Benefits, procedure, Risks and Costs of Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Laser skin rejuvenation removes layers of skin, so treating scars, wrinkles and lines formed as a result of aging process, acne, or too much sun exposure. New layer is formed as the healing process continues which appears smooth and does not contain any scars. It cures skin imperfections and makes you look younger, healthier and fresh. You can couple laser skin resurfacing with other cosmetic surgeries.

Benefits of laser skin rejuvenation:

• It hides signs of aging process.
• It is non-surgical procedure. It means you will not face a wide range of risks and side effects that are associated with surgical treatments.
• Laser can treat even the most sensitive areas of skin.

The procedure of laser treatment:

Laser skin resurfacing is done by dermatologists, however some plastic surgeons are also certified for practicing laser treatments. Your surgeon may cut down your supplements or anti-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine a few days prior to the treatment. However, an antibiotic medicine may be recommended beforehand to prevent bacterial infections.

The surgeon will treat the skin with a beam of laser emitting from a device that touches skin and wears away the upper layers of skin, so treating wrinkles, fine lines and scars. The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes if a small area of face is under treatment and a local anesthesia is used. However, surgeons prefer general anesthesia and the treatment may extend up to two hours if whole face is being treated.

Aftermaths of laser treatment:

After the procedure the treated area will be wrapped in a bandage and after 24 hours you will need to clean the treated area and apply an ointment usually four to five times a day. It would prevent scab formation.

Swelling after laser skin rejuvenation is a common side effect and it disappears in a few days. You may feel itching and your skin may also appear dehydrated for five to seven days. Recovery period depends upon the problem and the area that was treated, however 10 to 21 days is a usual period for recovery.

You will need to avoid direct sunlight for some days after treatment, however a broad-spectrum sunscreen will help afterwards.

Risks of laser skin rejuvenation:

Laser resurfacing can only improve the texture and appearance of skin. But certainly, it cannot make skin perfect. Some risks that may arise during or after the procedure are:

• Swelling of the treated area
• Redness that may prevail for 2 to 3 months
• Skin burning due to increased heat of laser
• Scar formation in the treated area
• Changes in skin color due to hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation
• Reactivation of hypes cold virus
• Bacterial infection

Cost of laser skin rejuvenation:

The cost of laser skin resurfacing varies with the locale of the surgeon. An important factor that plays in determining costs is the area under treatment.

As laser skin rejuvenation is a cosmetic procedure, most often it is not covered by medical insurance companies. However, an exception occurs if you receive this procedure for treatment of scars or precancerous tumors as they fall under the category of plastic surgeries, not cosmetic surgeries.