Laser treatments for acne can be a great option for people who want to get rid of their pimples and reduce the appearance of their acne scars. The procedure is typically performed by a dermatologist, though you can also find it in spas and other medical offices. It involves using a laser to break up blocked pores or remove excess skin cells. There are many different types of lasers that can be used for this treatment, including CO2, Alexandrite, Diode and Picosure lasers.
There are several different types of lasers that can be used for acne treatments. The most common types include: CO2 (carbon dioxide), Alexandrite, Diode and Picosure lasers. These are all effective at improving your skin’s appearance but each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. The CO2 laser has been around longer than any other type of laser treatment for acne scars but it may not work well on darker skin tones because it tends to leave behind redness after each treatment session. It works best on whiteheads or blackheads as well as shallow pock marks that aren’t too deep into the dermis layer of your skin tissue; however.
Read on to learn more about Laser For Blemishes, Laser Treatment For Blemishes Cost, What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Laser For Blemishes
Do you suffer from unwanted skin blemishes on your face that are affecting your mood, work, or relationships? If so, laser skin resurfacing may be right for you. You are warmly invited to learn more information about the treatment and whether or not it might work in your case.
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing treatment has been surging in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. The treatment is effective in safely treating conditions like fine lines and wrinkles, scars, and other blemishes.
One reason laser skin resurfacing treatments is growing in popularity is because it offers advantages over alternative treatments because it does not involve bleeding, bruising, and long recovery periods. The lasers of today are safer and gentler than ever before.
Most skin treatments work in the same basic way. They involve the removal of outer layers of skin to encourage new skin cells to thrive, filling in lines, wrinkles, and other crevices. It was not so long ago that the only treatment option was dermabrasion and harsh methods that are more invasive and require significant downtimes.
Although these treatment methods can promote enhanced skin, they do not always offer predictable results. Laser skin resurfacing has the advantage of using laser light to precisely target specific skin layers.
When it comes to laserskin resurfacing, there are different types of lasers. At Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare, we use the Fraxel laser due to the amazing results it can provide. Improvements offered by laser skin resurfacing can be dramatic and long-lasting but do not appear overnight. It will take some time for the effects of new skin growth to become evident.
Good Candidates for Treatment
Everyone does not make a good candidate for laserskin resurfacing. For example, people who are prone to scarring, have a skin disorder, or take certain medications may make poor candidates for the procedure.
With that being said, the vast majority of people who are interested in laserskin resurfacing tend to qualify for the treatment. Good candidates tend to have the following in common:
Good overall health with no underlying disorders or conditions that could interfere with the treatment
Realistic expectations regarding the treatment, downtime, and results
A skin issue that Fraxel skin rejuvenation can treat, like acne and/or surgical scars and fine lines and wrinkles
Laser Treatment For Blemishes Cost
There are various types of lasers used in these procedures
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2017, the average cost of laser skin resurfacing was $1,114-$2,124, which was average $2,071 in 2018. In 2019, the average cost of this procedure was $1,963 for ablatives and $1,201 for non-ablative. The cost varies widely depending on the type of procedure and areas of treatment.
Because laser skin resurfacing surgeries are not life-saving surgeries, there is no insurance coverage provided by the companies, except for the surgeries that are done to remove precancerous growth or modified scars on your skin.
The average cost does not include other related expenses. Therefore, you must consult your plastic surgeon and your insurance company before the procedure about payments. Most health insurance company plans do not provide coverage for cosmetic surgery or its complications. However, most plastic surgeons offer some payment options, so meet your plastic surgeon and determine your final cost.
The cost of laser skin resurfacing will vary based on the expertise, qualification of the plastic surgeon performing the procedure, the type of procedure, the time and effort required for that treatment, and the location of the office.
Generally, laser skin resurfacing procedure costs may include the following:
- Hospital facility cost for surgery
- Anesthesia fees
- Medication prescription
Satisfaction involves more than a fee. Therefore, while choosing a plastic surgeon for this procedure, you must assure the surgeon’s experience and your comfort, which are the most important aspects as much as the cost.
What is skin resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing is a procedure that removes layers of the skin and improves its appearance or treats minor facial flaws such as blemishes or acne scars by using lasers.
There are various types of lasers used in these procedures such as:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): This type of laser is used to treat wrinkles, scars, and warts on your skin.
- Erbium: It is used to remove superficial or moderately deep lines and wrinkles on your face, hands, neck, and chest. It has fewer side effects than CO2 lasers.
- Pulsed-dye laser: These are non-ablative lasers that heat the skin and absorb pigments to reduce redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, and enlargement of facial blood vessels, giving rosacea (flushed appearance).
- Fractional laser: It treats only the fraction of the skin in the area by breaking laser energy into thousands of tiny beams. It can be used in ablative or non-ablative procedures. It can be used to treat age-related blemishes.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL): This treatment does not use a laser but uses a broad spectrum of light wavelength to treat pigmentations of the skin.
When should you have laser skin resurfacing?
You can ask for this procedure to a plastic surgeon if you have the following:
- Acne scars
- Age spots
- Crow’s feet (wrinkle at the outer corner of your eye)
- Sagged skin
- Scars
- Signs of sun damage to the skin
- Wrinkles
What are the possible risks of laser skin resurfacing?
Risks include:
- Pain
- Reactivation of herpes sores over lips
- Burning sensation
- Burns
- Itching
- Swelling
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Increased risk of sun damage
- Crusting of your skin
- Pigmentation or discoloration of the skin
- Bumps due to obstruction of the sweat glands
Laser treatment for face
If aging, acne, or too much time in the sun has left your face with blotches, scars, wrinkles, or lines, laser skin resurfacing may help your skin look younger and healthier.
Laser skin resurfacing removes skin layer by layer with precision. The new skin cells that form during healing give the skin a tighter, younger looking surface. The procedure can be done alone or with other cosmetic surgeries on the face.
Preparing for Laser Resurfacing
Start by consulting a plastic surgeon or dermatologist to find out if you’re a good candidate.
Tell your doctor if you get cold sores or fever blisters around your mouth. Laser skin resurfacing can trigger breakouts in people who are at risk.
If you decide to go ahead with laser skin resurfacing, your doctor will ask you to not take any medications or supplements — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or vitamin E — that can affect clotting for 10 days before surgery.
If you smoke, you should stop for two weeks before and after the procedure. Smoking can prolong healing.
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic medication beforehand to prevent bacterial infections and also an antiviral medication if you are prone to cold sores or fever blisters.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Laser resurfacing is done by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. It’s an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll not have to stay overnight.
The doctor may treat wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or forehead individually or treat your entire face. For small areas, the doctor will numb the areas to be treated with a local anesthetic and may also sedate you. You may require general anesthesia if your whole face is being treated.
Treating just parts of the face takes about 30 to 45 minutes. A full-face treatment takes up to two hours.
Following the laser procedure, the doctor will bandage the treated areas. After 24 hours, you will need to clean the treated areas four to five times a day and then apply an ointment such as petroleum jelly to prevent scabs from forming.
Swelling after laser skin resurfacing is normal. Your doctor may prescribe steroids to manage swelling around your eyes. Sleeping on an extra pillow at night can also ease swelling.
You may feel itching or stinging for 12 to 72 hours after the procedure. Five to seven days after laser resurfacing, your skin will become dry and peel.
Depending on the problem that was treated, healing typically takes 10 to 21 days. Once the skin heals, you can wear oil-free makeup to minimize redness, which usually fades in two to three months.
You will also probably notice that your skin is lighter for a while after surgery. It is particularly important that you use a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen, which screens ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A rays, to protect your skin during that time. When selecting a sunscreen, look for one specially formulated for use on the face with a 7% (or higher) zinc oxide content and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat.Reapply your sunscreen every two hours when you are out, and more often if you are sweating or swimming.
It is also important to keep your new skin well moisturized. If you use Retin A or glycolic acid products, you should be able to start using them again after about six weeks or when the doctor says you can.
Benefits and Risks of Laser Resurfacing
Although skin resurfacing cannot produce perfect skin, it can improve the appearance of your skin. Potential risks of the procedure include:
- Burns or other injuries from the laser’s heat
- Scarring
- Changes in the skin’s pigmentation, including areas of darker or lighter skin
- Reactivating herpes cold sores
- Bacterial infection
Cost of Laser Skin Resurfacing
The average cost for laser skin resurfacing was about $2509 for ablative and $1445 for non-ablative laser skin resurfacing in 2020, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, costs vary widely depending on where the procedure is being done.
Because laser skin resurfacing is considered a cosmetic procedure, most medical insurance companies will not cover it. There may be an exception if you get the procedure to modify scars or remove precancerous growths on your skin.
Talk with your doctor and your insurance company before the procedure about what the costs will be and what, if anything, insurance will pay for. Most doctors offer financing options.