Laser Skin Resurfacing: What You Need to Know

Laser skin resurfacing has become the ideal solution for aging skin, used to eliminate imperfections on practically any part of the body.

Offering better results than any cream or serum currently on the market, laser procedures are used to reduce the signs of wrinkles, fine lines, acne marks, scars, age spots, skin elasticity, and more.

As a noninvasive procedure, more and more people are choosing laser skin resurfacing over surgical methods such as facelifts as there is far less risk involved. Results are natural and fast, making it the top choice among those looking to eliminate signs of aging. If you’re considering laser skin resurfacing for yourself, there are a few things that you need to know.

You May Require Several Laser Treatments

While you will definitely notice a difference in the texture and tone of your skin after your initial laser skin resurfacing treatment, most people require several laser sessions to completely eliminate their imperfections. Of course, the number of recommended treatments will vary from person to person, but those with mild signs of aging can expect to need an average of three laser treatments. If your skin shows severe signs of aging or you’re looking into getting rid of acne marks or scars, you can expect to need closer to six treatments.

After you get the initial results you’re looking for, some people choose to maintain their look with more treatments down the road. These sessions are performed to simply touch-up areas of the skin and ensure that collagen is still being produced at reasonable levels. Similar to a deep cleansing facial, maintaining your laser skin resurfacing results can be done on a monthly basis, yearly, or not at all. Your results are expected to last up to five years, and touch-ups are only recommended for those who want to eliminate new signs of aging or acne scars that crop up.

No Downtime is Required After Treatments

As a noninvasive procedure, those who receive laser skin resurfacing treatments shouldn’t expect to need downtime after their sessions. Side effects are minimal and can be easily treated with a cool cloth and an over-the-counter pain reliever. Typically, clients will experience some redness and mild swelling for no more than an hour after their laser session. Some will experience a sense of stinging, similar to a mild sunburn, which will also fade within the hour. On rare occasions, people will experience acne breakouts after laser skin resurfacing, but these should clear up in no time.

Since laser treatments take an average of 20 minutes, most people are in and out of the laser clinic in a half hour. It requires such a small part of the day that many clients schedule their appointments during their lunch breaks from work, and head back to the office without showing signs of having had the procedure done. The healing process takes a minimum of four weeks, but all of the healing is being done deep within the layers of your skin, making it unnoticeable.

Lasers Encourage Collagen Production and Improve Skin Elasticity

One of the reasons laser skin resurfacing is able to provide clients with such natural results is the fact that it triggers the production of collagen in the layers of the skin. Collagen is responsible for the elasticity or tightness of our skin as well as the quick healing of acne marks. When we hit our thirties, collagen production drastically slows down and eventually stops. This is why the first signs of fine lines and wrinkles tend to occur at this point in our lives, and over time it will worsen.

During the laser skin resurfacing procedure, lasers are able to encourage collagen production. This is done by creating tiny, microscopic wounds within the deepest layers of the skin. The body naturally reacts by producing collagen and rushing it to the sight of injury, allowing new skin cells to form. You’re then left with smoother, tighter looking skin that heals faster than it did before. This healing factor is essential in preventing new wrinkles, age spots, and skin discoloration from forming.

Both the Laser Being Used and the Laser Technician Affect Results

Similar to hairstylists, not all laser technicians are one and the same. You’ll want your laser technician to hold more than a basic laser certificate. A certificate is not a medically approved qualification, nor does it confirm that a person has been trained on the specific laser they’ll be using on your skin. You’ll want them to understand different skin conditions and how the laser can affect them. In addition to that (and their laser certificate), you’ll want a laser technician who holds a certificate from the manufacturer of the specific laser they’re using. This will indicate that they’ve been properly trained to use that laser for the purpose of laser skin resurfacing.

The kind of laser being used will affect results as well. Using a different laser can leave you with poor results and severe side effects that will require several weeks of rest. It’s important to do your research before jumping into your treatments to avoid a negative experience.

After each laser skin resurfacing treatment, you want to make sure you’re properly caring for your skin. This will not only ensure that it heals quickly but also that your results are long-lasting.