Laser resurfacing -Peeling
Laser resurfacing
General information

Laser Skin Resurfacing involves the use of a laser to remove skin so new skin can form in its place. Laser resurfacing is promising because the penetration depth into the skin is more easily controlled with a laser than with other methods. The procedure can take just a few minutes for small areas or an hour or more for large areas. Laser skin resurfacing is a popular cosmetic procedure that can help rejuvenate the skin and reduce the effects of the sun, aging, and some facial skin disorders.
Laser skin resurfacing removes damaged outer layers of skin and stimulates the production of collagen and new skin cells in the underlying layers, bringing about smoother, younger, healthier-looking skin. Treatments are safe, effective, and convenient.
During the procedure, a laser is used to dissolve the molecular bonds of the damaged skin cells layer by layer until a smoother, more uniform skin appearance is achieved.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Candidates

Laser skin resurfacing is appropriate for patients seeking treatment for discoloration, wrinkles, sun damage, acne marks.
Laser Types – CO2 Laser
The CO2 laser, Carbon dioxide laser is the highest intensity laser treatment currently available. After being treated with the CO2 laser, the surface of the skin appears tighter and smoother because the laser uses heat to restrict the collagen bands found in the lower dermis. The CO2 laser can eliminate or diminish the appearance of most wrinkles, scars, warts, and birthmarks. It has even been used to treat skin cancer in its earliest stages.
For a few days following the procedure, your skin will look scraped, and then a scab will form. Swelling occurs usually as well. Some redness and swelling is common following treatment. Also, flakiness and dryness can be expected as the top layer of skin sluffs off.
Laser Types – Erbium Lasers
Erbium lasers are able to remove thinner layers of skin than the more powerful, but less precise CO2 laser. Erbium lasers are often a better choice for patients with dark skin because there is less risk of permanent changes to skin pigmentation. With a shorter healing, they are also better for patients with generally healthy skin who wish to treat only minimal fine lines and wrinkles.
For a few days following the procedure, your skin will look scraped, and then a scab will form. Swelling occurs usually as well. Some redness and swelling is common following treatment. Also, flakiness and dryness can be expected as the top layer of skin sluffs off.

Laser Types – Fractional Laser

The  Fractional laser skin resurfacing treatment is distinct from other laser rejuvenation treatments that use either the erbium or the CO2 laser. Because the Fractional laser procedure is non-invasive, there are few post-treatment side effects. There is virtually no skin tenderness or pain after undergoing treatment and no downtime is required after the procedure. It should be noted, however, that this is not a single session treatment. Improvements to the skin’s appearance will appear gradually over the course of weeks or months.
The Laser Skin Resurfacing Procedure
Before the laser peel, the patient is placed under local anesthesia or sedative medications, and the patient’s eyes are covered to protect them from the laser light. The length of the procedure depends upon the size of the area the patient wishes to have treated. A partial facial skin resurfacing can take as little as half an hour; a full resurfacing can take up to two hours.
Risks and Benefits
As with any medical procedure, there are both cosmetic laser skin resurfacing risks and benefits. Some of the risks include infection, permanent changes to skin pigmentation, and laser scarring. Possible benefits to your skin include new collagen production and tighter, smoother skin, as well as a diminished appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin coloration, sun damage, scars, and other facial imperfections. Laser resurfacing can cause uneven skin tones in people with darker skin
Recovery and care
Depending upon the laser used, recovery can take from few days to several weeks. You will probably experience scabbing, redness and swelling. Be careful if you shower not to let water flow over your face. After the scabbing has fallen off, your skin may maintain a pinkish coloration for months. Most people can return to work after two weeks. However, special cover-up make-up may be applied after one week, allowing you to return to work. Avoid heavy sun exposure, use sunscreen on a daily basis with an SPF of 30 or higher.
A gentler laser skin resurfacing treatment may reduce the appearance of some imperfections and may require little or no downtime.

Chemical peels

The application of different types of acid to the skin in order to remove the top layer so that a smoother layer can surface. This chemical agent penetrates through the skin and helps to remodel collagen in conjunction with reversing the age-related signs in the top layer of the skin.  

Chemical peels are unlikely to produce results in people with severe scarring, and is designed only for the lightest of cases. It is the least likely method of treatment to improve acne scars.
Recovery- Some redness and swelling is common following treatment. Also, flakiness and dryness can be expected as the top layer of skin sluffs off. Depending upon the acid used, recovery can take from few days to several weeks.