If you wake up every day with wrinkles or scars on your face, it’s not a surprise if you’d look for laser rejuvenation in Toronto or nearby areas one day.
Aging is a thief sometimes. One day, all the beauty and youth have gone, and all that is left are these spots and fine lines. When you have tried most over-the-counter creams and treatments, all you want is to get rid of them right away. This is the point where laser rejuvenation comes in.
However, this procedure is not something you can avail yourself of in a snap of a finger. The first thing to do is get first-hand information about this treatment and know what to expect.
What Is Laser Rejuvenation?
Laser rejuvenation, or sometimes called laser skin resurfacing or laser peel, is a non-invasive and non-surgical procedure that uses a laser to minimize, reduce, and improve the appearance of facial flaws and imperfections.
It works by improving the skin texture either through ablative or non-ablative lasers. You cannot, however, choose what laser type to use during your treatment. Instead, professionals will educate you on the best procedure to use on your skin.
Ablative Lasers vs. Non-Ablative Lasers
Ablative laser
This laser, a wounding type, removes the skin’s outer layer, then heats the inner layer, prompting the skin to produce new collagen.
Non-ablative laser
This laser, a non-wounding laser, has beams that go straight to the epidermis and dermis to stimulate the skin to produce new collagen. In this procedure, there’s no need to remove the skin.
What are the Types of Lasers to Use in this Treatment?
1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser is an ablative laser that is best for removing warts, scars, and deep wrinkles.
2. Erbium Laser can either be ablative or non-ablative, best used for treating skin laxity, age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines.
3. Pulse-dyed Laser is a non-ablative laser that works by heating the skin and absorbing skin pigments to treat broken capillaries, skin redness, hyperpigmentation, and rosacea.
4. Fractional Laser is a non-ablative laser used for treating uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, surgical scars, chickenpox scars, enlarged pores, and chickenpox scars.
5. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is not a laser, but a light therapy, used for treating sun damage, freckles, age spots, varicose veins, birthmarks, broken blood vessels on the face, or facial hairs.
How Can Laser Skin Resurfacing Help You?
So what are the benefits of skin resurfacing?
Improve skin appearance and texture
The skin gives birth to firmer and newer skin because of the production of new collagen.
Improve skin tone and complexion
The treatment involves absorption of pigments, working on uneven skin tone.
Stimulates collagen growth
The birth of new collagen is a reaction of the skin from laser penetration on the inner skin. When the skin needs replacement, it produces new collagen.
Reduce skin signs of aging
Freckles, warts, fine lines… these are just a few of the signs of aging. Laser rejuvenation will give birth to new skin cells that will make the skin firmer and look younger.
Is Laser Rejuvenation for You?
Laser skin resurfacing is for people who have sun-damaged, aging, or acne-related skin problems.
These skin problems can be any of the following:
- Age spots
- Wrinkles
- Acne
- Sagging skin
- Enlarged pores
- Crow’s feet
- Uneven skin tone
- Scars
- Stretchmarks
The appropriate procedure depends on your skin type. Although there are claims that this procedure is not for people with darker skin tones, there are right lasers for such skin color. This misconception has been denied by the American Board of Cosmetics Surgeons, stating that your skincare professional knows the best laser for skin resurfacing dark skin colors.
However, this procedure is not for everyone.
You cannot have this procedure if:
- You have taken isotretinoin for acne treatment in the previous year.
- Your immune system is weak or, you have an autoimmune disease.
- You have undergone radiation therapy on your face.
- You’ve had an outbreak of cold sores or herpes or are prone to cold sores.
- Your skin always tends to scar.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Much Does It Cost?
There are factors to how much the treatment costs per session. It could depend on where the procedure takes place. It also depends on the surface area treated. It also depends on the weight of the condition and what condition is undergoing treatment.
How Does It Work?
Remember that this procedure is not surgery. The staff will take you as an outpatient.
Your aesthetician will perform numbing procedures. During non-ablative laser rejuvenation, they will apply numbing cream or a topical anesthetic on the surface for treatment. For ablative laser skin resurfacing, you will undergo sedation.
Your aesthetician will cleanse your face to remove bacteria, oil, and dirt.
Your aesthetician will treat you with the appropriate laser for your skin condition, as you previously discussed, during ablative treatment. He will apply the beam directly above your skin to destroy the outer layer and penetrate the inner layer. Once the skin starts wounding, it will produce collagen, giving birth to tighter and younger skin. This procedure will last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. This treatment is usually a one-time procedure, so you’ll see the results earlier.
Your laser treatment professional will use the appropriate non-ablative laser for your condition. It will penetrate the inner skin layer until it starts stimulating the skin to produce collagen. The procedure will have more sessions, depending on the condition, generally scheduled in weeks or months.
How to Prepare for Laser Skin Resurfacing
During consultation
Your plastic surgeon or aesthetician will ask for your medical history. You want to avoid future complications, so be honest when answering the inquiries.
- You should not have had cold sores or fever blisters two weeks before the treatment.
- Tell your doctor if you have an autoimmune disease.
- Tell your doctor if you have gone through an acne treatment or radiation therapy.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
You will also undergo physical exams. During this procedure, your doctor will inspect the treatment surface. From there, he will examine the thickness of your skin. This procedure is an important step to determine the suitable laser for your skin.
Deciding to undergo laser skin resurfacing can be confusing without your professional’s expert opinion. So before undergoing any procedure, your dermatologist or plastic surgeon will discuss the entire procedure.
- How will the procedure go?
- How should you prepare before the actual treatment day?
- What to expect after the procedure?
Important points to remember before the procedure:
- Avoid getting out in the sun without protection two weeks before the procedure.
- Stop smoking two weeks before the treatment and also during your recovery stage.
- Do not take medications and supplements that affect bleeding:
- Diclofenac
- Ibuprofen
- Cataflam
- Fenoprofen
- Aspirin
- Vitamin-E
- If you will be sedated, set a ride home if no one will accompany you during the procedure.
- Also, avoid MSG and aspartame on your food.
- Restrict and reduce your coffee or tea intake.
When Is the Best Time to Schedule the Treatment?
The best time would always be during autumn as post-treatment would require non-exposure to the sun or heat. For other seasons, you can have this procedure and just have ready SPF 30 sunscreen.
What to Expect After the Procedure
After the procedure, the doctor will apply an ointment and protect the treated area with watertight and airtight bandages. Take note that the treated area will feel itchy for up to 72 hours. Your skin may feel raw, and it will swell. Your doctor will prescribe a pain reliever. Your doctor will instruct you on how to clean the treated area.
If you have undergone a non-ablative procedure, recovery time will be minimal. And you can go back to your usual routines the soonest.
However, the ablative procedure will be longer. It will take two to three weeks to heal. Your doctor may prescribe steroids if swelling develops around your eyes.
You may have instructions to clean the treated parts every day. It can be up to five times daily until the new skin has covered your face completely. Until then, as soon as your skin heals, you can apply oil-free make-up to hide redness. You may wear this redness on your face for up to three months.
Post Care and Maintenance
You have to regularly clean your wound with acetic acid, water, or saline acid. Do this according to your doctor’s advice.
Avoid going out in the sun without skin protection, not until after one year. The sun will trigger pigmentation, and then the treatment will become useless. Do not attempt to go swimming in the early stages of your recovery. Any sun damage will reverse the laser treatment you had.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. It can protect your treated areas from Ultraviolet rays A and B. Get a sunscreen with 7% zinc oxide and SPF 30 labels. Wear clothes with long sleeves and use a hat with wide brimming. Apply sunscreen after two hours of sun exposure.
Keep your skin moisturized. Use your moisturizer: Retin A or products with glycolic acids, only when the doctor gives a signal.
Diet after Laser Skin Resurfacing
Go for peanuts as it’s a good source of protein. Their protein helps in fibroblast proliferation, which is the process of repairing tissues. These proteins also boost the immune system and collagen production. Spread it on a whole grain bread loaf. You can also substitute other nuts such as almonds or cashews.
Eat foods that are good sources of zinc. Among them are spinach, lamb meat, broccoli, raw mushrooms, and pumpkin.
How Long Before You Can See the Results?
For non-ablative laser skin resurfacing, results show gradually weeks after every session. You will notice the progress session after session.
Unlike the ablative laser procedure, immediate results are present. However, the final results for the ablative procedure take up to 6 months before the desired effect to show.
Your face will either be red or pink for months. The results will last for years, so you will wear a younger-looking face. However, it doesn’t mean that your face will not develop wrinkles. It takes an extensive effort to maintain the results of your treatment.
How Many Years Will It Last?
The effects can last for many years, depending on your lifestyle.
If you keep smoking a year after your treatment, you will shorten the effects of your treatment. You need good blood flow in your veins when healing. Nicotine will contract the blood passages like veins and arteries. Also, it will interfere with the skin’s natural healing.
Keep a healthy diet for your skin. Also, minimize alcohol intake. Alcohol relaxes and expands during intoxication and constricts when there are high toxicity levels.
If you want to keep your investment on your face with laser skin resurfacing, keep away from sun damage, especially in the first year. Always make sure that you have sunscreen protection whenever you go out.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Laser Skin Resurfacing?
- Burns
- Scarring
- Change skin’s pigmentation
- Bacterial infection
- Ectropion
Microdermabrasion vs. Skin Laser Resurfacing
Microdermabrasion is also a skin resurfacing treatment but uses fine diamond-tipped equipment or a fine crystal mist or spray to exfoliate the outer layer of skin and stimulate collagen production. The practitioner will vacuum the exfoliated layers.
It’s a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment and will last for about thirty minutes per session. It will treat the irregularities in your skin texture. However, due to its non-invasive method; it won’t target deep or severe scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Skin laser resurfacing utilizes a laser, instead of fine diamond tips or crystal sprays, to stimulate collagen production. Because of this, it can penetrate deeper tissues to trigger the collagen production and give birth to firmer skin.
It will always boil down not to your preferences but your surgeon’s assessment.
How to Choose a Professional to Perform Laser Rejuvenation?
However, not all skin centers have the right people to perform this crucial resurfacing treatment. You have to leave your skin’s treatment to an expert’s hand. Either you face a dangerous procedure with post-treatment injuries, or you end up with an ineffective procedure.
What you’re looking for is someone who has the experience, skills, qualifications, and certifications.
Go for the best skin laser treatments with certifications. Our medical spa in Toronto has a range of professionals that do specific jobs.
Always look for the skills and experience. A few referrals and feedbacks can be a good reference before consulting a professional for laser rejuvenation in Toronto.
