Aging is a fact of life, but how you deal with the inevitable is entirely up to you. Many women and men turn to anti-aging skincare first. Alpha and beta hydroxy acids, retinoids, and topically applied antioxidants have wonderful benefits to the skin. Proper sunscreen use is a must, but often they aren’t enough to treat skin already damaged from years of sun exposure.
After establishing an effective skincare routine, the next step people take is consulting a plastic surgeon. Many people think their only option is a surgical procedure such as a face-lift, but there are non-surgical options that are also very effective.
In-office procedures like chemical peels and microdermabrasion smooth the skin’s surface. They are effective, but only mildly so. If what you need is a more high-powered treatment, nothing beats laser resurfacing for rejuvenating your skin.
What Is Laser Resurfacing?
Lasers are clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and tighten lax skin. The beauty of lasers is they smooth the surface of the skin while heating the lower layer known as the dermis. This triggers collagen production, which has a tightening and firming effect. It rejuvenates skin like no other treatment on the market.
So how do you know if you would benefit from laser resurfacing? Read on to discover the 5 signs that you need laser resurfacing.
Hyperpigmentation
If you spent your youth on the beach or going to tanning beds, you probably have some hyperpigmentation. Also known as age or sun spots, UV-induced hyperpigmentation presents as light brown to black spots on the face or body. These unsightly spots create a mottled look to the skin, which adds years to your appearance.
Laser resurfacing can significantly reduce or eliminate the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Expect immediate results, but also be aware that these results improve over time as the skin heals from the procedure. To maintain the results, you must be diligent with sunscreen use and sun avoidance.
Fine Lines And Deeper Wrinkles
Another problem with sun exposure is the wrinkling of the skin. The sun damages the collagen and elastin in our skin, which results in fine lines and deeper wrinkles. Repeated facial movements from smiling and frowning can also create wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes, and the lips.
Laser resurfacing removes the upper layers of the skin, which has an immediate smoothing effect. It also heats the lower layers of the skin, creating more collagen. This plumps up the skin and the areas treated are much smoother and brighter.
You will see results within days after the procedure. But the real magic happens over the next few weeks. As the skin heals from the treatment, the dermis creates new collagen. Within weeks your skin appears smoother, more luminous, and wrinkles are visibly diminished.
Scarring
Acne has a devastating effect on our self-esteem. Not only did we have to deal with unsightly breakouts, in more severe cases it can scar the skin. What’s worse is that scarring can also be painful, limiting movement of the surrounding skin.
Until recently, there were few effective treatments for scars. Alpha hydroxy acids and retinoids helped, but they only worked superficially. Laser resurfacing has proven to be much more effective at reducing their appearance.
Lasers break up scar tissue on the skin’s surface. Simultaneously, it encourages the formation of healthy skin tissue, replacing the damaged cells. While no treatment is 100% effective, laser resurfacing is possibly the best procedure for scarred skin.
Sagging And Loose Skin
Along with wrinkles and sunspots, sun-damaged skin sags. Excess sun exposure degrades collagen, which keeps skin plump and moist. It also breaks down the protein elastin, which gives skin its ability to snap back into place.
Elastin is difficult to repair. There are several substances in skincare that influence collagen, but virtually none for elastin. Laser resurfacing is the best non-surgical treatment for tightening sagging skin.
Lasers target both collagen and elastin and treat the skin on your face, neck, and chin. Like most laser treatments, people often notice firmer skin within days of treatment, but the full effects are seen weeks later as the skin remodels itself.
Sun Damaged Skin
Most people display more than one sign of sun damage. The wonderful benefit of having a laser skin resurfacing treatment is it treats multiple issues related to sun damage at the same time. You will see improvement with:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Sagging skin
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven skin texture
The laser smooths the surface of the skin by removing dead skin cells. At the same time, it creates a controlled wounding of the dermis. These wounds trigger the body to create better collagen and elastin, resulting in a glowing, more even skin.
Results are noticeable within days of the treatment, but the full effects can take several weeks or months as the skin heals.
After Your Laser Resurfacing Treatment
People with milder issues might need only one or two treatments. Those who present with more severe sun damage usually require multiple treatments spaced out over several weeks or months.
Expect mild redness or peeling for a few days after the treatment. Use gentle and fragrance-free skincare without active ingredients unless otherwise recommended by our staff. You must use sun protection religiously and also practice sun avoidance after the procedure.
So how long can you expect results to last? With proper sun avoidance and skincare, most patients can expect results to last several years.
Is Laser Resurfacing For You?
If you notice any of the above issues when glancing in the mirror, you might be an excellent candidate for laser treatments. Every skin is unique, and Dr. Edward D Buckingham and Dr. Erin J. Smith customize each patient’s treatment plan according to their individual needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover if laser resurfacing is the right treatment for you.
