Laser Skin Resurfacing: What Is It and Do I Need It?

Discover laser skin resurfacing and its potential benefits. Next Health helps you determine if it is the right choice for your skin. Read to learn more today!

Laser Skin Resurfacing: What Is It and Do I Need It?
Next Health Staff
|
December 6, 2023

Next Health has a few different types of laser treatments for you to choose from. Each treatment comes with its own uses and benefits.

The MicroLaserPeel, for example, is a form of laser skin resurfacing, which is a popular beauty treatment that may be able to help restore the look of your skin when it was younger.

This treatment works well at repairing the skin. Fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and sagging skin can all be addressed with this method.

But this is just one example. This guide will break down what laser skin resurfacing is, what it involves, and can help you determine whether it’s a good choice for you. Let’s get started.

What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing is a procedure that is used to correct superficial irregularities in the skin. It smooths and tights the skin, making it a popular beauty treatment. During the treatment, a MicroLaserPeel or similar tool removes the outermost layer of skin, which is where most skin damage accrues over time. Only a professional uses the tool to precisely remove that outermost layer of skin, minimizing harm and potential discomfort.

This process reveals the smoother skin underneath, giving you a more youthful appearance. The laser treatment can even be used to treat large pores, a rough skin texture, sun damage pigment irregularities, and fine lines.

So, if your skin has been damaged from too much time in the sun, acne, wrinkles, or other scars, resurfacing may help you look younger. Many people start to consider this when their skin inevitably accrues many signs of wear and tear or aging that come naturally as we get older.

Laser skin resurfacing is safe and has effective results. If you would like to set up an appointment with us, be sure to contact us to get started!

When You Might Consider Laser Skin Resurfacing

You might consider laser skin resurfacing if you have any of the following skin conditions:

  • Age spots
  • Acne scars
  • Fine lines
  • Wrinkles
  • Crow’s feet
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Sagging skin

When done correctly, laser resurfacing can improve many aspects of your skin. It may be a particularly good choice if you have struggled with some of the issues above with other treatments but haven’t seen any meaningful progress.

Am I a Good Candidate for Treatment?

Almost anyone is a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing! But you’re an especially good candidate if you have fine lines on your face, as this treatment might be very effective at treating that issue. The fine lines could be around your eyes or on your forehead. If you have acne scars, these can also be treated.

There is a myth that people with dark skin cannot get laser skin resurfacing. This is not true, as the treatment can work with any skin type. Depending on the pigmentation of your skin, we can use different types of lasers to achieve the best results.

Since the light is only applied to the top layers of skin, it can work for any skin type. Normal, oily, and combination skin can all go through the treatment process safely.

However, if you currently have a lot of acne, you might not be a good candidate. Depending on how severe your acne is, the laser treatments might irritate your skin further. You will want to wait for your breakout to clear up before the treatment in order to not make it worse.

Cold sores can also be problematic for laser treatments. If you are prone to cold sores, then the laser may cause you to experience a breakout. You may not be a good candidate if you experience extreme cold sores.

Contact us if you want to know for sure if this treatment is right for you. Our staff will be able to tell after seeing the condition of your skin.

When Should I Get the Treatment?

Many folks choose to have laser skin resurfacing treatments in the autumn or during the winter since their skin won’t be exposed to the sun as often. This is a good idea for most, as laser skin resurfacing can sometimes cause skin sensitivity, which can then be exacerbated by sun exposure.

In fact, most cosmetic surgeons recommend that you do laser resurfacing treatments during fall or winter because the daylight hours are not as long. That way, you are not putting yourself at as big of a risk whenever you have to go outdoors.

However, keep in mind that you might be extra sensitive to sunlight for up to a year, depending on the treatment that you received.

As for age, you can start laser skin treatments when it feels right for you. Some people prefer to start in their 20s to address the scars from their teenage acne. Other people start later, to handle emerging wrinkles and the effects of aging.

It is never too late to try out laser skin resurfacing. Even in your 60s or later you can try out a session to see if it’s right for you. This is best for people who want to boost their skin’s tightness without having to go through surgery. No matter your age, you can still get the benefits.

What to Expect During Treatment

When the day of your treatment comes, it’s normal to want to know what you might expect to happen. So let’s break it down.

During laser skin resurfacing, our staff will treat either certain problem areas on your face or your entire face. The treatment will typically take between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how much of your face we plan to cover during a single session.

The treatment process is simple. You will just need to sit still while our professional uses the micro laser to remove the topmost layer of your skin. It shouldn’t cause any excess discomfort or pain.

Certain Medicines Affect How the Treatment Works

It’s important to remember that you need to let our staff know if you are taking any supplements or medications at the moment before your treatment begins. This is because ingredients in certain medicines can make the healing process take longer or cause other complications.

Finally, if you smoke, it’s a good idea to quit smoking at least two weeks before and after the laser treatment. This is because it can also cause healing to slow.

What to Expect After Treatment

You’ll need to make sure that you thoroughly clean the treated areas often and follow any other advice given to you by our team. Your skin will start to peel in a few days. As it does, softer skin will be revealed.

Be sure that you take extra care of your new skin. This skin is more delicate and will need more sun protection, so be sure to apply sunscreen regularly. You will also not be able to use certain products on it for a certain amount of time, including certain types of heavy makeup.

Our staff is knowledgeable and experienced in doing laser skin resurfacing treatments. They will be able to answer any questions that you have during and after the treatment process. If you have any concerns or want to know about what will and won’t be alright to use on your skin, do not hesitate to ask.

How Long Until My Skin Peels?

After the procedure, it can take 5 to 7 days for your skin to become properly dry and start peeling. Depending on how much skin you had treated, the healing process may take between 10 and 21 days.

Be sure that you keep your new skin moisturized as it heals. We’d be happy to make suggestions on products that have worked well with our other patients.

What to Avoid After Treatment

Your skin may feel irritated for a while after the treatment. You shouldn't pick at your skin and should allow it adequate time to heal. During this time, there are a few activities that you might want to avoid.

For example, it’s a good idea to avoid the gym and swimming pools. These areas can put your healing skin at risk of developing an infection since they may cause you to sweat excessively or expose your skin to chlorine, respectively.

Other than that, there is not much that you will need to avoid. As long as you clean your skin regularly and wear sunscreen when you are outside, you should experience fantastic results.

Conclusion

Next Health is built from a team of professionals who are very experienced in using this laser treatment method. As a result, you can rest assured that we will handle any laser skin resurfacing treatment professionally and capably.

Laser resurfacing treats acne scars, sagging skin, wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines. If you have any of those skin conditions, then laser treatment might be right for you.

Be sure to get in touch with us today if you would like to set up an appointment. Our team would love to hear from you and give you some more insight into what this treatment is like.

Sources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laser-resurfacing/about/pac-20385114

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/laser-skin-resurfacing#1

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/qa/who-is-a-good-candidate-for-laser-resurfacing

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