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Laser Skin Resurfacing |
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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. |
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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 |
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Preparing for Laser
Resurfacing |
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Start by consulting a
plastic surgeon or
dermatologist to find out if
you're a good candidate. |
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Tell your doctor if you get
cold sores or feverblisters
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. |
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If you smoke, you should
stop for two weeks before
and after the procedure.
Smoking can prolong healing.
Your doctor may prescribe an
antibiotic medication
beforehand to prevent
bacterial infections and
also an antiviral medication
if you are prone to cold
sores or fever blisters. |
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What to Expect During and
After the Procedure |
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Laser resurfacing is done by
a plastic surgeon or
dermatologist. It's an
outpatient procedure,
meaning you'll not have to
stay overnight. The
doctor may treat wrinkles
around your eyes, mouth, or
forehead individually or
treat your entire face. For
small areas, the doctor will
numb the areas to be treated
with a local anesthetic and
may also sedate you. You may
require general anesthesia
if your whole face is being
treated. |
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Treating just parts of the
face takes about 30 to 45
minutes. A full-face
treatment takes up to two
hours. Following the laser
procedure, the doctor will
bandage the treated areas.
After 24 hours, you will
need to clean the treated
areas four to five times a
day and then apply an
ointment such as petroleum
jelly to prevent scabs from
forming. |
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Swelling after laser skin
resurfacing is normal. Your
doctor may prescribe
steroids to manage swelling
around your eyes. Sleeping
on an extra pillow at night
can also ease swelling |
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Benefits and Risks of
Laser Resurfacing |
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Although skin resurfacing
cannot produce perfect skin,
it can improve the
appearance of your skin.
Potential risks of the
procedure include: |
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Burns or other injuries
from the laser's heat
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Changes in the skin's
pigmentation, including
areas of darker or lighter
skin
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Reactivating herpes cold
sores
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Read more:
http://www.webmd.com/beauty/laser-skin/laser-skin-resurfacing?page=2 |
