As you age, do you develop spots, fine lines, and wrinkles on your face due to sunburn or acne? Sometimes these things can be a little annoying, right? But don't worry. With today's advanced technology, there are good solutions to these problems. One such solution is Laser Skin Resurfacing . This is like a 'Laser Peel' for the skin. Let's talk about everything in simple terms today.
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Simply put, this involves using a laser beam to carefully remove the top layer of old, damaged skin on your skin. Think of it like polishing an old piece of wood to make it new. When the old skin is removed, new, healthy skin begins to grow underneath. This new skin looks firmer, brighter, and younger than before. Sometimes this treatment is done alone, or it is done in conjunction with other cosmetic facial procedures.
Who is this treatment really suitable for?
Is this something everyone can do? No. There are a few things to consider before deciding whether this treatment is right for you. Let's take a look at who it's best for, and who it's not.
| These people may be suitable (Good Candidate) | Not a Good Candidate for these people |
|---|---|
| If you have fine lines around your eyes, mouth, or forehead. | If the skin is excessively sagging. |
| If there are visible pits or scars on the surface caused by acne. | If there are deep wrinkles. |
| Remove warts. | If you are currently experiencing active acne. |
| If the skin has been damaged by sun damage. | If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mother. |
| If you have age spots. | If you have a weak immune system. |
| If the oil glands in the nose are enlarged. | If the skin tone is very dark (Some types of laser are not suitable) |
There is a small chance that some lasers, especially if you have very dark skin, may cause hyperpigmentation or keloid scarring after treatment. Therefore , the best way to find out if this treatment is right for you is to speak to an experienced dermatologist .
Are there different types of laser treatments?
Yes, there are several types of lasers to suit different skin concerns and skin types. Let's take a look at some of the main types.
CO2 Laser Resurfacing
This has long been a method used for many things, including wrinkles, scars, and warts. The new CO2 laser (Fractional CO2) technology uses very short pulses of light (ultrapulse) to remove thin layers of skin while minimizing damage to the surrounding skin. It can take about two weeks for the skin to heal after this treatment.
Erbium Laser Resurfacing
It is specifically designed to remove superficial and moderate wrinkles on the face, hands, and neck. One advantage of this laser over the CO2 laser is that it causes less damage to the surrounding tissue. Therefore, there are fewer side effects such as swelling and bruising. The skin also takes a short time to heal, usually about a week.
Nd:YAG laser treatment
If you have a darker skin tone (like a 4-6 on the Fitzpatrick Scale used by doctors), this type of Nd:YAG laser may be more suitable. Because the wavelength of this laser beam is longer, it can penetrate deeper into the skin, bypassing the pigment (melanin) on the surface of the skin. It is commonly used to remove unwanted hair, remove tattoos, and treat skin discoloration.
Remember, laser treatment can pose some risks for any skin type, so you need to have complete confidence in the place and the doctor performing this treatment.
There are other methods such as Fractional Lasers (which treat individual areas of the skin), Pulse-Dye Lasers (for blood vessel problems), and IPL ( Intense Pulsed Light ) (this is not actually a laser, but a light therapy used for similar problems). Your doctor will decide what is best for your skin and problem.
How should you prepare before laser treatment?
Okay, so now that you've decided to have the treatment, there are a few things you should and shouldn't do before you do it.
1. Seek medical advice: First, see a qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to make sure you are a good candidate for this.
2. Tell your doctor about your medical conditions: If you frequently develop cold sores, be sure to tell your doctor about them, as these can recur after laser treatment.
3. Stop taking certain medications: Your doctor will tell you to stop taking blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E supplements about 10 days before treatment.
4. Avoid smoking: If you are a smoker, you should completely stop smoking two weeks before and two weeks after treatment, as smoking delays skin healing.
5. Take the medications prescribed by your doctor: Your doctor may prescribe you an antibiotic to prevent bacterial infections or an antiviral to prevent mouth sores before treatment.
What to expect during and after treatment?
This is not an outpatient procedure. You can go home the same day after the treatment.
- During the treatment: If you are having your entire face treated, you may be given general anesthesia. If you are having a small area, such as around the eyes, you may be given local anesthesia. It may take about 30-45 minutes for a section of the face, or about 2 hours for the entire face.
- After treatment: The doctor will apply a bandage to the treated areas. After 24 hours, you will need to clean the areas 4-5 times a day and apply a cream (such as petroleum jelly) as prescribed by the doctor. This is to prevent scabbing.
- Swelling and pain: Swelling is normal after treatment. Your doctor may prescribe steroids to control swelling around your eyes. Sleeping with an extra pillow at night can also help reduce swelling. You may experience some burning or itching for 12-72 hours.
- Skin peeling: After 5-7 days, your skin will start to dry out and peel off. This is the process of shedding old skin and replacing it with new skin.
- Healing time: Depending on the nature of the problem treated, it can take 10 to 21 days for the skin to fully heal.
- Sunscreen is a must: After the skin heals, the new skin is very sensitive. So it's essential to use a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). Minimize exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
What are the benefits and risks of this?
Although this treatment can significantly improve the appearance of your skin, like everything else, it does carry a few minor risks.
Advantages:
- Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Fading of scars (especially acne scars).
- Skin color and texture are similar.
- Skin looks young and healthy.
Risks:
- Burns caused by the heat of the laser beam.
- Scarring.
- Skin discoloration (darkening or whitening in some areas).
- Recurrence of mouth sores (Herpes).
- Bacterial infections.
The best way to minimize these risks is to have this treatment performed in the right location under the supervision of a highly experienced and qualified physician .
How much does this cost?
The cost of Laser Skin Resurfacing varies greatly from place to place, depending on the type of laser used, and the size of the area being treated. Since it is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by most medical insurance policies. However, if you are having this procedure to change a scar or remove a skin growth that could become cancerous, you may be able to get some coverage. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor and insurance company about this beforehand.
Take-Home Message
- Laser Skin Resurfacing is a treatment that uses a laser to remove the top layer of skin, revealing new, healthy skin.
- This is a good solution for problems like wrinkles, acne scars, and sunburned skin.
- The best way to find out if this treatment is right for you is to see an experienced dermatologist.
- It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly before and after treatment. In particular, avoiding smoking and using sunscreen are mandatory.
- Since this is a cosmetic treatment, it is not usually covered by insurance, and the cost can vary from place to place.
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