The Pros and Cons of Laser Skin Treatments

Nowadays, there are many treatments available to help you achieve flawless skin. One particular treatment has grown in popularity over the past few years. Laser skin treatment or skin resurfacing improves your complexion using lasers. The lasers remove the top layer of your skin. This way your skin cells can regenerate. It can remove blemishes and make your skin look younger and smoother.

Lasers are most commonly used to treat wrinkles and other signs of aging. However, they can also help improve sun-damaged skin and remove acne scars. Every skin resurfacing treatment is designed specifically to suit your skin type. The only downside of these treatments is that they are not recommended for people with dark complexions.

Lasers Used for Skin Treatments

Most laser skin treatments use one of three types of lasers. The first type is the carbon-dioxide or CO2 laser. This laser removes your skin in layers and causes slight damage to surrounding areas in the process. This treatment can have side-effects like redness and scaring. You’ll need at least two weeks to recover from this type of procedure.

Erbium lasers function similarly to CO2 lasers, but they are more precise. The damage to surrounding tissue is minimal, so you won’t have to worry about swelling. Another benefit of this treatment is the fast recovery time.

Fractional lasers are the most modern form of treatment. The laser will emit a small and powerful beam of light on your skin. They cause virtually no damage to surrounding areas and have almost no risk of complications.

Are You a Good Candidate for Laser Skin Treatments?

The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for skin resurfacing is by consulting a licensed dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Good dermatologists will answer all your questions and inform you of the possible risks of laser treatment. They can also tell you more about the effectiveness of the treatment and walk you through the aftercare process.

When consulting your dermatologist remember to always mention skin allergies and past acne problems. Patients who have active acne problems are at risk of developing severe breakouts after skin resurfacing. It is also important to tell your doctor if you are taking any medication.

Most dermatologists will prescribe antibiotics or steroid creams to prepare your skin for laser treatments. You may need to take your usual medication weeks before the treatment. If you are a smoker, you’ll have to kick the habit at least two weeks before the treatment. It’s also important to limit your exposure to sunlight before undergoing skin resurfacing.

But, most importantly you should have realistic expectations before you choose to undergo this type of procedure. Although lasers are all the rage now, they usually don’t have permanent effects. This means you’ll probably need multiple treatments to achieve your desired result.

Skin Resurfacing Aftercare

Your dermatologist should tell you about the aftercare process even before your treatment begins. After skin resurfacing, you should receive precise instructions on how to care for your skin during the recovery period. It is vital to wash the treated area several times a day and apply creams that foster skin healing.

These creams will also minimize the chance of scars forming on the treated area. Redness and swelling are common side-effects of this type of treatment. Luckily, these effects are not permanent and will subside in a couple of weeks. You’ll also need to avoid wearing makeup for a couple of days after the treatment.

Once your treatment is finished, you will need to schedule several checkups with your dermatologist. During these appointments, your doctor will examine the condition of your skin and inform you of your progress. At this time your doctor can prescribe additional creams that speed up your recovery.

Skin resurfacing has a high risk of infection. That’s why you need to follow the advice of your doctor and take antibiotics regularly before the treatment. Another negative side-effect of this procedure is hypo pigmentation. This means that the treated skin can appear much lighter than the rest of your complexion. This can be a result of the deep penetration of lasers into your skin. The least common side-effect of laser skin treatments is scarring. However, laser treatment is very safe and any negative side-effects are rare.

The best part of skin resurfacing treatments is their quick and efficient results. Although many patients need multiple treatments, they all report major improvements to their complexion. The only problem is that laser skin treatments aren’t for everybody’s budget. The journey to perfect skin can end up costing you several thousands of dollars.

REFERENCES:

AllBuzzNoFuzz