Rejuvenate your skin for a fresher, near flawless look with the latest advancements in laser skin resurfacing technologies at Rocky Mountain Laser Center, P.C., Colorado Springs, CO.
What is laser resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing, which has made enormous advancements in recent years, allows nearly everyone to achieve a near flawless complexion by replacing damaged skin with fresh, new skin. Able to reduce facial wrinkles and skin irregularities including blemishes and acne scars, the procedure is also referred to as fractional laser resurfacing, lasabrasion, laser vaporization or laser peel. Short, concentrated beams of pulsating lights are directed at irregular areas of skin, removing damaged tissue layer by layer.
Who is a candidate for laser resurfacing?
Patients with fine lines or wrinkles on the forehead or around the eyes or mouth, as well as those with shallow scars from acne or non-responsive skin following a facelift, are suitable candidates for this treatment.
Patients with active cases of acne or very dark skin may not be good candidates for laser resurfacing. Consult with your physician prior to making an appointment for the procedure.
What are the different types of laser resurfacing?
CO2 Laser Resurfacing
This method of laser resurfacing has been used for years to treat various skin issues, including scars, warts, wrinkles and enlarged oil glands on the nose. The latest technology in CO2 laser resurfacing, called fractionated CO2, uses ultrapulse, a very short pulsed light energy. These continuous light beams are applied in a scanning pattern to remove very thin layers of skin while causing minimal heat damage. Recovery time is about two weeks.
Erbium Laser Resurfacing
Patients with surface and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on face, neck, chest or hands may be good candidates for this type of laser resurfacing, known to cause very minimal burning to surrounding skin. Causing a minimum of the side effects usually associated with laser therapy, such as bruising, swelling and redness, recovery time is generally short with this treatment, sometimes only lasting a week.
How do I prepare for laser resurfacing treatment?
You should first consult with your skin doctor to determine the best type of treatment for your desired results, skin type and medical history. Tell your doctor if you tend to get cold sores of fever blisters around your mouth, as laser skin resurfacing may trigger an outbreak. Medications that can affect your blood’s ability to clot, such as aspirin, vitamin E or ibuprofen, should be avoided if possible for 10 days prior to surgery. An antibiotic may be prescribed prior to the procedure to prevent infection.
What can I expect during the procedure?
Depending on your treatment goals, either your whole face or individual wrinkles around the eyes, mouth or forehead may be treated. Areas to be treated will be numbed with a local anesthetic. The entire process can take from 30 minutes to two hours, with length of time determined by whether the entire face or just a particular area is being treated.
What can I expect after treatment?
You may experience redness and swelling after laser resurfacing, and you’ll need to keep the treated area clean and apply ointment to prevent formation of scabs. Skin may look lighter after the treatment, and use of a broad spectrum sunscreen of an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin is recommended during this time. Skin should also be kept well-moisturized. It may take several months for redness to completely disappear.
Are there any side effects from laser resurfacing?
Although generally a safe and well-tolerated treatment, some patients incur burns or other injuries from the laser’s heat, scarring, pigmentation changes or bacterial infections.