Laser Skin Resurfacing: Plastic surgery that removes wrinkles

Premature wrinkling of the skin is becoming more and more common now than ever before. This is leading men and women to look to reverse the effects of aging and sun damage, or specific scars due to acne or injury, through laser skin resurfacing.

Laser skin resurfacing can be done on anyone in relatively good general and dermatological (skin) health. If you have skin issues such as skin allergies or previous deep burns you may need additional evaluation to determine if you are able to have the laser skin resurfacing procedure, and if the procedure will end up meeting your needs.

Laser skin resurfacing surgery is used to literally change the surface of facial skin that has wrinkles caused by sun exposure, "crow's feet," and/or past acne scarring. It works through high energy light waves of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser beams which destroy the top layer of skin. There is little trauma to the surrounding areas of skin on the face because the laser can be so pinpointed to the exact problem area.

After the laser skin resurfacing procedure, swelling, redening, and "crusting" of the skin that was treated are normal. You will need to apply ointments for a few weeks and avoid the sun. In only two to three weeks, new skin will emerge that is free of wrinkles the wrinkles from before. Several weeks later, the redness will completely disappear and you can resume normal activities.

Facial plastic surgery like laser skin resurfacing changes how you look, and this can help change how you feel about yourself and improve your self esteem.

Insurance from HMOs does not generally cover cosmetic surgery that is done purely for beautifying, but surgery to correct or improve major deformities or accidental skin injuries may be reimbursable. You should consult with your insurance provider before the surgery if you are expecting or hoping they will pay for part of it.

Information in this article (and most any article on the web) is not meant to take the place of consultation with a health care professional including your primary care physician who knows you. Before considering this or any plastic or cosmetic surgery procedure, consult with your general practitioner and a reputable and experienced cosmetic surgery doctor.