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?
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.
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:
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:
If you’re looking for something that requires less downtime, effective erbium lasers include:
Before you commit to a skin resurfacing treatment, you should consider the following factors:
Wondering whether skin resurfacing is for you? Here are some signs that you may benefit from a resurfacing treatment:
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.
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:
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!
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.