RE-SURFACING
Contents
WHAT IS A LASER RESURFACING PROCEDURE?
Laser resurfacing can help men and women of all ages (dependent
on skin condition) to overcome the visual effects of facial lines
and wrinkles caused by over exposure to the sun, smoking, stresses
of daily life and the natural signs of ageing.
Laser resurfacing represents one of the best technological
advances in the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles in recent
years, superseding chemical peeling and dermabrasion in popularity.
Laser is generally considered a safer and more effective
resurfacing tool than previously available resurfacing methods. In
America it is one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic
procedures and it is rapidly gaining similar popularity in the
UK.
Laser resurfacing is typically performed as a result of a
patient feeling self-conscious about their ageing facial
appearance, but not yet feeling ready for an eye bag removal or
facelift procedure.
This procedure can be performed singularly or in combination
with other procedures, such as a facelift, browlift, or
blepharoplasty (eye bag removal).
The ultimate objective of laser resurfacing is for the surgeon
to create a natural, youthful fresh facial appearance, by removing
lines and wrinkles without the introduction of incisions and
subsequent scaring.
HOW IS LASER RESURFACING PERFORMED?
Laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy to
vaporize the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and well
controlled levels of penetration. The laser process essentially
strips away damaged cells enabling new cells to form during the
healing process, which eventually result in a smoother, tighter,
younger looking skin surface. For superficial or medium problems
the laser is limited to the skin layers known as the Epidermis and
Papillary Dermis. For more significant lines and facial
imperfections, the laser beam can be programmed to penetrate to
deeper skin layers, known as the Reticulus Dermis.
Laser resurfacing procedures involving the whole face are
usually performed under general anaesthetic and will commonly
involve one or two nights stay in hospital to recover. During
admission, customers are taught a comprehensive skin care regime
which will re-hydrate and accelerate tissue healing following their
procedure. This skin care regime will need to be continued after
discharge and at home for several weeks following treatment.
Small or isolated areas of skin can be treated under local
anaesthetic and in such cases customers are frequently treated as
out customers or day cases. Full face laser resurfacing procedures
can take around 1 - 2 hours to perform, smaller areas can take as
little as 20-30 minutes.
WHAT KIND OF MEN AND WOMEN REQUEST THIS PROCEDURE?
Middle aged and older men and women who are unhappy with their
general ageing appearance.
Men and women of all ages who suffer from residual facial
scarring caused by acne, chicken pox or old facial injuries.
Younger men and women who suffer from premature lines, blotchy
discolouration and wrinkles caused by sun exposure, smoking, or
hereditary factors.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS LIKE?
This particular procedure can provide excellent results, freeing
men and women from the concern that can be caused by a lined,
wrinkled, ageing or scarred face.
In general, the more aggressive the resurfacing procedure is,
the better the result, the more prolonged the recovery is likely to
be. Improved results will take place almost immediately following
surgery, but will be obscured by the inevitable facial trauma and
swelling which takes place following this type of procedure. It can
take up to 14 days for the initial redness, swelling and discomfort
to settle to an acceptable appearance. After the initial swelling
has settled down, subtle improvements to the contour and colour of
the newly resurfaced skin will take place up to six months
following resurfacing treatment.
Achieving the final results following a deep laser resurfacing
procedure may take many months. Once the redness and then pinkness
to the recovering skin tone begins to fade, a significant
improvement will be observed in the smoothness and quality of skin
texture and tone. It its not recommended that a surgeon attempts to
go too deeply in one treatment session, so for some very wrinkled
or deeply acne scarred customers, a second laser procedure may be
required at a later date.
Men and women of all ages can benefit from laser resurfacing,
but the ideal patient is considered to have reasonably healthy,
non-oily skin, with minor to moderate lines, scars or wrinkles.
This advanced corrective procedure is a very demanding and precise
treatment to provide, and should only be performed by a fully
qualified surgeon who is well experienced and qualified to
skillfully carry out this type of treatment.
HOW DO CUSTOMERS FEEL AFTER A LASER RESURFACING PROCEDURE?
Following a resurfacing procedure treated skin areas are
typically sore for several weeks. Analgesic tablets (pain killers)
are always provided for any discomfort and customers are encouraged
to sleep as upright as possible during their early recovery stage
and to use cold compresses to help diminish residual swelling and
discomfort.
Customers usually describe the way they feel as similar to
severe sunburn, “tight, sore and uncomfortable” rather than
experiencing actual pain. These symptoms typically diminish after
the first 7 days following treatment.
In the early days following discharge, customers are strongly
advised to avoid any level of activity that could risk causing
trauma or disruption to the newly healing skin, to keep their hands
away from their newly resurfaced skin and to pay meticulous
attention to their personal hygiene.
Patients will be advised to take a specific amount of recovery
time away from work, dependent on the type of work they perform,
but it is usual to take at least a fortnight to rest and recover at
home following a deep resurfacing procedure.
Every consultant’s laser resurfacing techniques can differ, as
can the recommended post - operative skin care regime and
instructions. In general however, post - operative care will
feature a regular cleansing and moisturising skin care regime for a
minimum of two weeks following surgery.
Customers are asked to refrain from any strenuous impact style
exercise for at least 4 weeks following surgery and to avoid direct
sunbathing on the facial area for at least 12 months.
ARE THRE ANY RISKS INVOLVED IN LASER RE-SURFACING?
All surgery involves an element of risk from developing
complications. However, laser resurfacing is usually undertaken
voluntarily and only on customers in good health. Therefore, the
probability of experiencing complications with this kind of
procedure are substantially lower than with those who undergo
surgery due to ill health.
Risks such as changes in pigmentation, alteration in
sensitivity, infection and scarring will all be discussed quite
openly at consultation, as well as our scrupulous efforts to manage
and minimise these risks to their lowest possible potential.
Due to the additional healing and infection risks experienced
with customers who smoke, heavy smokers may be precluded from
having a laser resurfacing procedure until they cease or
substantially reduce their daily cigarette intake.
Following all recommended post-operative skin care instructions
diligently in the early recovery stage is deemed essential in order
to avoid post-operative complications such as infection, delayed
healing, or scarring.
Uneven pigmentation of newly healed skin following laser
resurfacing is a specific risk, therefore all customers are advised
to totally avoid direct sunbathing for 1 year following treatment
and to use high protection sun creams throughout their recovery
period.
WHAT NEXT?
The importance of a thorough pre-operative consultation with the
Consultant Plastic Surgeon or Consultant Dermatologist who will
perform your actual procedure cannot be over stressed. You need
time to consider all the benefits and risks of laser resurfacing
and the opportunity to reflect and consider all the information
your Consultant offers you before making a decision to have a
procedure.
At Vive Life Care each consultation is tailored to an
individual’s needs, but a consultation will always involve a
thorough evaluation of your present and past medical history and a
physical examination of the problem area. Your Consultant will take
time to listen to your concerns and will take care to ensure that
you have a thorough understanding of what can be done to help, the
procedure itself, the recovery stages and a clear explanation of
the benefits and risks involved.