Laser skin resurfacing provides effective treatment to repair and rejuvenate damaged skin. This treatment can diminish the appearance of wrinkles, scars and uneven skin tone to leave the treated area looking younger and more attractive.
Laser skin resurfacing is useful in eliminating or diminishing the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, age spots, spider veins, warts, birthmarks, enlarged pores, tattoos, or sun-damaged skin.
Laser skin resurfacing is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that offers patients many advantages over traditional methods such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion, since it results is many fewer side effects. Laser resurfacing minimizes discomfort, bleeding and bruising.
A laser beam of intense, precisely focused light targets the surface skin in order to reveal the undamaged layer beneath.
During ablative laser skin resurfacing, the laser beams actually vaporize a layer of skin. During non-ablative resurfacing, the laser energy tightens underlying skin and stimulates collagen growth. Ablative treatment actually causes a wound where non-ablative treatment does not.
This procedure targets specific areas with pinpointed laser microbeams to peel away smaller sections of skin than conventional ablative treatment.
The laser resurfacing procedure normally takes between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the size and location of the targeted area and on the type of treatment. Since each individual's skin condition is unique, some people may have satisfactory results with one treatment, but others may require two or more sessions to achieve the dramatic results they seek.
If non-ablative treatment has been performed, some redness and peeling of the affected skin is to be expected. Patients may experience mild swelling and discomfort, but should be able to resume regular activities within a short time. If the patient has undergone ablative resurfacing, there will be some crusting and oozing of the skin as it heals and recovery time will extend to several weeks, during which time strenuous activities must be avoided. In both cases, sun exposure is to be avoided during the healing period.
Yes, this procedure is considered safe for most patients. There is only a minor risk of complications such as skin pigmentation, scarring or infection.