During this time do not use products that may irritate your face, such as cosmetics. New skin usually covers the area in one or two weeks and full recovery takes at least a month. You may take a pain reliever and use ice packs. Your doctor will apply a thick ointment to the treated skin and might cover the area with an airtight and watertight dressing. After the procedureĪfter ablative laser resurfacing, the treated skin will be raw, swollen and itchy. If you're undergoing nonablative laser treatment or fractional Er:YAG laser resurfacing, you'll likely need 1 to 3 treatments scheduled over weeks or months to get the results you're looking for. This approach usually needs only one treatment. Ablative laser resurfacing typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the technique used and the size of the area treated. At the same time, the laser heats the underlying skin (dermis), which stimulates collagen production over time, resulting in better skin tone and texture. The laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis). For extensive resurfacing, such as treatment to your whole face, you might be sedated.ĭuring ablative laser resurfacing, an intense beam of light energy (laser) is directed at your skin. Your care team will numb skin with medication. Your doctor may do laser resurfacing as an outpatient procedure. As the wound heals, new skin forms that's smoother and tighter. If you're going to be sedated during laser resurfacing, you'll need help getting home after the procedure.ĭuring ablative laser resurfacing, a laser destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis). This improves your chance of avoiding complications and helps your body heal. If you smoke, try to stop at least two weeks before and after your treatment. Discuss sun protection and acceptable sun exposure with your doctor. Too much sun up to two months before the procedure can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in treated areas. Depending on your medical history, your doctor might recommend other medications before your procedure. If you're having ablative laser resurfacing - or nonablative laser resurfacing and you have a history of herpes infections around your mouth - your doctor will prescribe an antiviral medication before and after treatment to prevent a viral infection. Take medication to prevent complications.Make sure you understand how long it'll take to heal and what your results might be.īefore laser resurfacing, you might also need to: Together, you can decide whether laser resurfacing is right for you and, if so, which approach to use. Talk with your doctor about your motivations, expectations and the potential risks. This helps determine what changes can be made and how your physical features - for example, the tone and thickness of your skin - might affect your results. Your doctor will inspect your skin and the area that will be treated. Your doctor might also ask about previous cosmetic procedures you've had and how you react to sun exposure - for example, do you burn easily? rarely? Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions and any medications you are taking or have taken recently. Have a history of an outward-turning eyelid (ectropion)īefore you have laser resurfacing, your doctor will likely:.Have darker brown or Black skin or are very tanned.Are prone to cold sores or have had a recent outbreak of cold sores or herpes virus.Have a history of previous laser resurfacing.Have a connective tissue or autoimmune disease or a weak immune system.Have taken the acne medication isotretinoin (Amnesteem) during the past year.Your doctor might caution against laser resurfacing if you: Ablative laser resurfacing poses a slight risk of scarring. Talk with your doctor about which laser resurfacing technique reduces this risk. Permanent changes in skin color are more common in people with dark brown or Black skin. Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker than it was before treatment (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation). In most cases, the herpes virus is already present but dormant in the skin. The most common infection is a flare-up of the herpes virus - the virus that causes cold sores. Laser resurfacing can lead to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause you to temporarily develop tiny white bumps (milia) on treated skin. Redness may be intense and might last for several months. Treated skin may swell, itch or have a burning sensation. Side effects are milder and less likely with nonablative approaches than with ablative laser resurfacing. Laser resurfacing can cause side effects.
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