What is laser skin resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is a proven way to help reduce wrinkles, age spots, acne marks, and other blemishes, in addition to firming and balancing skin tone. However, exactly due to the fact that lasers can do a lot, and also differ widely in how they work on your skin, it is difficult to understand where to start when looking for therapy; even most stock searches reveal a variety of competitors. tools and techniques.
We want you to be polite, not overwhelmed. Before you go too far into the Google bunny hole, we recommend that you back up from all the hype and read the following essentials to learn more about laser skin resurfacing.
1. When should I have laser skin resurfacing?
Did you know that autumn is thought of as the "laser season"? Due to the fact that laser-treated skin is hypersensitive to sun exposure for up to a year after some treatments, several cosmetic surgeons recommend undergoing laser resurfacing during the fall or cold weather, when daylight hours are longer. You cut and spend more of your time indoors.
No matter what season the laser treatment is performed, use a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every day and reapply as needed. This not only helps your results look their best, but it also provides defense against skin cancer and helps protect against further premature aging.
2. Therapies may or may not harm
Clients and physicians alike generally liken the experience of laser therapy to an elastic band that breaks in front of the skin. However, what laser resurfacing looks like depends on the laser, the depth, and also the treatment area, and also the person's resistance to discomfort.
Deeper ablation laser treatments (some outer layers of skin are removed) may require injections of local anesthesia or intravenous sedation to keep the person comfortable. Examples of ablative lasers are CO2 lasers and also erbium YAG lasers.
Some non-ablative laser treatments (the laser goes through the skin without shedding the layers) cause little or no pain and only need a topical numbing lotion to counteract the discomfort. Non-ablative lasers consist of pulsed dye lasers, ND: Yag and also Alexandrite. Following treatment, some degree of swelling can be expected at the treatment site. Your service provider will recommend safe methods of pain management after laser resurfacing when necessary.
3. Having darker skin does not necessarily prevent you from laser resurfacing
A common false impression is that laser resurfacing is risk-free only for fair skin types. While it is true that certain lasers pose a greater threat of cell damage or blemishes on darker skin, there are efficient and risk-free rejuvenation options. For lighter-toned African American, Hispanic, or Asian complexions, erbium laser resurfacing can sometimes be an excellent alternative, as it poses a much lower threat of discoloration. Clients with dark brown or black skin may need to consider other skin rejuvenation options, such as radiofrequency or microneedling therapies.
What is the best way to ensure a safe and effective treatment for your skin type? Talk to a provider who has comprehensive training and knowledge in laser resurfacing procedures and who also has experience working with darker skinned patients.
4. It is distinguished who performs their laser skin rejuvenation treatments
In the hands of a highly trained and skilled expert,laser resurfacingis a risk-free method to greatly improve the appearance of your skin. In the hands of a person with an inadequate education, lasers can be ineffective or even dangerous. Choose a laser resurfacing service provider based on the person's experience, training, and credentials. Don't make your choice based solely on the fact that you offer the best deal or have a branded laser rig.
5. Specific medications or problems affect exactly how the skin reacts to laser therapy
Always be ahead of time and also be honest with your service provider about your medical history and also about any medications or supplements you are taking. For example, if you are prone to cold sores or fever blisters, laser treatments can cause breakouts. Acne medications that contain indiscretion (i.e. Accutane) can lead to improper healing or scarring from laser resurfacing, while typical over-the-counter items such as pain relievers can increase the threat of blood loss after the procedure.
Diabetes mellitus and other chronic problems can also influence the safety and also the results of laser resurfacing. Additionally, you should stop smoking for a minimum of 2 weeks before and after laser treatments to avoid complications with healing and to give your body the most effective opportunity for optimal results.
6. Various lasers have been improved for different skin types and problems.
The reason there are so many different laser options is that no one can deal with all people and all skin concerns. Here are some ranges that you are more likely to find in your research study:
CARBON DIOXIDE lasers are usually ablative lasers that are used to treat marks, growths, wrinkles and also other much deeper skin defects.
Erbium lasers can be ablative or non-ablative. They herald the collagen makeover, making them standout options for treating fine lines, creases, skin laxity, as well as age areas.
Pulsed dye lasers are commonly non-ablative lasers that heat the skin and absorb pigments to minimize redness, hyper pigmentation, broken veins, and rosacea.
Fractional lasers split the laser energy into hundreds of tiny beams to treat only a fraction of the skin in the area, reducing downtime. Fractional lasers can be ablative or non-ablative, and are also used to treat a number of age-related blemishes.
Extreme Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments are practically not lasers, yet they are commonly used to treat laser-like problems such as sun damage, acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. Find out more about IPL treatments
Rather than get sucked into the laser markings and wavelengths, focus on your individual goals - what skin problems do you want to address and what results do you expect? The good news is, you don't need to determine it yourself - a board-licensed cosmetic surgeon or certified skin care professional trained in laser resurfacing will certainly be able to suggest the best therapy for your skin type.
7. Plan to have multiple therapies
While in many cases, a solo laser treatment will certainly fix a client's problems, most non-ablative lasers call for a collection of treatments to generate one of the most rewarding results. This is a commitment that presents a treatment without downtime, once the treatment series is complete, the results are long-lasting.
8. Depending on the treatment, you may need some downtime.
Although laser treatments are normally considered non-surgical, not all are free of downtime. Recovery time for laser resurfacing varies depending on the type of laser used, in addition to the individual's well-being and the rate of healing.
Non-ablative lasers often require no downtime, while ablative lasers may require a recovery process of 2-3 weeks, depending on the depth, before the new skin has fully recovered and results appear.
This does not indicate that you have to stay in the residence for a month; it simply means that your skin will be raw, reddened and scabbed while it heals. It is possible that