For most patients,
In general, most patients describe the feeling as mild to moderate discomfort rather than outright pain. You often compare it to the sensation of a rubber band snapping against your skin or a mild sunburn.
Full recovery takes at least a month. During this time, don't 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.
Your Laser Resurfacing Procedure
For light-level treatment, you will only need a topical anesthetic. For medium-level treatments, we'll use twilight sedation, during which you will be conscious, but not fully awake or aware. For deep-level laser resurfacing, you will be under general anesthesia.
Depending on the treatment, some people may have what looks like a severe sunburn. The skin will be raw, oozing and may even blister. A yellow liquid may ooze from treated areas to form a crust. Do not scratch or pick at crusts because this can cause scarring.
Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group.
Laser resurfacing helps reduce the appearance of acne scars; however, it is not for clients who still have active acne. Patients who have very dark skin, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take specific medications like Accutane may not be viable candidates for laser resurfacing.
Determining the Laser Skin Resurfacing Cost
A single treatment session usually costs between $500 and $3,000. But it's important to keep in mind that you might need more than one lesson to get the results you want.
Most patients need 3 to 4 laser skin resurfacing sessions for optimal results. But some patients also need a lot more sessions. You should also opt for maintenance treatments once or twice a year to maintain flawless skin.
Your skin may be dry with peeling five to seven days after laser skin resurfacing. You may wash your face 2-5 times a day using saline solution or dilute vinegar solution, depending on a dermatologist's recommendation. Sleep on an extra pillow during the first four nights after the procedure.
Will my insurance cover laser skin resurfacing? Insurance does not cover laser resurfacing because it is an elective cosmetic surgery.
Care for the treated skin. Your face will ooze and swell for the first 48 hours and then will quickly improve. Generally the procedure is not extremely painful, and feels more like a sunburn.
DAY OF AND DAY AFTER LASER SKIN RESURFACING PROCEDURE
Sleep on your back with your head elevated about 30-40 degrees (2-3 pillows). Do not sleep on your side. Keeping your body more upright will minimize swelling. You do not want the laser treated areas to be pressing against your pillow.
While laser hair removal can cause discomfort, the level of pain varies depending on the treatment area, skin sensitivity, and individual tolerance. The bikini line, underarms, and facial areas are often reported as the most painful, while legs and arms are usually more comfortable.
Even if you don't see immediate improvement, your initial results will continue to improve throughout the year. On average, most patients get to enjoy silky-smooth skin that lasts for anywhere between three and five years after undergoing laser therapy.
Laser skin resurfacing prices will be based on the expertise and qualifications of the person performing the procedure, the type of procedure used, the time and effort the treatment requires, as well as geographic office location.
Cons of Laser Resurfacing
Risk of Side Effects: Potential side effects include redness, swelling, and temporary discomfort. In some cases, changes in skin pigmentation or scarring may occur.
A typical result is an 8-10 year reduction in age appearance when laser treatment on the face is done on a highly effective setting so that a 55 year old may look 46 after treatment and healing is complete. Milder treatments can be done, but are not as effective.
The Fraxel Dual Laser can treat anything from pigmentation, age spots and sun damage, to fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and acne scars. "Overall, the Fraxel can improve skin tone and texture within days of treatment," adds Dr.
In contrast, individuals whose resurfacing treatment reached medium depths can typically expect approximately five to seven days of “downtime,” and those who received deep laser treatment usually require about eight to twelve days of recovery before resuming normal schedules and activities in public.
However, chemical peels are generally less expensive than laser treatments. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average for the cost for chemical peels is $700 whereas laser treatments can range from $800 to $3,000 for a single session.
MicroLaserPeel is different and much more effective at rejuvenating the skin than microdermabrasion or chemical peels. It is also less invasive than Laser Skin Resurfacing, so the recovery time is significantly less.
As more and more celebrities swear off of injectables like Botox and fillers, many are turning to intensive laser treatments to keep their skin youthful and glowing.
Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure. You actively participate in contact sports.