This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

What does laser skin treatment involve?

BMI Healthcare is the UK’s largest private hospital group and is also one of the leading providers of cosmetic surgery. BMI Healthcare only work with experienced consultant surgeons, covering a wide range of specialist cosmetic treatments including breast enlargement, reduction and uplift, nose reshaping, face lift, brow lift, ear correction, thread vein treatment and tummy tuck.

From your initial enquiry, through to your first consultation with your consultant, all the way to the follow-up appointment after your procedure your safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns. BMI hospitals have built an enviable reputation for providing excellent medical and surgical facilities and a high standard of nursing care, within friendly and comfortable surroundings. With over 70 BMI hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide, there is bound to be one near you.

Click here to contact BMI Healthcare

Also see:

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

Also see:

Get a quote

If you want quotes from skin specialists for an operation or more information about laser skin treatment for skin problems, for example treatment for stretch marks, birth marks or acne scars, or other forms of cosmetic surgery, we can forward your enquiry to up to three participating cosmetic surgery providers.

Complete the cosmetic surgery enquiry form....

Find a cosmetic surgery clinic

Search our database to find a cosmetic surgery clinic in your area offering plastic surgery in the UK. We also provide information on the major cosmetic surgery companies and plastic surgeons in the UK.

Search for a clinic....