By kep2020 • December 9, 2021
Lasers skin treatments are a very popular aesthetic procedure for patients in Washington, DC. A wide variety of conditions can be treated with laser therapy including fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, blood vessels, tattoos, unwanted hair, rosacea, uneven skin tone and texture, sun spots, and much more. Even active acne can often be treated with lasers. Laser treatments have progressed rapidly and are more effective and safer than ever before.
Laser skin resurfacing involves the application of laser light to the skin in order to remove fine wrinkles and tighten the skin’s surface. It is most often used on the skin of the face. The purpose of laser skin resurfacing is to use the heat generated by extremely focused laser light to remove the upper to middle layers of the skin. Upon healing, the surface of the skin will have a younger, healthier appearance.
Most laser skin resurfacing treatments take about 30 to 45 minutes to perform, depending on the area that’s being targeted. The treatment begins with a warming sensation, a sign that the technology is targeting skin discolorations and other complexion woes.
For most patients, laser skin resurfacing is not painful or causes very little pain that is manageable. Some people describe the feeling during a laser procedure as a stinging sensation or the feeling of a rubber band being pulled taut and snapped across the skin. The experience is different for everyone because everyone handles pain differently. For certain laser treatments or for individuals who have a lower tolerance for pain, topical analgesics can be applied a few minutes prior to the procedure to reduce or eliminate discomfort. Oral pain relievers can also be taken beforehand if you are concerned about pain.
If during your laser treatment you experience pain that is intolerable, immediately notify the person performing the procedure so they can stop and/or adjust the intensity of the laser.
To learn more about what you can expect from laser skin resurfacing in Washington, DC, contact Kevin Perman, MD.
