Laser Facial Resurfacing Can Take Years Off You

Laser Facial Treatments

Laser facial resurfacing is a procedure or technique designed to remove the upper or outer layers of skin on the face using a laser.  This treatment is usually performed for cosmetic purposes and results can be quite dramatic, often ‘taking years off’ the patient.

The laser equipment used generates an intense beam of light energy or radiation to a precise area of the skin that is the cause of concern.

This is known as ‘ablative’ laser resurfacing, and it damages and thus destroys or kills the outer layer of skin in a controlled way, exposing the lower layer beneath which is pink (called the dermis).  Ablation means the removal of an unwanted growth from any area of the body.

The power of the laser beam is then reduced so that it can then heat the dermis, stimulating the new collagen fibres to grow.  Collagen is a long fibrous protein designed to support cells and tissues.  As the damaged skin heals, the formation of new softer and less wrinkled or scarred skin emerges.

A ‘non-ablative’ laser resurfacing treatment will not kill off the surface layer of skin, but will heat it to promote and encourage the new skin growth.

Non-ablative laser facial resurfacing can use a variety of different methods:

• Infrared lasers – sun damage induced wrinkles can be treated by this method by encouraging new skin growth.

• Photodynamic therapy – this is a method which can treat some specific cancers of the skin, and also certain skin disorders.

• Intense light pulses – this can focus on the skin pigment to help to remove discoloured areas.

• Radiofrequency – this is a treatment that will tighten the skin to minimize the physical appearance of natural wrinkles.

Parts of the dermis can actually be removed when particularly deep wrinkles are treated.

What Can Be Treated With Laser Facial Resurfacing?

• Tightening the skin

• The removal of superficial wrinkles

• Evening out and smoothing roughened skin

• Reduce the appearance of shallow acne scars – it isn’t appropriate for active acne or deep acne scars, however some specific laser treatment for acne can be performed, and you would need to ask your surgeon about this.

• Balancing skin colouring (pigmentation)

• Treating some skin cancers if caught early enough.

The laser can be focused or aimed on specific problem areas ie wrinkles around the mouth, nose or eyes.  Even the entire facial area can be addressed.

Laser Facial Resurfacing Alternatives

The appearance of some mild signs of ageing such as fine wrinkles can be treated and improved with gels and creams quite successfully. A chemical substance such as tretinoin, related to Vitamin A (for example Retin A cream) and other such chemical facial peels containing alpha-hydroxyl acids (such as lactic acids or glycolic) are regularly used in such instances.

Laser facial treatments aren’t usually suitable to treat the neck area, deep wrinkles or extra fat and saggy skin.  A more appropriate option to treat these cases would most likely be a surgical facelift.

And cosmetic eyelid surgery can treat excess skin around the eye area, which is known as blepharoplasty.

Prior to Laser Facial Resurfacing Treatment

A surgeon who specializes in repairing and rejuvenating or restoring skin tissue is an ideal person to treat you with laser equipment designed for facial resurfacing.

An initial consultation with the surgeon will prepare you for the minute details of the procedure.  You will be advised at this stage everything that is involved including whether or not your case is suitable for the treatment.

You would be required to stop smoking as this can increase any risk of infection and will slow down the healing and recovery process.

The treatment can be performed either in the surgeon’s clinic or within an operating room at a hospital.  It is a surgical procedure and requires a local anaesthetic and sometimes a sedative to assist with relaxation, and is usually treated as a day case.  The anaesthetic will eliminate any feeling in the face, however you will be awake throughout the procedure.

If you prefer, it is possible to request a general anaesthetic for the operation, but your surgeon will be able to advise which is the most appropriate form of anaesthesia for you. If you choose to have a general anaesthetic you will need to be checked over by the surgeon to ensure that you are physically healthy enough for this option.

How the Procedure Is Performed

Your face would initially require cleansing before the surgeon commences treatment with the laser beam, which is then passed over the area to be treated, with amazing precision to control how deep the laser penetrates the surface of the skin.

The procedure can last anything from a few short minutes to over an hour, obviously dependent on the size of the treatment area.

Does Laser Facial Resurfacing Hurt?

You may experience an element of discomfort during the treatment and some pain afterwards, but you will be given an anaesthetic which numbs the area so will prevent you from feeling any pain whilst the procedure is performed.

A local anaesthetic cream, containing Lidocaine, may be used on your skin if you only have a ‘single-pass’ treatment.  This is where the laser is used only once on the treatment area).

Some surgeons will suggest local anaesthetic injections when smaller areas of the face are being treated.

Alternatively, if you are having a local anaesthetic for the procedure, you will not feel the treatment at all but you will remain awake throughout, or if you opt for a general anaesthetic, you will be asleep during the procedure and feel nothing at all.

After the Procedure

Because a local anaesthetic can take anything up to several hours to wear off, you will need to take care not to knock the treated area, bearing in mind you won’t have any feeling there.

After a general anaesthetic, you will be required to stay at the hospital until the effects have worn off and you have had something to eat.

Following the laser treatment, an antibiotic ointment will be applied to the treated area, and it is possible that the surgeon may dress the area to protect it also.

If you feel uncomfortable, you can request some pain relief to help alleviate any pain you may feel.

In all cases, you will be required to have someone drive you home, and if at all possible; they should stay with you for the first full day.

The clinic nurse will advise about care for the relevant area.

Laser Facial Resurfacing Recovery

Paracetamol or ibuprofen is suitable as pain relief, which you can administer yourself.

Because it can take more than ten days for the skin to heal, and sometimes between 2 and 6 months for the redness to disappear fully, it is vital that you:

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, which may be provided by the clinic, patting it dry and then keeping it moisturized everyday. This prevents the skin from drying and helps to keep it supple.

• To avoid aggravating your skin, wash your hair with a really mild shampoo – possibly baby shampoo.

• Keep away from direct sunlight until the severe redness has faded.

• If you have to go outdoors, always apply a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 25 factor, and which has both ultraviolet A and B protection.  It is always advisable to wear a sunscreen anyway, but you should apply it for a minimum of 6 months after the procedure.

• Avoid making any over-exaggerated facial expressions or movements.

Laser Facial Rejuvenation Risks

This procedure is not uncommon and is usually very safe, however to make sure you understand fully what is involved you should be aware of the potential risks and side-effects of laser facial resurfacing, which are:

• Painful wounds on the treated area, which can form a crust, may ooze or weep for between 7 and 10 days,

• Skin redness can potentially last up to 6 months, which can be disguised with make up,

• Scabs will form as the skin heals, and it is recommended that no make up be worn until the scabs drop off.

Potential Laser Facial Resurfacing Complications

Complications or problems can sometimes occur during or following the treatment, and generally speaking the majority of cases run smoothly without any issues.  Possible complications however, can include reactions to the anaesthesia, so it is important to tell the surgeon your full medical history.

Other complications or risks include:

• An increase or reduction of skin pigmentation – the chances of this occurring are more likely if you have dark skin. If there is an appropriate alternative treatment available for you in this instance, the surgeon will be able to advise you of this.

• Skin infections.

• Cold sores can resurface if you are prone to them – however acyclovir medication in the form of a tablet taken before the treatment is advisable to prevent this from happening.

• Scarring – again, this is unlikely to happen with normal skin, but I you have recently undergone radiotherapy in the vicinity, have taken a recent course of medication for acne (isotretinoin – Roaccutane) or are susceptible to keloid scarring (this is overgrowth of scar tissue at an injury site).

• Everyone’s risks are particular to them and can differ from person to person, but the surgeon can explain in more detail how any of these risks could potentially affect you.

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