Laser Resurfacing is an anti-aging cosmetic treatment that uses laser beams of varying wavelengths to eradicate signs of aging. Laser skin resurfacing techniques are generally considered safe. However, before opting for this treatment, people should have a basic idea about the initial and long term results of laser resurfacing.
Initial Results of Laser Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing uses controlled beams to penetrate through the skin’s upper surface and heat the internal layers. Though the idea is to impact the outer skin in the most minimal way to reduce chances of any unwanted reactions, the intense heating has a scrubbing like action on the skin’s outer, hardened layers. The thickened and dead cells are immediately broken, and many of them get instantly vaporized. Thus, the underlying, fresher layers of skin become instantly visible. This is primarily responsible for the skin’s remarkably fresher appearance after a resurfacing session.
The intense heating of the laser beams causes a blushed appearance to develop wherein the face seems unusually reddened. However, the extreme redness lasts for just a few hours after the treatment. Once the skin is cooled with ice-packs, the face develops a slightly-blushed appearance wherein the skin seems to have developed a light-pink hue.
The internal heating induced by laser beams increases the vascular or blood circulation within the facial tissues, leading to the reddish hue. Secondly, the fresher layer of skin cells is more vulnerable to retaining the reddish hue for a longer period due to the absence of a camouflaging, outer covering.
Often referred to as erythema or post-treatment inflammation, this redness of skin shouldn’t be perceived negatively since it is largely suggestive of the deep-seated effectiveness of laser resurfacing. The skin’s slightly-peeled appearance needs to be protected with basic aids like sunscreen lotions for a few days after the treatment.
Long-term Results of Laser Resurfacing
It should be noted that the internal heating caused by laser beams initiates a process of skin rejuvenation within a few hours of the treatment. However, the results of this effect take some time to become clearly visible. The revitalized skin aggressively promotes the synthesis of more skin proteins like elastin and collagen. These proteins play an integral role in eradicating fine lines and preventing the formation of wrinkles.
Within a few months, the patient’s face develops a significantly stretched appearance which is suggestive of the increased concentration of collagen. Most of these results are retained for a long period, usually up to a year. This is largely because once stimulated, the skin’s regeneration process acts like as self-sustaining mechanism that doesn’t need additional treatments. The tightened nature of the treated skin is at par with anti-aging treatments like facelifts.
Thickened scar tissue such as that from ice-pick scars or keloid formation is among the biggest challenges of cosmetic treatment. Scar tissues usually develop a distinct coloration, along with leaving clearly-visible pits or thickening as the scar tissue ages. However, laser resurfacing is able to resolve this situation.
Firstly, the heating induced by laser beams weakens the outer, thickened layer of the scar tissue. The concentration of melanocytes, or pigmenting cells, within and around the scar site is also reduced, helping to further eradicate the signs of scarring. Further, the renewed skin activity in the underlying layers of skin pushes against the thickened fibers. Gradually, the scar tissue is broken through, overcome by the regeneration of new skin cells.
