Face: Laser Skin Resurfacing

Considering Laser Resurfacing?

As time passes, specific changes occur to the facial skin contour and integrity. Creases deepen around the mouth and forehead area and fine wrinkles develop in, around, and between the eyes. It is extremely common for aging skin to be non-reflective of one’s innermost energy and vibrancy. Generally we like to look as young and energetic as we feel. If you sense that you look older than you feel, then laser resurfacing can help remedy this problem.

The Aesthetic Goal

Many factors play a role in the age related changes that occur to our facial skin and change the youthfulness of our appearance. Some of the most important factors that accelerate the degeneration of one’s skin integrity include simple aging, heredity, environmental factors, smoking, diet, and medical conditions. Perhaps the most significant factor is that of sun exposure followed closely by regular tobacco use. Laser skin resurfacing accomplishes a number of goals. First and foremost it reduces wrinkling of the face; specifically the fine lines in and around the mouth, eyes, forehead, and neck. It also provides an overall reduction in the facial “lumps and bumps” that occur to the face, such as small moles or hyperkaratoses. Pigmentation changes are also improved with laser skin resurfacing.

Advantages of a Laser

The laser is a very precise instrument that can meticulously deliver a beam of laser into the skin surface and to the deeper layers of skin. In the hands of an experienced laser surgeon, a precise degree of resurfacing and dermal treatment can be easily achieved.

The laser stimulates the production of a new layer of compact collagen fibers in the superficial layer of skin, also called the epidermis. The epidermis regenerates. Additionally, the deeper dermal layer also rejuvenates, forming further more youthful collagen fibers. The ultimate result is a more youthful appearance noted clinically, as well as microscopically.

Laser surfacing is a laser that requires significant technical skill, as well as experience. In order to achieve the desired results and avoid unwanted complications, the facial plastic surgeon should be very experienced in order to achieve optimum results.

Types of Lasers

There are a number of lasers both old and new. The CO2 laser is the workhorse and most common resurfacing and rejuvenating laser. Other lasers include the Erbium laser and a combination of CO2 and Erbium lasers. Today the CO2 laser is still one of the most commonly utilized lasers for laser skin resurfacing.

The Procedure

CO2 laser resurfacing can be performed under I.V. sedation or general anesthesia. Usually tumescent technique or local infiltration of anesthesia is performed to the specific areas to be treated. Many physicians prefer to treat the entire face as opposed to a single aesthetic unit (such as in and around the eyes or in and around the mouth) as this provides the best ultimate healing. Postoperative redness will develop in the areas treated and uniform healing and uniform redness throughout the face is a better, more tolerable condition than a single specific area treated, although each individual varies in their desire. Oftentimes, just specific regions are treated.

The procedure is typically done in the operating room with the assistance of anesthesiology and laser trained nursing personnel. The depth of laser treatment and penetration will determine the level of improvement. Several “passes” (layered laser treatments) are required. The greater the penetration, the greater the improvement, and the longer the healing phase.

Directly after the procedure topical ointment or a protective mask is applied to the treated regions. Usually pain medication is given and is utilized for two to three days postoperatively. Antibiotics are occasionally given and an anti-viral medication such as acyclovir, valtrex, or famvir is oftentimes required to ensure protection from fever blisters or cold sore outbreaks. 

What to Expect

Laser resurfacing does take a reasonable period of time for healing. For the first several days, one’s face and specific treated areas are quite red, swollen, and sometimes weepy. The initial healing process takes four to five days and after that period of time there is a red appearance to the face. The redness takes several days to weeks to resolve. Women can wear makeup after approximately seven to ten days and this hides the redness quite nicely. Nonetheless, complications are rare. Pigmentation problems are generally temporary and can be treated with appropriate topical medication.

Laser Resurfacing - Before	Laser Resurfacing - After
Selective Vascular Laser Therapy - Before	Selective Vascular Laser Therapy - After

Also See: Facelift, Chemical Peel, Botox, Restylane, Scar Revision