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FACIAL RESURFACING
Special lasers enable doctors to instantly and gently paint away lines, wrinkles, scars, and other skin imperfections. Laser resurfacing, or laser peel, is a procedure that employs a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to improve areas of damaged or wrinkled skin. Resurfacing is often used to minimize the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, but it is also very effective in treating facial scars, age spots or areas of uneven pigmentation. Laser resurfacing may be a good option for the patient who has been contemplating a facelift, but really is not ready for one. It is also a good adjunct for the patient who does not want to undergo the more invasive facelift. Treatments can cover the whole face or focus on a specific region of skin and may be used in conjunction with other procedures like a facelift or eyelid surgery. An advantage of laser resurfacing is that there is virtually no blood loss. A disadvantage is that the patient has a down time of about 1 week and may have reddish or pinkish discoloration of the skin for up to 6-8 weeks. In rare instances the discoloration may last longer. The discoloration is easily camouflaged with green-based make-ups.

Studies have shown that following laser resurfacing, the amount of collagen in the skin is increased resulting in improved elasticity.

The procedure is relatively quick, and ranges in length anywhere from a few minutes to 1 1/2 hours depending on the areas being treated. Patients may undergo the procedure using a local anesthetic or may require mild sedation. It is not necessary to undergo general anesthesia for this procedure.

After the procedure, the face is bandaged to protect the healing skin for several days after the treatment. Patients have experienced mild swelling and discomfort after the laser resurfacing, but this can be controlled by medications and ice packs. Most patients describe a bad sunburn sensation for the first few days. At the time of consultation treatment recommendations are made by the doctor and a plan with the patient is formulated.

Non-ablative laser resurfacing utilizes laser technology that does not visibly injure the skin. This technique stimulates collagen to form which helps to smooth wrinkles. The Polaris Aesthetic Laser is utilized for this treatment. An advantage to this technique is that there is absolutely no down time, however, it may take months to see the results. Multiple treatments are necessary.


SCAR REVISION
Note that this is called scar revision, not scar removal. Nothing can totally eliminate scars, however, they can often be improved.

The kind of scar you have: Keloid, hypertrophic, depressed or elevated determines the amount of improvement you can expect in the area.

The most common approach to scar revision is excision. This involves surgically removing the scar and then re-closing the wound with meticulous surgical technique, leaving an improved, less noticeable scar. Other approaches to scar revision mat be used for elevated or indented scars. This includes steroid injection of the scar or laser treatments.

Whatever type of scar you may have, there is a good chance that there is a procedure that can be used to help make the scar smaller and less conspicuous.