Now that our warmer days are more or less behind us for a period of several months, we can plan specific treatments that may not be ideal during the summertime. Laser skin resurfacing is one of them. This treatment is an excellent option for anyone who has spent time in the sun and who is aging. Yes, that’s all of us. If your time outdoors has begun to show in the form of dark spots, rough texture, and fine lines, now is a great time to schedule your laser skin resurfacing treatment at our Denver facility.
We understand that the idea of laser skin resurfacing can feel scary. This treatment used to be performed under general anesthesia because it would obliterate the top layers of the skin in quite an aggressive manner. Yikes! Today, the laser skin resurfacing that we perform is much gentler, but it still achieves lasting improvements. A laser skin resurfacing treatment may be done either with a topical numbing cream or may not require any anesthetic for comfort. The process works through light energy that stimulates precise actions and activities in the skin.
First, a laser skin resurfacing treatment sloughs off cells that are no longer viable. These could be dead skin cells that are sticking to the epidermis or damaged skin cells that are darkened, rough, and generally unhealthy. Next, through the removal of these cells, laser treatment stimulates the dermis to make more collagen, the protein known to heal damaged tissue. More collagen doesn’t just mean healed skin after treatment, it means smoother, softer, brighter, and more resilient skin for a long time to come.
How Long?
One of the questions that most people have before any treatment is how long their results may last. This can vary, but the good news is that much of the issue is in the patient’s hands. Laser skin resurfacing does have a brief recovery period. This may include moderate redness and swelling that last up to several days. At some point, the skin may become rough and flaky. Some areas of crusting may develop. These should not be picked, but left to fall off naturally, otherwise there is a risk of scarring. In a week or two, the benefits of the resurfacing procedure start to become evident.
Patients can work toward long-lasting results starting immediately after their laser resurfacing treatment. At first, they do so by following their post-treatment care instructions. Once the skin has completed its cellular turnover process, lasting results can be fostered by wearing broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen every day. When more time will be spent in the sun, it is helpful to wear a hat, as well. These simple steps alone can prolong the results of laser resurfacing beyond a few years.
Learn more about laser skin resurfacing and what it can do for you. Contact our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.
