Laser Resurfacing Procedures
Ablative Laser Resurfacing
In ablative Laser resurfacing, sometimes called "laser peel," a carbon dioxide (CO2) or Erbium laser is used to diminish lines and wrinkles by removing skin in micro layers until all damaged layers are gone. This stimulates the production of new skin that is tighter, fresher, and less wrinkled. When healing is complete, the face has a more youthful appearance. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, or to renew weathered skin on the face. After the healing process, the new skin will be smoother, tighter, and younger-looking.
Ablative Laser Resurfacing Photos
These Laser resurfacing photos were taken of a patient in San Diego who received Laser resurfacing at Changes Plastic Surgery. Please visit our complete photo gallery of laser resurfacing patients.
BEFORE
AFTER
For the most effective results, Laser resurfacing is often combined with other surgical and/or non-surgical rejuvenation methods. For example, some patients have a browlift combined with laser resurfacing around the eyes. Laser resurfacing can also be combined with a facelift or blepharoplasty. In your one-on-one consultation with your plastic surgeon, you can decide which combination of procedures will give you the results you seek.
Determining Your Candidacy
Facial wrinkles often occur around the mouth and eyes. Because of the precision that can be achieved with the laser, these areas respond well to Laser treatment. This procedure can be performed on men, as well as women. The ideal patient for Laser resurfacing has light colored, healthy, non-oily skin.
Patients with olive skin, brown skin, or black skin may be at increased risk for pigmentation changes with resurfacing. During your initial consultation with your plastic surgeon, your skin and its characteristics will be evaluated and recommendations for your specific needs will be made.
Individuals who have taken accutane in the past 12-18 months or are prone to abnormal scarring or those with active skin infections on the treatment area may not be appropriate candidates for this procedure.
Possible Risks
When laser resurfacing is performed by a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. All of the Changes surgeons are board-certified plastic surgeons, and the procedures are performed according to stringent safety protocol. These credentials help ensure the highest standards of care and your utmost safety. Because individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities, the outcome is never completely predictable.
Possible risks associated with laser resurfacing include: burns or other injuries from the heat of the laser energy, scarring, and lightening or darkening of the treated skin. Also, laser resurfacing can activate herpes virus infections ("cold sores") and, rarely, other types of infection.
Additional corrective measures and treatment may be required if healing seems abnormal or delayed or if there is any evidence of abnormal pigmentation or scarring.
Procedure Planning
In your initial consultation, it’s important to tell your plastic surgeon about any abnormal skin condition which has been diagnosed or previously treated, medications you are taking or have taken in the past, previous skin injuries or previous operations. All of these conditions need to be considered regarding your candidacy for Laser treatment.
Your surgeon will discuss your medical history, perform a routine examination and photograph the area to be treated. He will explain the procedure in detail, along with its risks and benefits, and the recovery period.
To help maximize the skin’s response to the treatment, and to expedite healing, your surgeon will usually recommend a pre-treatment skin care regimen. You will also be given specific instructions on how to care for your skin immediately following your laser treatment. Your surgeon may also instruct you to follow a specific maintenance regimen for long-term care of the skin to maximize the results of the procedure.
While you are making plans, be sure to make arrangements for someone to drive you home if you will be sedated for your Laser treatment.
Procedure Facility
Ablative Laser resurfacing is usually performed in our adjacent outpatient surgery center, while non-ablative Laser treatments are performed in our office facility.
Anesthesia Options
When treating only specific facial areas, local or topical anesthesia combined with sedation is most commonly used. You'll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal discomfort. If more extensive resurfacing is being done, your surgeon may prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case you'll sleep through the procedure.
Procedure Description
Ablative Laser resurfacing is a relatively quick procedure. It usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending on how large of an area is involved. More than one treatment may be necessary to achieve the best results. You and your plastic surgeon will make that determination at your initial consultation.
During the procedure, the activated laser is carefully passed back and forth over the skin until the laser penetrates sufficiently to achieve the desired results.
When the procedure is over, a protective cream may be applied and the area may or may not be bandaged, depending on your surgeon’s assessment.
Post-Treatment
You are likely to experience some mild swelling and discomfort after laser resurfacing. However, this can be controlled with ice packs and medications prescribed by your surgeon. Your surgeon will provide instructions on how to gently wash and care for your healing skin.
After an ablative peel, your skin will form crusts, which are a natural and important part of the healing process. It is very important that you not pick the crusts off the treated area or scarring may result. Most patients are free of crusts by about 10 days post-operatively. Your new skin will usually remain bright pink to red in the weeks following the procedure. Your surgeon may prescribe medications to make this color subside more rapidly. After about two weeks or so, most patients can safely apply makeup to conceal this temporary color change. However, some pinkness may remain for up to six months.
Although rare, some patients may find that their healing skin is unusually sensitive to the makeup that was regularly used prior to treatment. In such instances, makeup should be avoided until a substitute can be found or until the healing progresses to a point at which the makeup no longer causes a reaction.
Above all, in the months following ablative Laser treatment, it's important to protect the treated area from the sun until all the color has returned to normal. Using sun protection regularly will help to maintain your results and reduce the chance of any new sun damage to your skin.
Your Results
The final result from Laser resurfacing may take several months to fully appear. However, once the pinkness fades, patients usually notice a significant improvement in the quality of their skin and a fresher, smoother appearance.
It's important to understand that your results will be long lasting, but not permanent. No procedure can permanently stave off the effects of aging, but resurfacing methods can help "slow the clock." Laser treatments can be repeated to maintain your benefits. However, by protecting yourself from the sun and following a skin-care regimen recommended by your plastic surgeon, you can help maintain your rejuvenated look.
Go to our complete photo gallery of laser resurfacing patients.
Read about Non Ablative Laser Resurfacing.