Healthier, younger looking skin can be achieved with laser resurfacing . Our skin endures many traumas including those from the sun, pollution, tanning salons, and genetic conditions that create spots, skin irritations, and other damage to the skin. The damage that occurs to our skin can make us look aged and unhealthy. Laser resurfacing can reverse these effects.
Laser resurfacing is used to minimize and treat many skin conditions and irritations such as:
- Sun damage
- Scars from Acne
- Stretch marks
- Spider Veins
- Age spots
- Hyperpigmentation (dark patches of skin)
The Laser Resurfacing Procedure
An experienced facial plastic surgeon will use a state-of-the-art laser to treat the outer layers of the skin. The laser promotes healthy, blemish-free new skin growth that replaces the old layers of skin that are damaged.
For most patients, local anesthesia is needed during the procedure to help them stay comfortable. Few patients need general anesthesia if deeper layers of the skin require treatment.
Lasers Used in Laser Resurfacing
There are a couple of lasers used for treating skin irritations. There is the Fraxel laser and the Erbium laser.
The Fraxel laser is a fraction laser. Its name refers to the way it transmits light on the skin. This laser uses thousands of laser lights pinpointed onto one square inch of the skin being treated. Your facial plastic surgeon may leave the laser focused on the skin for a long or short period of time. The length of time the laser is focused on an area of skin determines how deep the laser penetrates. Also, the more times the facial plastic surgeon passes the laser over the area of skin being treated helps determine how deep the laser penetrates.
Some skin conditions are more on the surface of the skin while other conditions are deeper and affect several layers of skin. Focusing the laser for a longer period of time and passing the laser over a skin condition that is deep in the skin will treat the condition better.
The Erbium laser is a new type of laser. It is designed to more precisely treat and remove areas of skin that are damaged or have a skin condition. This laser, like the Fraxel laser, can help treat many types of skin conditions.
Your facial plastic surgeon will be able to tell you which laser is appropriate to treat your particular needs. Both laser treat skin conditions, but one may be better for treating your skin depending on your needs.
