It’s not uncommon to feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Everyone has insecurities that can really affect the way that you feel about yourself. Instead of hiding or disguising your skin, you should take action!
One of the best treatments for skin imperfections is laser skin resurfacing. This treatment can totally transform your skin, remove those imperfections, and leave you feeling more confident than ever.
What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure that uses a laser to target specific problem areas on the skin. The laser removes the outer layers of the skin to help eliminate the problems at the surface level. At the same time, the laser heats the underlying layers of the skin to stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers. Both of these results together lead to skin that is smoother, firmer, and more youthful.
Types of Laser Skin Resurfacing
Believe it or not, but there are actually different types of laser skin resurfacing. Different types of lasers work better for different people. For this reason, it’s recommended that you schedule a consultation with a reputable plastic surgeon, like Dr. Robert Applebaum, to discuss which type would be best for you.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the three different types of laser resurfacing treatments:
- CO2 Lasers: This method utilizes ablative lasers to effectively treat things like scars, warts, wrinkles, and more. The newest version of CO2 lasers employs a fractionated laser that treats the skin with very short pulsed light beam energy. For example, Dr. Applebaum uses the Dot CO2 Fractional Laser for procedures with quicker recovery times that still achieve amazing results.
- Erbium Lasers: This method utilizes ablative or non-ablative lasers to effectively treat surface-level skin issues like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Erbium lasers result in less burning of the skin tissue in order to minimize side effects and recovery time.
- Pulse-Dye Lasers: This method utilizes non-ablative lasers that effectively heat the skin to absorb pigments caused by hyperpigmentation and rosacea.
Benefits of Laser Skin Resurfacing
The biggest benefit of laser skin resurfacing is smoother and clearer skin! By using laser skin resurfacing, you can finally get your confidence back and ditch the heavy makeup for good. Instead of disguising your skin, laser skin resurfacing allows you to embrace and flaunt your skin without hesitation. It’s not an exaggeration to say that laser skin resurfacing can change your life by helping you feel comfortable in your own skin.
Even though there are tons of benefits to laser skin resurfacing, like any procedure, there are also risks. Although uncommon, potential risks include burns, scarring, areas of hyperpigmentation, and bacterial infections. To get the best results and avoid side effects, make sure that the procedure is performed by an experienced and reputable professional, like Dr. Applebaum. Dr. Applebaum is a plastic surgeon who has performed this procedure successfully hundreds of times and is able to get rid of your problem areas without creating new ones!
Conditions Treated by Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing can be used to effectively treat a wide variety of different skin conditions, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Sunspots or age spots
- Scars from injuries or acne blemishes
- Warts
- Birthmarks
Thanks to laser skin resurfacing, you can ditch your foundations and concealers for good once you can enjoy smooth, uniform, and youthful skin.
What to Expect When Getting Laser Skin Resurfacing
So based on these benefits, you’re sold on laser skin resurfacing. But what can you actually expect when getting the procedure? Does it hurt? What is the recovery like? What is the maintenance like? We are here to answer all the questions you have and those you haven’t thought of so that you feel totally comfortable and excited about getting laser skin resurfacing.
Before you have laser skin resurfacing, you definitely need to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to go over the ins and outs of the procedure. For example, there may be things you need to do to prepare for the procedure. You shouldn’t take any medications or supplements for 10 days leading up to the procedure. You also shouldn’t smoke for two weeks before the procedure. Finally, your doctor may provide you with an antibiotic to take before the procedure to prevent infection.
When it comes to the treatment itself, it’s an outpatient procedure that’s done in your doctor’s office. You can either be numbed with a local anesthetic, sedated, or totally put under using general anesthesia — it really depends on the specific areas being treated. For example, if you’re only having your forehead treated, you could probably get by using a local anesthetic as the procedure will only last about 30 minutes. On the other hand, if you’re treating your entire face, you may want to opt for general anesthesia as the procedure could last up to two hours.
After the procedure, you’re going to want to keep the treated area nice and clean by washing it several times a day and applying an ointment. You should avoid direct sunlight for two weeks following the procedure, and be sure to generously apply SPF for any periods of sun exposure thereafter, as your skin will be especially sensitive for a few months.
Overall, you may experience some itching, redness, swelling, and discomfort for about 10 to 14 days after the procedure. Multiple treatments may be required in order to achieve your desired results.
Final Thoughts on Laser Skin Resurfacing
As you can see, laser skin resurfacing treatments offer tons of benefits that can improve a myriad of different skin concerns. So if you want to get rid of wrinkles, acne scars, or age spots, contact Dr. Applebaum for a laser skin resurfacing consultation today!
Medically reviewed by Dr. Robert Applebaum
Dr. Robert Applebaum is a world renowned and highly respected Plastic Surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In his nearly 30 years as a practicing physician, Dr. Applebaum has become known as an innovator in the field of laser technology techniques for plastic surgery procedures. He has published numerous articles and scientific papers about the use of laser technology and educates physicians worldwide on the applications of laser technology for plastic surgery. Dr. Applebaum primarily practices out of his private outpatient surgery center, Four Thirty Six Aesthetic Surgery Center, which is located in Beverly Hills.
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