WHAT IS LASER SKIN RESURFACING?

Laser skin resurfacing uses an intense beam of light to accurately remove skin layer by layer. This procedure has been shown to minimize wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, and other blemishes while tightening the skin and balancing its color. However, since lasers can do so much and have such a broad range of effects on the skin, it’s difficult to know where to begin when looking for a treatment—even a cursory search shows a slew of competing devices and methods.

We want you to be well informed rather than feel overburdened. So, before you go too deep down the Google rabbit hole, we recommend that you take a step back and read the following key points about laser skin resurfacing.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GET LASER SKIN RESURFACING?

Did you know that autumn is referred to as the “laser season”? Many cosmetic surgeons suggest laser resurfacing during the fall or winter months, when daylight hours are shorter and you spend much of your time indoors. This is because laser-treated skin is hypersensitive to sun exposure for up to a year after specific procedures.

After getting laser skin resurfacing treatment, regardless of the time of year, wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day and reapply as required. This will not only keep your results looking their best, but will also protect you from skin cancer and help you avoid premature aging.

WILL THE TREATMENTS BE PAINFUL?

The sensation felt during laser treatments is often compared by patients and physicians to a rubber band snapping against the skin. However, the feeling of laser resurfacing varies depending on the laser used, the depth and area of treatment, and the patient’s pain tolerance.

To keep a patient comfortable during deeper ablative laser treatments, local anesthetic injections or intravenous sedation may be needed. CO2 lasers and Erbium YAG (Er:YAG) lasers are examples of ablative lasers.

Some non-ablative laser treatments—those in which the laser moves through the skin without removing layers—are relatively painless and require a topical numbing cream to alleviate discomfort. Pulsed dye, Nd:YAG, and Alexandrite lasers are examples of non-ablative lasers. Any tenderness in the treatment area is to be expected after the operation. If required, your physician will advise you on how to manage pain after laser resurfacing.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DOES LASER SKIN RESURFACING INVOLVE?

Although single laser treatment can address a patient’s concerns in some cases, most non-ablative lasers require a series of treatments to achieve the best results. This is a trade-off with a no-downtime procedure, but the effects are long-lasting after the treatment sequence is completed.

WILL THIS TREATMENT NEED SOME DOWNTIME?

While laser treatments are usually non-surgical, not all of them are without rest. The length of time it takes to recover from laser resurfacing varies depending on the type of procedure used, as well as an individual’s health and healing rate.

Non-ablative lasers often require no downtime, while ablative lasers can require a 2- to 3-week healing period, depending on depth, until the new skin has fully healed and the final results are visible. This does not imply that you must remain at home for a month; rather, the skin will be raw, red, and scab over as it heals, so you may not feel at ease in social settings, and you’ll need to adjust your behaviors to prevent infection (swimming, gym workouts, etc.).

We recommend contacting a board-certified cosmetic surgeon if you are considering laser treatments to enhance your skin.

Acne burns, fine lines, wrinkles, and Glass skin can all be reduced with laser resurfacing. We all want it, but most of us, regardless of age, cannot achieve the dewy, airbrushed glow. Using masks, scrubs, glycolic, and retinol at home to slough off dead cells will help. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microneedling are examples of clinical resurfacing procedures that cause minor skin injuries and can help you get there faster. When you need a supercharged solution, however, lasers are the best choice.

Lasers are excellent tools for treating various skin issues, including acne scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, tattoos, and loose skin.

How Do Lasers Work and What Are They?

So, just what is a laser, exactly? According to NASA, the term stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” They’re a skin-resurfacing modality used in dermatology that uses light and heat to enhance skin tone, texture, and coloration. It accomplishes this by inflicting a controlled injury on the tissue, which prompts the body to respond with a healing response that improves the appearance.

Working out causes tiny tears in your muscles, which heal and grow stronger, according to science. Lasers function similarly: they use light and heat energy to inflict regulated damage to the skin’s surface, causing the body to respond by producing a fresh coat to repair the tissue.

As a result, collagen production increased, which is a benefit that has been proven in other studies. Collagen development declines with age, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles.

Other celebrities have been promoting the results of their laser treatments on social media (Drew Barrymore’s makeup-free mug looked angelic as she gushed about the benefits of Clear + Brilliant, and Kim Kardashian makes it seem like having a personal laser guru is as essential as having a toothbrush). It’s no surprise that laser resurfacing is more common than ever before.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, laser resurfacing procedures rose by 248 percent from 2000 to 2018, from 170,951 to 600,000.

Recognize that Maintenance is up to you.

Suppose someone is going to spend time and money on a laser treatment at the doctor’s office. In that case, they must follow a healthy topical maintenance regimen at home to maximize the treatment’s results. Retinoids, vitamin C serum, and sunscreen can all be used daily at home.

Maintaining your home is essential, as is avoiding behavior habits that will cause you problems in the future. No laser will help you go out in the light, don’t use your retinoid, or touch your face and begin to break out. You’ll also need to change your attitudes. Then, as always, be careful of something that seems to be too good to be true because it most likely is.

Maintain a healthy sense of realism when it comes to your expectations.

Lasers are intense and can achieve incredible results, but they aren’t magic. Even with the most aggressive laser, results will take time, and repeat sessions may be needed, depending on your particular skin condition and the treatments you receive.

Retreatment is needed for everything that involves epithelial cells, such as your skin, nails, and hair. That’s like getting the best gel manicure you’ve ever had; you’ll always need a new one. You may get the best hair colorist in the world and still have roots. These epithelial cells will continue to turn over indefinitely. Whatever you do, you’ll need to maintain it at home regularly. And, according to the ABPS, while your findings may last many years, they aren’t final.