What is Skin Resurfacing?
Some of the most common signs of aging that affect men and women exist within the outermost layers of the skin. Skin resurfacing removes damaged layers of skin to reveal young, fresh, flawless cells. Resurfacing your skin may help with:
- Age Spots
- Sun-damaged skin
- Brown spots
- Wrinkles and fine lines, such as crow’s feet
- Acne scars and other types of minor scarring
How Skin Resurfacing Works
At Gulf Coast Facial Plastics in Panama City, we use advanced, light-based systems to perform our resurfacing treatments. The technology works by precisely removing the outermost layers of skin where sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and other cosmetic issues exist. We recommend laser resurfacing for the eye area, forehead and brow, nose, mouth, and cheek areas.
What to Expect After Treatment
After the treatment, your skin may have a slightly pink appearance and will be very sensitive to the sun. No extensive downtime is required. In the first week, you may notice the skin sloughing. This indicates the procedure worked and new cells are emerging. Your brown spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and other cosmetic concerns gradually fade as your body generates new, healthy skin cells.
No procedure can stop the aging process, but laser resurfacing gives your skin a fresh, new start. By taking care of your skin, and protecting it from sunlight, you can enjoy the results of skin resurfacing for many years.
Pre / Post Operative Instruction For Skin Resurfacing With LASER
Laser treatment will create a superficial injury. An ointment will be applied immediately after resurfacing. It is essential that you keep your lasered areas lubricated with A&D Ointment or some other comparable product. Do nothing for the first 24 hours except applying the ointment and cold compresses.
After the initial 24-hour period begins cleansing your lasered areas with a mild cleanser and cold water by gently massaging it onto the areas with your fingertips, do not use a washcloth or any abrasive material. This may cause skin damage. After cleansing, gently pat dry, and then apply a generous amount of ointment. Repeat this process at least three times a day. Please refrain from using any product on the lasered areas other than recommended by Dr. Daube for the first month, unless instructed otherwise by Dr. Daube.
You may observe white scabs forming on or about the second or third day after resurfacing. This is normal. Do not pick or pull at the scabs as this is your body’s own method of protecting an injured area. They will fall off later, depending upon how quickly your skin heals. You will also experience a “weeping” of your skin along with some swelling, this is also normal.
Your lasered areas will be pink or red, depending on the depth of your laser treatment. Loss of skin pigment is normal. Complete healing usually occurs in six to eight weeks; however, please do not use any facial products or makeup for one month or until instructed by Dr. Daube.
Avoid sun exposure until healed, and then wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher for the next six months. Do not use Retin A, or any alpha hydroxy acids for one month after surgery. Please call the office to make an appointment to begin a skin care program after your treatment. It is recommended at that time to maintain a healthy complexion.
