surgeons are now turning towards lasers as their tool of choice to correct scars, wrinkles, melasmas, and acne.

In Laser Resurfacing, a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific regions. The benefits of laser resurfacing include:

Reduces acne scars
Reduces wrinkles
Reduces aged and sun damaged skin
Reduces the risk of skin cancer
Reduces or eliminate brown spots and discoloration
Improves skin tone
Regenerates new collagen

Laser resurfacing treatment relies on the principles of selective photothermolysis. Here, the laser is controlled to shine a specific wavelength onto a specific area of the skin. The flawed outer skin layer then absorbs the light from the laser beam, resulting in its vaporization. Removal of the outer layer(s) will thereby reveal the newer, healthier underlying skin.

Laser resurfacing is still a relatively new procedure, but it possesses a tremendous upside. When used proficiently, it has been shown to be significantly more precise in control, while producing less bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort compared to other skin resurfacing methods. In addition, although results are not permanent, they will last for a surprisingly long time - up to 10 years.

Currently, physicians employ 4 laser modalities for skin resurfacing:

Scanned carbon dioxide (CO2) laser
Pulsed carbon dioxide laser
Pulsed erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser
Combination carbon dioxide and Er:YAG lasers

Laser Skin Resurfacing Information

If you're considering laser skin resurfacing treatment, this website will give you comprehensive information on all aspects of laser resurfacing - the procedure, cost, results, risk, recovery, and its application to melasma, acne, and chicken pox.

Laser resurfacing is highly successful in eliminating wrinkles in comparison to other skin resurfacing methods. Not only does the laser exfoliate the skin, but they also tighten the skin's collagen fibers, restoring some of the skin's elasticity. It has produced dramatic results, as some older patients look 10 to 20 years younger following the procedure.

It is not surprising that an increasing amount of men and women are realizing the benefits of laser skin resurfacing. Laser Resurfacing can help enhance your appearance and restore your self-esteem and confidence. Consult a plastic surgeon or specialist to see if you are a good candidate for this amazing cosmetic procedure.

Laser Resurfacing Procedure

All resurfacing treatments work essentially the same way. Laser resurfacing is a new method being used by plastic surgeons to remove damaged skin. Laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy, which vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration. The carbon dioxide laser emits an invisible infrared beam at a 10,600-nm wavelength, targeting both intracellular and extracellular water. The removal of the upper layer of skin exposes the fresher, healthier-looking underlying skin.

Laser resurfacing is most commonly performed under local anesthesia with sedation, especially when it's used to treat localized areas of the face. You'll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal discomfort. For more extensive resurfacing, your surgeon may prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case you'll sleep through the procedure.

Laser resurfacing is a relatively quick procedure. The length of the procedure usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to one and a half hours, depending on how large of an area is involved.

Local anesthesia

Laser resurfacing is normally performed under Light Sleep sedation or Local with a mild intravenous sedation (Valium, Versed, etc.) often with the use of general anesthetic.

For superficial or medium resurfacing, the laser can be limited to the epidermis and papillary dermis, usually in one pass. When the imperfections are especially deep, your surgeon may recommend that the resurfacing be performed in two or more stages. For deeper resurfacing, the upper levels of the reticulas dermis can also be removed. Varied penetration allows treatment of specific spots, wrinkles, uneven pigment, and scars.

During the procedure, the activated laser is carefully passed back and forth over the skin until the surgeon reaches the level that will make the wrinkle or scar less visible. Very skilled surgeons know to make several light passes resulting in a blended area where the laser did not pass. This way there is no obvious line of demarcation.

When the skin resurfacing procedure is over, your surgeon may choose to treat the resurfaced skin with applications of protective creams or ointments until healing is complete. Surgeons will normally cover the patient's face with either a thin film of Bacitracin or antibiotic burn cream like Silvadine. Some surgeons use a second synthetic breathable skin to protect the newly surfaced tissue during its healing process. Some surgeons choose to apply a bandage over the treated areas that will cover and protect the healing skin for the first five to ten days.

Laser resurfacing a relatively easy procedure when performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon. The physical changes that occur to laser-treated skin are essentially identical to those that occur with either dermabrasion or chemical peel.

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