When facial skin changes with age lasers can be used to create smoother, or more even skin appearance. There are many different types of lasers that do different things. One of the types of lasers “ablates”, or destroys, the outer layers of skin which have been damaged by age, sun, acne, or wrinkles. The destruction of the superficial layers of skin prompts the body to heal in a manner that yields healthier skin. Non ablative lasers go deeper, under the skin to tighten or reduce the pigment cells without causing external injury.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
There are also “fractional” lasers that leave small portions of the skin uninjured so that the healing is faster. These lasers usually require multiple treatments to get the desired result.
Other types of lasers are not meant for resurfacing but are used to treat dark spots, red areas, or for tightening.
All lasers have different treatment protocols. Some are office procedures requiring topical or no anesthesia. Other laser treatments are best done with the patient asleep under general anesthesia.
The different lasers heal differently. With the deeper resurfacing lasers the skin will be red and may ooze. Some discomfort should also be expected. Some of the other lasers are very gentle and only temporary redness occurs.
While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions.