Indications
Today we’re a lot more savvy about the harmful effects of the sun on our skin. Skin experts have educated us on the importance of using sun protection to avoid the ravages of damaging UV rays. Many of us were part of a real outdoor generation that worshipped the sun. As kids, we suffered frequent sunburns. As teens, we purposely baked and basted our skins to achieve a deep, dark tan.

Injury from the sun is cumulative over a lifetime. Add the effects of aging, gravity, and environmental pollutant and you’re faced with wrinkles, brown spots, light or dark discoloration, roughness, sagginess. And of course, sometimes our skin problems can be blamed on accidents, illness or nature.

Intended Results
More and more women and men look to their plastic surgeons for skin revitalization and resurfacing to regain a fresher, more healthy and young-looking complexion. Laser resurfacing (also called laser peeling) is one such resurfacing treatment often favored when skin problems are moderate to severe—wrinkles especially around the eyes and mouth (crow’s feet and lipstick lines). The procedure can be done in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.

How Laser Resurfacing Renews Your Skin
First, the resurfacing laser will remove all the epidermal damage caused by sun and aging. With extreme precision the laser removes keratoses, premalignant lesions, age spots, and epidermal blemishes.

Second, the upper dermis is sculpted smooth by the laser. Deeper wrinkles are reduced or eliminated. Acne scars are reduced and re-contoured. New epidermis will grow from cells within the follicles that have never been exposed to the sun’s damage. This takes just four to five days. Thus, your skin is literally “renewed.”

Third, the laser stimulates the growth of healthy new collagen and elastin fibers within the skin. This will continue for six months after resurfacing. During this time the skin will continue to improve. Fifteen to twenty percent firming can be achieved. Loose eyelids and lax skin is tightened. Resilience and elasiticity are restored. Any remaining wrinkles will continue to improve for over six months.

Procedure Description
The procedure can be performed either with local sedation (twilight anesthesia) or under general anesthesia. Both would be done on an outpatient basis.

Recuperation and Healing
Expect recuperation of one week or more after laser resurfacing. The skin will be quite red and probably swollen. Ice packs and pain medication can help the discomfort. Dr. Mariotti will apply a bandage over the treated areas and will have you apply ointment on top of that 2 – 3 times a day, which will cover and protect the healing skin for the first five to ten days. The skin will turn pink, but it may take up to six months for the skin’s redness to completely fade (we have specialized makeup that can be worn to cover up the redness until it subsides), and up to one year for normal pigmentation to return. Makeup can usually be worn a week to two weeks after the procedure. Dr. Mariotti will instruct you on cleansing your healing skin.

You will probably be able to return to work and social activities from a week to two weeks following the procedure.

Protecting your skin in the sun is extremely important. A sunblock must be used.