How long does the improvement from the laser last?

A great deal depends on you. The results appear to last five to fifteen years. The results are enhanced by postoperative skin care and by protecting your new skin from sun exposure.

Who are the good candidates?

People whose skin has:

•Fair to medium complexion
•Sun damaged skin with "age spots" and other blemishes
•Fine to moderate wrinkling
•Good healing qualities

Who are the poor candidates?

People whose skin has:

•Dark complexions
•Hyperpigmentation in scars

also:

•Cigarette smokers
•Heavy drinkers
•History of facial radiation

Is the procedure painful?

Like any other surgical procedure, anesthesia has to be administered. You will be given a local anesthetic and nerve blocks in the area to be treated. An anesthesiologist is used to give you intravenous sedation.

How does laser resurfacing compare with a facelift?

Both procedures can actually complement each other. A facelift corrects sagging of the major facial structures and the effects of gravity. However, it does not address the damaged collagen and superficial layers; it only lifts the same damaged skin. Therefore, laser resurfacing can be complementary to a facelift.
Some younger people are able to delay the need for a facelift with laser skin resurfacing. Best of all, after laser resurfacing you will not look like you just had plastic surgery - you will just look great!

What are the complications?

Hyperpigmentation (brown spots) and hypopigmentation (white spots) are well-known side effects that occur frequently in darker skin types.

Hyperpigmentation can be treated with ointments.

Hypopigmentation, however, is permanent but fortunately rare. Lighter skin types have a very low incidence of both hyper- and hypopigmentation.

Rarely, small scars can form. Infection by viruses or bacteria is possible. The lower eyelid may pull down if it is lax (this can be corrected with a small eyelid surgery). The risk of these complications is minimized by careful selection of patients undergoing the procedure.

Where is the procedure performed?

The procedure is performed in the office. When limited areas are treated, local anesthesia is used. Full facial resurfacing requires the use of intravenous sedation.

Financial considerations

Insurance does not cover the cost of laser resurfacing. The cost varies with the extent of the procedure.