Reality TV shows such as “How to Look Ten Years Younger in Ten Days” has caused many people to become confused as to what is exactly involved in cosmetic surgery and what are the advantages/disadvantages associated with laser resurfacing. Although men & women have used cosmetic surgeries for many years to improve their aesthetic appearance, most of us do not know much detail about them. With TV as our main source of catching the latest information, there are still many points left untouched which you need to know.
Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure which is designed to improve the overall texture of the skin. It does that by reducing the appearance of wrinkles around areas such as the eyes, cheeks and mouth by using specially designed lasers. These smoothly remove the outer layer of skin to give it a healthier and younger look. In addition to this, laser skin resurfacing helps to improve the overall appearance of skin and may be used to remove blemishes, including acne scars and sun damaged skin. You may undergo this treatment in conjunction with other cosmetic measures, such as facelifts or eyelid surgeries.
In Victoria, we have witnessed a huge rise in those who want to undergo this specific skin improvement procedure. Of course you will need to see your dermatologist or plastic surgeon first to help you decide what treatment would be best for you. Several of the more common options include Deep FX CO2 and Fraxel Fractional resurfacing. Cost generally depends upon what your skin is best indicated for/to have.
Most often the price is not as important as the specialist who is offering the laser skin improvement. Another major factor while considering laser skin resurfacing is the result you would like to achieve and the time you have to devote to the recovery process. If you are seeking more dramatic the skin results, you will need longer recovery period. While some find it convenient to have minimal downtime and multiple treatments over a period of time, others want to see significant results from a single surgery and feel okay about staying indoors for a week or so. Once you have decided what is right for you, our doctors at The Ashley Centre can devise a treatment plan which works for your skin type, goals as well as your time frame.
Laser skin resurfacing reduces fine lines, age spots or discoloration, and gives you a healthy glow. However along with few key benefits, this procedure has a flip side as well. Within this section, you can have a look at pros and cons of the treatment.
Key Benefits
- The treatment plan can be customised based on your needs and preferences. You can choose either to have 1-2 Deep FX treatments to stimulate you skin renewal process or prefer to have a series of light treatments. Your practitioner will advise the most suitable option for you.
- It will minimize frown lines of your face. If you’ve been thinking about Botox to get rid of deep frown lines and grooves on the forehead, you can still have dermal filler injections. Laser skin treatments helps to diminish deep lines and improve the tone of your skin to create a smoother look.
- Generally it takes more than a single session to achieve desired results. Depending upon the skin type, many start noticing a clear difference in their skin after two weeks of treatment.
Shortcomings
While laser skin resurfacing does offer a huge reward, there are some drawbacks as well that you should know about before agreeing for the treatment.
- Sometimes the skin swells after the treatment due to exposure to collagen. This is why we recommend a one to two week recovery or social downtime.
- Some patients might need local anaesthesia to reduce discomfort during the treatment and deeper sedation can also be offered.
- Within one week patients are able to camouflage with mineral makeup.
- You will also not be able to move out in sun immediately after the surgery. Doing so, without any sunblock, can lead to sun damage or redness in the skin.
Perhaps the most important thing about laser skin resurfacing is that you discuss the procedure with your chosen specialist. Everyone is different so it is vital that you engage in a frank and open discussion so your specialist can properly advise you of your options and what they mean for you.
