laser skin resurfacing

 

1)What is laser skin resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing, also known as a laser peel, laser vaporization and lasabrasion, can reduce facial wrinkles, scars and blemishes. Newer laser technologies give your plastic surgeon a new level of control in laser surfacing, permitting extreme precision, especially in delicate areas.

We were all born with smooth, baby-soft skin. Over the years, the constant bombardment of ultraviolet light from the sun gradually breaks down the orderly arrangement of the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers, which play important roles in the skin’s structural support and elasticity. This so-called photoaging process is primarily responsible for the lines, wrinkles, and pigmentary changes we associate with facial aging. Laser skin resurfacing has revolutionized the treatment of wrinkles caused by sun damage and other environmental factors by removing the sun damaged fibers and causing a renewal of collagen and elastin within the skin. This exciting technique can cause a long lasting correction of wrinkles without requiring any cutting, lifting, stitching, or scars.

What laser skin resurfacing can improve

• Fine lines or wrinkles around or under your eyes, forehead or mouth
• Scars from acne or chickenpox
• Non-responsive skin after a facelift
• Aged or sun-damaged skin
• Liver spots
• Improve your complexion if you have yellowish or grayish skin tones
• Warts
• Birthmarks such as linear epidermal nevi
• Enlarged oil glands on the nose

2)How does laser skin resurfacing work?

Fractionated laser skin resurfacing is the most advanced treatment available for improving lip lines, smile lines, crow’s feet, and generalized sun damage as well as acne and chicken pox scars. During the procedure, high-energy columns of laser light are applied to the skin surface. The term “fractional” refers to the way a fraction of the skin is treated, while many small areas are left untouched. This innovative method provides the benefit of quick recovery, allowing the patient to return to their normal routine sooner..

It's all about using beams of light. Your surgeon uses the laser to send short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin. This removes unwanted, damaged skin in a very precise manner one layer at a time.

Laser skin resurfacing's targeted approach means there are fewer problems with hypopigmentation, or a lightening of skin, for procedures such as laser acne scar removal.

The laser beam used in laser resurfacing will remove your outer layer of skin, called the epidermis. It simultaneously heats the underlying skin, called the dermis. This action works to stimulate growth of new collagen fibers. As the treated area heals, the new skin that forms is smoother and firmer.

If aging, acne, or too much time in the sun has left your face with blotches, scars, wrinkles, or lines, laser skin resurfacing may help your skin look younger and healthier.

Laser skin resurfacing removes skin layer by layer with precision. The new skin cells that form during healing give the skin a tighter, younger looking surface. The procedure can be done alone or with other cosmetic surgeries on the face.
Preparing for Laser Resurfacing

Start by consulting a plastic surgeon or dermatologist to find out if you're a good candidate.

Tell your doctor if you get cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth. Laser skin resurfacing can trigger breakouts in people who are at risk.

If you decide to go ahead with laser skin resurfacing, your doctor will ask you to not take any medications or supplements -- such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or vitamin E -- that can affect clotting for 10 days before surgery.

If you smoke, you should stop for two weeks before and after the procedure. Smoking can prolong healing.

3)What problems can be corrected with laser resurfacing?

 

A treatment can markedly reduce the fine lines, wrinkles, and pigment changes associated with facial aging. Laser resurfacing with Active FX is particularly useful in smoothing wrinkling around the eyelids, laugh lines, crow’s feet, and creases around the mouth. Deep laugh and frown lines can be minimized. Even lingering effects of chicken pox and acne scars can be successfully treated.

 

4)What are the treatments like?

 

An Active FX treatment may be performed in the clinic for a lighter laser peel or in our surgery suite for a more in depth laser peel. Your provider will review the options and help you choose which treatment is best for you. Lighter laser treatments or smaller areas may be comfortably treated following a local anesthetic applied topically. More extensive procedures are performed with IV sedation under the supervision of our board certified anesthesia personnel. Treatment time ranges from a few minutes for a small area up to 45 minutes for full face resurfacing with multiple passes.

 

5)What is the recovery process like?

Recovery time for most patients is about 4 days to 1 week. During recovery, patients exhibit pink skin, similar to sunburn. Make up and normal skin care can usually be resumed after 7 days. Initial results become visible upon healing, while other more gradual effects related to collagen formation become more evident over time. For this reason, it’s not uncommon for patients to look even better 3-5 months after the procedure! Remarkably, there is only minor discomfort following the procedure with few patients needing anything stronger than Tylenol

6)Laser Resurfacing reviews

1  52 Years Old, Skin Looks Great 10 Months Later! - Mountain View, CA

I had laser resurfacing on my face with Dr. Jason Emer of Mountain View, CA in August of 2013. I read many reviews on this website and was nervous about the recovery. Honestly, it wasn't that bad at all. Around the third day my face felt very tight, like I had put a mud mask on that needed to...

2 it hurts - New York

I am going to have my 4th treatment. The sun spots on my face are gone. The wrinkles are not gone, but not as noticable as before. However, whomever told you that it is not painful, is lying to you. The first of the treatment feels like someone is snapping rubber bands on your face, or zapping

3 My Smile is Back

I am an RN. Dr Felder is the only MD I trust with my eyes . 12 years ago I had an upper eye lift & the results are STILL remarkable ! Recently I had an under eye laser to tighten the loose skin. Again an awesome improvement that makes me smile again !

 

4) Contour Medical is my fountain of youth. I am 49...

Contour Medical is my fountain of youth. I am 49 years old headed quickly towards 50. I kept noticing cheek wrinkles, heavy eye wrinkles and bags under my eyes. I grew up in the sun in California and Arizona. I smoked when I was younger. I also spent about 2 weeks a year basking in the sun in the Caribbean. Obviously, I did not listen to all the advice about good skin care over the years. I met with Dr. McCoy at his office in Gilbert. When I explained what areas I wanted to improve he gave me a lot of choices. Some were minor and had little to no down time. While others were more drastic and required weeks of recovery but the results were virtually guaranteed. I chose to have the J Plasma resurfacing.
I am three months out and look at least 10 years younger. There are no more cheek wrinkles or loose skin under the eyes. It is absolutely amazing. The procedure required 2 ½ weeks of staying home after it was performed. I looked like a monster! It was uncomfortable but not painful. 2 ½ weeks of basically coating your face in a Vaseline type ointment and sleeping on your back. Washing several times a day and quite a bit of swelling. The only pain reliever I took during the whole thing was over the counter Ibuprofen. More for inflammation that anything else. I was also given a low dose steroid to help with the inflammation and antibiotics to prevent infection. I healed beautifully. I am a Type 1 diabetic and Dr. McCoy took great care with me.
His staff makes you feel comfortable and welcome. They answer all your questions and the follow up care is incredible. I spent a lot of time in LED lighting and a Photo facial to help with the redness during the weeks after the procedure.
The staff gave me numbers to call 24/7 with any concerns. Even warned me that day 3 and 4 after the procedure I would probably wonder what the hell I did. They were there to talk me off the ledge Haha.
As I age I will continue to go to Dr. McCoy. I have the look of youth that I wanted. He did some fillers which also turned out beautifully and look very natural. I can’t say enough good things about him and his staff.
The best compliment from all of this is from my husband of 26 years who can’t believe the difference. I truly feel lovely going into my 50th year and I plan to toast Dr. McCoy on my birthday for making me feel so great about my age. I highly recommend this procedure done my Dr. McCoy.

5 36yrs Old, Married with 2 Kids. Ance from Early Teens - Scotland, GB

So after many many years wanting this procedure. I'm now 1 day post op through our glorious NHS. I'm extremely swollen, but pleased to say the only pain experienced was getting my dressing changed earlier. Saw a quick glimpse of my extremely red face earlier and looking forward to tomorrow when...