Your Ideal Face
Your Ideal Body
Your Ideal Breast
Cosmetic Surgery in Men
Go to Patient Photos
Back to Procedures
Laser
Skin Resurfacing Kansas, Laser Skin Resurfacing Kansas City, Laser Skin
Resurfacing in Kansas
How
long have lasers been used?
Lasers have been used
in medicine for many years now. In
the early 1990’s, the carbon dioxide laser was modified for specific
use in treating facial wrinkles, blemishes, and superficial acne
scarring. The recent
introduction of the Erbium laser has increased the number of patients
that can benefit from laser skin resurfacing.
These advanced techniques provide a precise and effective means
of removing the outer layer of the skin.
How
does it work, and is it safe?
The laser uses an
intense beam of light to remove the upper layers of damaged skin,
stimulating the formation of new skin cells and collagen, which are
produced from the lower skin layers.
Sun-damaged skin cells and superficial blemishes are removed.
Collagen (fiber tissue) formation is stimulated and superficial
wrinkles are smoothed out. The
procedure also causes the skin to contract, improving skin tone.
Because the pulse of light is very short, the lower skin layers
are preserved. This
provides a very precise and safe treatment.
What
areas can be treated?
Most commonly, the full
face is treated. This
allows treatment of all areas - around the mouth, crow’s feet and
frown lines. In some
situations, though, only specific regions of the face are treated.
The laser allows precise control of depth of treatment, which is
individualized for each person and area being treated.
The laser treatment may
be used alone or to compliment other cosmetic procedures, which may be
performed simultaneously. Drooping of the brows and heavy frown lines
can be treated with a forehead lift.
Blepharoplasties may be performed to remove extra fat causing
baggy eyelids. For patients
with significant skin laxity of the face and neck, a facelift may be
recommended. Specialized
chemical peels may be used as well in some cases.
Is
skin care important in this procedure?
Skin care, before and
after laser treatment is important to optimize the result.
Patients with fair complexions are ideal candidates.
Patients with darker complexions may also have excellent results,
although there is an increased risk of pigmentation changes.
This “hyperpigmentation” generally responds to the use of a
bleaching cream incorporated into the skin care program.
All patients are given a medication to prevent cold sores, which
may otherwise appear after laser treatment in patients who have had cold
sores in the past. Antibiotics
are also used routinely after surgery.
Where
is the procedure performed?
The procedure is
performed in the office operating suite under light intravenous
sedation. Patients are
asleep, but awaken readily after surgery.
Small areas may be treated under local anesthetic.
What
about after the surgery?
Postoperatively, the
face is swollen and red. The
skin oozes at first and forms crusts.
Theses gradually go away over a period of about 5-14 days as the
skin heals depending on the depth of the laser peel.
There are no facial dressings.
During this time, patients wash the skin frequently using a
gentle soap and water. Frequent
showers are recommended. This
keeps the skin clean. Vaseline
ointment is used to keep the skin moist.
For most patients, there is minimal discomfort.
However, patients need to take time off to allow sufficient time
for healing. Between 10 - 14 days, make-up may be applied to conceal the
pink color. Gradually the
pink color (which looks like a sunburn) fades over a period of about 2 -
6 months. The pink color
comes from new skin cells and is an expected part of the resurfacing
process. Sun protection is necessary for at least 6 months, using a
sunblock of SPF 20 or greater. A
visor and sunglasses with UV filters are also recommended if patients
are to be out in the sun.
Are
there any risks?
Possible risks include
skin darkening or lightening, scars, and infection.
Whiteheads may appear after surgery.
The recommended skin care program and light facials are important
in treating these problems.
How
fast will I see the results?
Improvement in facial
smoothness is often immediately apparent.
However, with collagen maturation the final result takes several
months. The procedure reverses many of the effects of aging and sun
exposure. Of course, with
time and continued use of the facial muscles, which act to accentuate
lines, wrinkles will appear in the future.
This may be minimized by the use of sunblock.
The procedure may be repeated in the future to treat new wrinkles
or deeper lines around the mouth or eyes.
With proper sun protection and skin care, you can help maintain
your rejuvenated appearance.
This information is intended to provide an introduction to Laser Skin Resurfacing. Additional information, tailored to your particular needs, is provided at the time of consultation. The staff of the Swanson Center is available to answer any other questions you may have or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We would be happy to assist you in finalizing your plans.
©1999 The
Swanson Center · 11413 Ash, Leawood, Kansas 66211
913.663.1030
· Toll-free: 877.663.1030 · Fax: 913.663.1032
Notice of Privacy Practices | Sitemap
At the Swanson Center, Plastic Surgeon, Dr Eric Swanson MD provides an array of Cosmetic and Laser Surgery including breast augmentation, laser skin resurfacing, liposuction, facelift, rhinoplasty, microdermabrasion, BOTOX, abdominoplasty, etc. Serving Kansas city and the surrounding area.
