LASER RESURFACING

Fine vertical wrinkles in the upper and lower lip and lateral lip regions are unaffected by face and neck lifts. These wrinkles, along with "frown lines", lateral "crow's feet", and horizontal forehead creases may be eliminated or substantially softened by laser resurfacing.

Introduced in the mid-1990's, high energy ultrapulsed CO2 laser systems emit light at 10,600 nannometers (nm), which is absorbed by water and vaporizes the outer layers of skin into a smooth surface. Commercially available units achieve depths of 50 to 100 micrometers per pass. Penetration of the dermis stimulates remodelling by formation of new collagen. New collagen formation leads to further "contraction" and "tightening" of the skin up to 90 days following the procedure.

Clinically, the CO2 is applicable for a variety of surface irregularities including fine wrinkles, solar damage, focal scarring, acne nodules, and pigmentation abnormalities. In deep wrinkles, particularly in frown lines or around the lips, dermabrasion, using a diamond surfaced bur, is capable of sanding the "shoulders" of the wrinkles down to a flat skin surface. The CO2 laser is then used to "feather" the edges and create a flat skin surface in the lip area. Commercially available 585 pulsed dye lasers are used for correction of erythema of the skin (redness) or to obliterate "broken blood vessels" (telangiectasias).

Before

After

PROCEDURE AND RECOVERY:
The laser resurfacing is performed as an outpatient under either local anesthesia or "twilight" sedation (you are totally unconscious) administered by a Board certified anesthesiologist at our state of the art AAAASF outpatient facility - The Aesthetic Surgery Center. Laser resurfacing usually takes about one half to one hour but is often done in conjunction with face and neck lift, eyelid or nasal surgery, mini-brow lift or other cosmetic procedures. The surface of the skin is "raw" for a period of a week to ten days until new skin forms. During that time you are supplied with skin care products specifically geared towards post-laser healing. Prolonged erythema (redness) after laser treatments may last several weeks to several months or longer. Sun avoidance or sun block with an SPF-15 or greater should be worn continuously until the erythema is completely resolved. A flesh colored concealer is custom blended by our aesthetician at a week to ten days post surgery to conceal residual redness or pigmentation. Postoperative hyperpigmentation may occur in darker skin or olive complected patients and rarely occurs in lighter skin types. In patients predisposed to hyperpigmentation, postoperative bleaching agents are now used (hydroquinone 4 to 6% concentration).

Antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal agents are given to reduce the chance of skin, herpetic or yeast infections (rare). A comprehensive post-laser skin care/makeup program is supervised by our full time skin care coordinator.

For more detailed information regarding procedures / recovery / expectations / limitations / risks / potential complications, write or e-mail Dr. Rose.

PRE AND POSTOPERATIVE PHOTOS SELECTED FROM PATIENTS WHO HAVE GIVEN US PERMISSION FOR USAGE OR WHO ARE OTHERWISE UNIDENTIFIABLE. These photos do not warranty surgical outcome or results. A more complete photo gallery is available at consultation with Dr. Rose.