Laser Skin Resurfacing

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Laser resurfacing is a treatment to reduce facial wrinkles and skin irregularities, such as blemishes or acne scars. The technique directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular … Read More

Top Doctors For Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments

Top Hospitals For Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments

Laser Skin Resurfacing

What is laser skin resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing, also known as a laser peel, laser vaporization, laser abrasion is a treatment to reduce facial wrinkles and skin irregularities, such as blemishes or acne scars. It involves the application of lasers to aid the improvement of skin texture and appearance.  laser skin resurfacing Picture Courtesy: spderma

What is laser skin resurfacing used for?

A laser skin resurfacing can be used for someone who is suffering from
  • Acne or scar spots
  • Age spots
  • Fine lines and wrinkles due to age-related
  • Crow’s feet
  • Sagging and uneven skin tone
  • Warts [1]
How does laser skin resurfacing work? The procedure works by using heat and light energy to cause controlled damage to the skin’s surface. The body reacts to healing the tissue by creating new skin [2].

What are the types of laser skin resurfacing?

types of laser skin resurfacing Picture Courtesy: Medtravel Laser skin resurfacing can be categorized into two groups. They are:
  • Ablative lasers- Which include CO2 and Erbium. CO2 is used to treat scars, warts, and deep wrinkles. Erbium is used for finer lines and wrinkles.
  • Non-ablative lasers- do not remove any skin layers. They include pulsed light, fractional lasers, pulsed- dye lasers. They are used for treating spider veins, acne-related skin concerns, and rosacea [3].

What are the steps for preparing for laser skin resurfacing?

The laser skin surfacing procedure is done on an outpatient basis. The procedure is done under either local anesthesia or a combination of IV sedation. General anesthesia is used only in major cases. The doctor examines the patient completely and discusses the type of procedure suitable for the procedure, its pros and cons, and associated risk factors. Once the patient is fit for the procedure, the surgeon strictly advises the patient to follow a couple of instructions. They are:
  • Take anti-viral medications as prescribed by the doctor to prevent infections.
  • Avoid unprotected sun exposure.
  • Stop smoking
  • The patient should be accompanied by someone at the time of the procedure.  
At the time of the procedure
laser skin resurfacing procedure Picture Courtesy: Practo The area which has to be treated is numbed with local anesthesia, and the entire area is thoroughly cleaned. An intense laser beam (light energy) is directed to the skin during the ablative laser procedure. The laser beam destroys the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). The laser heats the dermis (the outer layer), which stimulates collagen production over time, which results in better skin tone and texture. The ablation procedure takes about 30 mins to 2 hours. A person undergoing a non-ablative procedure needs to undergo one to three treatments over weeks or months to get the results one is looking for [10].   

FAQ

Are there any side effects of laser skin resurfacing? What are they? 

The side effects of laser skin resurfacing are:

  • Redness, swelling, itching, and pain in the treated area.
  • Infection
  • Change in color of the skin
  • Increase in acne
  • Scarring [4].
  • Bruns and bumps.
  • Hyperpigmentation.

What are the contraindications for laser skin resurfacing procedures?

The contraindications of laser skin resurfacing are:

  • A person who has an active infection 
  • Deep wrinkles
  • Very dark skin
  • Excessive or sagging skin [5].

Does laser skin resurfacing make you look younger?

The laser skin resurfacing procedure improves the appearance of the skin and makes the person look younger. 

What is the cost of laser skin resurfacing procedure?

The cost of laser skin resurfacing procedure varies from person to person, based on the type of procedure, skills and experience of the surgeon, and the kind of hospital. Our Anavara organization helps the patient find the best hospital and surgeon at an affordable cost. Visit our website https://anavara.com/ for any queries.

Is laser skin resurfacing procedure safe during pregnancy?

A person is not advised to undergo a laser skin resurfacing procedure during pregnancy. It can cause serious side effects such as skin pigmentation, severe burns, painful skin lesions, and uneven skin re-growth [6].

How long before one sees results from laser skin resurfacing?

Healing from the procedure takes about 7-10days after the procedure. In comparison, the recovery from the ablation procedure takes up to 3 weeks. During the healing process, the person can experience peeling of the skin and swelling. The application of ice packs will help in reducing the swelling. A person might have to wait for at least 2-3 weeks to see the significant results from the procedure [7].

Does laser skin resurfacing covered by insurance?

Laser skin resurfacing is not covered by insurance since it is an elective cosmetic procedure [8].

Is the laser skin resurfacing procedure permanent?

The laser skin resurfacing procedure doesn’t last lifelong. As the person grows old new wrinkles and fine lines appear on the skin [9].

Is the laser resurfacing procedure painful?

The pain scale of laser skin resurfacing procedures depends on the type of the laser, depth, and area of treatment. It also depends upon the person’s tolerating levels of pain.

References

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/laser-skin-resurfacing#who-gets-it
  2. https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/laser-resurfacing-better-skin-9-things-you-must-know/
  3. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/laser-skin-resurfacing#who-gets-it
  4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laser-resurfacing/about/pac-20385114
  5. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing/candidates
  6. https://www.thehealthsite.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-guide-pregnancy/here-is-why-you-should-not-go-for-laser-treatments-during-pregnancy-d0718-584641/
  7. https://instituteofaestheticsurgery.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-recover-from-laser-skinresurfacing/#:~:text=You%20will%20start%20to%20see,significant%20results%20of%20this%20treatment.
  8. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11015-laser-skin-resurfacing
  9. https://www.medicinenet.com/is_laser_resurfacing_permanent/article.htm
  10. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laser-resurfacing/about/pac-20385114