Laser Resurfacing Overview
Laser skin resurfacing is a type of skin care procedure performed by a dermatologist, laser-certified aesthetician, plastic surgeon or physician. It involves using lasers to help improve skin texture and appearance, by removing or reducing facial wrinkles, discolorations and skin irregularities, such as blemishes or acne scars.
This procedure is usually recommended for those with age, sun or acne related skin concerns that have not been treatable with over-the-counter products. People with lighter skin tones are often good candidates because they carry a reduced risk for hyperpigmentation. Laser skin resurfacing targets the outer layer of your skin while simultaneously heating the lower layers in the dermis, which promotes collagen production. Ideally, new collagen fibers will help produce new skin that is smoother in texture and firmer to the touch.
Laser resurfacing can treat:
- Acne scars
- Age spots or Liver Spots
- Crow's Feet
- Droopy eyelids
- Sagging skin
- Scars
- Sun-damaged skin
- Wrinkles
- Uneven skin color or texture
Laser Resurfacing Procedure
Depending on your individual needs, your dermatologist may recommend either ablative or non-ablative lasers.
Ablative Lasers
Ablative lasers include carbon dioxide (CO2) or Erbium. CO2 laser resurfacing treatments are used to get rid of scars, warts, and deep wrinkles. Erbium is used for finer lines and wrinkles, along with other superficial skin concerns. Both types of ablative lasers remove outside layers of the skin, by directing short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at the skin. This popular procedure has also been known as Lasabrasion, laser peel, or laser vaporization.
In general, this method uses a beam of energy to destroy the outer layer of skin and heat the underlying skin. This stimulates the growth of collagen — a protein that improves skin firmness and texture. As the wound heals and skin regrows, the treated area is smoother and tighter. The difference between the two is wavelength and skin depth, and therefore, recovery time.
CO2 Laser
This type of laser has a longer wavelength that allows for deeper penetration into the skin and more aggressive resurfacing because the heat that affects the deeper, surrounding layers of the skin, stimulates repair and collagen production. In addition to correcting the way the skin looks, this heat damage at this longer wavelength stimulates a tightening effect. However, the downtime for recovery is longer, with more effects such as swelling, redness and bruising, as the skin needs more time to regenerate. This laser usually creates a more significant and dramatic affect in one pass.
Nonablative Laser or Light Source
Non-ablative lasers, on the other hand, don’t remove any skin layers. These include pulsed light, pulsed-dye lasers, and fractional lasers. Non-ablative lasers may be used for rosacea, spider veins, and acne-related skin concerns. Although it is less aggressive than ablative lasers, this method also stimulates collagen growth. Multiple treatments may be needed to achieve the desired final result. Two types of nonablative therapy are erbium (Er:YAG) and intense pulsed light (IPL).
Erbium-yag
This type of laser is used to remove superficial and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on the face, hands, neck and chest. One of the benefits of erbium laser resurfacing is minimal burning of surrounding tissue.
This laser causes fewer side effects -- such as swelling, bruising, and redness -- so your recovery time should be faster than with CO2 laser resurfacing. Several treatments may be needed for the final desired results.
Intense Pulse Light
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, also known as a photo facial, is a way to improve the color and texture of your skin without surgery. It can undo some of the visible damage caused by sun exposure -- called photoaging. You may notice it mostly on your face, neck, hands, or chest.
Laser Resurfacing Recovery
Treating just parts of the face takes about 30 to 45 minutes. A full-face treatment takes up to two hours.
- Swelling after laser skin resurfacing is normal. You may feel itching or stinging for 12 to 72 hours after the procedure. Five to seven days after laser resurfacing, your skin will become dry and peel. The larger the skin area, the deeper the treatment and/or the stronger the laser, the longer the recovery time will be.
- Once the skin heals, you can wear oil-free makeup to minimize redness, which usually fades in two to three months.
You will probably notice that your skin is slightly red for a while after surgery. It is particularly important that you use a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen, which screens ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A rays, to protect your skin during that time.
When selecting a sunscreen, look for one specially formulated for use on the face. It should have a physical blocker, such as zinc oxide. and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Also limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wearing a broad-brimmed hat can help protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.
- Elevate your head with an extra pillow at night.
- Stop smoking. Tobacco smoke will complicate the healing process.
Recovery times will vary depending on your treatment.
- CO2 laser resurfacing: Generally up to two weeks.
- Erbium laser resurfacing: One full week.
