Skip to main content
Nova Plastic Surgery Waiting Area Cropped
Nova Plastic Surgery Waiting Area
Posted August 15, 2016 in News

Key Takeaways

  • Laser resurfacing improves the skin's appearance by removing damaged outer layers to reveal healthier, more vibrant skin underneath.
  • It can address a wide range of concerns including acne scars, crow's feet, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
  • Before treatment, your provider will review your medical history and align your expectations with what the procedure can realistically achieve.
  • Topical anesthesia is used for smaller treatment areas, while a more general relaxation medication is provided for larger areas of the face.
  • After treatment, the area is dressed and patients follow a daily care routine of applying ointment, soaking, and re-dressing for up to ten days.
Everyone wants to have nice skin. When you have smooth, healthy skin, you’re attractive. People want to be around you. However, when you have skin that is full of blemishes, scars or uneven pigmentation, you feel self-conscious about how you look and other people may treat you poorly. This is why procedures like laser resurfacing have gained in popularity over the past few years. Laser resurfacing is a technique whereby a laser is used to make your skin look better. It can address a wide variety of flaws by removing damaged skin. When the new skin grows back, it is healthy and vibrant. Before you can have a laser resurfacing procedure done, you will need to have our professionals review your medical history. They are going to sit down and talk with you about any health conditions you have that might interfere with the healing process after the procedure. They’re going to discuss what you can expect from the procedure and help you to align your expectations with what will really happen before, during and after a laser resurfacing treatment. Laser resurfacing can make acne scars, crow’s feet, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin look better. It often works best on individuals who have light skin and light hair. However, results vary from patient to patient. Before the procedure starts, our medical professional is going to give you medication designed to help you relax and reduce the amount of discomfort that you feel. A topical anesthetic may be used if the treated area is relatively small. In the vast majority of cases, people who have laser resurfacing treatments done walk away with no complications at all and are very pleased with the healthy skin they are left with. Once the procedure is done, the treated area will be dressed by our medical professional. You are going to need to apply ointment, soak the treated area and put on new dressings each day. The healing process may take up to 10 days, depending on how deep the resurfacing process was, as well as the laser that was used. To get the best results from laser resurfacing, you need to go into the procedure with an open mind and a clear knowledge on what the procedure can do and what it cannot do. During a consultation at Nova Plastic Surgery in Haymarket or Ashburn, you can learn all the facts about how to plan and prepare for this procedure. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What skin concerns can facial laser resurfacing address?

Laser resurfacing can improve the appearance of acne scars, crow's feet, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, and areas of sagging or uneven skin. It works by removing the outer layer of damaged skin to reveal healthier tissue and encourage the growth of new collagen beneath.

What happens before a laser resurfacing procedure begins?

Before your treatment, your provider will review your medical history to identify any health conditions that could affect healing. They will also discuss what results you can realistically expect, help you align your expectations with what the procedure can deliver, and answer any questions you have.

What type of anesthesia is used during laser resurfacing?

For smaller or more targeted treatment areas, a topical anesthetic is applied to minimize discomfort. For patients having their entire face treated, a relaxation medication is provided to help manage any discomfort throughout the procedure.

What does post-treatment care involve after facial laser resurfacing?

After laser resurfacing, your provider will dress the treated area and give you detailed aftercare instructions. You will typically need to apply ointment, soak the treated area, and change dressings each day. The healing process can take up to ten days depending on the depth of the treatment performed.

How common are complications from facial laser resurfacing?

In the vast majority of cases, patients who undergo laser resurfacing experience no complications and are very pleased with their refreshed, healthier skin. Choosing a qualified and experienced provider significantly minimizes the already low risk of any complications occurring.