Laser Resurfacing
Laser Resurfacing TechniquesDepending on your needs and desired results, your cosmetic surgeon can help you choose which laser resurfacing technique is most ideally suited to you. The most common types of laser resurfacing techniques are:
ò€¢ Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Using very short, pulsed light energy, CO2 laser resurfacing has effectively been used to remove wrinkles, scars, skin cancer, enlarged oil glands, birth marks, and several other skin conditions. This procedure is by far the most effective on deep wrinkles and scars, but the recovery period is a bit longer, at 1-4 months.
ò€¢ Erbium laser resurfacing. For people with darker skin tones, or moderately deep wrinkles, your cosmetic surgeon may recommend erbium laser resurfacing. The erbium laser is a gentler procedure than CO2, and can result in less swelling and increased recovery time. The recovery time for this procedure is 1-4 weeks.
ò€¢ N-Lite. The latest advancement in laser wrinkle reduction, N-Lite is also the fastest and requires no recovery time at all. However, its major drawback is that the results are often not nearly as noticeable as with the other procedures.
With all of these procedures, aftercare will greatly improve your healing process, and help maintain your blemish free complexion.
Taking Care of Skin After Laser Resurfacing
The end result of your laser resurfacing procedure will rely at least somewhat on how you treat your skin afterward. During the healing process, your skin will peel; this allows new, blemish-free skin to form over the treated area. During this time, you will want to apply Vaseline, or a heavy moisturizer to increase moisture and prevent the skin from scabbing. After your skin has peeled, it is advisable to:
ò€¢ Apply a broad-spectrum sun screen every day to avoid sun damage
ò€¢ Use a moisturizer to keep skin fresh and healthy
After the peeling has completed, makeup can be worn to hide the red marks that may appear during the remainder of the healing process.