Is Laser Skin Resurfacing Right for Me?

Laser resurfacing, also known as lasabrasion, laser peel or laser vaporization, is a fairly recently developed treatment that reduces facial wrinkles and corrects skin irregularities like blemishes or acne scars. Short, concentrated pulsating light beams remove and resurface skin layer by layer, for a precise finish and a smoother, tighter appearance.

There are two types of lasers most commonly used, known as carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing and erbium laser resurfacing. In both types of treatments, the laser acts as a vaporizer on superficial, damaged skin cells, reducing patient risk by limiting how much heat is absorbed by the skin.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Today’s CO2 laser resurfacing uses a scanning pattern of ‘ultrapulsed’ energy (very short pulsed light energy) or continuous light beams to treat wrinkles, scars, warts, birthmarks, enlarged oil glands, skin cancer and other skin conditions. The CO2 laser precisely removes thin layers of skin with the added benefit of minimal heat damage to the surrounding structures. Recovery can take up to two weeks.

Erbium Laser Resurfacing
Erbium laser resurfacing removes superficial and fairly deep lines and wrinkles on the face hands, neck, or chest with minimal burning of surrounding tissue. Swelling, bruising and redness is greatly minimized with erbium resurfacing, and recovery time is more rapid than with CO2 laser resurfacing – only about one week.

Am I a Good Candidate For Laser Resurfacing?
Have you noticed fine lines or wrinkles around your eyes, mouth or forehead? Do you have scars from previous acne? Experiencing non-responsive skin after a face lift procedure? Then it is likely you are a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing.

However,the only way to know for sure whether laser skin resurfacing is for you and which procedure suits your needs best is to schedule a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon who can determine this after fully evaluating your medical history, physical condition, and desired outcome.

Both types of laser resurfacing are outpatient procedures using local anesthesia together with oral or intravenous sedatives.

Depending on your surgeon’s evaluation, wrinkles around your eyes, mouth or forehead might be treated individually, or a full-face resurfacing may be done, which could take up to 2 ½ hours.

Are There Possible Complications From Laser Resurfacing?
Small white bumps, increased or decreased pigmentation, cold sores, bacterial infections, swelling, and scarring are all potential side effects. Smokers do not heal as well as non-smokers. For optimum results, stop smoking before your surgery takes place.

After laser resurfacing, you may feel as though you have a sunburn. Your skin may swell and become red, or feel itchy and stinging for up to 72 hours. After about 7 days, you skin will begin to peel and will feel very dry. These are all good signs that healing is taking place as expected. After your skin peels, new, fresh skin will form. It will be pink at first, but will gradually grow lighter.

You’ll have to be diligent about applying a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen daily to protect your new skin, and you’ll be instructed to apply moisturizer liberally too.

What Are the Alternatives to Laser Resurfacing?

Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a procedure in which the skin is frozen and a specialized instrument "sands" the skin, improving skin contour and promoting a smoother appearance.

Performed by a dermatologic or board certified cosmetic surgeon, the skin being treated is thoroughly cleansed with antiseptics and a special spray freezes the skin. A high-speed rotary instrument with an abrasive wheel or brush removes the skin’s outer layers, improving irregularities in the skin’s surface.

After the procedure, your skin will feel severely "brush-burned". Prescribed and over the counter medications will reduce the pain for the first few days, and healing takes up to ten days.

Newly formed pink skin gradually develops a normal color over eight weeks. Most people resume normal activities in one to two weeks, using sunscreen regularly and being careful to avoid unnecessary sunlight for up to six months following the procedure.

Chemical Peels
Chemical peel improves and smoothes the facial skin texture by removing the damaged outer layers using one of three specific chemical solutions. Those with facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation benefit most from chemical peel. Chemical peel may also prove beneficial in removing pre-cancerous skin growths, softening acne scars and controlling acne breakouts.

Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) produce light peels for smoother, brighter-looking skin. AHA peels treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) produces medium-depth peeling to treat fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems. Less dramatic and not as long-lasting as a phenol peel, but with a shorter recovery time, one TCA peel may achieve the desired result.
Phenol produces a deep peel to treat coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure, or pre-cancerous growths. Skin pigmentation may determine whether a phenol peel is for you. Generally speaking, phenol is for use on the face only.

If you decide to proceed with laser skin resurfacing, the importance of seeking the advice of a board certified cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Howard Rosenberg cannot be emphasized enough. Located in Mountain View, CA, Dr. Rosenberg is a highly respected, fully trained and licensed board certified cosmetic surgeon who has performed hundreds of laser skin resurfacing procedures. Dr. Rosenberg will be happy to share his Before and After photos with you and answer as many questions as you have about this or any other procedure, because his goal is to make sure you are completely informed about the procedure and comfortable with his skill and expertise.