What is
skin resurfacing?
Skin resurfacing is a minimally-invasive procedure that uses laser technology to remove precisely the damaged skin, layer by layer, revealing new skin that has an improved tone and texture. This procedure can be used for improving the appearance of your skin and removing skin problems such as wrinkles, fine lines, acne, and sun damage.
In skin resurfacing, high-intensity laser energy is directed at your skin. This destroys the epidermis, which is the outer layer of your skin while heating up the dermis, which is the underlying skin layer. As a result, collagen production is stimulated, which means that your skin will improve in tone and texture over time.
It is of critical importance that skin resurfacing is done only by an expert medical professional. At Olam Med Spa, you can rest assured that you will have only the best medical provider administering your procedure, giving you the skin that you have always dreamt of.
What device do we
use at Olam Med Spa?
The team at Olam Med Spa is proud to say that we use state-of-the-art equipment for our skin resurfacing treatment. The Spectrum Erbium YAG is the number one choice of treatment for many medical professionals. It is ideal for those who are focused on delivering significant improvements in the appearance of their skin with minimal discomfort and little to no downtime.
The Spectrum Erbium YAG is a laser that is available on the Spectrum Laser /IPL System – a multi-platform workstation that Olam Med Spa relies on for many of its procedures. The laser can effectively remove surface pigmentation as well as signs of aging such as mild to moderate wrinkles and fine lines that may appear on the face, neck, chest, and hands.
What is the
procedure like?
Before the actual skin resurfacing treatment, there are several treatments you will have to receive in order to prepare your skin. So, in the weeks prior to the actual procedure, you will undergo a series of skin treatments that will help increase your skin’s tolerance. This is an important step as it can help reduce any risks for side effects too.
On the day of the actual skin resurfacing procedure, your medical provider at Olam Med Spa will apply a topical anesthetic to the targeted area on your skin. If the area to be treated is large in size, a sedative or painkiller may be a better choice for you.
Then, the area to be treated is cleaned and disinfected thoroughly, removing any excess oil and dirt from the surface. The head of the Spectrum Erbium YAG laser is held against your skin and moved slowly and carefully around the targeted area. As the laser destroys the outer skin layer, it heats up the lower layers, thus encouraging collagen production.
After the laser treatment is completed, the area is wrapped for protection and to promote healing.
Aftercare
& recovery
Skin resurfacing is a non-surgical, in-office procedure that doesn’t require you to stay overnight. Still, it is important that you have some downtime so that you can recover quickly and prevent unwanted side effects.
In most cases, it takes about 5 to 10 days for the skin to heal. The bigger the treated area, the deeper the laser goes, which means that recovery will take longer. For a full recovery and for you to see the results you wish to see, it can take up to three weeks.
During your recovery period, you may experience redness, swelling, scabbing, and slight peeling. These are common reactions and will go away on their own. Your medical provider will inform you about any aftercare procedures you should be aware of.
Who is an ideal candidate
for skin resurfacing?
If you identify with the following, you may be an ideal candidate for skin resurfacing:
- You want to improve the tone and texture of your skin
- You want to get rid of signs of aging such as age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles
- You have acne scars or another type of skin scarring that you want to remove
- You have loose, sagging skin that you want to tighten and smoothen out
- You have skin imperfections such as warts that you want to get rid of
- You have realistic expectations from the procedure
It is important to note that consultation is an important and essential part of the treatment process. There is a common misconception that skin resurfacing is suitable only for people with lighter skin tones since they have a lower risk for hyperpigmentation. However, the truth is that with the right medical professional, even people with darker skin tones can benefit from skin resurfacing. The kind of laser used has a huge role to play here – Erbium lasers are more ideal for darker skin tones compared to other types of lasers.
For more information regarding skin resurfacing, or to schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact us and one of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.
