Laser Skin Resurfacing Candidates

For some patients, the laser skin resurfacing procedure does an excellent job of diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, scars, and irregular skin pigmentation. However, patients with certain skin types, skin tones, and medical conditions may suffer an increased risk of developing unpleasant side effects. Laser skin resurfacing may, in fact, worsen such a patient’s facial appearance. Consult a dermatologist to discover if you are a good candidate for the treatment.

Ideal Laser Skin Resurfacing Candidates

Laser skin resurfacing is an effective procedure for patients with lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, or superficial facial scars such as acne scarring that does not respond to gentler treatments. The ideal candidate for laser skin resurfacing has elastic, non-oily skin that is not prone to scarring after minor injury. It is best that laser skin resurfacing be performed on a person who is free of any medical considerations, including prescription medication and existing health conditions that might cause unnecessary risk during the procedure or recovery period.

A good candidate would be a person who has realistic expectations for the results of the laser skin resurfacing procedure. A person seeking laser skin resurfacing should educate themselves on both the benefits and the limitations of the procedure beforehand. Persons with lighter skin tones are better candidates for this particular procedure than persons with darker skin tones because there is less risk of unexpected side effects such as permanent skin discoloration.

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Laser Skin Resurfacing?

People with minor skin imperfections are often not good candidates for laser skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing is considered by many cosmetic medical professionals to be a surgical procedure. As with any surgery, the side effects of laser skin resurfacing procedures tend to linger for at least a week and often longer. For minor skin imperfections, gentler alternative treatments are available.

Those with a very dark skin tone may also not be good candidates for laser skin resurfacing. During laser skin resurfacing, the pigment in the targeted skin cell absorbs the highly energetic laser light and produces intense heat, resulting in the cell’s destruction. Any excess laser light is either harmlessly diffused or is absorbed by the surrounding untargeted skin cells. In a person with dark skin, more skin pigment is present so there is a greater risk of the excess laser energy being absorbed than for a person with a lighter skin tone. This unintended absorption can result in side effects like skin discoloration and even blistering. A Fraxel® laser or erbium laser procedure presents a slightly lower risk of skin discoloration than does a CO2 laser treatment. An experienced dermatologist can take steps to decrease the risk of damage to surrounding cells, however; you should consult a dermatologist who has experience performing the procedure on patients with your skin type to learn about the associated risks prior to having the procedure done.

Those who are not good candidates for laser skin resurfacing, may benefit from laser skin resurfacing alternatives. These milder treatments can also be performed to reduce the effects of sun damage as well as the appearance of lines and uneven skin coloration.

Medical Considerations

Because of the invasive nature of the procedure, particularly when performed using a CO2 laser, many physicians consider laser skin resurfacing to be a surgical procedure despite the fact that it involves no incisions. The healing process after any surgery can be quite taxing for a patient. Therefore, a laser skin resurfacing recovery will be very hard on a patient that suffers from a disorder of the immune system. Patients who scar easily should also not attempt the procedure for largely cosmetic reasons. Connective tissue disorders, such as lupus erythematosus or Sjogren's syndrome also present an increased risk of complications and are a valid reason for foregoing the treatment.

Although the laser skin resurfacing procedure can be used to treat acne scarring, the active presence of acne can increase the risk for infection. Those who experience regular outbreaks should consult a dermatologist before undergoing the procedure. The presence of other skin infections such as cold sores and herpes simplex also increase the risk of complications during the healing process.

Studies have linked the prescription acne treatment, Accutane®, to a decreased healing capacity in the skin. If you have used Accutane® in the last 18 months, many physicians ask that you refrain from undergoing a laser skin resurfacing procedure.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Alternatives

Laser skin resurfacing hardly has a monopoly on diminishing the appearance of age-related skin damage. Before deciding that the deteriorated condition of your skin requires the employment of a cosmetic treatment, you may try incorporating prescription skin care products into your morning routine to improve your skin’s health. Available from your local dermatologist, many of these products contain potent mixtures of vitamins and other nutrients along with other skin clarifying solutions to improve the way your skin feels as well as the way your skin looks.

If you do decide to seek an anti-aging cosmetic treatment, you have many options that are less invasive and require a shorter recovery time than laser skin resurfacing. One popular injectable product for treating fine lines and minor wrinkles in the area between the brows and around the jaw is BOTOX® Cosmetic. Injectable dermal fillers such as Restylane®, Juvederm®, and Radiesse™ can not only eliminate lines, but they can also give your skin a fuller, more hydrated appearance. Collagen injections and fat transfer treatments can achieve similar benefits.

A more youthful appearance can also be achieved through the use of a skin tightening procedure such as Thermage® which encourages the growth of new collagen at the lower dermis level. This procedure is non-ablative, meaning it treats the underlying layers of skin without damaging the outer layers. Non-ablative laser skin tightening procedures involve fewer painful side effects than laser skin resurfacing procedures.

For treatment of acne scarring, sun damage, and other issues involving skin texture, microdermabrasion and chemical peel can serve as viable alternative treatments.

Interested in Laser Skin Resurfacing? Locate a Physician in Your Area

The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing is to speak with a dermatologist. If you are not a good candidate for the procedure, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of younger looking skin. There are likely other procedures that will be better suited to your complexion or level of physical health. Visit DocShop to find a qualified and experienced dermatologist.