Chemical Peels vs. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Chemical peels and laser resurfacing are both procedures used in order to change the appearance of the skin. Chemical peels involve the use of chemicals that “burn” several skin layers, while laser resurfacing may employ carbon dioxide lasers that vaporize skin layers without damaging other skin tissues.
When deciding for which procedure to go for, always ask for a professional’s opinion. He or she may advise you to opt for one or the other taking into account several factors, such as the desired result, skin tone, skin thickness, skin type, and so on.
Types of Laser Skin Resurfacing
There are three types of laser skin resurfacing commonly used: carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, N-Lite laser resurfacing, and erbium laser resurfacing.
Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is the most widely used and appears to have the longest lasting effects. Usually, this type of laser skin resurfacing procedure involves sessions of 15 to 90 minutes.
Erbium laser resurfacing is less invasive than the carbon dioxide laser procedure. This type of laser resurfacing is usually recommended to people with darker skin tones.
Last but not least, N-Lite laser resurfacing is not as effective as the previous two, but has the advantage of being the least expensive. The N-Lite laser resurfacing technique is generally used to remove small imperfections.
Is Laser Resurfacing Safe?
Laser skin resurfacing is a safe procedure as long as it is performed by a skilled and experienced professional. In order to be effective and to provide the desired results, the laser resurfacing procedure must be done using high precision.
Some of the unpleasant results of a laser skin resurfacing procedure performed by an inexperienced surgeon include infections, scarring, swelling, acne, itching, and so on.
What to Expect After Laser Resurfacing
After laser skin resurfacing, a procedure that may last up to 2 hours, the doctor will bandage the treated areas. When bandages are removed, usually after 24 hours, you will need to clean your face and apply petroleum jelly, to keep the treated areas very well moisturized and to avoid crusts from forming.
You may experience itching for up to 72 hours after the procedure. The healing process after an extensive laser skin resurfacing usually lasts up to 21 days. At this point, you may start using cosmetic products to conceal the redness of your skin.
See also:Best Products for Cystic Acne TreatmentHow to Cover Acne ScarsBenefits of Sulfur Soap for Acne
