Laser skin resurfacing
What is laser skin surgery?
Who is a good candidate?
Risks
Preparing for laser skin surgery
Recovery
What is laser skin surgery?
Laser skin resurfacing -- one of the newest
plastic surgery technologies -- improves certain
kinds of wrinkles and fine lines with a carbon
dioxide (CO2) laser. During this procedure,
invisible carbon dioxide laser light rapidly
evaporates the water in the skin, removing the
top skin layers and tightening the lower ones.
Laser skin resurfacing can minimize facial wrinkles
and help improve acne scarring and other skin
irregularities.
Laser skin resurfacing offers a number of advantages
over more traditional techniques, such as dermabrasion
or chemical peels. There is virtually no bleeding
and, often, no scarring. It can also be used
in combination with traditional surgical techniques
-- such as an eyelift or facelift -- to improve
specific areas of the face that may not be improved
by surgery alone.
Who is a good candidate?
Healthy men and women who have realistic
expectations about the results are the best
candidates for laser skin resurfacing. You may
want to consider this technique if you have
these facial skin problems:
- wrinkles
- lines
- scars
- spots
- benign skin lesions
- some precancerous skin lesions
- some forms of rosacea
- acne scarring
The first step is to schedule an evaluation
with your plastic surgeon to find out if laser
therapy is best for you. Under some circumstances,
your doctor may suggest one of the more traditional
approaches, such as a chemical
peel or dermabrasion,
instead.
Risks
Every type of surgery has risks,
but you can usually help prevent complications
by carefully following your physician's instructions.
It's important to talk with your plastic surgeon
before surgery to be sure you understand the
potential risks and complications. If you don't
understand something, ask!
Laser skin resurfacing has a few specific risks,
including:
- burns or other injuries from the laser's
heat
- scars
- skin pigmentation changes
- herpes breakout, if you're susceptible to
such infections
Preparing for laser skin
surgery
Preparation for laser skin surgery differs from
the preparation for other cosmetic surgery procedures,
because laser surgery differs from traditional
surgery. Be sure to follow your surgeon's instructions
carefully to ensure the best possible results.
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic regimen,
a glycolic acid (a form of alpha hydroxy acid)
peel, and other special skin care. If you occasionally
have herpes or sun blisters, and your surgery
includes the lip (perioral) area, he or she
will also prescribe an antiviral agent -- such
as Zovirax™ -- for you to take to prevent
a breakout.
Recovery
Because of the swelling and bruising associated
with laser skin resurfacing, you'll need to
have someone to drive you home afterward. Ice
packs and pain medication will help you with
any discomfort you may have.
Laser surgery differs from traditional surgery,
and so does its recovery. After laser treatment,
your surgeon will apply a surgical dressing
to the lasered areas; the nurse or aesthetician
will change or remove this dressing in a few
days. Contrary to what you may see and hear
in the popular media, laser skin surgery recovery
is a long process. Expect skin redness for a
number of weeks or even months, although it
will diminish over time. In the early weeks
following laser surgery, your new skin will
crust and then begin to heal. Your doctor may
recommend special skin care. Stay out of the
sun and use a good sunblock (your doctor may
have some recommendations).
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