Medical Information on Laser Resurfacing

In their quest to reclaim the appearance of youthful skin, many people are discovering laser resurfacing as a means of reducing wrinkles and acne scars and improving the appearance of sun-damaged skin. Although laser resurfacing cannot take the place of a facelift, the procedure can tighten loose skin, smoothing folds and creases. It can be used instead of other resurfacing procedures, such as dermabrasion.

Lasers

• Lasers are used for skin resurfacing.

  The word "laser" is an acronym for "Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation." The laser produces an intense bright light beam that can help improve the look of wrinkles and scars.

  Good candidates for laser skin resurfacing are people with fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes or mouth or on the forehead or acne scars.

How It Works

• The process can tighten frown lines and wrinkles.

  The surgeon administering the treatment uses a hand-held wand that shoots concentrated beams of light at the targeted skin areas. The light vaporizes skin cells, thus revealing the fresh skin underneath. The procedure allows the surgeon to control how deep the laser penetrates into the skin, providing for safety and precision. In addition to smoothing fine facial lines, frown lines and wrinkles, the process also can tighten eyelid skin and crow's feet, clear up brown spots and uneven skin tone, and smooth "smoker's lines" on the upper lip.

  Within a week after the procedure, skin will feel dry and will peel. After the area has peeled, new skin will form that will be pink in the beginning and will gradually lighten.

Types of Lasers

• Patients experience tightened skin.

  The CO2 laser treats such skin problems as skin cancer, wrinkles, scars, birthmarks and warts. It uses light beams to vaporize thin layers of skin tissue to reveal clear skin, with little damage to surrounding skin. The process provides a low risk of complications and scarring. Recovery time may be up to two weeks.

  The Erbium laser is usually the choice for patients who have dark skin or moderate wrinkles and scars on the face, neck, and hands. This method may produce faster healing---often just one week--and less redness and fewer side effects than other methods.

  Another type of laser resurfacing, called non-ablative, does not use heat to remove the skin tissue. Instead, these work underneath the skin surface to stimulate collagen. The result is tightened skin and improved skin tone plus smoothed fine lines. Patients can expect few side effects and fast healing.

Practitioners

• Look for a doctor who has experience in this surgery.

  People interested in laser resurfacing should look for a dermatologic surgeon who has experience in this form of surgery. The specialist performs the resurfacing in his or her office with a local anesthetic applied at the site of the procedure, along with a sedative.

Side Effects

• Some side effects such as swelling and redness or crusting at the site may occur, but these can be treated by post-operative care. The doctor may recommend that the patient takes an antibiotic before and after the procedure to prevent bacterial infections. There may be some swelling that can be helped with an ice pack.

  The skin may feel like it has been sunburned, and there may be itching or stinging for several days.

After-Care

• Use sunscreen and moisturizers after treatment

  The site is protected with a sterile dressing for 24 hours, after which the patient must clean the area several times a day and then apply an ointment to prevent scabs from forming at the site. Most treated areas heal within one to three weeks.

  Patients must apply a sunscreen daily after the resurfaced area heals to protect the skin. Patients should also use a moisturizer every day.