CO2 LASER SKIN RESURFACING
Men and women of all ages may benefit from laser resurfacing. The best results from the procedure are typically seen in individuals with fair, healthy, non-oily skin.
You may be a good candidate for laser resurfacng if you have any of the following conditions:
- fine lines, especially around the eyes
- vertical lines around the mouth
- facial scars caused by injury or accident
- scars caused by acne
- areas of uneven pigmentation, such as "age spots"
- lines on the cheeks caused by sun damage
You may wish to discuss other resurfacing options with Dr. Rasmussen if any of the following applies to you:
- you have skin that is olive, brown or black
- you have taken Accutane(R) during the past 18 months
- you are prone to abnormal (keloid - like) scarring
- you have an active skin infection
In laser resurfacing, a beam of laser energy is used to vaporize the upper layers of damaged skin with accurate precision. As new cells form during the healing process, a smoother, tighter, younger looking skin surface appears.
During the procedure, the activated laser is carefully passed back and forth over the skin until the safest level which will make the wrinkle or scar less visible is reached. When imperfections are deep, it may be recommended that the resurfacing be performed in two or more stages.
Dr. Rasmussen perfoms laser resurfacing in an outpatient surgery center. If you are having a more extensive resurfacing treatment you may be admitted overnight. Medications are administred to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Usually, local anesthesia with sedation is used during laser resurfacing. However, for more extensive resurfacing, general anesthesia may be suggested.
Once the procedure is over, Dr. Rasmussen will choose one of two ways to protect your healing skin. One option is to apply a bandage which will be changed one or more times during the first 10 days. The other option is to cover your face with protective ointment for the first week of healing. You are likely to experience some mild to moderate swelling. However, ice packs and medication prescribed can help you stay comfortable.
The first three weeks
- your skin will be bright pink to red in color. The redness is a positive sign that the healing process is progressing and a new layer of collagen is being laid down
- you can safely apply makeup as a concealer after 2 weeks
- depending on how you feel, you may be able to return to work
- you'll begin to feel a lot more comfortable
After a month the redness will start to fade and you'll begin to appreciate your improved appearance.
It's important to remember that the redness will fade gradually. Although the color will continue to diminish with every passing week, some pinkness may remain for three to four months.
In the months following treatment, it's essential to protect your face from thesun until all the color has returned to normal. If you must be in the sun, apply a strong sun block and shade your face with a visor or wide-brimmed hat. You should also wear good quality sunglasses that have filter to block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. If sun-related darkening occurs, bleaching cream may be suggested to even out the color.
Many patients find a significant improvement in the tone and texture of their skin. You should be aware that even though your results will be long-lasting, your face will continue to age. Following your treatment, your natural facial movement will eventually cause "expression" lines to recur. Using sun protection and a skin care regime will help to maintain your results. However, some patients decide to repeat the treatment after several years to restore their rejuvenated look.
Other options
Precision and predictabiltiy are the major advantages of laser resurfacing. However, laser resurfacing isn't the only method that can be used to refinish the facial skin Alternative methods include:
- Retin- A(R) treatment- a light skin-refinishing treatment that involves regular applications of a vitamin A enriched cream.
- Glycolic Acid Peel - a light resurfacing treatment that involves use of a prescription- strength facial wash or cream.
- Dermabrasion - a more aggressive method in which surface layers of skin is removed with a motorized brush.
- Chemical peel - a resurfacing method in which a chemical solution is applied to peel away the top layer of skin, alowing a fresh new layer to emerge.
Lighter resurfacing options offer shorter recovery times. However, they may need to be repeated several times to achieve results that are comparable with those achieved by more aggressive techniques.
