Skin resurfacing is a procedure that employs a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin. Resurfacing is often used to improve or eliminate the wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, but it is also very effective in treating facial scars, age spots or areas of uneven pigmentation.
Good candidates for skin resurfacing are:
• People with wrinkled or sun damaged skin on the face
• Brown spots or blotchy skin coloring
• Fine wrinkles on your upper eyelid
• Acne or other facial scars
• Certain skin growths
• Vertical wrinkles around your mouth
• Crows feet or Superficial facial scars
Dr. Heidari recommends patients undergoing the laser resurfacing to be on glycolic acid peels and some bleaching agents for few a weeks or months prior to the laser treatment. This regimen provides for better and more even healing and results with much less chance of hyperpigmentation.
The full face is usually treated; however, focus areas of the face can be treated in conjunction with other procedures like a facelift or eyelid surgery. Though new, laser resurfacing has been shown to produce less bleeding bruising or post-procedure discomfort than other resurfacing methods.
The procedure is relatively quick, and ranges in length anywhere from a few minutes to 1 1/2 hours depending on the area being covered. This procedure can be performed under general or local anesthetic.
