Frequent Questions About Laser Skin Resurfacing
Below you will find a list of frequent questions about Laser Skin Resurfacing. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please contact us and be sure to include the procedure name and your question!
Who is a good candidate for laser resurfacing?
The ideal laser resurfacing candidate will have moderate to significant wrinkles, but no significant sagging or jowls. While laser resurfacing treats the surface wrinkles, a
full facelift would be used alone or in combination with laser resurfacing to treat the sagging facial skin.
How does laser resurfacing compare with microdermabrasion or peels?
Laser resurfacing is more aggressive and addresses deeper wrinkles or scars than most other skin treatments. Light chemical peels and microdermabrasion treat fine wrinkles and surface irregularities.
How is the procedure done?
Using a CO
2 laser, you surgeon will direct a beam of concentrated light on the
facial lines, scars and/or wrinkles you're having treated. As your surgeon moves
the laser back and forth, it's pulse gently vaporizes the upper layers of your skin
and effectively wipes them away. The laser is absorbed by the water present in
human skin, and essentially produces a mild, controlled burn. As new skin cells
develop during the healing process, a smooth, fresh layer of skin slowly
emerges. With a CO
2 laser, surgeons can be very precise in terms of the laser
strength and exposure time given to the treated areas. Although laser skin
resurfacing is still a new procedure, it has shown to result in less bleeding,
bruising and short-term discomfort than other skin resurfacing methods.
How do I prepare for this procedure?
Not every plastic surgeon who offers laser skin resurfacing has the same skill
level. So it is very important to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a
great deal of experience with this procedure. One step you can take when
choosing a physician is to find out if he or she has clearance to perform
resurfacing procedures with a CO
2 laser at an accredited hospital. Even if
surgeons typically perform the procedure in a surgical suite located at their office,
it's still a good idea to find out if they have this certification.
Once you've selected
a qualified surgeon, he or she will perform a thorough examination and speak to
you about your medical history, your goals and expectations. Be sure to ask a lot
of questions. Your surgeon should explain your procedure and recovery period to
you in detail, as well as any potential risks. Depending on your individual
procedure, your surgeon may or may not recommend a skin treatment routine for
you to follow prior to your surgery.
How long does the procedure take?
The time required for laser skin resurfacing varies a great deal. For minimal
resurfacing the procedure may take as little as a few minutes. For more involved
procedures where a larger area of skin is being treated, the procedure may take
up to 1.5 hours. If the skin imperfections being treated are exceptionally deep,
your surgeon may recommend that your resurfacing be performed in two or more
stages.
What form of anesthesia is used?
In most cases, laser skin resurfacing procedures are performed using local
anesthesia and a sedative. This means you will be awake during your procedure,
but very relaxed. Any discomfort you may feel will be very minimal. For more
extensive and lengthy procedures, your surgeon may choose to use general
anesthesia, which means you'll be asleep during the entire procedure.
Can I return home the same day?
Laser skin resurfacing procedures are typically done on an outpatient basis,
which means there is no overnight hospital stay required and you can return
home after your procedure. Be sure to make arrangements for someone to drive
to you home after your procedure, because you will be recovering from the
effects of local or general anesthesia and any sedatives your surgeon may have
given you. On some occasions, your surgeon may recommend an overnight
hospital stay if you have had a very extensive procedure, or combined your laser
skin resurfacing with other procedures.
How long before I can return to normal activity?
You should allow yourself 7-10 days before returning to normal physical activity.
During this period you may have facial bandages and be required to apply ice
packs or ointments to your treated areas. Any scabbing or flaking of the skin is
usually present during this 10-day period, so many patients choose to stay home.
After this 10-day period most patients are able to return to their normal activities.
However, your surgeon will recommend that you avoid exposure to the sun for
some time after this period. If you must be outside for prolonged periods of time,
it is recommended that you wear hats that shade your face and wear sunscreen
lotions with an SPF of 15 or higher.
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