....................................What is Laser Resurfacing?

....................................How is Laser Resurfacing performed?

....................................What results can I expect?

....................................Is Laser Resurfacing suitable for me?

....................................How long will the procedure take?

....................................How long will it take me to recover after Laser Resurfacing?

....................................Will the procedure leave any scars?

....................................What are the side effects and potential complications of Laser Resurfacing?

....................................Is a general anaesthetic required for Laser Resurfacing?

....................................Is there any risk of damage to my eyes during Laser Resurfacing?

....................................What type of laser is used?

....................................Will those areas of my face that have been lasered stand out from

................................. .......... ..those areas that have not been lasered?

What is Laser Resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing is the use of high energy laser light which is computer controlled to remove the surface layer of the skin to a particular depth.

How is Laser Resurfacing performed?

The laser delivers very short pulses of energy that vaporise the surface layers of the skin without excessive heating. The surface irregularities and wrinkle lines are smoothed by this procedure and is further improved by deep skin healing which is accompanied by some tightening of the skin.

What results can I expect?

After this procedure you can expect to see a younger, smoother, tighter skin. The surgeon at the Aesthetic Day Surgery will give you a realistic indication of the results you can personally expect from laser resurfacing during your initial consultation.

Is Laser Resurfacing suitable for me?

The decision to go ahead with an aesthetic procedure is a very personal one. The first step is a consultation with one of the qualified plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Day Surgery. Whatever you reasons you should frankly discuss your personal goals and expectations with respect to the outcome of the procedure (both physical and emotional) with your surgeon. As with any aesthetic surgery you should always keep in mind that the desired result is improvement, not perfection.

How long will the procedure take?

Depending on the extent of the procedure, laser resurfacing may last between 1 1/2 to 2 hours for full face resurfacing and may be less than 1/2 hour for a smaller area such as the upper lip. However, please keep in mind that this is only actual surgical time. To ensure the highest standard of personalised patient care, attention to detail and results, the Aesthetic Day Surgery requires you to spend appropriate time both immediately before and after the procedure within the Day Surgery. (Note: this time would be in addition to your initial and follow up consultations with an ADS Surgeon).

How long will it take me to recover after Laser Resurfacing?

Recovery times do vary from one patient to the next. The skin surface is usually healed within 7-10 days following the procedure but the obvious redness persists for up to 5-6 weeks. Some lesser redness may persist for up to 3 months or more - the skins appearance also continues to improve for this time. Most patients choose to return to work after 7-10 days often with makeup being used to camouflage the redness.

Will the procedure leave any scars?

Scarring is a rare complication of resurfacing. However the risk of scarring does increase with deeper laser resurfacing.

What are the side effects and potential complications of Laser Resurfacing?

Your surgeon at the Aesthetic Day Surgery will discuss side effects and any potential complications directly with you at you initial consultation. In general, immediately after the procedure patients can expect a redness and swelling of the affected area together with a heating sensation and some level of pain. This is normally controlled by elevation of the head and the application of ice packs and pain medication. Some degree of whitening of the skin is not uncommon and is acceptable to most patients. Your surgeon at the Aesthetic Day Surgery will discuss side effects and any potential complications directly with you at your initial consultation. The deeper the resurfacing the more wrinkles can be removed but the risks also increase - pigment changes and even scarring can occur. The surgeons at the Aesthetic Day Surgery prefer a treatment that gives very worthwhile improvement with minimal risks.

Is a general anaesthetic required for Laser Resurfacing?

Not necessarily. General anaesthesia is commonly utilised for large areas such as full face laser resurfacing. For smaller areas, such as around the mouth or around the eyelids it can be performed under local anesthetic, however most patients still prefer to have this done under a general anaesthetic.

Is there any risk of damage to my eyes during Laser Resurfacing?

Throughout the procedure your eyes will be protected with special laser protective contact type lenses. Occasionally, patients may experience slight discomfort in the eyes post-operatively which quickly settles. This discomfort is sometimes caused by the ointment and the special contact type lenses that are placed over the eye during the procedure.

What type of laser is used?

The laser machine utilised at the Aesthetic Day Surgery is the Coherent 5000 CO2 laser which is classed as one of the most effective machines of its class.

Will those areas of my face that have been lasered stand out from those areas that have not been lasered?

One may see a change in the appearance of the skin where the laser has been used compared to where it has not been used. This is generally 'feathered in' to stop any abrupt change.

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