The telltale signs of aging skin include sagging, fine lines, wrinkles and a general thinning of the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (ADD) says these unwanted changes in the skin occur because elastin and collagen (tissues that preserve the firmness) get weaker with age. The AAD says laser rejuvenation treatment can minimize wrinkles and have a modest tightening effect on sagging skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, laser resurfacing can rejuvenate sun-damaged skin, allowing younger and healthier-looking skin to take its place.
Effects
While laser resurfacing works well in the treatment of minor facial flaws and can make your skin appear younger, the Mayo Clinic says it's important to keep in mind that its effects are temporary. As you continue to age, you will develop new expression lines from smiling, frowning and squinting.
Nonablative Lasers
A number of laser treatment options exist for skin rejuvenation. The Mayo Clinic says some of the newer lasers such as nonablative (nonwounding) lasers encourage collagen production. There's usually a speedy recovery since the outer layer of skin (epidermis) isn't damaged. The downside of the less powerful nonablative lasers is they generally require a series of treatments and it may take a while before you see an improvement in your skin.
Ablative Lasers
The AAD says ablative lasers remove a specified amount of skin, promote skin tightening and improve its overall tone and texture. Ablative laser resurfacing involves an intense beam of light that destroys the epidermis while simultaneously heating the underlying skin (dermis), which encourages the growth of new collagen fibers. New collagen may continue to grow for up to one year. The results may be noticeable sooner than nonablative treatment, but the recovery time may be longer.
Procedure
Laser rejuvenation is commonly performed on an outpatient basis. Before the procedure your face will be meticulously cleaned and you will most likely be given protective eye wear. You will also receive a local anesthetic since laser resurfacing can cause discomfort. The length of the procedure can range from 30 minutes to hours. The time involved will depend on the specific type of laser being used and the size of the treatment area.
Complications
There are a number of possible complications associated with laser rejuvenation therapy. The Mayo Clinic says these include prolonged redness, skin inflammation, bacterial infection, burning and scarring.
Aftercare
Following laser surfacing, your face may be raw and blisters might develop. There may also be a yellowish discharge that may form crusts. A healing ointment will be spread over skin. A mask bandage may be placed on your face along with a head wrap that you may wear for a few days following the procedure.
It may be several months before all signs of redness have disappeared. During this period your skin may be especially sensitive to the effects of the sun. Make sure to limit your exposure to the sun and always wear sunscreen.
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