Laser Skin Resurfacing: Benefits, Side Effects

Laser resurfacing is a procedure that reduces facial wrinkles as well as skin imperfections including blemishes and acne scars.

Short, concentrated pulsing laser beams are directed towards uneven skin, carefully eliminating skin layer by layer. Lavasbrasion, laser peel, and laser vaporization are all terms used to describe this popular technique.

Who Is a Good Candidate For Laser Resurfacing?

If you have fine lines or wrinkles around your eyes, lips, or forehead, superficial acne scars, or non-responsive skin after a facelift, laser skin resurfacing may be right for you.

You may not be a candidate if you have acne or have very dark skin. Stretch marks should not be treated with this method. Before undergoing laser resurfacing, you should consult with your doctor to determine whether the surgery is good for you.

How Does Laser Skin Resurfacing Work?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium lasers are the two most prevalent types of lasers used in laser resurfacing. Each laser vaporizes skin cells that have been injured on the surface.

CO2 Resurfacing

=This approach has been used to treat wrinkles, scars, warts, swollen oil glands on the nose, and other skin disorders for many years.

The newest version of CO2 laser resurfacing (fractionated CO2) removes tiny layers of skin with minimal thermal damage using ultrashort pulsed light energy (known as ultra pulse) or continuous light beams delivered in a scanning pattern. It can take up to two weeks to fully recover.

Erbium Resurfacing

Surface-level and somewhat deep creases and wrinkles on the face, hands, neck, and chest can be removed with Erbium laser resurfacing. The minimum scorching of surrounding tissue is one of the advantages of erbium laser resurfacing. Because this laser has fewer adverse effects than CO2 laser resurfacing, including swelling, bruising, and redness, your recovery time should be shorter. Recovery can take as little as one week in some situations. Inquire with your doctor about how long it will take you to recuperate.