Laser Resurfacing is aimed at treating various signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles This non-invasive and effective laser therapy presents a negligible recovery period and an undemanding approach to cosmetic treatment.
Certified dermatologic surgeons or cosmetologists, who have the expertise of handling skin-based laser treatment, can perform this procedure. The two most common forms of laser resurfacing are Erbium and CO2 laser resurfacing. Both these treatments are usually performed in an outpatient facility since it doesn’t incorporate the use of needles.
Preparation for Treatment
The patient’s skin is prepared with local anesthesia. Once, the anesthesia has numbed the site for treatment, the laser therapy cosmetologist proceeds with re-assessing the precise points for focusing the laser beams. Along with the anesthesia, some patients are administered over-the-counter pain-relief medications. Patients who are overtly apprehensive about the discomfort of treatment might be administered light sedatives.
Heating Skin
The attending cosmetologist uses a handheld device that is connected to the laser source. The handheld device provides the comfort of easily accessing any part of the facial skin and directing the laser beams in a very accurate manner. The heat induced by the laser beams causes immediate redness of the skin among most patients. However, this blushed appearance usually fades-away within a few hours of treatment. The beams are used for short durations to ensure that the skin is not over-heated.
Immediate & Long-term Effects
The heating is directed at the inner layers of the skin along with providing a minimal superficial treatment. This happens due to the intense heat that easily displaces the outer layer of hardened skin cells covering the treatment site. Heat absorbed by the internal tissue catalyses an internal process of renewed skin formation or tissue rejuvenation wherein new skin proteins are synthesized. The process of rejuvenation is at par with the skin healing itself which means that new cells slowly displace the outer, weathered skin cells. Regeneration of skin proteins like collagen and elastin ensure that the skin is stretched, helping to neutralize fine lines and wrinkles.
Duration of Treatment
The treatment usually lasts for about 30 minutes for treating specific areas of the face. However, treatment for the entire face and the upper neck area might need a bit longer.
Variations in Laser Resurfacing Techniques
The CO2 laser method uses highly-penetrative laser beams that are directed to treat the skin at its deepest level. The heating is strong to the extent of actually vaporizing the upper layer of dead skin cells. Remarkably, despite the high temperatures and deeper penetration associated with this approach, there is negligible damage to the skin.
Fraxel Laser Resurfacing is regarded as the most non-invasive of laser resurfacing methods. It restricts the penetration of laser beams to a much greater extent. Here, laser beams are used fractionally, i.e. in very short bursts to ensure that their effect on the outer skin is ified.
The Er:YAG laser method is not recommended for patients suffering from deep frown lines. It is more useful for people wherein the process of wrinkle formation has just commenced. It can also treat mild acne scars and minimal degree of spotting or discolored spots. Skin rejuvenation through Er:YAG laser is puts forth negligible chances of scarring or unwanted damage to skin since it uses laser light that is less penetrative than the other options.
