Laser skin resurfacing has been quite effective in treating aging, sun damaged skin, blemishes and scarring resulting from acne and trauma. Laser skin resurfacing has offered the patient a safe long lasting alternative to the older more painful phenol skin peels. This procedure is performed utilizing the Ultrapulse Carbon Dioxide Laser. This device allows the surgeon to sequentially remove layers of aged and damaged skin while protecting the underlying rejuvenating layers. In addition the collagen or elastic layer is enhanced producing a more youthful, elastic and tighter appearance.
The ideal candidate for laser surgery is betweeen 30 and 40 years of age with early fine skin wrinkles or sun damage in the facial areas or back of the hands and arms. Laser surgery is currently not performed on the neck. Laser surgery is most effective in areas where elasticity is maintained. In the older individual, laser surgery may be combined with facelifts, eyelid and brow surgery. Laser surgery for traumatic or acne damaged skin may be performed at any time the condition is stable. Any patient over forty may be asked to see their internist for medical clearance. Special tests will be requested of all patients to insure that they are healthy and that there will be satisfactory healing. Smoking and aspirin ingestion is prohibited for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Aspirin will cause more bruising and bleeding, thus prolonging the recovery period. It has been found that smoking may lead to delayed healing and more noticeable scars. Occasionally, a hyperbaric oxygen treatment is recommended for smokers to prevent postoperative complications. Accutane medications must be stopped for one year prior to Laser surgery. You will be given prescription for homeopathic and pharmaceutical preparations to prepare your system for surgery. You will receive information on skin care and be enrolled in our pre laser program in which your skin will be prepared for the resurfacing with in office and at home treatments. This pre laser skin conditioning is most important and will lead to more rapid skin healing and shorten your post laser recovery period.
We are recommending General Anesthesia for our patients, requiring full face laser surgery so that there is complete rest, safety, and no discomfort during the procedure. Occasionally, in smaller areas, local anesthesia and sedation are utilized. You will have an opportunity to discuss these options with Dr. Solo and our Anesthesia staff.
On the morning of surgery you will enter into our Nova Surgicenter through a private, discreet entrance. After routine charting, you will meet with Dr. Sokol who will examine you and with your input, mark out a treatment plan to be followed in surgery. These marks will stay on during the procedure and serve as guides for the proper, symmetrical and safe laser skin resurfacing. Thereafter, our anesthesia staff will assist you into our operating room and apply the necessary monitors before you fall asleep. The operation's length will be determined by the amount of skin resurfacing required. Generally our procedures take less than one hour. You will have special creams and ointments applied to the laser sites. Following the procedure you will be taken into our recovery room. You will be attended by our recovery staff and monitored for approximately 2 hours.
After Care Facilities - Many patients elect to use an aftercare facility in a nearby hotel. These are fully staffed with 24 hour expert nursing care. All patients using these facilities have had cosmetic surgical procedures. Thus the nurses are experienced with the needs of this surgery and highly attuned to your privacy and comfort. Meals and transportation to your postoperative visits are provided. You will be seen by the nursing staff the next day to inspect your laser site, provide skin counseling and advice and arrange for your next visit. If you live less than one hour away from the office, you may wish to go home with a home care nurse. This option, if desired, will be arranged for you. If you have a family member or friend that can devote the time to you, this may be a preferable aftercare situation for you. If you live more than one hour away, you may choose to use one of the nearby hotels for the first night's stay.
Many patients experience little or no pain following the laser. Everyone is different and you may feel some discomfiture. You will be provided with a prescription for pain pills and special soaking solutions that will assist you during the first 48 hours. This is the period that some patients experience pain. You will be informed regarding creams, solutions and eventual cosmetic camouflage that will make your recovery easier.
It is recommended that for the first 3-4 days that you sleep on your back with the head elevated on one or two pillows. This will reduce the swelling and lead to a more comfortable and shorter postoperative period. No bending over, keep your head above your heart at all times. No exercise, intimacy, emotionally charged situations, or alcohol is permitted for the first 7-10 days. No smoking is permitted for 14 days. This will insure a safer, shorter postoperative period, without increased bruising or delayed healing. Although every patient heals differently, makeup is generally allowed after 7-10 days. A return to your employment or social schedule can occur as soon as you are comfortable with your appearance. We generally recommend that the patient take at least 1 or 2 weeks off of their employment or social schedule.
Complications are rare after laser surgery. It is Dr. Sokol's practice to be conservative with laser resurfacing, thus reducing many of the following complications. The most frequent is prolonged skin discoloration lasting more than 3 months. With the new creams, preoperative skin conditioning and postoperative skin care this complication has occured less frequently. Skin burns and scars are a more rare complication, which is generally due to an over aggressive use of the laser or the patient smoking. Special steroid creams applied early have reduced the permanence of these complications although surgical revisions may be required. Any of these latter complications may be permanent and produce an unfavorable outcome.
Laser skin resurfacing, has offered our patients a wonderful procedure to enhance and restore the beauty and youthful texture of the aging and sun damaged skin. You will see a glowing, younger color and experience an improved and tighter texture to your skin. Occasionally the use of laser surgery has delayed the need for skin tightening procedures such as facelifts. Laser skin resurfacing results are long lasting anywhere from 2 to five years before touch up laser and/or lifting procedures are required.
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