CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing in Costa Rica

Laser skin resurfacing applies to individuals who have wrinkles on regions around their eyes or the forehead. Additionally, if you have tried other methods of wrinkle removal and they have failed, it is advisable to go for laser resurfacing.

Persons with dark skins, stretch marks, or active acnes are also discouraged from attending the laser resurfacing procedure.

Two different methods are mostly used during laser skin resurfacing. These are carbon dioxide (Co2) skin resurfacing and erbium. Either method is useful since they remove the damaged skin cells from the epidermis. 

• CO2 Laser Resurfacing: Co2 skin resurfacing is the earliest method that has been practiced over years. It corrects conditions such as inflamed oil glands, scars, warts, and wrinkles among others. The latest application of Co2 skin resurfacing uses ultra-pulse, (which is short pulse energy). Prolonged light beams may also be utilized in a method similar to scanning whereby the energy is focused on the upper skin surface without damaging other skin cells. Recovery from a Co2 laser skin resurfacing may take more than a fortnight.
• Erbium Laser Skin Resurfacing: This procedure is intended to eliminate only surface-level disorders only. However, it may also remove wrinkles on the chest areas, hands, face, and neck. By going for an Erbium laser resurfacing, you minimize the chances of having your other tissues burnt. Individuals with dark skin are recommended to use this type of laser resurfacing since it works better on them, and also they cannot use Co2 resurfacing. There are minor side effects that include redness and swelling. Recovery from this process may take only a week.

The first important step before initializing a laser skin resurface is to seek the opinion of a qualified dermatologist so as to find whether you are fit for the procedure. The doctor will consider several aspects such as your historical and current health status as well as your preferred outcome.

After approval by the physician, consumption of substances that cause blood clottings such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E supplements is to be avoided. If you are a smoker, you will have to quit the habit for two weeks prior and after undertaking the procedure. Smoking prolongs the healing period.

Prior prescriptions are administered to reduce chances of bacterial infections, cold sores, and fever blisters.

Laser skin resurfacing is an outpatient procedure. For small regions, the doctor may numb them using a local anesthesia and then sedate you. This process may take roughly 45 minutes at most. For resurfacing of the entire face, general anesthesia is used, and the entire procedure takes approximately two hours.

After a successful laser skin procedure, the areas are covered with a bandage. Regular cleaning of the treated regions is recommended at least four times in a day. So as to prevent the formation of scabs, you can apply petroleum jelly on these treated surfaces.

• Swelling around the eyes is common after a laser skin treatment- for this reason; the doctor may recommend the use of steroids, sleeping for a few hours during the day and even placing an ice pack over the regions in the first two days after the resurfacing.
• An itching or stinging effect may be experienced for the first five days.
• Your skin may also be dry and start peeling.
• Redness on your skin for the first month but fades completely after six months- use oil-free makeup to reduce this effect
• Burns and other injuries may occur due to the laser heat
• Scarring
• Changes in your skin's pigmentation
• Reactivating cold sores and herpes
• Small white bumps may appear in the laser-treated areas
• Recommendations after taking a laser resurface
• Use oil-free makeup regularly to reduce redness of your skin
• Use sunscreen lotions (broad-spectrum only) that protect your skin from dangerous ultra-violet sun rays
• Always maintain your skin moistly and supple
• People with a dark complexion are advised to use a bleaching agent prior and after the laser resurfacing.