If you have ever considered getting a facial laser peel treatment done, you probably had questions about the procedure and whether it would work for you. If so, you’re not alone. Many people who have considered a facial laser peel procedure want to know whether or not it will help with a specific skin problem.

A laser peel treatment will work for those who want to treat wrinkles, liver or age spots, acne, sun damage, and uneven skin tones. What a laser peel treatment will not do is replace a facelift procedure, remove excess skin or remove any major skin damage such as deep wrinkles.

A facial laser peel is also not advisable for those with darker skin tones since there is an increased risk for pigmentation changes with this procedure. Also, if you are prone to abnormal scarring or have taken accutane in the past 18 months, your are probably not a good candidate for this type of treatment.

At your initial consultation you should expect your doctor to discuss whether or not this type of treatment will work for you. A general meeting will include: Your medical history, a physical examination, photographs for review of your before-and-after treatment. You should discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your doctor, at this time.

Before Having this Procedure Done:

You should not take any medications that contain aspirin or ibuprofen a week prior to your surgery since they can cause increased bleeding.

If you smoke, your doctor will more than likely ask you to refrain from it for two weeks prior to the procedure and the first two weeks after.

You will also need to avoid the sun a week before surgery since the sun can cause a permanent irregular coloration to your face.

You also should not apply any makeup or facial cream the day of your surgery.

You should keep in mind that a facial laser peel can cost anywhere from $2000 -$5000 and is generally not covered by your medical insurance.

Usually the surgery is an outpatient procedure and will only take about 30-90 minutes, depending on the amount of skin damage. If there is a lot of damage, your doctor may recommend a second treatment after six months. He or she may give you a local anesthesia to relieve pain unless it is a minimal treatment. In this case, you will probably experience a stinging pain.   During the surgery, your doctor will use a laser that is passed back and forth over your skin until he or she reaches the desired level of treatment.

Once the procedure has been completed, your doctor may apply a protective ointment on your face to aid in the healing process. He or she may also decide to apply a bandage over the treated areas to help minimize risk of infection. If this happens, you should expect to leave the bandage on for the first week to week in a half and changed after a few days. Once the bandage has been removed, your doctor will provide you with instructions on how to care for your face. If he or she did not apply a bandage, a set of instructions will be given to you before you leave.

After you go Home:

You can expect some discomfort for the next several days that can be treated with a prescribed pain medication by your doctor.

You will also notice some swelling which can last anywhere from a few days to three weeks. Your skin will remain a bright pink to red for the first several months and could be pink for as long as six months.

You will also need to avoid the sun for the next several months. If you do go out in the sun, you should keep sun exposure at a minimum and apply an SPF of no less than 25.

You also cannot wear makeup for the next several weeks to minimize skin inflammation and infections.

You may also experience some complications that can include:

Changes in the color of your skin. The deeper the laser is penetrated into the skin, the more likely you will lose pigmentation. During the healing process you will notice some increased pigmentation, which can be common.

Another complication that can occur is scarring that is generally a result of over aggressive treatment. The scarring will result in a thickened tissue that may appear as a lump or smooth layer of skin.

With the above in mind, if you feel that a facial laser peel is right for you, then the results may very well be worth it. Even so, please remember that a facial laser peel treatment is not a permanent solution to stop the aging process. As time goes by, new wrinkles will recur and a repeated laser treatment may be necessary. If you are still interested in a facial laser peel treatment, you should consult your local dermatologist or look for a surgeon who specializes in this sort of treatment and is recommended by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

If you find that a facial laser peel treatment isn’t right for you, there are other non-surgical alternatives that you may wish to try. A good and very effective alternative to a laser peel is a chemical peel. Ask your local doctor if a chemical peel is right for you. There are also many over the counter creams that can aid in reducing the signs of fine lines and some aging spots. Creams that contain chemicals such as alpha-hyroxy acids or tretinoin are both commonly used choices for such treatments.

Whichever method you choose, please remember that no matter what your age, you are and always will be beautiful!

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