What is laser skin resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is a good option for those who are suffering from blotches, scars, wrinkles, or lines. Laser skin resurfacing treatments, also known as laser peel, or laser vaporization, the procedure uses a carbon dioxide (CO2) or erbium laser to vaporize the upper layers of damaged skin. It removes dead skin with precision, layer by layer. This ensures a new layer of skin cells to form and gives a tighter, younger-looking and firm surface.
Any person, who has sun-damaged facial skin or wrinkled skin, can opt for a laser skin resurfacing. Those who have, "crow's feet" lines around eyes, scars caused by acne or chicken pox or superficial facial scars from a past injury can also go for laser skin resurfacing. It is also a good treatment to get rid of fine wrinkling of your upper eyelids, pre-cancerous skin growths or even brown spots or blotchy skin coloring.
What is the procedure? And will I have to follow any post-operative schedule?
The doctor performing laser skin resurfacing Wellington, South Fl may either treat wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or forehead individually or your entire face. The doctor uses local anesthesia is the procedure is only for specific facial areas. General anesthesia may be used if the entire face is to be treated. The doctor may also administer sedative medications orally or intravenously. Treating just parts of the face takes about 30 to 45 minutes, while a full-face treatment takes up to two hours.
After the laser procedure, the doctor applies a nonstick dressing. This dressing is kept on the treatment site for 24 hours. The treated area should be cleaned four to five times a day. To avoid any scabs from forming over the treated area, an ointment such as petroleum jelly should be applied on it regularly. Swelling after laser skin resurfacing is not uncommon. The doctor may prescribe some oral medicines to bring down the swelling. You may experience itching or stinging for a few hours after the procedure. The skin tends to become dry and starts peeling five to seven days after laser resurfacing. Depending on the problem that was treated, the treated area may take 10 to 21 days to heal completely. There may also be some redness which fades in two to three months. Skin is lighter for a while after surgery and it is particularly important that you use a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen. Look for one specially formulated for use on the face with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. It is also important to keep your new skin well moisturized.
Because of the persistence of skin pinkness following many types of resurfacing procedures, it may take months before you can fully appreciate your new look. Most patients who undergo the laser face treatments Wellington, South Fl feel that the results are definitely worth waiting for and, in the case of deeper treatments, the benefits are relatively long-lasting.
It is important to speak with the doctor and your insurance company before the procedure to learn the exact cost to you. Most doctors offer financing options. It is also necessary to get complete information about laser skin resurfacing prior to the treatment.
