Laser skin resurfacing can dramatically improve the appearance of wrinkles and discolorations. Thanks to the Sciton laser we use at our medical spa, we can perform resurfacing treatments of different depths. For minor wrinkles and spots, light laser skin resurfacing is ideal. For patients who have more significant skin issues they want to address, a medium or deep resurfacing treatment may be more appropriate. These treatments are similar, but their outcomes and recovery periods are different. These facts will help you understand which type of procedure may be right for you.
Type of Procedure
The difference between medium and deep laser skin resurfacing is the depth that the laser reaches. All laser skin resurfacing removes the epidermis and heats the dermis, but deep laser skin resurfacing affects deeper layers of the dermis than medium laser resurfacing. The deeper the laser goes, the more the dramatic the results of the treatment will be. Your provider can help you determine if medium or deep resurfacing is right for the kind of skin issues you want to address.ย
Pain Management
The sensation of laser skin resurfacing is often described as feeling like a rubber band snapping against the skin repeatedly. For medium resurfacing, a topical numbing cream will be applied to your face about an hour before your procedure to keep you comfortable. For a deep laser resurfacing, you will have the same topical numbing cream, but your provider will also inject local anesthetic into the treatment area, as the heat generated by the laser can be intense. After a deep laser skin resurfacing, you will also take pain medications to help with the initial healing process.ย
Recovery and Results
Your skin will be softer, smoother, and have a more even tone after either procedure, though the results will be more noticeable after a deep laser treatment. After a medium treatment, your face will peel for about one to five days and will look red for about two weeks. After a deep laser treatment, you will need to keep a cool compress on your face for five days to keep it moisturized. You will peel for about five days and have reddish skin for about two weeks.ย
Get the youthful glow you want with laser skin resurfacing in Tucson at Maloney Plastic Surgery. To make an appointment for a consultation or learn about our skin treatment in our medical spa, call (520) 298-2330.
