Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most effective cosmetic procedures used to combat the signs of aging, acne, and unprotected sun exposure. Using precision heating and lasers, cosmetic surgeons remove unhealthy layers of skin to make room for new and youthful skin. The advantage of laser skin treatments is that they can remove or reduce skin damage without having patients undergo cosmetic surgery or expose their skin to artificial treatments.
Laser skin resurfacing is an outpatient procedure that allows patients to return to their normal life as soon as the treatment sessions are done. The duration of each session differs depending on the size of the area treated and the patient's skin condition.
The procedure usually targets wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, or forehead, but it can also be performed as a full-face treatment. The main benefit of laser resurfacing is that it is a quick and convenient treatment. Treating a small area may require only 30 minutes, while multiple areas will probably extend your session to one to two hours.
If you want to treat small areas, your laser treatment provider will numb the specific areas with a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort to a minimum. Patients undergoing full-face treatment may require general anesthesia.
When the procedure ends, your doctor will bandage the laser-treated areas and ask you to clean them four to five times a day. They will also recommend using an ointment such as petroleum jelly to avoid scabs, as well as moisturizers. Patients can return to their daily activities when they leave the doctor's office.
Swelling is to be expected after laser skin resurfacing and can be managed with steroids prescribed by your healthcare provider. Some patients may feel itching or a stinging sensation for 12 to 72 hours after the treatment and should expect dry skin and peeling in the week to come. The healing process usually lasts for 10 to 21 days depending on the treated area.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen and limited sun exposure are imperative if you want to avoid poor healing and enjoy the best results. Some patients only need one treatment session to achieve their skin goals, while others need a series of treatments. Improvements will be noticeable after the first session and become more visible after the redness and swelling diminish. The final results will last for months or years, depending on your skin condition and the type of laser treatment you received.