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Laser Procedures

Many people today choose laser procedures to enhance their beauty.  There are multiple laser and laser-type procedures available to you from your plastic surgeon.

During the procedures, unwanted hair, blood vessels, scars, pigmentation and other problems are addressed.  Laser procedures can be done in conjunction with other operative, and non-operative procedures (such as chemical peels), but will be discussed with you by your plastic surgeon based on necessity and risk / reward benefit.  Multiple (or staged) procedures are generally required for reasons that you plastic surgeon will discuss with you.

Who’s a Candidate?

The best candidates for laser procedures vary based on the goal to be achieved.  In general, the lighter the base skin tone, the easier it is to treat the problems.  With today’s newer technologies, almost all skin types can be offered some sort of laser treatment.  Treatments are available for conditions such as unwanted hair, acne, acne scars, facial rejuvenation, general skin rejuvenation, lines and wrinkles, sun damaged skin, freckles, brown, red and age spots, facial redness, uneven skin tones, broken or unsightly blood vessels, birthmarks, tattoos, trauma and surgical scars.

What Are the Risks?

As with any procedure, there is always a possibility of complications, including bleeding and bruising, infection, fluid collection, or reaction to anesthesia.  Lasers also carry some increased risks of changes in skin pigmentation, either hyper (darker) or hypo (lighter) skin tones. Poor healing and scars are more likely in smokers and risks increase if pre- and post- treatment physician-directed plans are not followed.

Preparing for Surgery

Your surgeon will examine your face and neck as there is a harmony between the two regions that must be maintained. He or she will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure such as your age, the size, and shape of  the areas to be treated and generally the quality of your skin. Your plastic surgeon will instruct you on how to prepare your skin and yourself for your laser treatments.

Occasionally Retin A, a prescription medication derived from Vitamin A, is used to pre-treat the skin. This improves and thins out the skin's surface layer, allowing the TCA solution to penetrate more deeply and evenly. Occasionally your skin won't tolerate Retin-A pre-treatment, and an AHA cream may be used instead. Hydroquinone, a bleaching agent, is sometimes used in conjunction with Retin-A or AHA pre-treatment plan.  This is generally the case if you have irregularly pigmented or “blotchy” skin areas. You may have to spend a month or more in the skin pre-treatment phase before your actual laser treatments.  This is not necessary for all procedures and is excluded for procedures for tattoo and laser hair removal, for example.

The Procedure

The various laser treatments are performed on an outpatient basis.  Generally this can range from 5 minutes of treatment time to about 1 hour.  Variables include the type of procedure to be done as well as the areas needing to be treated.  During the treatments, you may experience some stinging sensation (often likened to a rubber band snap) which is very tolerable.  Gel or cooling measures may be applied if appropriate.  Your overall comfort is important to your plastic surgeon and you can discuss with him or her ways to optimize this for you.  Laser hair removal patients will be treated with clippers prior to the procedure and skin therapy patients will be treated after washing the face, in particular to remove any makeup..

After Your Procedure

You can generally drive yourself home after the treatment.  Rarely, you will be recommended to have someone drive you and care for you, and this is generally for more aggressive procedures around the eyelids.  For the first few days, the area may be swollen and red.  Dry skin and flaking or peeling may occur as well.  Ointments or medications may be recommended by your surgeon. You may feel some discomfort for first few days, especially when you cough or move around depending on what treatment you received, but this is rare.  If necessary, your surgeon will prescribe pain medication. Most patients can return to work immediately or the following.