Laser Skin Rejuvenation

If your face is beginning to show signs of age, you might have considered laser skin resurfacing. This outpatient procedure can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, and pigment irregularities. As with any cosmetic procedure, there are some risks involved with laser skin resurfacing. Here is some information to help you decide whether a laser treatment is right for you.

Laser skin rejuvenation is best used to correct mild to moderate wrinkles and skin surface problems. Good candidates for laser skin resurfacing have elastic, non-oily skin that doesn’t scar easily. Also, patients with lighter skin tones tend to do better with this procedure, since dark skin is more prone to permanent discoloration. Ask your dermatologist to recommend a good laser surgeon who is certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

You will first attend a consultation with the laser surgeon, who will go over guidelines and associated costs. The average surgeon fee for laser skin rejuvenation is $2,500. Remember that there will likely be additional costs such as pre- and post-operative care, anesthesia, and pain medications. Like most cosmetic surgery procedures, the price will vary depending on the surgeon you use and the city you’re in. Always choose a good reputation over a low price to ensure your safety and satisfaction.

A laser session can last from thirty minutes to two hours, depending on how large of a surface area the doctor is working on. Before the procedure, the patient is given a local anesthetic and oral sedative to help them relax. Then their eyes are covered to protect them from the laser. The anesthetic keeps the patient from feeling pain, though they might feel a warm sensation. Patients are usually awake for the whole procedure unless they need very extensive treatment. Surgeons can opt for general anesthesia in such cases.

Recovery time is about two weeks. During that period, patients can expect facial swelling, redness, and pain that feels like a sunburn. The discomfort is easily controlled by pain medicine. Some minor procedures can be done with smaller lasers, resulting in shorter recovery periods.

Some of the risks associated with laser skin rejuvenation include heat burns, discoloration, aggravation of cold sores and acne, and infection. To decrease your risk of skin irritation, avoid putting lotions or cosmetics on your face for several days prior to surgery. Be sure to have a check-up after the surgery, and tell your doctor about any concerns.

If you're not sure that skin rejuvenation is what you're looking for, you may want to also consider laser skin tightening. This is a relatively new facial procedure and should be approached like any other cosmetic laser procedure, with due caution and research.