Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most efficient ways of improving the appearance of your skin. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and general skin care works wonders, but lasers produce dramatic changes with only slightly greater downtime.
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Here’s some helpful information about laser skin resurfacing treatments at W Cosmetic Surgery® in Philadelphia:
- Laser equipment can treat various types of skin conditions; however, some lasers are better for treating certain skin conditions than others. Don’t worry! We will determine which laser(s) will work best on your skin.
- The skilled hands of your surgeon, not just the laser equipment itself, will determine the success of your laser treatment.
- Depending on your goals and desired outcomes, our lasers have multiple settings, which we can adjust to target the problem areas on your skin and the amount of downtime you have.
- We can perform laser skin treatments in our office or at the surgical suite to ensure your comfort and safety.
- Healing times will differ from patient to patient and by the type of laser treatment performed.
- Understanding your goals will help us recommend the best treatment method for you.
Depending on the level of intensity needed to treat your skin, we will use a combination of settings, which include ablative and non-ablative settings. During your skin consultation, we will decide which laser or combination of lasers will achieve the best results.
Non-Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing — A Mild Laser with Less Downtime
Non-aggressive, fractionated laser treatments will help improve:
- Uneven skin pigmentation
- Acne scarring
- Minimal sun damage
- Fine lines and wrinkles
Your laser skin resurfacing procedure. What to expect.
If we decide to use a fractionated laser to treat a small portion of your skin, we will use a topical cream to numb the area. If we are treating particularly deep wrinkles or pigment, we will inject a long-acting anesthetic to assure your comfort. The procedure may take between 15 minutes to one hour, depending on the depth of the treatment.
Your eyes are protected from the laser with glasses or with special impervious contact lenses if we are treating near the eye.
Recovering from Non-Ablative Laser Treatment
Immediately after your laser treatment, you may experience redness and swelling. All laser patients will receive customized post-care recovery instructions.
Ablative laser skin resurfacing brings more dramatic results.
Targeted at reducing:
- Deep lines and wrinkles, especially around the mouth
- Pitted acne scars and surgical scars
- Irregular skin pigmentation
- Skin texture irregularities
What to expect Overview
For deeper laser treatments, we may use local injections and/or sedation. If we are performing ablative, full-face laser resurfacing, we usually prefer to perform treatment in our operating suite where we can assure your comfort.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes to one hour. The recovery period is longer than with fractional laser resurfacing, but the results are long lasting.
Recovering from Laser Resurfacing Treatment
Post laser care is as important as the treatment itself and consists of compresses, gentle cleansing and the application of recommended creams.
We want you to heal well and as quickly as possible. Several follow-up appointments are scheduled during this process to ensure that you are healing to our satisfaction.
After the procedure, we cool your skin with compresses and then place a topical emollient on the skin surface, which acts as a protective agent and facilitates healing. We often prescribe oral antibiotics and antiviral agents, based on the depth and location of the treatment. No pain relievers other than Tylenol® are generally required.
Once a new base of epithelium has covered the skin, we change your topical creams to less dense protective creams and then to one of our recommended moisturizers. We recommend a breathable, hypoallergenic pigmented moisturizer which functions as a “base foundation.” We match the moisturizer to your skin so you can live your life without anyone noticing you had a procedure.
It is important to continuously use sunscreen in addition to any recommended moisturizers and to report any skin changes to us immediately.
Your new skin is actively producing collagen as it heals. It may appear redder than normal, reflecting increased inflammation. In people who are prone to rosacea (redness), it may be worse after spicy foods, wine or in the cold. Usually around six weeks following your treatment, we use light-based treatment in the office to improve the redness.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Results
Our laser skin resurfacing gallery features patients whose treatment options included laser resurfacing using one or a combination of lasers.
