Aging is a privilege that we love helping our clients gracefully navigate. For with age comes wisdom, as well as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, loose skin, and countless other outward signs of aging. While some of us wear our years more subtly than others (hello, genetics), Popp Cosmetic Surgery offers a variety of treatments to help ease our clients and their skin into their wiser years.
One of our most popular treatments is laser skin resurfacing, proven to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce acne scars, and so much more. Not only this, but laser treatments help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to maintain a more youthful appearance.
If you’re considering it, here’s what to expect from the best skin tightening laser treatments.
Skin Laser Tightening: How Does it Work?
This highly effective, minimally invasive procedure helps by firming the skin on the face and the body. It’s possible to have laser tightening on most areas of the body, and the most popular include the face and neck. Less so on other skin areas as they may tend to scar more than the face.
A CO2 fractional laser uses carbon dioxide gas to generate the laser beam, and remove the epidermis and superficial dermal layers of the skin. With very short pulses of light energy, this laser removes thin layers of the skin, without damaging surrounding tissue.
By vaporizing layers of the skin, this treatment effectively reduces wrinkles and scarring, rejuvenates the layers of the skin, and stimulates elastin and collagen production.
The great thing about CO2 skin lasering is its versatility. It can treat several skin conditions including:
- Keloid and hypertrophic scarring
- Acne scarring
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Pigmentation from sun exposure, freckles and more
Why is CO2 laser one of the most preferred treatments on the market today? It’s one of the most precise, tissue-selective treatments available.
What to Expect from Skin Laser Tightening
If you’re new to this procedure, you’ll have an initial meeting with your doctor for an overview of your skin. During this consult, you’ll get a chance to explain what you’d like corrected, while your doctor will advise the best route going forward.
If you’re a good candidate for skin laser tightening, you will then pick a date down the road for your surgery. You’ll also receive an overview of what the treatment entails.
During the treatment process, you may need to wear protective eyewear. Only the treatment area is exposed to lasering, the rest of your body remains clothed.
The entire procedure itself takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the area you’re addressing. During the treatment, the doctor will use a laser wand, gently moving it over the area of skin you’re treating.
Post-treatment you’ll be covered in Vaseline and non-stick dressing over the area, which should stay in place for 24 hours.
Is it Painful?
The short answer to this is: somewhat. However, this depends on the depth and extent of the laser resurfacing and your own pain tolerance levels.
Your doctor will apply a local anesthetic to the area to help minimize the pain. You can also opt for a sedative to help you relax during the treatment.
If you’re undergoing extensive laser resurfacing, general anesthesia may be advised.
Post-Treatment Expectations
Post-treatment, many people liken the sensation to a bad sunburn. You may experience minor swelling and redness in the area for a few days, but this will pass.
Here are a few aftercare precautions to keep in mind:
- Try to avoid excessive amounts of heat or sun exposure. This can increase the chances of scarring, changes in pigmentation, and skin texture
- Try not to use hot tubs, saunas, tanning beds, or take a bath.
- Keep your exercise light – nothing too strenuous for at least 48 hours post-treatment
- Always apply a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or more to the area – even if it’s cloudy, but you must wait on this until you are fully healed and get clearance from your doctor. This could be up to 3 weeks after the procedure.
- Try to avoid harsh products on the treatment area, i.e. retinol, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and hydroxy acids
- It’s recommended that you avoid filler injections, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and BOTOX treatments for two weeks post-treatment
If you want to see true, long-lasting results, you must prioritize your skin’s recovery after the laser session. If you’re aiming for multiple treatments, make sure to space them out properly! Your doctor will advise on the best treatment plan going forward.
What Are the Risks?
It’s worth noting that laser skin tightening is one of the safest skin rejuvenation treatments currently available. It’s non-invasive, offers minimal downtime, and has only a handful of side effects that are generally mild.
There are a few rare potential complications that could crop up, so talk to your doctor if you experience:
- Infection of the treated area
- Scarring
- The development of milia – very small white bumps across the skin
- Hyperpigmentation
- Acne flares
- Reactivating cold sores – particularly if you have a history of them
- Skin burns
It is extremely important to work with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who is skilled and experienced in laser skin tightening when undergoing skin altering procedures. These potential side effects carry much higher risks outside of a qualified environment, and without proper care and follow up.
If you’re on a mission to transform your skin, no matter your age, laser skin tightening can do wonders for your complexion’s texture, appearance, and youthfulness. At Popp Cosmetic Surgery PC, we offer a state-of-the-art surgical center and some of the best skin tightening laser treatments on the market today.
Learn more about our CO2 laser resurfacing treatment and how we can help revive your skin!
