Albany Skin Resurfacing
Physicians have performed skin resurfacing for many years with the use of chemical peels and sanding procedures. These methods were very painful and often resulted in less than satisfactory results.
Laser resurfacing was introduced several years ago with CO2 Lasers. Although this laser provides very good results, it has the disadvantage of usually requiring anesthesia as well as a prolonged healing time of up to 6 months. The Erbium laser has been introduced as the latest advance in laser resurfacing.
Patients treated with an Erbium laser feel only mild discomfort during treatment and usually require only a topical anesthetic or none at all. Erbium patients also enjoy the tremendous benefits of healing within only a matter of days to a few weeks, instead of months.
Common Questions About Erbium Laser Resurfacing
What can the Erbium laser do For me?
The Erbium laser has been designed to remove or noticeably decrease wrinkles and to improve the overall color and skin texture of the face, neck, and hands. Occasionally, additional treatments may be recommended to further enhance your results. Although treatment results will vary depending on various considerations, with few exceptions, you can expect an improvement in the texture and quality of your skin.
Is the Erbium laser like other lasers I've heard about for skinresurfacing?
You may have heard about CO2 lasers for skin resurfacing. Although the results may be very good, patients experience a great amount of pain requiring full anesthesia for treatment and usually take a long time to heal. The Erbium laser offers the benefits of less pain during treatment and recovery along with significantly faster healing times than other resurfacing lasers.
How does laser skin resurfacing work?
The laser light is absorbed by the water in your skin cells. The absorption in turn causes the instantaneous vaporization of the cell. As your physician passes the laser light over your skin, a mere 30 millionths of an inch of tissue is removed at a time. This incredible control allows your physician to treat only as deeply as needed, from removing wrinkles to refreshing your overall skin appearance. After the damaged skin is removed, new skin quickly regrows in its place.
How long will the healing process take?
Of course, everyone will heal at various rates depending on the depth of treatment, the particular areas treated, and your own healing rate. Noticeable results are typically seen in a few days, with complete healing in only a few weeks. Light resurfacing around the eyes and lips in general takes only a few days. A deep full facial resurfacing may take longer before you feel esthetically comfortable to return to your normal activities. Camouflage makeup can conceal the redness until the healing is complete.
How do I take care of my skin after treatment?
Depending on your specific treatment, your physician will provide detailed skin care instructions. To avoid the risk of infection and ensure a positive result, please follow these instructions carefully. After you have healed, you will need to protect your new skin. In the early weeks and months following treatment, your skin will be very susceptible to sun damage. If at all possible, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun or use sunscreens recommended by your physician.
Are there any complications with laser resurfacing?
Although the Erbium laser has substantially reduced many of the risks associated with laser procedures, infection, temporary or permanent pigmentary changes, even scarring or other unsatisfactory results can occur. Fortunately, these complications are quite rare. As with any medical procedure, be certain to thoroughly discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your physician.
What does an Erbium laser treat?
An Erbium laser can be used to treat the following:
- Fine Wrinkles
- Color Irregularities
- Sun Damage
- Acne Scarring
- Sun and Age Spots
To find out more about Erbium Laser Resurfacing in Albany and Schenectady, New York, contact The Plastic Surgery Group at 518-438-0505 or send us an email today.
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