Laser Surgery Essay, Research Paper

Laser Surgery

Lasers in plastic surgery in laser resurfacing sometimes called laser peel a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer the procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines especially around the mouth and the eyes however, it is also effective in treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in other parts of the body often the procedure is done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgerylaser surgery is still a very new procedure however, it has been shown that in some cases this surgical method produces less bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort than is typically seen with other resurfacing methods laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy which vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration It’s clear that laser resurfacing may offer a number of advantages over other resurfacing methods precision little if any bleeding and less post-operative discomfort however, laser resurfacing isn’t for everyone in some cases, an alternative skin resurfacing treatment such as dermabrasion or chemical peel may still be a better choice all resurfacing treatments work essentially the same way first the outer layers of damaged skin are stripped away then as new cells form during the healing process, a smoother tighter younger looking skin surface appears laser resurfacing is a new method being used by plastic surgeons to remove damaged skin because it is new there are no long term data on this technique a number of studies using microscopic examination have shown that the physical changes that occur to laser treated skin are essentially identical to those that occur with either dermabrasion or chemical peel all surgeries carries some uncertainty and risk when laser resurfacing is performed by a qualified experienced surgeon complications are infrequent and usually minor because individuals vary greatly in their anatomy their physical reactions and their healing abilities the outcome is never completely predictable one safety measure is to find out whether your surgeon has privileges to perform laser resurfacing with a CO2 laser at an accredited hospital even if the operation is to be conducted in your doctor’s private facility the fact that he or she has privileges to use that same laser in a hospital ensures that the doctor has been reviewed by the institution’s experts remember, cosmetic laser treatments can be expensive and

are usually not covered by medical insurance on rare occasions the procedure can be used for modification of scars or the removal of pre-cancerous skin growths within about five weeks after treatment the skin is noticeably smoother preparing for the laser procedure depending on individual needs the surgeon may recommend that you begin a pre-treatment plan to prepare the skin for resurfacing at the time of the procedure you will be given specific instructions on how to care for your skin immediately following your laser treatment your surgeon may also instruct you to follow a specific maintenance regimen for long-term care of the skin to maximize the benefits of the procedure where your laser treatment will be performed laser resurfacing may be performed in a hospital an outpatient surgery center or a surgeon’s office-based facility for cost containment and convenience laser resurfacing is usually done on an outpatient basis for the more extensive resurfacing procedures or for resurfacing combined with other surgical procedures you may be admitted to a hospital or a recovery center the procedure laser resurfacing is a relatively quick procedure it usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to 1 + hours depending on how large of an area is involved when the procedure is over your surgeon may choose to treat the resurfaced skin with applications of protective creams or ointments until healing is complete some surgeons choose to apply a bandage over the treated areas which will cover and protect the healing skin for the first five to ten days after your treatment you are likely to experience some mild swelling and discomfort after laser resurfacing however, this can be controlled with ice packs and medications prescribed by your surgeon if a bandage was applied after your procedure it may be replaced with a fresh one after a day or two after about a week or so your bandage will be removed and a thin layer of ointment may be applied to the skin once this stage is reached your surgeon will provide instructions on how to gently wash and care for your healing skin your new look the final result from laser resurfacing may take several months to fully appear, once the pinkness fades patients usually notice a significant improvement in the quality of their skin and a fresher smoother appearance it’s important to understand that your results will be long lasting but not permanent remember, your new skin is not immune to the effects of aging in the months and years following your laser treatment your natural facial movements will eventually cause any expression lines to recur as with other methods of skin rejuvenation laser treatments can usually be repeated however, by protecting yourself from the sun and following a skin care regimen recommended by your plastic surgeon you can help maintain your rejuvenated look

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