Having great skin is an essential aspect of looking good. It can enhance your overall appearance and make you look more youthful, even when wearing makeup. Clear and radiant skin can help maintain your beauty and keep you looking young. Therefore, if you suffer from scars, acne, wrinkles, or pigmentation, investing in skin improvement remedies is important.
You can take several steps to improve your skin’s health and appearance. Even simple skincare remedies are enough if you don’t have any skin issues. However, laser skin resurfacing treatment may be your best option if you face challenges and want healthy-looking skin.
What is a Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment?
A laser skin resurfacing treatment is a skincare procedure to improve your facial appearance. Dermatologists or physicians suggest treatment to people with skin problems to achieve good-looking skin. Seeking advice and consulting a specialist before proceeding with this procedure is essential. Here’s what happens during a laser skin resurfacing treatment:
- This laser-oriented procedure treats irregular skin and reduces pigmentation or acne problems.
- This procedure involves directing short and intense light beams onto the uneven skin surface. The light beams remove or peel away the skin layer by layer through vaporization. During this process, the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, is removed while the underlying layer, called the dermis, is exposed to heat.
- The lasers during the procedure stimulate the production of new collagen fibers. It subsequently results in a new, smooth, and firm skin layer.
- The laser skin resurfacing is perfect if you have uneven skin, wrinkles, etc., and want to retain your healthy skin.
Learning everything about the process is essential, including risks, results, and costs. You must consult a reputed aesthetics clinic before proceeding with this treatment.
Types of Lasers
A dermatologist can recommend an ablative or non-ablative laser for laser skin resurfacing. The treatment usually depends on your skin’s needs and condition. Below are the types of lasers you must know:
- Ablative lasers include Carbon Dioxide or Erbium. The Carbon Dioxide laser treats problems like scars, deep wrinkles, and warts. The Erbium treats fine lines and wrinkles or other superficial skin problems.
- The ablative process removes the outer skin layer. However, non-ablative doesn’t remove any layers.
- The non-ablative lasers can be fractional, pulsed-dye, and pulsed light. These lasers treat acne problems, spider veins, and rosacea.
Who Should Opt for Laser Skin Resurfacing?
If your acne, age, or sun-related skin problems are not treatable with over-the-counter skin products, opting for laser skin resurfacing is suggested. It helps treat the skin problems enlisted below:
- Scars
- Acne scars
- Sagging skin
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Age spots
- Uneven skin tones
- Warts
- Crow’s feet
- Enlarged oil glands
Laser skin resurfacing can also improve an individual’s skin tone. Generally, a person with a light skin tone would be a good candidate for this treatment due to the minimal risks of hyperpigmentation.
In contrast, people with darker skin tones should work with an expert aesthetics clinic to determine the best laser type for this procedure, like Erbium. Moreover, laser skin resurfacing during winter or fall can help reduce sun exposure. You might not be an ideal patient for laser skin resurfacing if you have the following:
- Active acne
- Excessive sagging skin
- Deep wrinkles
- Very dark skin
What Should You Do to Prepare for Laser Skin Resurfacing?
It’s essential to prepare yourself before undergoing any procedure. That’s why you should follow your dermatologist’s suggestions and simple skincare rules. Here’s what you must do to prepare for your laser skin resurfacing:
- You should use broad-spectrum sunscreen each day for four weeks before laser skin resurfacing. Additionally, you must avoid heavy sun exposure and tanning on your skin before the treatment. Avoid any deep facial peeling procedures for four weeks.
- Medicines such as doxycycline or minocycline must be avoided for 72 hours before laser skin resurfacing to avoid photosensitivity.
- If you have a previous medical history of herpes or shingles in the area, it is important to inform your dermatologist. He might recommend taking medication to prevent a recurrence of these conditions during or after the treatment. This precaution can help ensure a safe and successful laser skin resurfacing procedure.
What Should You Expect from Laser Skin Resurfacing?
The dermatologist may apply a topical anesthetic to the area to avoid discomfort and pain. Painkillers or sedatives may be used if a large portion of your skin is treated during the procedure. Here’s what you can expect during your laser skin resurfacing:
- A local anesthetic will numb your facial regions during the treatment. In contrast, general anesthesia is done for a full-face treatment. A laser abrasion for a partial face requires 30 to 45 minutes, while a full face requires one and a half to two hours.
- Your face or treatment area will be entirely cleaned to remove dirt or dust.
- After laser skin resurfacing, a non-adherent dressing will be applied to the treated area for 24 hours. After this period, cleaning the treated area using a diluted vinegar or saline solution is necessary between two to five times daily.
- Ointments or moisturizing creams are then applied to avoid scab formation.
- The treatment site should heal in five to twenty-one days, depending on the laser type and skin condition.
- There may be redness in the treated area after laser skin resurfacing. It would fade away generally after two to three months. However, it can also take six months to a year to fully disappear.
- Oil-free makeup can be used on your skin during this time.
- People with blonde and red hair may have redness for longer. People with darker skin have the risk of darker pigmentation. A bleaching agent might lighten the skin after Laser Skin Resurfacing.
Are there any Risks or Complications Involved with Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Every procedure or treatment comes with some risks. With Laser Skin Resurfacing, you should be aware of such risks after the treatment:
- Burning
- Bumps
- Rashes
- Infection
- Swelling
- Redness
- Hyperpigmentation
- Scars
You must follow the instructions of your clinic and a dermatologist for your skincare before and after your treatment. It’s essential to avoid such risks after your Laser Skin Resurfacing.
What to Expect from the Results?
Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing can help you get your desired skin results in one sitting or treatment. On the other hand, non-ablative laser skin resurfacing has lower complication risks. The non-ablative laser would need multiple treatments as well to get the results you want. However, individual results might vary because of several factors like skin type, condition, skin tone, laser type, etc.
It’s better to consult an expert about the results and decide the best option for your skin. Also, the results last many years, but you might need to get the treatment again as the results aren’t permanent.
Wrapping up!
It’s essential to select a reputed Aesthetics Clinic for your Laser Skin Resurfacing is essential. Park Lane Medical Aesthetics would be the perfect option for your cosmetic procedures. We have a group of experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable practitioners who will help you get your desired results. Your skin will be youthful, smooth, and healthy. Also, we promise to provide transparent and helpful advice for all skin procedures. Park Lane Medical Aesthetics is the best clinic if you want an expert for your Laser Skin Resurfacing. Contact us now!