Is Laser Resurfacing Permanent?

Laser resurfacing does not have permanent results.
Laser resurfacing does not have permanent results.

Laser resurfacing does not have permanent results. Many people notice immediate results on their skin. This may continue to get better for up to a year. With changes to the skin because of aging, new wrinkles and expression lines appear. Thus, as per your need, you may need a laser resurfacing again.

What is laser resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure done to provide a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance to the skin. It is also called a laser peel, laser vaporization, and lasabrasion. It can reduce the age-related changes on the skin, such as facial wrinkles, scars, and blemishes. It acts by removing the superficial layers of the skin resulting in the formation of new collagen fibers that render a healthier, firmer, and tighter skin. It also helps to remove unwanted or damaged skin and treat uneven skin tone. Advances in laser technologies have evolved this procedure that allows the plastic surgeon to make the required improvements to your skin with great precision, especially in the delicate areas.

What is laser resurfacing done for?

Laser resurfacing is beneficial in treating the following skin issues:

Is laser resurfacing painful?

That depends on the type of laser resurfacing sought. How laser resurfacing will feel depends on several factors, mainly:

  • The type of laser
  • The depth of treatment
  • The area of treatment
  • The person’s tolerance for pain

The laser treatments, which results in removing the outer skin layers (ablative lasers), one may feel like a rubber band snapping against the skin.

Thus, different people may experience varying levels of discomfort during therapy. Your doctor may administer local anesthetic injections or IV sedation to keep you comfortable. This is especially done in the deeper ablative (involving the removal of some outer layers of skin) laser treatments, such as CO2 lasers and Erbium YAG lasers.

In nonablative laser resurfacing procedures, the laser passes through the skin without removing the skin layers. Nonablative procedures cause little to no pain at all. They may require only a topical (applied on the skin) numbing cream to keep away any pain or discomfort. Pulsed-dye lasers are commonly used nonablative lasers.

After the laser resurfacing procedure, your skin may stay red or pink for up to several months. For up to a year after the procedure, your skin may be extra sensitive to sunlight. There may be some amount of tenderness in the area treated. Your doctor will recommend ways to minimize the discomfort after the procedure. You may need to avoid sun exposure and apply sunscreen daily and liberally.

Are there any complications of laser resurfacing?

Complications of laser resurfacing include:

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References
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1296806-overview#:~:text=Carbon%20dioxide%20laser%20resurfacing%20(as,deep%20furrows%20or%20severe%20dermatoheliosis.

https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/skin-resurfacing/the-top-8-things-you-need-to-know-about-laser-skin-resurfacing/

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing