Fractional Laser Resurfacing – Benefits, Risks, and Results | Your Ultimate Guide
Dr. Vi Sharma has worked in the field of cosmetic surgery
He has a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, Monash University; and former member of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine and the Royal Australian College of General Practice.
In today’s world, many people are concerned about the appearance of their skin and are looking for effective ways to reduce the signs of aging, scarring, and other imperfections. One popular option for skin rejuvenation is fractional laser resurfacing, a non-invasive procedure that uses a laser to target small areas of the skin. In this post, we’ll explore the basics of fractional laser resurfacing, including how it works, what areas of the body it can be used on, and its potential benefits and risks. Whether you’re considering this treatment for yourself or simply curious about its benefits, read on to learn more about fractional laser resurfacing.
What is Fractional Laser Resurfacing?
Fractional laser resurfacing is a type of laser skin treatment that uses a laser to target small areas of the skin. It works by creating tiny holes, or columns, in the skin, leaving the surrounding tissue untouched. This allows for more precise treatment and faster healing times compared to traditional laser resurfacing.
The laser used in fractional laser resurfacing is typically a type of carbon dioxide (CO2) or erbium laser, which can be adjusted to different depths and intensities depending on the desired outcome. The laser energy creates controlled damage to the skin, which triggers the body’s natural healing process and stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin fibers. This helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and other skin imperfections.
Fractional laser resurfacing can be used on various areas of the body, including the face, neck, chest, and hands. The treatment is typically performed in a dermatologist’s office and may require several sessions to achieve the desired results.
While fractional laser resurfacing is generally considered safe and effective, it’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with a qualified healthcare provider before undergoing treatment. Possible side effects include redness, swelling, and temporary discomfort, and in rare cases, there may be changes in skin color, scarring, or infection.
What is fractional laser resurfacing used to treat?
Fractional laser resurfacing is used to treat a variety of skin imperfections, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles: Fractional laser resurfacing can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin fibers.
- Acne scars: The treatment can also help to reduce the appearance of acne scars by removing damaged skin and promoting the growth of new, healthy tissue.
- Sun damage: Fractional laser resurfacing can be used to treat sun-damaged skin, including age spots, sun spots, and other discoloration.
- Uneven skin texture: The treatment can improve the texture of the skin by removing damaged tissue and stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin fibers.
- Stretch marks: Fractional laser resurfacing can be used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks by stimulating collagen growth and improving skin texture.
Overall, fractional laser resurfacing is a versatile treatment that can be used to improve the appearance of a variety of skin imperfections. It’s important to discuss your specific concerns with a qualified healthcare provider to determine if this treatment is right for you.
How does fractional laser resurfacing work?
Fractional laser resurfacing works by using a laser to create small, controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These micro-injuries are designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing process, which in turn helps to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and other skin imperfections.
During the treatment, a special device is used to deliver the laser energy to the skin. The laser creates tiny columns of thermal damage in the skin, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. This allows the body to heal the micro-injuries more quickly and effectively than it would with traditional laser resurfacing, which can cause more extensive damage to the skin.
The controlled thermal damage caused by the laser stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. Collagen and elastin are two proteins that are essential for maintaining the skin’s strength, elasticity, and youthful appearance. As the body produces more collagen and elastin, the skin becomes firmer, smoother, and more radiant.
Fractional laser resurfacing can be adjusted to different depths and intensities depending on the desired outcome. This allows for customized treatment that can be tailored to the specific needs of each patient. It’s important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of fractional laser resurfacing with a qualified healthcare provider before undergoing the procedure.
Are you a good candidate for fractional CO2 laser resurfacing?
Look in the mirror. Do you see fine lines around the eyes, mouth, or on the brow, shallow scars from acne, or non-responsive skin even after a facelift, then you might be a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing.
If you have active acne or have a very brown complexion, you may not be a good candidate. This procedure is likewise not suggested for stretch marks.
CO2 lasers have been utilized for quite a long time. The most current variant of the CO2 laser resurfacing uses extremely short beat light pulses that are given in a scanning pattern to eliminate thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage to the surrounding structures. Recovery time from the procedure is generally one week.
Getting ready for Laser Resurfacing.
For example, specific issues, such as previous burns or radiation exposure, may need a special assessment to decide whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. Likewise, it would help if you informed the specialist about whether you get mouth blisters or fever rankles around your mouth, as this method can trigger breakouts in defenseless individuals.
In the event that you choose to continue with laser skin resurfacing, your doctor will have you abstain from taking any prescriptions or enhancements that can affect clotting, for example, anti-inflammatory medicine, ibuprofen, omega 3 fish oil, or nutrient E, for seven days before the medical procedure. If you smoke, you should stop for about at least fourteen days when the procedure, since smoking can make the healing process longer. Your primary care physician may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent bacterial infections, and if you are inclined to mouth sores or fever blister, you may get antiviral drugs.
What Can Be Expected During Laser Resurfacing?
Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is performed on an outpatient premise, utilizing a desensitizing operator to limit torment. This is typically given as an effective sedative gel applied to the territory to be dealt with. In certain patients, sedation might be joined with orally regulated narcotic prescriptions.
Wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, or temple might be dealt with independently, or a full-face resurfacing might be performed relying upon the patient’s necessities. Full-face medicines regularly most recent an hour while halfway treatments may require 30 minutes to finish.
What Happens After Laser Resurfacing?
CO2 laser resurfacing is frequently performed on an outpatient basis, so patients can hope to return home following treatment.
Following laser resurfacing, the patient cleans the treated areas two to five times each day with cold water, saline, or a diluted vinegar solution. An ointment like Vaseline or Aquaphor is then applied. This wound care is intended to prevent any scab from developing. All in all, the areas heal in about five to ten days, depending upon the skin condition that was dealt with.
When the regions have healed satisfactorily, which usually happens after the fifth day, cosmetics might be worn to disguise the pink to red color commonly observed after laser skin resurfacing. Green-based make-ups are especially appropriate for this disguise since they neutralize the red color. Oil make-ups are suggested after laser resurfacing. The redness in the laser-treated areas, for the most part, fades in about fourteen days; however, it may take up to a month to disappear. The redness, by and large, persists longer in individuals with a lighter complexion.
Patients with darker skin tones have a greater risk of healing with darker pigmentation. This may be minimized by using a bleaching agent before laser skin resurfacing and continued use of this agent after healing.
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Are there any side effects of laser resurfacing?
One of the annoying side effects of laser resurfacing is Milia, which are little white bumps, may show up in the laser-treated zones during recuperating. These might be removed by opening and fading the individual lesions.
Hyperpigmentation or increased pigmentation and hypopigmentation, which is the opposite, diminished skin pigmentation may result in the laser-treated areas. Generally, the hyperpigmented areas might be treated with blanching cream to speed up the color’s fading. This can be an extremely slow process.
Cold sores may happen, particularly after laser skin resurfacing around the mouth. You can avoid this by approaching your primary care physician for antiviral medicine. You can start taking before your medical procedure and keep taking seven to ten days after laser resurfacing.
You may be able to prevent bacterial infections by taking antibiotics before the medical procedure and continue taking it for the next seven to ten days; subsequently, keep in mind that this is no assurance that an infection will happen after the technique.
You ought to expect swelling after laser skin resurfacing. Get more information from your doctor about what you can do to decrease this effect.
Patients are urged to rest on an additional cushion or a pillow at night when sleeping to help reduce the swelling after the laser resurfacing treatment. Ice pack application is likewise useful in the initial 24-48 hours.
Scarring after laser skin resurfacing, albeit uncommon, may happen in laser-treated zones.
If you smoke, it is higgle advised that you stop if you are interested in getting this procedure as it can have harmful effects during the treatment. I can also hamper the healing process and extend the recovery period. You can check also – Ankle liposuction in Melbourne.
Taking care of your skin after laser resurfacing
Remember that skin treated with laser resurfacing may respond in various manners.
Typically, you may feel like you are getting a serious sunburn. There will be swelling and redness of the skin around the treatment area. You may also experience itching or stinging for 12 to 72 hours after the procedure. Five to seven days after laser resurfacing, your skin will get dry and peel.
After the treated area has peeled, new skin will form. This skin will first seem pink. It should begin to lighten up to the first year of the treatment gradually. Your doctor will not consider treating the area again until the treatment area has healed.
Do not forget to put on sunscreen daily. It is essential as your skin heals during the recovery period. A broad range spectrum sunscreen is best applied to the skin since it protects you from ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A rays. A sunscreen explicitly created for use on the face ought to be picked, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Moisturisers should also be liberally applied during the recovery period. Patients may continue using Retin-An or glycolic acid products after four to six months from the last laser resurfacing sessions or as instructed by the doctor.
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