laser resurfacing

Ageing, sun-exposure, smoking, and acne cause skin damage and produce fine wrinkles, sunspots, and scarring that can be improved by laser resurfacing. Skin resurfacing lasers (CO2 and Erbium) use a beam of light that removes the upper layers of the skin. This causes the growth of new skin cells and stimulates the skin to produce new collagen, with the new skin being tighter, having fewer wrinkles and having a more uniform youthful appearance.

Laser resurfacing produces a more dramatic improvement in appearance than other forms of resurfacing such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion. If you cannot afford time off work then many patients benefit from a good skin care regime and microdermabrasion and peels, which do not require any time off work.

Laser resurfacing is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthetic as a day surgery procedure. After the procedure there are dressings which stay on the face for 5-7 days. The skin completely heals in 7-10 days, with most patients returning to work after 10-14 days. After resurfacing the skin stays red for many weeks, although this can be disguised with special makeup. Pigmentation changes can occur after surfacing, and it is important to stay on a program of skin care for 2-3 months after the procedure. Many patients also benefit from a skin care program prior to the procedure.