In laser resurfacing, sometimes called “laser peel,” a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also effective in treating facial scars, or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face, or in specific regions. Often, the procedure is performed in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.
Laser resurfacing is still a very new procedure. However, it has been shown that in some cases, this surgical method produces less bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort than is typically seen with other resurfacing methods.
The following information will give you a basic understanding of the laser resurfacing procedure – when it can help, how it’s performed and what results you can expect. It cannot, however, provide all the details that may be relevant to your specific needs. Please ask your plastic surgeon if you have questions, or if there is anything about the procedure that you don’t understand.
Laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy that vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration.
It’s clear that laser resurfacing may offer advantages over other resurfacing methods: precision, little (if any) bleeding and less post-operative discomfort. However, laser resurfacing isn’t for everyone. In some cases, an alternative skin resurfacing treatment, such as dermabrasion or chemical peel, may still be a better choice.
All resurfacing treatments work essentially the same way. First, the outer layers of damaged skin are stripped away.
Then, as new cells form during the healing process, a smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin surface appears. Laser resurfacing is a new method being used by plastic surgeons to remove damaged skin. Because it is new, there is no long-term data on this technique. However, studies using microscopic examination have shown that the physical changes that occur to laser-treated skin are essentially identical to those that occur with either dermabrasion or chemical peel. Ask your plastic surgeon about the latest facts concerning long-term follow-up.
For superficial or medium resurfacing, the laser can be limited to the epidermis and papillary dermis. For deeper resurfacing, the upper levels of the reticular dermis can also be removed. Varied penetration allows treatment of specific spots or wrinkles.
It’s also important to consider the length of recovery when choosing among the skin-resurfacing alternatives. In general, the more aggressive the resurfacing procedure is, the more prolonged the recovery is likely to be. “Light” resurfacing procedures, such as superficial chemical peels or superficial laser resurfacing, offer shorter recovery times. However, these lighter procedures may need to be repeated multiple times in order to achieve results comparable to those achieved with more aggressive techniques.
In many cases, facial wrinkles form in localized areas, often near the eyes or around the mouth. The laser can be precisely controlled, so that only these specific areas are targeted.
Men and women of all ages can benefit from laser resurfacing. The ideal patient has fair, healthy, non-oily skin.
Patients with olive skin, brown skin or black skin may be at increased risk for pigmentation changes no matter what type of resurfacing method is used. Your plastic surgeon will evaluate your skin characteristics and make recommendations accordingly.
Also, individuals who have taken Accutane in the past 12-18 months, anyone prone to abnormal (keloid-like) scarring, or those with active skin infections on the treatment area may not be appropriate candidates for this procedure.
Remember, having laser resurfacing can help enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t completely remove all facial flaws or prevent you from aging. Lines that occur as a result of natural movements of the face – smiling, squinting, blinking, talking, chewing – will inevitably recur. Your plastic surgeon can suggest ways to help you preserve your results by protecting yourself from sun exposure or using maintenance treatments such as light chemical peels or medicated facial creams. Before you decide to have laser resurfacing, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
When laser resurfacing is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, because individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities, the outcome is never completely predictable.
Risks associated with laser resurfacing include burns or other injuries from the heat of the laser energy, scarring and obvious lightening or darkening of the treated skin. Also, laser resurfacing can activate herpes virus infections (“cold sores”) and, rarely, other types of infections.
Additional corrective measures and treatment may be required if healing seems abnormal or delayed or if there is any evidence of abnormal pigmentation or scarring.
You can reduce your risks by choosing a qualified plastic surgeon who has received special training in laser surgery.
Not every practitioner that offers laser surgery has the same level of experience and skill with laser use. That’s why it is especially important to find a plastic surgeon adequately trained in the procedure.
One safety measure is to find out whether your surgeon has privileges to perform laser resurfacing with a CO2 laser at an accredited hospital. Even if the operation is to be conducted in your doctor’s private facility, the fact that he or she has privileges to use that same laser in a hospital ensures that the doctor has been reviewed by the institution’s experts.
During your initial consultation, talk about your expectations with the surgeon and don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Your surgeon should be equally frank with you, explaining the factors that could influence the procedure and the results – such as any abnormal skin condition that has been diagnosed or previously treated, medications you are taking or have taken in the past, previous skin injuries or previous surgeries.
The surgeon will discuss your medical history, perform a routine examination and photograph the area to be treated. He or she should explain the procedure in detail, along with its risks and benefits, the recovery period and the costs.
Remember, cosmetic laser treatments can be expensive, and are not usually covered by medical insurance. On rare occasions, the procedure can be used for modification of scars or the removal of pre-cancerous skin growths, and these conditions may meet the criteria for “medical necessity” usually required by insurance companies before coverage will be provided. Your plastic surgeon can advise you how to contact your insurance carrier to determine whether benefits will be allowed in such instances.
Fine, vertical creases or “lipstick lines” are commonly treated with laser resurfacing.
Within about five weeks after treatment, the upper lip is noticeably smoother.
Depending on your individual needs, your surgeon may recommend that you begin a pretreatment plan to prepare the skin for resurfacing.
At the time of the procedure, you will be given specific instructions on how to care for your skin immediately following your laser treatment. Your surgeon may also instruct you to follow a specific maintenance regimen for long-term care of your skin to maximize the benefits of the procedure.
While you are making plans, be sure to make plan for someone to drive you home if you will be given tranquilizers or sedation for your laser treatment.
Laser resurfacing may be performed in a hospital, an outpatient surgery center or a surgeon’s office-based facility. For cost containment and convenience, laser resurfacing is usually done on an outpatient basis. However, for more extensive resurfacing procedures or for resurfacing combined with other surgical procedures, you may be admitted to a hospital or a recovery center.
Laser resurfacing is most commonly performed under local anesthesia with sedation, especially when it’s used to treat localized areas of the face. You’ll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal discomfort. For more extensive resurfacing, your surgeon may prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case you’ll sleep through the procedure.
Laser resurfacing is a relatively quick procedure that takes anywhere from a few minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area that is involved.
When the imperfections are especially deep, your surgeon may recommend that the resurfacing be performed in two or
more stages.
During the procedure, the activated laser is carefully passed back and forth over the skin, until the surgeon reaches the level that will make the wrinkle or scar less visible.
When the procedure is over, your surgeon may choose to treat the resurfaced skin with applications of protective creams or ointments, until healing is complete. Some surgeons choose to apply a bandage over the treated areas, which will cover and protect the healing skin for the first five-to-ten days.
You will likely experience some mild swelling and discomfort after laser resurfacing. However, this can be controlled with ice packs and medications prescribed by your surgeon.
If a bandage was applied after your procedure, it may be replaced with a fresh one after a day or two. After about a week or so, your bandage will be removed, and a thin layer of ointment may be applied to the skin. Once this stage is reached, your surgeon will provide instructions on how to gently wash and care for your healing skin.
During this phase of healing, it is very important that you not pick the crusts off the treated area, or scarring may result. Most patients are free of crusts by about 10 days post operation; however, redness may persist for several weeks.
Your new skin will usually remain bright pink to red in the weeks following the procedure. Your surgeon may prescribe medications to make this color subside more rapidly. After about two weeks or so, most patients can safely apply makeup to conceal this temporary color change. However, some pinkness may remain for up to six months.
It is rare, but some patients may find that their healing skin is unusually sensitive to the makeup that was regularly used prior to treatment. In such instances, makeup should be avoided until a substitute can be found, or until the healing progresses to a point at which the makeup no longer causes a reaction.
Above all, in the months following treatment, it’s important to protect the treated area from the sun until all the color has returned to normal. Using sun protection regularly will help to maintain your results and reduce the chance of any new sun damage to your skin.
If you must be in the sun, apply a strong sun block with an SPF of 15 or higher and shade your face with a hat or visor. If resurfacing was performed around your eyes, it’s best to also wear good quality sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB filters.
The final result from laser resurfacing may take several months to fully appear. However, once the pinkness fades, patients usually notice a significant improvement in the quality of their skin and a fresher, smoother appearance.
It’s important to understand that your results will be long-lasting, but not permanent. Remember, your new skin is not immune to the effects of aging. In the months and years following your laser treatment, your natural facial movements will eventually cause any “expression” lines to recur.
As with other methods of skin rejuvenation, laser treatments can usually be repeated. However, by protecting yourself from the sun and following a skincare regimen recommended by your plastic surgeon, you can help maintain your rejuvenated look.
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Good candidates have droopiness of the cheeks and jowls. Patients should not be too heavy or too thin, should be medically well and not be on blood-thinning medication.The best candidates have realistic expectations with the desire for a quick, risk-diminished lift effect without the scars, recovery, expense or risks of surgery associated with a more traditional facelift.
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