Laser skin resurfacing treatments are great tools to have in your skincare arsenal when your skin needs a little extra attention. While topical treatments, lotions, and peels can improve your skin, some skin concerns, such as hyperpigmentation or age spots, need more targeted treatment.
In this post, we answer your FAQs about laser skin resurfacing so you know what to expect before and after your treatment.
What Happens During Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment?
Your provider will apply numbing cream to your skin before treating it with a laser. You may feel a stinging or snapping sensation on your skin, but most patients tolerate this sensation well. Your treatment can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the area you want to treat.
For ablative resurfacing treatments that remove the damaged surface skin, you may be given a local anesthetic or sedative to keep you comfortable during treatment.
What Is Recovery Like After Laser Treatment?
With non-ablative laser treatments that don’t impact the surface skin, you may experience some redness, flaking, and peeling, but these side effects should only last a few days. After the first few days of recovery, you can return to work and resume wearing makeup. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect your sensitive skin from the sun.
More aggressive laser skin treatments, such as Contour TRL™, require a more extended recovery.
How Soon Will I See the Results?
It may take a couple of weeks to begin seeing your results, as your skin may be red, swollen, or flaky. Give your skin time to heal, and be patient as the swelling and redness decrease. Follow your provider’s instructions for cleansing and moisturizing your skin after a treatment. You may have to wait 7 to 10 days before wearing makeup.
Can I Use Laser Treatments To Improve Wrinkles?
Yes, laser treatments such as MicroLaserPeel® are excellent at improving mild wrinkles and fine lines on your skin. The thermal energy from this resurfacing treatment targets dead and damaged skin cells and reveals new, smoother skin with fewer creases. Depending on your desired results, you can opt for single or multiple sessions.
Can Laser Skin Treatments Help With Hyperpigmentation?
When dealing with hyperpigmentation, not all laser treatments are effective. Fractional, non-ablative laser treatments such as MOXI™ can improve patches of hyperpigmentation without harming the surrounding skin or creating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. MOXI is suitable for all skin types, including darker skin tones.
You can schedule your MOXI treatment during your lunch hour and return to work immediately after, although you should be prepared for reddened skin. Patients typically see the best results with MOXI after 3 to 5 treatment sessions, especially if their skin discoloration is more severe. Your provider will recommend the best number of treatments based on your skin type and concerns.
Laser skin resurfacing treatments can improve many skin concerns. Our patients are thrilled to show off their rejuvenated skin after laser treatment, as seen in their before-and-after photos. To learn more about how laser treatments can improve your skin concerns, request a consultation or call us at (407) 218-4550 to schedule an appointment.
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