Laser Skin Resurfacing

Problem- Due to the aging process and damage from sun exposure to the skin, and especially the skin on the face can become wrinkled.

Solution- Skin wrinkling can be improved by surgical and non-surgical methods. Laser skin resurfacing is a surgical procedure that has become a very popular method of decreasing skin wrinkling.

As we age, facial skin develops characteristics that include sagging and wrinkling. The cause of these characteristics is general aging of the skin, exposure to sunlight (photo-aging). Other factors could include genetics (pigmentation, inherent aging characteristics), facial bone shrinkage (atrophy), and exposure to substances (alcohol ingestion, tobacco products), and gender. Many therapies have been used to prevent and correct these problems including the facelift, dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, and medications (chemical peels and treatments).

When considering facial skin wrinkling (different from facial skin sagging) laser skin resurfacing has been accepted as a predictable therapy. A dramatic, predictable, and long lasting improvement of facial wrinkles can be obtained with laser skin resurfacing. Although chemical peels can give excellent results, some feel that deeper chemical peels are somewhat unpredictable in final results when compared to laser skin resurfacing. The advantage of laser skin resurfacing is the large degree of reproducibility or predictability.

The end result of laser skin resurfacing can result in a decrease in surface areas (skin shrinkage up to 25%) of wrinkled skin which can improve or eliminate the skin wrinkling. The laser skin resurfacing treatment does have long term benefits but does not stop the aging process. Laser skin resurfacing is not a cure-all but is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation.

Laser skin resurfacing is commonly used on the forehead, between the eyes (glabellar area), around the mouth, around the eyes, and on the cheeks. The predictable long-term results treating with laser skin resurfacing treatment has made it a popular tool for skin rejuvenation.

In laser skin resurfacing a laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes. However, it is also effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific regions. Often, the procedure is done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.

Important considerations when learning about emerging (new) technology or products in Plastic surgery:
When studying emerging technology, it is important to consider peer reviewed scientific studies to answer questions of efficiency and safety. In some circumstances, new technology is touted as the “magic wand” for a particular procedure, and scientific studies sometimes suggest otherwise. Scientific studies should be done in a manner where the persons acting as researchers have no conflict of interest and no other motive for a particular finding other than seeking the honest truth. Any person with a conflict, such as ownership in company that profits from the sale of an emerging technology, could bias the final findings of a study. Many scientific publications, such as the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, have very strict rules regarding conflict of interest which gives studies published in that journal high credibility. While peer reviewed journals can have studies that draw different conclusions, information in these peer-reviewed journals is generally considered to be a primary source for accurate unbiased information.

All procedural information is provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Contact Cape Fear Plastic Surgery in Fayetteville, NC for additional information on Laser Skin Resurfacing.