Get Clear, Clean Skin With Laser Treatments

Laser resurfacing is a relatively new treatment that uses the heat from the laser to resurface the skin. It can improve the appearance of everything from wrinkles to fine lines, stretch marks to scars and burns to acne.

There are two types of laser resurfacing technique, and the technique used depends on the desired results and the existing skin complaint.

The other technique is wounding or ablative resurfacing, which removes the top layers of skin, encouraging the growth of new, healthy skin. Non-wounding resurfacing is less invasive and requires less downtime that wounding resurfacing, but it's also generally considered to be less effective. Your doctor will discuss which treatment is more suitable for your skin complaint when you see them for a consultation.

What Can Laser Treatments Do For Me?

Laser treatments can have a huge number of benefits for those with problem skin of all types. It can:

• Remove (yes, that's right - remove!) very fine lines and wrinkles

• Reduce the appearance of fine lines, lines and even deeper wrinkles - although repeated treatments might be needed for wrinkles that are particularly deep

• Tighten skin and reduce sagging, particularly in the areas around the sides of the mouth and underneath the chin, as well as the jowls

• Smooth the appearance of skin, particularly rough skin that might develop through age, sun damage or during pregnancy

• Even out the pigmentation of skin, if skin is an uneven color, or fade and reduce the appearance of sunspots and freckles

• Treat some skin cancers, particularly the early skin cancers

• Improve the look of a whole host of scarring issues, including stretch marks, general scars, burns, acne scarring and more

The laser can directed onto specific areas of skin, such as around the nose, around the lips, on the forehead and even around the eyes.

How Does Non-Wounding Resurfacing Work?

During a non-wounding resurfacing treatment, the laser targets the dermis - the middle layer of skin - to heat it up. The laser energy gets transferred into heat energy when it touches the skin. During non-wounding treatment, the laser heats up the dermis, damaging it. This heat damage encourages the growth of new skin, working deep below the surface of the skin to encourage the production of collagen. Non-wounding resurfacing can improve the appearance of skin and is best for use on skin that is only somewhat damaged.

How Does Wounding Resurfacing Work?

Wounding resurfacing works a little differently to non-wounding resurfacing and it takes a lot longer for you to recover, too - but it does provide some really, really fantastic results.

Wounding resurfacing works on the epidermis - the surface layer of skin. The laser heats up the epidermis, effectively destroying the skin - but in a very controlled way, which means that it will only treat the areas that you want to be treated, without causing too much damage to the surrounding cells. The damage done to the outer layer of skin exposes the dermis, and because the dermis is exposed, it can be treated much more effectively. The laser heats the dermis, stimulating collagen production.

You can expect the skin in the treated area to be softer, tighter, less wrinkled and less scarred than before. 

What to Expect During Laser Resurfacing

During laser resurfacing, a local anesthetic will either be injected into the skin or rubbed onto the skin in the form of a topical cream. Your face will be thoroughly cleaned and an eye guard put in place if required. The surgeon will then move the laser over the surface of the skin.

In some cases, a guide will be used to ensure that the laser is targeting the right areas, and occasionally the surgeon might go ahead and draw the guide onto your skin using marker.

After treatment, the surgeon will apply ointment or bandages and you'll be free to go home. 

What to Expect After Laser Resurfacing

After treatment, skin might be sore, red, and a little bit painful. You might find that it's more sensitive than usual and you'll have to apply a strong SPF to avoid further sun damage. Sensitivity will probably last for a week or so and redness usually fades within a month, although it can persist for up to six months.

Pain can easily be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication, cold compresses and spritzes of cool water onto the surface of skin. Regular moisturizing could also help. It's essential that your skin is completely healed before you go ahead and book further treatments. You might also have to take a course of antibiotics just to prevent infection, too.

Laser treatments are now more sophisticated than ever before and they are suitable for treating a whole host of skin complaints. Most patients can be successfully treated with lasers, although smokers, drinkers and those with pre-existing medical conditions will have to have a consultation with a surgeon before treatment to determine whether or not they are a good candidate for treatment. You should always choose a licensed surgeon and be sure to take a look at your surgeon's previous work before booking in for treatment with them.