Facial Laser Resurfacing – The Guide You Need To Read
Facial laser resurfacing is one of the best ways to address many of the most common skin concerns, including sunspots, age spots, wrinkles, rosacea, redness, acne scars and even acne itself.
There is an abundance of effective lasers available to treat these skin concerns, but knowing which one is the right fit for your skin can be confusing. While the correct treatment will ultimately be determined after a consult with your dermatology provider, here’s a look at the top skin resurfacing treatments for facial rejuvenation.
How you prepare
Before you have facial laser resurfacing, your esthetician will likely:
- Ask about your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions and any medications you are taking or have taken recently. Your esthetician might also ask about previous cosmetic procedures you’ve had and how you react to sun exposure — for example, do you burn easily? rarely?
- Do a physical exam. Your esthetician will inspect your skin and the area that will be treated. This helps determine what changes can be made and how your physical features – for example, the tone and thickness of your skin – might affect your results.
- Discuss your expectations. Talk with your esthetician about your motivations, expectations and the potential risks. Together, you can decide whether laser resurfacing is right for you and, if so, which approach to use. Make sure you understand how long it’ll take to heal and what your results might be.
Before facial laser resurfacing, you might also need to:
- Take medication to prevent complications. If you’re having ablative laser resurfacing — or nonablative laser resurfacing and you have a history of herpes infections around your mouth — your esthetician will prescribe an antiviral medication before and after treatment to prevent a viral infection. Depending on your medical history, your esthetician might recommend other medications before your procedure.
- Avoid unprotected sun exposure. Too much sun up to two months before the procedure can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in treated areas. Discuss sun protection and acceptable sun exposure with your esthetician.
- Stop smoking. If you smoke, try to stop at least two weeks before and after your treatment. This improves your chance of avoiding complications and helps your body heal.
- Arrange for a ride home. If you’re going to be sedated during laser resurfacing, you’ll need help getting home after the procedure. faci
After the procedure
After ablative facial laser resurfacing, the treated skin might be raw, swollen and itchy.
Your esthetician will apply a thick ointment to the treated skin and might cover the area with an airtight and watertight dressing.
You may take a pain reliever and use ice packs. New skin usually covers the area in one or two weeks and full recovery takes at least a month.
During this time do not use products that may irritate your face, such as cosmetics. And avoid situations that increase your risk of infection, such as public whirlpools. Always use sun protection following laser resurfacing.
After nonablative laser resurfacing, recovery time is minimal. Your skin might be swollen or inflamed for a few hours. Use ice packs as needed. Typically, you can resume your usual activities and skin routine immediately.
Risks
Facial laser resurfacing can cause side effects. Side effects are milder and less likely with nonablative approaches than with ablative laser resurfacing.
- Redness, swelling, itching and pain. Treated skin may swell, itch or have a burning sensation. Redness may be intense and might last for several months.
- Acne. Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause you to temporarily develop tiny white bumps (milia) on treated skin.
- Infection. Laser resurfacing can lead to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. The most common infection is a flare-up of the herpes virus – the virus that causes cold sores. In most cases, the herpes virus is already present but dormant in the skin.
- Changes in skin color. Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker than it was before treatment (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation). Permanent changes in skin color are more common in people with dark brown or black skin. Talk with your esthetician about which laser resurfacing technique reduces this risk.
- Scarring. Ablative laser resurfacing poses a slight risk of scarring.
Who should not use facial laser?
Facial laser resurfacing isn’t for everyone. Your esthetician might caution against laser resurfacing if you:
- Have taken the acne medication isotretinoin (Amnesteem) during the past year;
- Have a connective tissue or autoimmune disease or a weak immune system;
- Have a history of keloid scars;
- Have had radiation therapy to the face;
- Have a history of previous laser resurfacing;
- Are prone to cold sores or have had a recent outbreak of cold sores or herpes virus;
- Have darker brown or Black skin or are very tanned;
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding;
- Have a history of an outward-turning eyelid (ectropion).
Results
After ablative facial laser resurfacing, your skin might stay inflamed for up to several months. But once the treatment area begins to heal, you’ll notice a difference in your skin quality and appearance. The effects can last for years.
Results after nonablative laser resurfacing tend to be gradual and progressive. You’re more likely to notice improvements in skin texture and pigment than in wrinkles.
After laser resurfacing, always use sun protection. As you age, you’ll continue to get lines by squinting and smiling. New sun damage also can reverse your results. Every day, use a moisturizer and a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Facial laser treatment types
There are 5 different facial laser treatments for the face:
Laser Genesis – Laser Genesis will give your face an insta – glow, because you can leave the dermatology office looking better than you did when you walked in and it only takes about 15 minutes. There’s no downtime and no commitment with Laser Genesis.
Fractional CO2 Laser – This laser is best for deep acne scars–the kind that are pitted and impossible to cover up. This type of laser for the face will poke teeny tiny holes into the deepest layer of the skin to regenerate collagen growth and fill in the areas of tissue loss due to acne scars.
Pulsed Dye Laser – When trying to banish broken blood vessels and broken capillaries from your face, you’ll want to rely on a vascular laser like a pulsed dye laser. The good news is that pulsed dye lasers don’t require any pain management and has zero downtime. These types of lasers use yellow light to very gently heat up the skin and destroy blood vessels, while leaving any surrounding skin untouched.
Fraxel – Probably best known in pop culture as the go-to laser for Kim Kardashian, the Fraxel Laser is a serious powerhouse in the complexion rejuvenating category. The best in class for wrinkle removal, treatment of crow’s feet, sun damage removal and overall skin rejuvenation is the Fraxel Repair laser. Yes, there is some downtime with this treatment, but after a couple days looking like you have a sunburn, your skin will look 10 years younger, tighter and completely refreshed.
IPL – Brown spots from too much sun have a way of really ruining a gorgeous complexion. IPL (Laser Photo Rejuvenation) will get rid of these. This targets melanin in dark spots. After a few days they flake off and reveal a perfectly even and gorgeous complexion.
Is laser treatment good for your face?
The short answer is, yes. Laser skin treatments can help refresh the skin and improve many skin conditions, including age spots, veins, wrinkles, scars, sagging skin, unwanted hair and tattoos. Lasers can target different structures in the skin.
How long does laser therapy on the face last?
On average, most individuals get to enjoy silky-smooth skin that lasts for anywhere between three and five years after undergoing laser therapy. Many individuals maintain treatments by returning every so often for a touch-up or supplementary skin treatment.
How painful is laser facial?
While laser skin treatments do work incredibly quickly, they can be slightly irritating during the treatment itself. The pain is minimal and has been compared by patients to a rubber band snapping against your skin. After a few minutes, your skin becomes used to the pain and you don’t feel it anymore.
How often should I laser my face?
Most patients can have laser hair removal once every 4 to 6 weeks. Your esthetician will tell you when it is safe to have another treatment. Most patients see some hair regrowth.
What are the disadvantages of laser on face?
Treated skin may swell, itch or have a burning sensation. Redness may be intense and might last for several months. Acne. Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause you to temporarily develop tiny white bumps (milia) on treated skin.
How many facial laser treatments do I need?
Most individuals need 3 to 4 laser skin resurfacing sessions for optimal results. But some individuals also need a lot more sessions. You should also opt for maintenance treatments once or twice a year to maintain flawless skin.
Can I wash my face after facial laser treatment?
For the healing process, you’ll want to kick it old school, washing with warm water and a super gentle cleanser. Your skin is exposed to a lot of debris during this time, so make sure to rinse it at least a few times a day.
Can I moisturize my skin after laser?
Yes, you can, and should, moisturize after laser hair removal. While you should not moisturize before your laser hair removal appointment, after your appointment is a different story. The best moisturizers to use after laser hair removal are perfume free. This will help to avoid excess skin irritation.
Can I use sunscreen after facial laser treatment?
To help ensure the best possible results, it is important to avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks before and after your treatment and wear sunscreen after laser hair removal with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Can I wear makeup after facial laser?
During this time, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing any makeup because even sensitive-skin products can have agents that irritate skin immediately after treatment. After 24 hours, you can apply makeup — but if it causes irritation or redness, give your skin another makeup-free day to recover.
What age should I laser my face?
Once hormones have regulated (usually between ages 17 and 19), treatments are much more effective and permanent. Also, the teen must be mature enough to deal with any discomfort during the procedure, and be disciplined enough to maintain the treatment schedule.
What is the difference between a laser facial and a regular facial?
There are some key differences between a laser facial and a topical facial. A topical facial uses cleansers, exfoliants and creams to provide skin suppleness and smoothness. A laser facial, by contrast, uses energy to stimulate skin cells while also removing the top layer of dull, dry skin cells.
Is laser better than facial?
Traditional facials can provide instant results for smoother skin, however, laser facials offer a more permanent solution for your skin issues. Laser treatments are excellent options for conditions such as acne, sunspots, and other issues that require deep penetration for optimal healing.
Is waxing or laser better for face?
When it comes to removing unwanted hair, laser treatment is the best method. It’s a long-term solution that’s far less painful than waxing. If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, it’s the only method you should choose, as it completely destroys the hair follicle.
Which is better microneedling or facial laser treatment?
If you have a specific skin condition you want to improve, such as wrinkles or acne scarring, micro-needling may be a more effective treatment for your needs. For overall skin rejuvenation, a carbon laser facial is a fast and effective way to achieve a smoother, brighter complexion.
