An Ultimate Guide on Laser Resurfacing

Are your bathroom cupboards full of cleansers, scrubs, serums and face oils? Are you a true skincare enthusiast and you might have never missed your daily skincare routine. But even after consistency and perseverance, you are still not getting the results you were hoping for.

Well, you are not the only one and this is NORMAL! A consistent, well-timed, and perfectly curated skincare routine is good for healthy and nourished skin, but to achieve desired results, you might need clinical treatments like laser skin resurfacing.

Laser resurfacing is effective for treating hyperpigmentation, premature ageing, and sun-damaged skin. For well over 40 years, laser skin resurfacing has been a hot topic in the field of dermatology. It has replaced many severe techniques, producing better results with less discomfort and faster recovery.

Are you ready to see the wonders of laser skin resurfacing? Read this blog.

What Are Lasers and How Do They Work?

A LASER (Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a device that induces the emission of light at certain wavelengths from atoms or molecules and intensifies that light, creating an extremely narrow radiation beam. In dermatology, lasers are used as a method of skin resurfacing that uses heat and light to enhance the colour, texture, and tone of the skin.

Laser light has a very high intensity that can be precisely concentrated into small spots (on the face or body). A medium, which might be a gas, is present in an optical cavity where the light is emitted. A photon of light is released as the laser medium's molecules are stimulated throughout the operation and return to a steady state.

Simply put, in order for your body to respond to the controlled damage to the skin's surface by producing new skin, lasers use light and heat energy. Thus, resulting in increased production of collagen, leading to a decrease in premature ageing, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation.

Types of Laser Resurfacing

Ablative Laser Resurfacing

One of the best cosmetic treatments for rejuvenating aged skin is ablative laser skin resurfacing. The method eliminates the outer layers of ageing or sun-damaged skin by transmitting a strong light spectrum to the skin.

The ablative laser stimulates the skin underneath, which causes collagen (a protein that makes skin firmer and smoother) to develop and reduces wrinkles. There are many other ablative lasers with varying wavelengths, but CO2 lasers have been regarded as the "Gold Standard" in the cosmetic industry for ablation because they provide an ideal balance of coagulation and ablation.

Ablative laser resurfacing can help you treat:

• Wrinkles

• Age spots

• Uneven skin tone

• Sun-damaged skin

• Hyperpigmentation

• Acne scars

Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Compared to ablative lasers, nonablative lasers are milder. By heating the skin without harming the top layer, non-ablative resurfacing uses a laser to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and small scars.

As non-ablative laser skin resurfacing is a gentler and less-dramatic procedure, it uses a single wavelength of light. Moreover, it does not remove any skin, so it is generally recommended to people who are looking to improve skin tone and texture.

Non-ablative laser resurfacing can help you treat:

• Age spots

• Mild Scars

• Wrinkles

• Improve skin texture and tone

• Sun-damaged skin

Laser Resurfacing Procedure – What to Expect

This skincare technique will increase collagen formation since it heats the lower dermal layers while targeting the top layer of your skin. New collagen filaments will aid in the development of new skin cells that have a smoother texture and feel firmer when touched. The following steps are involved in laser resurfacing:

Step 1: The dermatologist will induce a series of treatments some weeks before to prepare your skin for the resurfacing procedure. The purpose of prepping your skin is to increase the skin’s tolerance capacity for laser treatment. This pre-treatment procedure also decreases the risks of side effects and complications.

Step 2: A topical anaesthetic will be applied to the treatment area by the dermatologist on the day of the procedure. This is done throughout the treatment to lessen pain and inflammation. Your doctor could advise sedatives or painkillers if you are opting for a large treatment area.

Step 3: The skin is then washed to get rid of any extra oil, debris, or germs.

Step 4: Once the skin is washed and dried, the dermatologist will use the laser and move it gradually around the selected skin area.

Step 5: When the procedure is finished, your doctor will wrap the treatment area to help preserve the skin.

Benefits of Laser Skin Resurfacing

Reduces Premature Ageing

As we age, the skin starts to lose elasticity, resulting in dull and saggy skin. Laser skin resurfacing makes the skin look cleaner, healthy, firm, and younger. Laser resurfacing will remove imperfections and uncover the new skin beneath, whether you wish to smooth your face or decrease the fine lines and wrinkles.

Minimises Pore Size

Your pores' size is mostly influenced by genetics, although age is also a significant sign. Whatever the cause, laser skin resurfacing can be beneficial. It lessens the visibility of pores, resulting in smoother, healthier, and younger-looking skin.

Improve Spots and Discolouration

Age, sun exposure, and skin pigmentation can contribute to spots and discolouration. The discolouration may be evened out via laser skin resurfacing, giving you a more uniform appearance and complexion.

Decreases Appearance of Spider Veins

Prominent blood vessels, also known as broken capillaries or spider veins, are unsightly blemishes that are typically brought on by sun exposure, contact dermatitis, or other causes including hormones or alcoholism. Laser resurfacing can help in reducing the appearance of spider veins, making skin look firmer and clearer.

How to Prepare for Laser Skin Resurfacing?

• For four weeks prior to the treatment, abstain from prolonged sun exposure, UV rays, or tanning.

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with UV filters every day.

• For four weeks before the surgery, avoid using face peels or exfoliants on the treatment area.

• Avoid using photosensitive drugs like antibiotics or steroids for at least 72 hours before the treatment.

• Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking since both can irritate the skin. Alcohol can thin the blood as well, so it should be avoided at least 5 weeks before the treatment.

Possible Complications of Laser Resurfacing

• Milia, which are small, white lumps, might develop after laser treatment when the skin is set to heal.

• One to two years following surgery, hypopigmentation (a low level of melanin) can occur due to the loss of melanocytes.

• There is a possibility of bacterial infection at two to ten days of treatment.

• Patients who use occlusive dressings or who are on antibiotics run the risk of developing a fungal infection, like candida.

• Patients are also at potential risk of developing contact dermatitis.

Resurfacing and Rejuvenation Differences

Treatments for skin rejuvenation include everything that improves the appearance of the skin, including clinical procedures or at-home skincare treatment. Resurfacing, on the other hand, describes a procedure that actually removes the top layer of skin. Simply put, resurfacing is one of the methods for achieving skin rejuvenation. Let’s explain it further.

Skin Rejuvenation

Skin rejuvenation is the broad term for any treatments and procedures that seek to "revitalize" your skin and improve its appearance. Skin rejuvenation procedures can help you much in restoring lost moisture, skin elasticity and volume, and brightness. However, they are not considered effective treatments for youthful skin.

Some skin types will use topical products like retinoids, vitamin C, or hydroquinone while some can include injectables like Botox, dermal fillers, or wrinkle fillers.

Skin Resurfacing

As mentioned above, skin resurfacing is a type of skin rejuvenation treatment. Skin resurfacing treatments aid in removing damaged skin from the epidermis. Skin resurfacing makes use of the biological mechanism of "desquamation," which is the removal of the skin's top layer.

Depending on the skin type and need, the following techniques can be performed:

Chemical peel

It uses an acidic solution to chemically remove dead skin cells from the skin which makes it look dull, under-nourished, or scaly. The dead skin cells are replaced with new skin cells as they start peeling off.

A chemical peel does not use lasers or needles and helps in the reduction of fine lines and discolouration. Although it gives you healthy and youthful skin, it does not address deep creases.

Laser Resurfacing

By employing lasers, skin texture and appearance can be enhanced through laser skin resurfacing. The use of laser skin resurfacing has been shown to be effective in reducing premature ageing, dark spots, acne scars, pigmentation, and other imperfections as well as tightening the skin and balancing tone.

Conclusion

If you are struggling to keep up with your skincare routine or are looking for ways to treat your skin concerns that your daily skincare routine cannot address, then laser skin resurfacing is the best choice. Book an appointment at You by Sia or reach out to experts to learn more about laser resurfacing.

FAQs

1. Is Laser Resurfacing Permanent?

Most patients report silky-smooth skin that lasts for three to five years after receiving laser treatment. 

2. What is the most effective laser resurfacing?

CO2 laser resurfacing is one of the most effective laser resurfacing methods used to treat wrinkles, fine lines, scars, and other skin issues.

3. How much time does laser resurfacing take to show effective results?

As soon as your skin has fully recovered from the laser resurfacing procedure, you will start to experience the effects of your treatment. This implies that it can take two to three weeks for the majority of people to notice any appreciable effects of this medication.