Smoothing Out the Myths About Laser Resurfacing Treatments

In 2009, about 176,332 people over the age of 40 received laser treatments. Despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of people have undergone laser face resurfacing, it is still a misunderstood cosmetic procedure. If you are considering laser resurfacing for acne scars, or any other purpose, then knowing the difference between fact and fiction should help you decide whether or not to go through with it.

The Facts

• There is more than one kind of face laser treatment, and more than one kind of laser.

Ablative treatments remove the top layer of skin, while non-ablative treatments stimulate changes underneath the skin, but outside of these two basic types there are other subsets. CO2 fractional laser resurfacing is slightly more aggressive than an Erbium laser, and both are different than non-ablative lasers. Discovering which laser and treatment are right for your skin type and needs will require a consultation with an experienced laser technician.

• Laser resurfacing may do more than just reduce fine lines or scarring.

Did you know that laser resurfacing tends to have the secondary effect of correcting sun damage and discoloration, and tightening skin?

Fiction

• Face laser treatment can cause new wrinkles.

This is just a result of temporary dryness, which can be combated by sticking to the moisture regimen prescribed by your doctor.

• Laser resurfacing treatment is complete after only one session.

For very minor skin corrections, one treatment with a powerful laser may be enough. However, most people will have their full desired results after two to three sessions.

There are of course alternatives to face laser treatment, but none that will have the same effect. You could opt for a vampire face lift, which has results lasting about 15 months, but this procedure mainly serves to reduce lines and wrinkles. It will not eliminate scarring, or address discoloration, or sun damage. A surgical face lift might tighten your skin, but it will not rejuvenate the skin in the way that laser resurfacing can. More than two million people in 2011 underwent cosmetic procedures targeted to improving skin quality. The fountain of youth is just a legend, but these cosmetic procedures are the next best thing to reclaiming more youthful skin. Check out this website for more.