Laser therapy, also known as laser peel or laser skin resurfacing, is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment for wrinkles. It can also be used to reduce or eliminate other minor skin problems, like acne scars, chickenpox scars, age spots, warts, fine lines and some birthmarks.

Types of Lasers

Multiple types of lasers can be used in laser therapy. These include IPL, CO2 fractional, radiofrequency and much more. Fractional CO2 is a newer method that uses very short pulsed light beams or continuous light beams to remove thin layers of skin without damaging other tissues.

Certain lasers can be used to treat superficial and moderately deep wrinkles and lines on the chest, neck and hands, as well as on the face. Some lasers cause more side effects than others; however, this will all be discussed in detail during your consultation at our office.

What Happens During Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is an outpatient procedure. Depending on the size of the treatment area, the medical professional may administer a local or general anesthetic. The procedure will take 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment site. The specialist will use the laser to treat the targeted areas. They will bandage the areas after treatment.

What is the Recovery Period Like?

The exact length of the recovery period depends on the type of laser used and the size of the treatment area. In any case, the patient should clean the treatment site multiple times a day 24 hours after the procedure. They will then need to apply an ointment, such as petroleum jelly.

The doctor may prescribe steroids to promote healing. The patient should also sleep with their head elevated and use an icepack. The latter will be especially helpful for the first 24 or 48 hours after the procedure.

The patient will need to keep their new skin hydrated and out of the sun. If they go outside, they should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. The sunscreen should also be “broad spectrum”, which means it protects the skin from both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays.

Say Goodbye to Your Wrinkles with Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a safe and effective way to treat wrinkles non-surgically. It can also be used to address a wide variety of other skin conditions. To see if laser therapy is right for you, visit Rao Dermatology, with locations in Manhattan, Atlantic Highlands, Fresno and Hanford. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.