Laser Resurfacing is among the preferred of cosmetic treatments for eradicating signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Using a controlled form of laser beam for disintegrating the outer, hardened layers of skin and heating the internal layers, laser resurfacing can also cure acne scars. Despite its overall safety and multiple advantages, laser resurfacing can cause some complications. To prevent such issues, it is better to understand the medical conditions that contraindicate the use of laser resurfacing.
Allergy to General Anesthesia
Laser resurfacing is a relatively pain-free treatment. The use of laser beams is largely reputed to present minimal discomfort. However, for ensuring greater safety against such issues, most cosmetologists apply general anesthesia on the application site. However, this can lead to problems among people who have been diagnosed with low tolerance for anesthesia. In some people, the complications this might be limited to nausea and vomiting, but extreme reactions can progress into respiratory problems.
Allergy to Sun-Protection Aids
Laser skin resurfacing puts forth one common demand across all its patients -- the use of sunscreen or sun-protection lotions/ointments for a few days after treatment. This is vital to ensure that the healing skin doesn’t develop inflammation or signs of sun damage. This can be an issue with people who have sensitive skin with an established history of reacting to sunscreens or creams enriched with SPF formulations.
Active Acne
Laser resurfacing is not a treatment of active acne. In fact, people who are presently struggling with aggressively-developing acne are advised not to undergo this treatment. Though laser resurfacing can treat acne scars and resulting brown spots, it can lead to unwanted complications when used on skin with developing acne. The minimal wounding of skin that laser resurfacing induces on the skin can worsen the existing acne condition.
Skin Tone Issues
Laser resurfacing techniques have advanced and now, they aren’t limited to people with fair or lighter skin tones. However, people who have deep acne scars or progressive winkling, along with a very dark skin tone, aren’t suited for this treatment. This is primarily because deeper wrinkles need greater heating of the skin, and among people with dark skin tones, this can lead to hypopigmentation or discoloration of skin.
Cold Sores
People with a history of repeated viral infections are usually advised against cosmetic treatments. This is primarily because viral infections, like cold sores, are deep-seated and often present in a dormant state. The intense heating of laser beams can reactivate them leading to a sudden bout of cold sores. However, this condition can be controlled to some extent by undertaking a comprehensive anti-viral treatment before seeking laser resurfacing. However, this decision should be left to the expertise of the dermatologist.
Pigmentation Issues
People who have a history of hypopigmentation in the form of discolored spots or typical conditions like milia are advised not to undergo this treatment. As explained, laser resurfacing can lead to some degree of hypopigmentation, at least for a few weeks after the session. People who have a skin vulnerable to developing pigmentation marks presents greater vulnerability of developing permanent, pigmentation marks. Similarly, people who have hyperpigmentation marks formed from acne scars that are still developing are usually advised to wait for the pigmentation process to cease or slow down before commencing the treatment.
Undertaking laser resurfacing without such considerations raises chances of needing additional treatments for removing the hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation patches.
