Laser Skin Resurfacing: Top 8 Points You Need To Know

By Author: Carlos Whitney
Total Articles: 3
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What is laser skin resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is a proven method to help reduce wrinkles, aging areas, acne marks, and other blemishes, as well as tightening the skin and balancing the tone. However, since lasers can do so much and differ so much in the exact way they work on your skin, it is difficult to understand where to start when researching therapy; even one of the most common searches exposes a multitude of competing devices and techniques.

We want you to be informed, not bewildered. Before we go too far into the Google bunny opening, we suggest you back off from all the hype and also check out the fulfillment of crucial things to understand about laser skin resurfacing.

1. When should I have laser skin resurfacing?

Did you recognize that fall is considered "laser season"? Due to the fact that laser-treated skin is hypersensitive to sunlight exposure for up to a year after some treatments, many surgeons suggest undergoing laser resurfacing during hair loss or cold weather, when daylight hours are much shorter and it's going a while. much of your time inside your home.

Regardless ...
... of the season, you receive your laser treatment, use a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher daily and reapply as needed. This not only helps your results look ideal, but it also offers protection against skin cancer and also helps stop premature aging.

2. Therapies may or may not hurt

Clients and clinicians often compare the experience of laser therapy to an elastic band that breaks against the skin. However, what laser resurfacing looks like depends on the laser, the depth and area of ​​treatment, and the person's tolerance for discomfort.

Deeper ablation laser treatments (some outer layers of skin are removed) may require injections of local anesthesia or intravenous sedation to keep the person comfortable. Examples of ablative lasers are CO2 lasers and erbium YAG lasers.

Some non-ablative laser treatments (the laser goes through the skin without removing layers) cause little or no discomfort and only require a topical numbing lotion to compensate for the pain. Non-ablative lasers include the pulsed dye, ND: Yag, as well as Alexandrite lasers. With adherence to treatment, some degree of sensitivity can be expected at the therapy site. Your provider will undoubtedly recommend safe methods of managing discomfort after laser resurfacing when essential.

3. Having darker skin does not necessarily prevent you from laser resurfacing

A typical misunderstanding is that laser resurfacing is only safe for fair skin types. While it is true that lasers, in particular, pose a higher risk of cell damage or discoloration in darker skin, there are safe and effective rejuvenation options. For lighter-toned African Americans,
For Hispanic or Oriental skin tones, erbium laser resurfacing can occasionally be an excellent option, presenting less risk of discoloration. Patients with dark or brownish skin may need to consider other skin rejuvenation options, such as radiofrequency or micro-needling treatments.

What is the best way to ensure safe and reliable therapy for your skin type? Seek the advice of a provider who has extensive training and knowledge in laser resurfacing procedures and is also experienced in dealing with darker-skinned individuals.

4. It makes a difference running your laser skin resurfacing treatments

In the hands of an extremely educated expert, laser resurfacing is a sure way to dramatically improve the appearance of your skin. In the hands of a poorly trained person, lasers can be unsuitable or even harmful. Choose a laser resurfacing company based on the person's experience, training, and credentials. Don't make your choice based entirely on who offers the best deal or has a proprietary laser system.

5. Medications or particular conditions affect the skin's reaction to laser therapy

Always be open and honest with your provider about your case history and also about any type of medication or supplement you are taking. For example, if you are prone to fever blisters or fever blisters, laser treatments can cause flare-ups. Acne medications that contain isotretinoin (i.e., Accutane) can cause poor healing or scarring from laser resurfacing, while common over-the-counter items, such as pain relievers, can increase the risk of post-procedure bleeding.
Diabetes mellitus and other chronic conditions can also affect the safety and results of laser resurfacing. You should also stop smoking cigarettes at least 2 weeks before and also after laser therapies to prevent complications with healing and give your body the best chance for ideal results.

6. Different lasers are maximized for different skin types and problems.

The factor that there are so many different laser options is that no one laser can treat all patients and all skin problems. Here are a couple of varieties that you are probably ahead of in your study:

CO2 lasers are typically ablative lasers that are used to treat scars, growths, wrinkles, and other deeper skin blemishes.
Erbium lasers can be ablative or non-ablative. They advertise collagen enhancement, making them standout alternatives for treating large lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and age spots.
Pulsed dye lasers are typically non-ablative lasers that heat the skin and absorb pigments to reduce inflammation, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, and rosacea.
Fractional lasers separate the laser power into countless tiny beams of light to treat only a portion of the skin in the area, reducing downtime. Fractional lasers can be ablative or non-ablative and are used to treat a number of age-related blemishes.
IPL (extreme pulsed light) therapies are practically not lasers, but they are commonly used to treat laser-like problems such as sun damage, acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. Learn more about IPL treatments
Rather than get caught up in the laser marking and wavelengths, focus on your individual goals - what skin issues do you intend to address, and also what results do you expect? The silver lining is that you don't need to determine it yourself - a board-accredited surgeon or certified skincare specialist who has learned laser resurfacing will certainly have the ability to recommend the most effective treatment for you. depending on your skin type.

Carlos is always writing something on a daily basis and sharing it with the people. This is her hobby to write on different topics, especially on Design and Technology. She enjoys reading and writing blogs, socializing, meeting people, and traveling.