| HOW IS IT DONE? A laser peel is performed by using an Erbium, which is capable of delivering short bursts of energy. By focusing the laser on the surface of the skin, it is possible to remove wrinkles, scars and many other skin ble¬¬¬¬mishes without leaving a scar.
HOW DOES THIS PROCEDURE COMPARE TO OTHER METHODS OF WRINKLE TREATMENT, SUCH AS CHEMICAL PEELS, FACELIFTS, DERMABRASION AND SANDING?
A laser peel is performed by an experienced laser doctor is much more precise and much safer than a deep chemical peel. It is also possible to remove moderately deep wrinkles around the mouth, eyelids and other sensitive areas without the scarring risk of a deep chemical peel. One of the serious side affects of deep chemical peeling is an effect on the heart caused by a chemical in the deep-peeling agent. The laser peel has no internal side effects. Deep chemical peels can also leave the skin unnaturally white, scarred and porcelain in appearance. The laser peel leaves the skin smooth, soft and normal in colour.
Light and medium chemical peels are often not effective in removing the medium-to-deep wrinkles that can be removed with a laser peel. Laser is better everywhere.
Face-lifts only help with folds and sagging of the skin. A face-lift does nothing for the wrinkles on the upper lip, bridge of the nose, frown area, eyelid, forehead and most areas of the chin. A face-lift does take out the extra sagging skin that hangs and produces jowls. Some people may need both a face-lift and a laser peel to obtain maximum improvement if they have a lot of loose, sagging wrinkled skin.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PERFORM A LASER PEEL?
A laser peel of the upper lip takes a few minutes. To do the whole face generally takes thirty minutes to several hours, depending on the anaesthetic, and the severity of the wrinkles or scars.
HOW PAINFUL IS THE PROCEDURE?
Laser peeling (resurfacing) without any anaesthesia causes a sharp, stinging sensation on the skin while it is being performed. Pain medications, sedatives, or local or general anaesthetics are usually given to make the procedure comfortable. Most patients can have the laser peel performed as an outpatient. After the laser peel has been completed, there is very little pain for most patients.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM A LASER PEEL?
It takes 3 to 10 days on average to recover from an Erbium laser peel. It depends on how deep and difficult the scars and wrinkling are, as well as other factors that affect healing.
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO BE OFF WORK?
Usually 2 weeks is sufficient (generally 1 week for an Erbium laser peel). Some people can appear in public with make-up as soon as 10 days after a laser peel. There is usually pinkness in the skin, which persists for a few days to a few months following a laser peel. This pink colour can be covered up with make-up until it disappears naturally.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF HAVING A LASER PEEL?
Laser peels have a favourable benefit-to-risk ratio, but undesirable effects do occur rarely. These include scarring, infection, blotchy discolouration of the skin, and a few other less common complications. The possible risks associated with a laser peel appear to be far fewer than with any other procedure used to remove medium-to-deep wrinkles.
HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR A LASER PEEL?
Your doctor may recommend the use of glycolic-acid products. Skin-lightening products will help to condition the skin and suppress pigment blotches, which frequently appear form hormones and sun exposure. Retin-A can be used alone or together with the glycolic-acid products to help prepare the skin for a laser peel. Normally, 2 to 3 weeks of skin preparation helps the skin heal faster after a laser peel. Sun screen and sun protection before and after the peel is also very helpful to encourage a good result.
WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE WHILE MY SKIN IS HEALING?
During the recovery period following a laser peel, there will be some oozing and swelling of the skin for a few days. A dressing or ointments are usually applied to the skin to prevent crusting and scabbing. The skin will gradually heal with 14 days. Most patients avoid public appearances for 1 week after laser surgery.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY SKIN AFTER THE PEEL?
Many patients worry about whether their skin will be normal in appearance after the laser peel. About 2 weeks after the laser peel, the skin will still be pink and smooth. Make-up may be used at this time. Strict sun avoidance is necessary until the pink discolouration disappears. There are creams that can be applied to help heal and protect the skin.
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