| k"> | | | | light over your skin. The condition of your skin |
| Laser resurfacing was the "it" treatment of the | | | | immediately following the procedure depends on |
| 1990s - and with good reason. By removing skin's | | | | the type of laser your dermatologist has |
| outer layer, the procedure can lighten or banish | | | | used.What if your face features both deeply |
| discoloration, scars, and fine and moderate | | | | scarred and lightly scarred areas? Your |
| wrinkles, as well as tighten slack skin, giving the | | | | dermatologist may opt for a dual-Erbium Contour |
| face a firmer, younger appearance The | | | | laser. Kind of a dual carbon dioxide-Erbium laser, |
| high-energy beam of light can selectively transfer | | | | the machine lets your doctor use the deep-tissue |
| its energy into tissue to treat the skin. A | | | | carbon dioxide beam on your severely scarred |
| dermatologist will use one of two types of lasers | | | | skin, and the Erbium beam on the more |
| for laser resurfacing treatments: the | | | | superficially flawed bits.Laser effectsAfter a |
| deeper-reaching carbon dioxide laser is usually | | | | carbon dioxide laser procedure, skin is raw and |
| used for deep scarring. The more | | | | oozy for the first 3 or 4 days. Next, skin crusts, |
| surface-skimming Erbium Yag laser is generally | | | | peels, and is ready for makeup after 2 or 3 |
| used on areas of lighter scarring and has less of | | | | weeks. Skin can remain pink for up to 6 months |
| an effect. Prior to laser resurfacing, it may be | | | | after treatment. After an Erbium laser treatment, |
| necessary to take medication to prevent infection | | | | skin is slightly raw and feels sunburned for the |
| with herpes simplex virus.If your dermatologist is | | | | first few days. Skin then peels and is ready for |
| using a carbon dioxide laser, intravenous sedation | | | | makeup after 5 to 7 days. Because both types |
| is generally used; local anesthesia is typically used | | | | of lasers stimulate new collagen growth, you may |
| for an Erbium laser treatment. After skin is | | | | notice continued tightening and firming for up to 6 |
| cleansed, your dermatologist will pass the laser's | | | | months after the procedure. |