Are you looking for an effective solution to acne scars, age spots, wrinkles, or uneven skin tone? While plenty of topical creams and serums help rejuvenate your appearance, laser resurfacing treatments may provide quicker and more effective results. But what is laser skin resurfacing, and is it right for you?
Understanding Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic treatment designed to improve the look, texture, and feel of the skin. As well as lessening the appearance of scars and wrinkles, skin resurfacing treatment can even out skin tone and alleviate sun damage.
Laser therapy works by applying concentrated pulses of light directly on the affected skin, stimulating the production of new collagen fibers. As you may already know, collagen gives skin its strength and structure. As such, boosting collagen growth is a great way to tackle visible aging and other skin-related concerns. Skin resurfacing is considered relatively safe and doesn’t require extensive recovery time. However, it may cause minor side effects such as redness, swelling, pain, and discomfort.
Types of Lasers Used in Skin Resurfacing
There are several types of lasers for skin resurfacing, each of which comes with its own benefits and potential side effects. Broadly speaking, we can split types of laser treatments into two categories – non-ablative and ablative.
Ablative lasers – such as CO2 and erbium lasers – work by “ablating” the surface. In other words, they gently remove the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) and heat up the layer below (the dermis). This method is very effective at stimulating collagen growth and skin regeneration, helping reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and other skin concerns. It’s worth noting, however, that ablative treatments require more recovery time than non-ablative treatments as they cause greater damage to the surface of the skin.
Non-ablative lasers don’t remove the skin’s outer layer. Rather, they heat the skin’s underlying tissue to stimulate collagen production and promote skin tightening. While this method is less invasive than ablative alternatives and requires less downtime, it may not offer such quick or dramatic results. As such, people who opt for non-ablative treatment tend to require multiple treatment sessions to achieve their desired results.
Non-ablative treatments include:
- Clear + Brilliant®: Treatment with Clear + Brilliant® requires around 20 minutes and works by triggering the skin’s natural healing process. Considered one of the gentlest and most effective facial lasers for treating the first signs of aging, we offer this treatment to many clients looking to recapture their authentic radiance.
- IPL: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy stimulates collagen and targets visible signs of aging using broad-spectrum light therapy – a highly effective method requiring minimal recovery time. If you’re looking to address common skin concerns such as spider veins, acne scars, fine lines, rosacea, sunspots, and other age-related issues, we’re happy to discuss this treatment with you.
- ResurFX™: Impressions Face + Body is proud to offer ResurFX™ treatment – a non-ablative method that targets hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, uneven skin tone, and more. The laser is ‘fractional,’ meaning it delivers the treatment in tiny dots rather than destroying skin cells. As a result, it offers strong results with minimal recovery time.
Ablative therapies can be categorized into CO2 and erbium laser options. CO2 lasers are designed to treat deeper wrinkles, emitting powerful beams easily absorbed by water within skin cells. Erbium lasers are also absorbed by water within the skin but are less powerful, meaning they’re better for targeting fine lines, early wrinkles, and mild imperfections.
CO2 treatments require more downtime than erbium options, causing greater damage to the skin’s outer layer and, therefore, more temporary redness and swelling. However, they’re likely to provide more dramatic results thanks to their skin-tightening and wrinkle-reducing powers.
Examples of CO2 treatments include:
- Active FX: This treatment delivers a high-energy beam designed to peel off the outer layer of the skin to reveal a healthy layer underneath. We offer this treatment to suitable candidates as our most penetrative and long-lasting resurfacing method. While Active FX requires more downtime than other options, we work hard to mitigate risks and ensure clients are as comfortable as possible before and after treatment.
- Fraxel Repair: Some clinics offer Fraxel Repair – a fractional CO2 laser that works to vaporize small areas of skin and kick-start collagen production.
If you’re looking for something that requires less downtime, effective erbium lasers include:
- Aerolase®: We offer Aerolase® as a gentler ablative option than Active FX. Considered a go-to ablative option for those looking to minimize downtime, we’re happy to discuss this option as a potential means to treat your skin concerns.
- Erbium YAG: The Erbium YAG laser is a popular option for skin-tightening treatment, and it helps to reduce scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Factors to Consider Before Skin Resurfacing
Before you commit to a skin resurfacing treatment, you should consider the following factors:
- Skin concerns: Your chosen treatment should align with your skin goals and concerns. For example, gentle treatments such as IPL are better suited to treat fine lines and minor scarring than CO2 lasers.
- Your medical history: Certain medical conditions – such as autoimmune disorders – can affect your suitability for laser suitability. Remember to disclose any relevant information to your provider before going ahead with a treatment.
- Your lifestyle: If you’re a busy person, you may not be able to spare any time to recover from invasive therapies. You’ll also need to follow pre-treatment instructions, such as avoiding sun exposure and avoiding certain medications or skincare ingredients in the days or weeks before treatment.
- Your skin type: People with darker skin are at risk of developing hyperpigmentation as a result of laser therapy. Similarly, people with sensitive skin or active acne may not be suitable candidates for some treatments. This is why it’s always important to book a consultation with a knowledgeable clinic!
Signs You May Benefit from Skin Resurfacing
Wondering whether skin resurfacing is for you? Here are some signs that you may benefit from a resurfacing treatment:
- Scars: Laser resurfacing can reduce the appearance of scars – including acne scars – by smoothing the texture of the skin.
- Sun damage: Sun damage can alter the texture and appearance of the skin.
- Fine lines and wrinkles: While everyone develops fine lines and wrinkles as they age, laser therapy can reduce their appearance if they bother you.
- Hyperpigmentation: Laser treatment may help reduce the appearance of melasma, freckles, age, spots, and other pigmented areas.
- Uneven skin tone: Laser resurfacing can help even the skin tone, boosting radiance and youthfulness.
- Enlarged pores: Resurfacing treatments can decrease the visibility of pores by tightening the skin and improving texture.
The Healing Process
Recovery time and procedures will depend on your treatment type. For example, recovery time with CO2 laser resurfacing may last up to two weeks and will typically involve follow-up care. During the first seven days after CO2 treatment, the skin may be red, swollen, and sensitive to the touch.
You’ll need to keep the skin clean and moisturized using gentle products while avoiding sun exposure. In some cases, you may need to take medications to prevent infection and mitigate discomfort. In the second week following treatment, you’ll start to notice improvements in skin texture as the outer layer starts to peel and flake. During this time, the skin may feel itchy and tight. Resist the urge to pick at your skin!
For less invasive treatments, pain, and redness will be less intense and may start to subside within hours or days. You’ll still need to avoid irritants such as harsh cleansers or hot showers while avoiding sun exposure and maintaining a gentle moisturizing routine.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Laser resurfacing is generally considered a safe procedure. However, people who undergo laser treatment may experience some side effects, especially if they opt for a more invasive option. Potential risks and side effects could include:
- Redness and swelling: Most people will experience inflammation and redness following laser resurfacing treatment. This issue usually subsides within a few days or weeks.
- Hyperpigmentation: People with darker skin tones may experience temporary or permanent hyperpigmentation following laser resurfacing treatment. As such, it’s worth discussing this risk with your provider before going ahead with treatment.
- Infection: As with many medical procedures, there is a small risk of infection from laser resurfacing, especially if providers don’t follow adequate hygiene practices.
- Scarring: Ablative lasers can cause some scarring, although this possibility is very rare. Practicing proper wound care practices following treatment will mitigate this risk.
- Itchiness and dryness: It’s relatively common for skin to feel a little tight, dry, and itchy in the days following laser treatment.
Long-term Results and Maintenance
The long-term results of laser treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including your age, lifestyle, skin type, and skin color. Certain lasers will also produce longer-lasting effects than others. Broadly speaking, however, you can expect to see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, tighter and more even skin, and a reduction in scarring.
To optimize your results for as long as possible, it’s a good idea to follow a skincare routine that suits your skin type, including cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and active ingredients recommended by your dermatologist. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (including a balanced diet and exercise) and protecting yourself from the sun will also keep your skin looking fresh and healthy. You may wish to incorporate treatments into your skincare routine if you want to maintain your fresh complexion for many years to come!
Impressions Face + Body
Keen to start your resurfacing journey? The experts at Impressions Face + Body are ready to discuss your options and ensure you make the best decision to suit your skin needs and lifestyle. Schedule a consultation today to get started.
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