The future has arrived, and lasers are useful for improving and maintaining your health in a variety of ways. While you might have heard about celebrities using laser skin services in the past, it might be helpful to know that this beauty treatment isn’t just for the rich and famous. Modern technology has made these skin care treatments more affordable for the average person, and knowing what is laser resurfacing could be what you need to change how you feel about your face and body every time you look in the mirror. Although the results can vary from one person to another, you’ll find that laser resurfacing procedures can have these benefits for your skin.
- fade old acne scars
- smooth fine lines and wrinkles
- restore a youthful glow
- correct uneven coloring and blotchiness
Many people’s skin still tells the story of the past beauty frustrations they experienced. Although you might have done your best to avoid picking at your blemishes, it is common for acne to leave behind scars that last well into adulthood. You might also be noticing more fine lines and wrinkles popping up as you get older, or you may have been battling blotchy skin for years. Laser skin resurfacing helps to correct all of these types of problems by gently removing small micro layers of your skin with precise equipment that your technician will use on the areas that you want to target.
Removing the surface layer of your skin stimulates a healing process that includes regenerating skin cells so that the new surface appears smoother and without as many visual defects. The new skin also tends to appear tighter and more youthful, which helps you to stave off the typical outward signs of aging. Most people are eligible for laser skin resurfacing, but you will want to work with your care provider to make sure it is right for you and to get ready for your session.
How Do You Prepare for Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Compared to other more intensive cosmetic procedures, laser skin resurfacing is a fairly simple process with minimal recovery time. Considering that the results are noticeable, most people find that the small amount of prep work is well worth their long term happiness with their appearance once their skin rejuvenates. Before the procedure, your technician may recommend avoiding certain medications and supplements that can interfere with the healing process. For instance, aspirin can interfere with blood clotting, and you may need to temporarily avoid taking vitamin E supplements because they can have similar effects. People who are prone to cold sores or bacterial skin infections might also need to take medication before their procedure to minimize the risk of potential side effects.
Since the laser itself will be warming up the skin, you’ll be advised to protect the areas that are to be treated from the sun. Ideally, you should be using sunscreen as part of your daily skin care regimen, but this might be a good time to make sure you are using one that has a high UV-ray blocking factor. If you are having the procedure done on your facial skin, then wearing a wide-brimmed hat can further prevent having sun damage that could cause you to need to reschedule the procedure.
Most laser skin resurfacing procedures are done on an outpatient basis. Usually, your skin will be numbed using a topical ointment, but it might be necessary to take a sedative if large surfaces are being resurfaced. If you take a sedative, then you might need to arrange for a ride home afterwards. On the day of your appointment, your main responsibility is to lay back and relax. Your care team will use the laser to resurface the parts of your skin that you’ve already agreed to target, and it usually only takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete a simple procedure. More extensive areas of your skin may take longer, and it is common to require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results.
After the procedure, you’ll be given home-care instructions that usually include washing your skin gently after 24 hours and applying special ointments to prevent scabbing. Most people’s skin begins to fully heal between 10 and 21 days, after which you’ll be able to see a whole new you shining through in the mirror.
Are you ready to learn more about laser skin resurfacing? We’ll help you smooth out all the details of planning for this procedure. Give us a call today at 205-352-9141.
