What is Wrinkle?
As skin ages, elastic fibers in the dermis break down, collagen fibers get "stuck" together, and there's a gradual loss in hyaluronic acid, the ground substance that gives skin its bulk and feel. The skin becomes stiffer and less elastic, and when subjected to repeated movement by the underlying muscles, such as in the forehead, and around the eyes and lips, wrinkles appear. Exposure to the sun greatly accelerates this process, and it occurs earliest in patients with thinner, lighter skin. The principal changes seen in the aging face include:
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Skin changes, blotches, discoloration, textural changes |
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"Mimetic" wrinkles caused by movement of muscles |
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"Mimetic" wrinkles caused by movement of muscles |
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Sagging and jowling caused by loss of underlying fat cushions and skeletal structures. |
What can the Erbium laser do for me?
The Erbium laser has been designed to remove or noticeably decrease wrinkles and to improve the overall colour and skin texture of the face, neck and hands. Occasionally, additional treatments may be recommended to further enhance your results. Although treatment results will vary depending on various considerations, with few exceptions, you can expect an improvement in the texture and quality of your skin.
How does laser skin resurfacing work?
The laser light is absorbed by the water in your skin cells. The absorption in turn causes the instantaneous vaporization or destruction of the cell. As your physician passes the laser light over your skin, a mere 30 millionths of an inch of tissue is removed at a time. This incredible control allows your physician to treat only as deeply as needed, from removing wrinkles to merely refreshing your overall skin appearance. After the damaged skin is removed, new skin quickly regrows in its place.
Does it hurt?
The level of discomfort is different for every person and also varies by the location and surface area to be treated. Many patients do not request any pain medication during treatment and relate the discomfort as comparable to a sunburn. Other patients will appreciate a topical or more extensive anesthetic. Your physician will discuss your options with you based upon your own tolerance and the specific areas to be treated. Laser resurfacing may cause the skin to become raw, red or pink with mild to moderate discomfort for several days following the procedure. Although over the counter medication is usually sufficient, your physician may recommend alternative pain relief options to keep you comfortable.
How do I take care of my skin immediately after treatment?
Depending on your specific treatment, your physician will prescribe detailed skin care instruction. To avoid the risk of infection and to ensure a positive result, please follow these instruction carefully. After you have healed, you will need to continually protect your new skin. In the early weeks and months following treatment, your skin will be very susceptible to sun damage. If at all possible, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. If you must be in the sun for a short time, please use sunscreens recommended by your physician.
How long will the healing process take?
Of course, everyone will heal at various rates depending on the depth of treatment, the particular areas treated and your own healing rate. Noticeable results are typically seen in few weeks. Light resurfacing around the eyes and lips in general takes only a few days. Most patients can be treated before the weekend and be almost completely healed by the following Monday. A deep full facial resurfacing may take up to 2-3 weeks before you feel aesthetically comfortable to return to your normal activities. Areas further away from your face, such as hands, may take up to a month for the full treatment benefits to become apparent.
