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Laser Skin Resurfacing For Facial Rejuvenation

Laser skin resurfacing, unlike a surgical facelift, seeks to improve facial appearance by targeting the more superficial layers of the skin. Whereas a facelift removes droopy bulges and sagging skin, skin resurfacing procedures improve wrinkles, scars, and uneven pigmentation on the skin surface.

Lasers work by removing the outer layer of skin, which includes thickened and dead skin layers. Following this, the laser light causes restructuring of collagen in the dermis, or deeper layer of the skin. The overall effect is a tightening of the skin, with a smoothening out of fine wrinkles and other skin surface irregularities.

It is important to understand that each face is different with regard to skin color, texture, and degree of wrinkling, and choosing the best resurfacing option can make a difference. Laser resurfacing has not eliminated other methods such as chemical peels and dermabrasion, which continue to play a role in skin resurfacing, but in many cases the laser has proven to be a superior tool.

Patients with deep, static wrinkles, moderate to severe acne scars, or deep hyperpigmentation will generally require deep skin resurfacing. This procedure may involve intravenous sedation anesthesia for patient comfort, or infiltration of local anesthetic (numbing medicine) into the treatment areas. Recovery time for a deep laser peel is generally 7-10 days.

Laser resurfacing is generally less uncomfortable than a deep chemical peel, and patients usually have minimal pain after the first twenty-four hours.

Over the first week, it is normal to experience crusting and redness as the outer skin layers become separated and are replaced by new skin. Following this, the skin appears somewhat pink and sensitive for several weeks, however most patients can resume applying makeup at 7-10 days if desired

YAG laser uses light of a 2940 nm wavelength which is readily absorbed by water in our cells. It treats light-skinned to moderately dark or olive-skinned patients with little to no risk of hypopigmentation (permanent skin lightening) and very little risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin) or scarring in experienced hands. This laser can achieve dramatic results which compare with CO2 laser in many cases.

CO2 laser resurfacing has long been considered a "gold standard" in deep laser resurfacing, due to the impressive nature of results obtained. It uses a 10,600nm infrared beam which is also well-absorbed by water in our cells. Newer CO2 laser "scanning" technology has significantly lowered the risks of adverse effects such as hypopigmentation, or skin lightening. The CO2 laser generally suits patients with fair to average complexions, although new "fractionated" technology allows the laser to be used for most skin types.

Active FX (utilizing CO2 technology) and Micro Laser Peel (utilizing Erbium: YAG technology) offer two options for effective superficial skin resurfacing. Superficial resurfacing is generally performed with only a topical numbing cream, and patients can drive themselves home. Recovery time is generally between one to seven days only, with no lingering "pinkness."

Chemical peels are a skin resurfacing option, and include light, medium, and deep peels. The peel works by removing the outer layer of skin, and causing changes in the deeper layer (including new collagen formation) that may actually tighten the skin. Medium and deep peels under local anesthesia or mild to deep sedation. Medium depth (TCA-Jessner) peels are excellent for fine wrinkles and splotchy skin changes, and deep peels (phenol) can produce dramatic improvement in deeper wrinkles. A new layer of skin develops in 5-7 days, and makeup can usually be applied in 10-14 days.

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