Naturally, as you age, you may experience different skin issues, including fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, saggy skin, uneven skin tone, warts, crow’s feet, and age spots. That happens because the number of pigment-containing cells and skin proteins like collagen reduces with age. Poor texture and appearance of your skin can also be affected by being overweight, unhealthy diets, bad skincare habits, and environmental elements. If over-the-counter products fail to address your superficial skin issues, your dermatologist may recommend fractional laser skin resurfacing New York. The procedure is approved by the FDA and can help fight aging signs and boost the texture and appearance of your skin.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons (ABCS) refutes the claim that fractional laser skin resurfacing is only excellent for people with lighter skin. According to the organization, the important thing is to find the right fractional laser skin resurfacing specialist who understands the type of laser that can work best depending on your natural skin tone.
How fractional laser skin resurfacing works
The non-invasive cosmetic procedure utilizes a device to expose the lower layers of your skin to a laser beam. The treatment’s name comes from the fact that microbeams of laser light target a fraction of your skin at a time.
Exposure of your skin layers to tiny beams of laser energy stimulates collagen production and faster regeneration of damaged or scarred tissues. Collagen is a protein that improves skin elasticity, hydration, and blood flow, to give you a plump, youthful appearance.
Preparation for fractional laser skin resurfacing
Before fractional laser skin resurfacing, your doctor will ensure that you are fully prepared. Depending on your condition, your doctor may subject your skin to various treatments weeks before fractional laser skin resurfacing. That is essential to make your skin more tolerant to specialist treatment and less susceptible to complications. Some possible side effects and risks of the procedure may include pain, redness, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and scabbing.
For instance, your fractional laser skin resurfacing may need to cleanse your skin to get rid of excess microorganisms, oil, and dirt.
Your health provider may also apply a topical anesthetic cream about an hour before the treatment starts to protect you from the uncomfortable sensations of fractional laser skin resurfacing. If your doctor is to treat an extensive area of your skin, there may be a need to use painkillers or a sedative.
Generally, the treatment has a low level of discomfort. The laser pulse may cause you to feel slight warmth, and after treatment, you may experience a sensation that feels like a sunburn. Protect yourself from the side effects of fractional laser skin resurfacing using a gentle moisturizer, applying ice therapy to the treatment area, and avoiding excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays.
You may need several treatments over a month or a few weeks. And it will take some before you start seeing desired results, involving the replacement and recovery of damaged tissue and more production of collagen and elastin to boost the growth of healthy skin cells.
Contact Lumos Dermatology® today to schedule an appointment with a fractional laser skin resurfacing specialist.