Surgical
Procedures
Facial Surgery
Laser
Laser resurfacing has become popular modality
treatment for wrinkles, pigmentation regularity, scars from trauma
or acne, and general tightening of the skin.
Patients seen in consultation for laser resurfacing are presented
with all alternative modalities of care, starting with skin care,
progressing to chemical peels such as TCA or Obagi blue peels,
and finally alternative types of laser resurfacing.
Many times, patients will find simpler alternatives to the laser
through the skin care program. If more aggressive resurfacing
is required, the Sharplan Feathertouch laser will be utilized.
CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing works by utilizing laser light generated in
a CO2 laser and applying it to the skin. The CO2 laser energy
is uniquely absorbed by water. The light vaporizes the outer layer
of the skin, called the epidermis, to carbon. It also has a photochemical
effect on the deeper layers of the skin causing the collagen,
the structural component of the skin, to realign itself in a more
youthful pattern. The combination of these two effects gives a
smoother and tighter appearance to the skin. There is originally
an open, weeping wound, which heals quickly leaving a smooth,
somewhat reddened appearance for anywhere from 1 to 3 months.
There are other skin resurfacing lasers available than CO2, however,
the Center finds the results of this laser predictable comparable
to other resurfacing lasers. Frequently, those lasers claiming
less post-treatment redness and faster healing times also give
a less-lasting result.
Following the consultation, the patient will be started on a
skin care program. The patient will be asked to agree to allow
the skin care Center to totally manage all skin care products
before and after treatment. This allows for a more predictable
result and less problems in management of the skin after the laser
resurfacing. Full face laser resurfacing is recommended to most
patients over regional resurfacing due to the problems associated
with perceiving "lasered" versus "non-lasered"
skin with associated step-off areas. The cost of skin care products
and aesthetician services is included in the total package fee.
Pre-existing medical problems such as heavy smoking, collagen
diseases, frequent herpetic outbreaks may preclude the ability
to have laser resurfacing.
Recovery - 1 week
of an open, weeping skin. Healed by 5 to 7 days with continued
redness for 1 to 3 months (which may be hidden by makeup)
Return to work -
10 days
Full activity -
2 weeks
Complications -
hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation,scars, limitation of result
Laser for Actinic Keratoses
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Before |
After |
Non-Invasive Laser Resurfacing
This treatment utilizes a long pulse YAG laser to help rebuild
new collagen, the deeper layers of the skin. It creates a "microinjury"
that causes the tissue to build new collagen. This is painless,
takes approximately 15 minutes per treatment, and is performed
every 6 weeks for 3 or 4 treatment cycles.
Recovery - There
is no period of recovery. The results are subtle and creates a
more youthful appearance.
Non-Invasive Laser Resurfacing
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Before |
After (3 treatments) |
