Common Risks of Laser Resurfacing

Ablative laser resurfacing can cause various side effects, including:

* Itching, swelling and redness. After ablative laser resurfacing, treated skin will be itchy, swollen and red. Itching and swelling don't last long, but redness — the degree of which is related to the depth of resurfacing done — can be intense and may last for several months. The aggravation of a previously existing skin condition, such as rosacea or contact dermatitis, also can contribute to redness.
* Acne. Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause you to temporarily develop tiny white bumps (milia) on treated skin.
* Infection. Ablative laser resurfacing can lead to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. The most common infection is a flare-up of the herpes virus — the virus that causes cold sores. In most cases, the herpes virus is already present but dormant in the skin.
* Changes in skin color. Ablative laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker than normal (hyperpigmentation) or lighter than normal (hypopigmentation). Hyperpigmentation is more common in people who have darker skin. The first signs of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation typically occur weeks after treatment and may go away without treatment. Use of topical retinoic acid or glycolic acid can help treat hyperpigmentation after the treated area has healed. Hypopigmentation that persists is difficult to treat.
* Scarring. Ablative laser resurfacing poses a slight risk of permanent scarring.
* Turning of the eyelid (ectropion). Rarely, ablative laser resurfacing near the lower eyelid can cause the eyelid to turn out and expose the inner surface. Surgery is needed to correct the problem.


Nonablative laser resurfacing also can cause side effects, including:

* Infection. Nonablative laser resurfacing can cause a flare-up of the herpes virus.
* Changes in skin color. If you have darker skin, nonablative laser resurfacing can cause your skin to become temporarily darker (hyperpigmentation).
* Mild swelling and redness. Swelling and redness typically only last hours or days.
* Blistering and scarring. Rarely, nonablative laser resurfacing can cause blistering or scarring.


Laser resurfacing isn't for everyone. Your doctor may caution against laser resurfacing if you:

* Have taken the acne medication isotretinoin (Amnesteem, others) during the past year
* Have diabetes, a connective tissue or autoimmune disease, or a weak immune system
* Have a history of radiation therapy to your face
* Have a history of ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids)
* Are pregnant or breast-feeding

source : mayoclinic.com

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Laser, Removal Option of Choice

There are a number of treatments often used to remove or diminish acne scars. In my opinion the treatment of choice is non-ablative laser treatment or fractional lasers. They are generally very effective with little downtime.



What is non-ablative laser treatment?
Non-ablative lasers leave the surface layer of skin intact while ablative lasers remove it. They work by delivering energy to the deeper layers of the skin, without disrupting the surface.

source : acnescars

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Are You a Candidate for Laser?

As good as it may sound, laser resurfacing is not for everyone. If you are prone to raised, red keloid scars, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, or if you scar excessively from minor cuts and abrasions, laser resurfacing is probably not an option.

A consultation with a qualified physician can help determine if you are an appropriate candidate for laser skin resurfacing, and which laser is best suited to your skin type and/or condition. There is no one-size-fits-all laser, and the latest laser is not necessarily the greatest for you.

Make sure the physician you choose has your complete medical history and a list of any medications, supplements or herbal products that you take. If you have a history of cold sores, fever blisters, herpes, chicken pox, shingles or other viral infections, tell your surgeon. These viruses lie dormant in your body between outbreaks and can flare up after laser skin resurfacing.

source : facialplasticsurgery

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Ablative vs. Non-Ablative Lasers

Facial resurfacing is usually done with an ablative laser (e.g., CO2 laser). Ablative means that the laser is removing some of your skin. By contrast, non-ablative lasers do not remove skin. Instead, they heat up fibroblasts and stimulate them to thicken the underlying collagen — in essence treating wrinkles from the inside out. Ablative lasers are more damaging and invasive than non-ablative lasers. Another difference is that non-ablative lasers require multiple treatments, while ablative lasers usually require just one.

source : facialplasticsurgery

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Laser Skin Resurfacing : A Primer

Lasers are all the rage when it comes to revitalizing and rejuvenating aging and sun-damaged skin. It seems as if there's a new anti-aging laser being touted as the best one yet each time you flip through a beauty magazine, doesn't it?

But what can lasers really do for your skin? Are any of the latest lasers really the greatest? We'll help you sort out the hope from the hype with our primer on laser skin resurfacing, also called laser rejuvenation, laser skin tightening or laser surgery.

Lasers can treat aging and sun-damaged skin, but that's not all — not by a long shot (or zap, as the case may be). Other applications include:

• Removal of birthmarks and vascular lesions (such as hemangiomas and port wine stains)
• Moles and warts
• Tattoos
• Unwanted body hair
• Skin diseases such as vitiligo and psoriasis. Vitiligo is marked by white patches caused by the destruction of melanocytes, the cells that give skin its color. Psoriasis is a chronic skin problem that occurs when skin cells grow too quickly, resulting in thick patches of skin.
• Acne
• Scars

The word "laser" is actually an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers create intense beams of visible, infrared or ultraviolet light. When laser light is absorbed by your skin it's converted to heat, which can result in the burning or coagulation of the targeted tissue.

Different lasers emit different colors and wavelengths. These colors of laser energy are absorbed by different facets of the skin or tissue, which is why certain lasers are recommended to treat certain conditions or skin types over others.

Some lasers are pulsed, which means that the beam is turned on and off in short pulses. Others are continuous wave, which means they emit a continuous beam of laser light.

To understand how and where lasers affect your skin, you must understand the layers and structure of your skin. The skin has three basic layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. It is comprised of the stratum corneum (mostly dead skin cells called keratinocytes), live keratinocytes and the basal layer (which makes the keratinocytes). The epidermis also contains the melanocytes, or pigment-containing skin cells that give our skin its color. The dermis, or middle layer, is mostly made up of skin cells, hair follicles and sweat glands that are held together by collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein found in our skin and is produced by skin cells called fibroblasts.

source : facialplasticsurgery

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Laser Resurfacing Cost

The approximate prices for laser resurfacing range between $1,500 and $6,000. The cost varies based on the type of laser, area treated and the number of sessions required. Find out the cost of the laser resurfacing before booking your treatment(s). If the cost is prohibitive, inquire about payment plans or financing options.

In addition to discussing laser skin resurfacing, All About Facial Rejuvenation addresses numerous non-surgical treatments, including Botox injections and chemical peels, in addition to surgical procedures for the face such as facelift, rhinoplasty and eyelid lift surgery. Please visit the other pages of this site to learn more.

source : facialplasticsurgery

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