Health Blog

One of the most frustrating aspects of aging is when those superficial lines and wrinkles begin to take their toll on your skin. In many ways, this is an inevitable process that takes place as collagen in the skin decreases and gravity sets in. There are many types of creams and magic potions on the marketplace designed to alleviate fine lines and wrinkles, but most of them fall short when it comes to proven, legitimate results. That’s why more and more people are electing to have laser skin resurfacing procedures. Laser skin resurfacing is a relatively new procedure that has become extremely popular during the last decade. The reason it has become so popular is because of its effectiveness and relatively short recovery process. Like a chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing essentially removes the outer layers of your skin using a specially calibrated, pulsed laser. The results give your skin a much more vibrant and smooth appearance, while reducing the overall appearance of acne scarring, hyper-pigmentation (sun spots and freckles) and small skin growths. “Laser skin resurfacing is great for someone who is beginning to notice the fine lines and wrinkles, but doesn’t have a lot of sagging skin or excess fatty tissue,” explains Dr. Robert V. Mandraccia, a prominent Bonita Springs, Florida plastic surgeon. “It can do wonders for treating superficial lines, uneven coloring and any irregular texture of your skin, but it can’t tighten your skin the way a facelift can.” The depth of laser skin resurfacing can also be much more controlled and predictable than a chemical peel. Due to this, and the fact that skin resurfacing doesn’t usually treat your skin as deeply as a chemical peel does, the recovery is not as painful or as long. Most patients need to cover the treated area, clean it with special cleansing products and apply healing ointment for approximately 7-10 days. Complete healing time for chemical peels is closer to one to two months. “Chemical peels can be more invasive than laser skin resurfacing because they are usually used to treat more moderate skin problems, like deeper wrinkling and scarring,” says Dr. Mandraccia. “There are many levels of chemical peels however – meaning that a few to several layers of skin can be removed during the process. So, the healing time does vary depending on the amount of skin treated and how deep the peel goes.” Read also artilcle augmentin antibiotic