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What does laser skin treatment involve?

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Cosmetic surgery

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After consultation with your surgeon to discuss your laser skin resurfacing in detail, your procedure will normally be scheduled as a day case. As laser skin treatment involves you having a local anaesthetic and sedation, you need to arrange for someone to drive you home afterwards. Sometimes, if the laser skin treatment is being done in conjunction with eyelid surgery or another cosmetic surgery procedure requiring a general anaesthetic, you may need to stay in hospital for one night.

Laser skin treatments are performed in an operating theatre environment, no matter how you are anaesthetized. Your face will be cleansed prior to the treatment, which takes anything from a few minutes to an hour and a half. For superficial or medium laser skin resurfacing effect, laser penetration is limited to the epidermis or the papillary dermis. For deeper laser skin resurfacing, the upper levels of the reticulas dermis can also be removed. Varied penetration enables the surgeon to treat specific spots, scars and deep wrinkles, applying deeper treatment where necessary.

Following your laser skin treatment, the surgeon will show you how to cleanse your face gently and apply antibiotic ointment to avoid infection. This will need to be done several times a day, every day, for the next few days. You may also be advised to use ice packs to limit swelling, and to take a mild painkiller if you have any discomfort.

For the next few weeks after laser skin treatment, applying a mild moisturiser such as aqueous cream will prevent drying out, and other products used – such as shampoo – should be as mild as possible to avoid skin irritation. It is also absolutely vital to keep out of the sun and to wear a high factor sun cream for at least six months after skin laser treatment. For best results you should care for your skin using the routine recommended by your surgeon. You also need to avoid making dramatic facial movements during this time.

Laser skin treatment information summary:

Technical name	Laser skin resurfacing
Procedure time	Time varies depending on the area of skin treated and the depth of treatment. A few minutes to one and a half hours.
Anaesthetic	Local, with sedation
Time in hospital	Usually done as a day case
Time off work	1 to 2 weeks
Face feels sensitive for	1 to 2 weeks until crusting subsides
Time for scar tissue to heal	Up to 6 months
Time to resumption of normal activities (including sports)	2 weeks, but important to avoid the sun for 6 months

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