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Bid for Surgery: Laser Facial Resurfacing
Laser Facial
Resurfacing
| Procedure: |
Smooth the face and smooth fine wrinkles
using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser device that treats layers of damaged skin. Softens
lines around the eyes and mouth and minimizes facial scars and unevenly pigmented areas. |
| Risk Factor: |
Burns or injuries caused by laser heat.
Scarring. Abnormal changes in skin color. Flare-up of viral infections ("cold
sores") and other infections (rare). |
| Side Effects: |
Temporary swelling, discomfort. Lightening
of treated skin. Acute sun sensitivity. Increased sensitivity to makeup. Pinkness or
redness in skin that may persist for up to 6 months. |
| Length: |
A few minutes to 1 hour. May require more
than 1 session. |
| Anesthesia: |
Local with sedation, or general. |
| In/Out: |
Usually outpatient, unless combined with
other surgical
procedures that require hospitalization. |
| Recovery: |
Back to work: 2 weeks. More strenuous
activities: 4-6
weeks. Complete fading of redness: 6 months or less.
Return of pigmentation/light sun exposure: 6-12 months. |
| Duration: |
Long-lasting, but does not stop aging. New
wrinkles,
expression lines may form as skin ages. |
| The Procedure |
In laser resurfacing, sometimes called
"laser peel," a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or
wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the
appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also
effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may
be performed on the whole face or in specific regions. Often, the procedure is done in
conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.
Laser resurfacing is still a very new procedure. However, it has been shown that in some
cases, this surgical method produces less bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort
than is typically seen with other resurfacing methods. A word about the
laser
Laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy which vaporizes the upper
layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration.
It's clear that laser resurfacing may offer a number of advantages over other resurfacing
methods: precision, little (if any) bleeding and less post-operative discomfort. However,
laser resurfacing isn't for everyone. In some cases, an alternative skin resurfacing
treatment, such as dermabrasion or chemical peel, may still be a better choice.
All resurfacing treatments work essentially the same way. First, the outer layers of
damaged skin are stripped away. Then, as new cells form during the healing process, a
smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin surface appears. Laser resurfacing is a new method
being used by plastic
surgeons to remove damaged skin. Because it is new, there are no long-term data on this
technique. However, a number of studies using microscopic examination have shown that the
physical changes that occur to laser-treated skin are essentially identical to those that
occur with
either dermabrasion or chemical peel. Ask your plastic surgeon about the latest facts
concerning long-term follow-up.
For superficial or medium resurfacing, the laser can be limited to the epidermis and
papillary dermis. For deeper resurfacing, the upper levels of the reticulas dermis can
also be removed.
Varied penetration allows treatment of specific spots or wrinkles.
It's also important to consider the length of recovery when choosing among the
skin-resurfacing alternatives. In general, the more aggressive the resurfacing procedure
is, the more prolonged the recovery is likely to be. "Light" resurfacing
procedures, such as superficial chemical peels or superficial laser resurfacing, offer
shorter recovery times. However, these lighter procedures may need to be repeated multiple
times to achieve results comparable to those achieved with more aggressive techniques. |
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| The best candidates for a laser
resurfacing. |
In many cases, facial wrinkles form in localized
areas, such as near the eyes or around the mouth. The laser can be precisely controlled so
that only these specific areas are targeted.
Men and women of all ages can benefit from laser
resurfacing. The ideal patient for laser resurfacing has fair, healthy,
non-oily skin. |
When healing is complete, the face has a more youthful
appearance. |
Patients with olive skin, brown skin or black skin may be at increased risk for
pigmentation changes no matter what type of resurfacing method is recommended. Your
plastic surgeon will evaluate your skin characteristics and make recommendations
accordingly.
Also, individuals who have taken accutane in the past 12-18 months or are prone to
abnormal (keloid-like) scarring or those with active skin infections on the treatment area
may not be appropriate candidates for this procedure.
Remember, having laser resurfacing can help enhance your appearance and your
self-confidence, but it won't completely remove all facial flaws or prevent you from
aging. Lines that occur as a result of natural movements of the face - smiling, squinting,
blinking, talking, chewing - will inevitably recur. Your plastic surgeon can suggest ways
to help you preserve your results by protecting yourself from sun exposure or using
maintenance treatments, such as light chemical peels or medicated facial creams. Before
you decide to have laser resurfacing, think carefully about your expectations and discuss
them with your surgeon.
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| Types of anesthesia |
Laser resurfacing is most commonly performed
under local anesthesia with sedation, especially when it's used to treat localized areas
of the face. You'll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal discomfort. For more
extensive resurfacing, your surgeon may prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case
you'll sleep through the procedure. |
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| The procedure |
Laser resurfacing is a
relatively quick procedure. It usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to 1 1/2 hours,
depending on how large of an area is involved.
When the imperfections are especially deep, your surgeon may recommend that the
resurfacing be performed in two or more stages.
During the procedure, the activated laser is carefully passed back and forth over the skin
until the surgeon reaches the level that will make the wrinkle or scar less visible.
When the procedure is over, your surgeon may choose to treat the resurfaced skin with
applications of protective creams or ointments until healing is complete. Some surgeons
choose to apply a bandage over the treated areas which will cover and protect the healing
skin for the first five to ten days.
Fine, vertical creases or "lipstick lines" are
commonly treated with laser resurfacing. |
Within about five weeks after treatment, the upper lip is
noticeably smoother. |
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| Do I have to stay in a
hospital after the surgery? |
Laser resurfacing may be performed in a
hospital, an outpatient surgery center or a surgeon's office-based facility. For cost
containment and convenience, laser resurfacing is usually done on an outpatient basis. For
the more extensive resurfacing procedures or for resurfacing combined with
other surgical procedures, you may be admitted to a hospital or a recovery center. |
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| Risk factors, complications, side effects?
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When laser resurfacing is performed by a
qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. However,
because individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their
healing abilities, the outcome is never completely predictable.
Risks associated with laser resurfacing include: burns or other injuries from the heat of
the laser energy, scarring, and obvious lightening or darkening of the treated skin. Also,
laser resurfacing can activate herpes virus infections ("cold sores") and,
rarely, other types of infection.
Additional corrective measures and treatment may be required if healing seems abnormal or
delayed or if there is any evidence of abnormal pigmentation or scarring.
You can reduce your risks by choosing a qualified plastic surgeon who has received special
training in laser surgery. |
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| How long would recovery take? |
You are likely to experience some mild swelling
and discomfort after laser resurfacing. However, this can be controlled with ice packs and
medications prescribed by your surgeon.
If a bandage was applied after your procedure, it may be replaced with a fresh one after a
day or two. After about a week or so, your bandage will be removed and a thin layer of
ointment may be applied to the skin. Once this stage is reached, your surgeon will provide
instructions on how to
gently wash and care for your healing skin.
During this phase of healing, it is very important that you not pick the crusts off the
treated area or scarring may result. Most patients are free of crusts by about 10 days
post-operatively. Redness may persist for several weeks. |
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| Would I have a new look? |
The final result from laser resurfacing may take
several months to fully appear. However, once the pinkness fades, patients usually notice
a significant improvement in the quality of their skin and a fresher, smoother appearance.
It's important to understand that your results will be long-lasting, but not permanent.
Remember, your new skin is not immune to the effects of aging. In the months and years
following your laser treatment, your natural facial movements will eventually cause any
"expression" lines to recur.
As with other methods of skin rejuvenation, laser treatments can usually be repeated.
However, by protecting yourself from the sun and following a skin-care regimen recommended
by your plastic surgeon, you can help maintain your rejuvenated look. |
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| Cost of this procedure varies with region from a low of
$2,180 to a high of $4,399. This cost includes surgeon's fee, anesthesia, and facility
costs. |
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