FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LASER PLASTIC SURGERY
Aging is something unavoidable and remains constant. It is something that can never change. Besides the effects of aging such as fine lines or wrinkles and blotches, stretch marks, there are also other things that can affect the skin. Acne is one common problem. Dry skin is another to name a few. These issues can make the affected individual feel uncomfortable with their appearance.
If you are one of such individuals, it wouldn’t be surprising that you may have considered laser plastic surgery. Medical advances over the past decades have made it easier to deal with skin and aging issues (offering numerous treatment options). Here we will focus on laser plastic surgery.
WHAT IS LASER PLASTIC SURGERY?
Laser plastic surgery is a skin resurfacing technique in which the covalent bonds of the surface are melted using a laser. The procedure was invented by the renowned aesthetic plastic surgeon Thomas L Roberts, III., who made use of CO2 lasers during the early 1990s. Laser plastic surgery is a medical beauty routine that can be carried out on its own or with other cosmetic procedures and surgery.
WHAT TECHNIQUES ARE USED DURING THE PROCEDURE?
One of the most popular laser plastic surgery techniques used by doctors today is the Lasik method. This is a very effective way of correcting or fixing near and far-sightedness vision problems, and photorefractive keratectomy.
The procedure permanently reshapes or reworks the cornea through the use of an excimer laser to get rid of some little amount of tissue. Other types of laser surgery that are used by surgeons include (but are not limited to) carbon dioxide, argon, Potassium titanyl phosphate and YAG laser.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LASER PLASTIC SURGERY?
Laser plastic surgery or Laser resurfacing helps in removing skin layers with in-depth precision thus making the skin feel and look younger as well as healthier. This is because the new cells that emerge after this process makes the skin feel tighter and look younger.
Laser surgery is done with a laser instead of a scalpel. The laser is used to cut tissue (as the beam vaporizes) with high water content. This procedure is carried out by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. It is usually an outpatient procedure; meaning a patient will have to spend at least one night in the treatment center.
Laser plastic surgery is used to fix wrinkles (associated with aging) around the mouth, eyes, mouth, forehead separately and can also be used to treat the whole face at once. If it’s just a small part of a patient’s face, the area that needs treatment will be injected with an anesthetic by the specialist. If it is your entire face that needs to be treated, the expert will also give a general anesthesia.
Laser resurfacing also helps to treat sun damage and evens pigmentation as well as giving hard and rough skin a better look. It also has the effect of slightly tightening the skin. Laser plastic surgery is also very effective in treating and removing unwanted facial scars like acne. The most amazing part this procedure is the fact that it can also be used to treat skin cancers with the use of some CO2 Laser when the aesthetic effect is more important.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE PATIENT TO HEAL FULLY?
Healing usually takes up to 7 – 10 days. Since the procedure leaves the new skin red, make-up is often used to hide it. The redness usually fades within 2 to 6 months (sunshine must be avoided during that period). Sun exposure enhances the risk of dark pigmentation developing (which is more common in people with brown, olive, or black skin).
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF LASER PLASTIC SURGERY?
After the administration of laser plastic surgery, some little changes in pigmentation may occur (although this darkening can easily be treated). There is also the chance that long-term lightening of the pigmentation of the skin can occur after the procedure.
But the chances of having a scar through this procedure is exceedingly rare in most cases. One of the biggest risks that a lot of patients are faced with is the possibility of the emergence of keloids (especially in people who have recently been treated with radiotherapy in the affected area of the skin or have had a recent case of Roaccutane).
Cold sores can develop (patients predisposed to this condition are given preventative treatment). However, to curb the risk of developing severe side effects, it is crucial to choose a surgeon who has the appropriate accreditation and training in laser resurfacing.
WHAT’S THE DURATION OF THE TREATMENT?
Laser surgery treatment (when done on a part of the face alone) only takes about 30 to 45 minutes. But a full face laser plastic surgery takes about two hours to complete. After the laser procedure, the specialist is required to protect the affected areas with bandages.
After 24 hours, the doctor in charge will be required to clean the areas that have been treated (for about four to five times every day). An ointment has to be applied to the affected area (such as petroleum jelly) so as to curb the forming of scabs.
In some cases, some patient’s will experience swelling of the skin after the laser plastic surgery. However, this can be handled with prescribed steroids. It is also important to get enough sleep before and after the procedure.
For more information contact Dr. Plano who a professional in Laser surgery at Plano, TX at website www.drplano.net
