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It is now possible to remove or improve facial wrinkles, lines and
scars using the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. This technique allows
for excellent treatment of facial imperfections, with great precision,
without blood loss and with very minimal risk of scarring. Laser resurfacing
results are long lasting with correction often maintained for years.
Although the CO2 laser has been around since the 1960's, advancements
have made it safer and more effective for use on human skin. A high-powered,
short-pulsed laser light is directed at the skin surface, controlled
by a computerized scanner. Each pulse/pass delivers an identical amount
of energy that uniformly removes precise amounts of skin. Deeper imperfections
are treated with additional passes.
Dermabrasion produces a lot of bleeding which reduces visibility,
plus the depth of dermabrasion can vary by the amount of pressure
being applied. Post-operatively, the patient has more discomfort due
to the amount of oozing and bleeding of the dermabraded skin. The
CO2 Laser seals blood vessels, resulting in an almost bloodless wound.
There is also more precise control of skin removal for more selective
and accurate treatment of individual lines and less risk of scarring.
While specific areas can be targeted, such as frown furrows, crow's
feet, laugh lines, smoker's lines and fine wrinkling, FULL FACE resurfacing
produces even more dramatic results.
For regional areas (zones), a local anesthetic combined with a topical
anesthetic cream and a light oral sedative is all that is required.
For full face laser resurfacing, an I.V. sedation administered by
an anesthesiologist is recommended.
A light sedative (consisting of Demoral and Vistaril) injected about
30 minutes prior to surgery may be required. Larger areas may require
IV sedation or a general anesthetic administered by an anesthesiologist.
You may be prescribed Retin-A or an Alpha Hydroxy Acid cream beginning
two weeks prior to surgery. Darker compacted or tanned individuals
may also use a bleaching agent to reduce excess skin pigment during
this same time. Prior to surgery, patients will be given a prescription
for Zovirax tablets to lessen the possibility of flare-up of fever
blisters. Oral antibiotics are also started on the day of surgery.
Photographs will be taken before the treatment and on follow-up visits.
Following Laser Resurfacing, injury to the skin will appear similar
to a second-degree burn. The initial post-operative appearance looks
like an abrasion, where the surface of the skin appears red and weepy.
This appearance lasts for seven to fourteen days, at which time most
patients can return to work. Makeup use can be resumed at that time.
The treated areas can remain a pink or red color, which will gradually
fade over the next two to six months and may be covered with cosmetics.
In most cases, all of the wrinkles will not be entirely removed, because
this may result in a plastic, rigid appearance. Instead, the goal
is to improve the appearance by giving a smoother, more even surface
contour. With conservative therapy, improvement of approximately 50
percent can be seen in a single treatment. If necessary, specific
areas can be retreated after six months. The use of sunscreen to protect
the newly resurfaced skin is highly recommended. The use of other
topical medications and creams to improve and prolong the results
will be discussed and initiated two to three weeks following surgery.
Studies have shown Laser Resurfacing to provide excellent results
with a low risk of adverse effects. However, it is clearly best to
select a physician adequately trained to screen candidates and perform
CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing. And, while reports of complications are
uncommon, side effects are possible with any procedure where the skin
surface is removed.
This is more common in those patients with dark complexions, and is
usually temporary, lasting three to six months. This can be treated
by a combination of bleaching creams and Retin A. Sunscreens and sun
avoidance can minimize risks.
This is uncommon and is temporary in most cases but may be permanent.
The areas that are treated will have a red-pink color for two to six
months. This is thought to represent increased blood flow from healing
as well as new growth of superficial tissue. It will fade gradually.
It is not uncommon for the treated area to feel tight and itchy after
seven to ten days.
Scarring is not anticipated as a consequence of this procedure. If
it does occur, it is usually the result of some secondary factors,
which interfere with healing, such as infection, irritation, scratching/picking,
or poor wound care. Most of these factors only result in temporary
scars that will blend with the surrounding skin over time, although
some scarring can be permanent. Hypertopic scars or keloids can occur
in susceptible individuals. These should respond to injections or
topical agents. If you have a history of hypertopic or keloid-type
scars, you may be susceptible to increased scarring.
2008 © Total Dermatology is one of Southern California's top laser dermatology centers offering
laser treatments for
sundamage,
pigmentation,
acne and acne scars
and
Fraxel CO2 laser for 3 in 1 skin rejuvenation. A Nonsurgical Nose Job is possible with simple injections of Radiesse.
Dr. Pilest, a Board Certified dermatologist and one of Orange County's most
popular cosmetic dermatology specialists, offers patients in Orange County a wide variety of
wrinkle fillers such as
Restylane,
Juvederm,
Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast,
Radiesse (also known as Radiance), and
Sculptra. Dr. Pilest treats patients from the Newport Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills,
Tustin, Mission Viejo and Orange County area as well as cities throughout California, the United States and abroad.
He is recognized as a master level injection specialist and is a national
teaching faculty member for Bioform Medical. Dr. Pilest is well known for his
expert treatments in managing
Rosacea,
acne, and
hyperpigmentation.
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