The holiday season often serves as a period for gatherings, celebrations, and making unforgettable memories. For many, it’s a time to look and feel their best.
Popular for its ability to improve skin texture, reduce signs of aging, and stimulate collagen production, skin resurfacing laser resurfacing is the perfect way to get your holiday glow.
If you’ve been considering laser skin resurfacing to enhance your appearance, you might be curious about the procedure’s duration and recovery time, especially with the holidays approaching.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the healing process!
How Does Laser Skin Resurfacing Work?
Laser skin resurfacing uses concentrated beams of light to target and treat specific skin areas. This procedure works by emitting short pulses of high-energy light that penetrate the skin, removing damaged skin cells layer by layer.
As the damaged cells are eliminated, the body’s natural healing process stimulates the growth of new, healthier skin cells and collagen fibers days after laser resurfacing.
Using laser light energy, you can turn the clock back without cosmetic surgeries and renew your confidence.
Procedure Duration
The duration of laser skin resurfacing, also known as laser peel, can vary based on the type of treatment, the area being treated, and the individual’s specific needs.
Typically, the procedure itself can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. However, more extensive treatments or addressing multiple areas might require longer sessions.
Ablative skin resurfacing lasers remove the outer layers of skin, shedding away sun-damaged skin, taking discoloration away, and smoothing deeper wrinkles.
Additionally, factors such as the size of the treatment area, the depth of the skin concerns being addressed, and the specific laser setting used by the practitioner can impact the time taken for the procedure.
Downtime & Recovery Process
Understanding the recovery process is crucial, especially if you’re aiming to look your best for the holiday season. After laser skin resurfacing, patients can expect some degree of redness, swelling, and skin sensitivity, similar to a mild sunburn. Healing times vary based on the intensity of the treatment.
Ablative laser treatments such as our CO2 and Erbium laser resurfacing, which penetrate deeper layers of the skin, the recovery period might last around two to three weeks. During this time, the skin will peel and flake as it heals, revealing smoother, rejuvenated skin underneath.
Within 10 days after treatment, any flakiness is gone, and your skin will continue to improve for 4-6 weeks as your new collagen growth continues to deliver smoother, firmer skin.
Factors That May Affect Recovery
The recovery process following laser skin resurfacing can be influenced by several factors. Understanding these variables is crucial for managing expectations and ensuring a smoother recuperation.
- Treatment Depth and Intensity: The aggressiveness of the laser treatment and the type of laser used affect recovery. Deeper treatments targeting multiple skin layers may prolong recovery compared to superficial ones.
- Skin Type and Sensitivity: Different skin types yield varying reactions. Fair or sensitive skin may show more pronounced responses than darker or less sensitive skin.
- Post-Treatment Care: Following skin care guidelines, like applying recommended ointments and avoiding sun exposure, speeds healing and reduces complications.
- Health and Lifestyle: General health, lifestyle choices (like smoking), and a healthy diet can affect the body’s ability to recover after laser skin resurfacing.
To ensure a smoother recovery and optimal results in time for the holidays, it’s essential to follow post-treatment care instructions provided by your provider diligently.
This includes keeping the treated area clean, avoiding sun exposure, using recommended moisturizers or ointments, and following a gentle skincare routine.
Benefits of Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin treatments offer a multitude of benefits, making it a sought-after cosmetic procedure for improving skin quality and appearance.
Whether it’s wrinkles, scars, or uneven skin tone you’re concerned with, the laser resurfacing treatment effectively removes the damaged layers of your complexion for radiant skin.
A variety of skin issues can be treated with the laser procedure for healthier skin:
- Sun damage
- Deep wrinkles
- Age spots
- Acne scars
- Skin Scars
- Skin Laxity (loose skin)
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven skin tone
- Liver spots
Am I a Good Candidate?
If you’re looking to refresh your skin and shed away stubborn skin damage and the appearance of wrinkles for tighter skin that glows, you may be a great candidate for laser skin resurfacing.
With a wide range of skin conditions that can be treated, it’s an ideal solution for anyone looking to revive their complexion and achieve healthy skin.
You should not undergo laser energy full-face treatments if you:
- have undergone skin resurfacing treatments within the past two weeks
- have active acne or cold sores
- currently have a bacterial infection
- have darker skin tone (risk of hyperpigmentation)
Reveal Your Most Radiant Self This Holiday Season!
If you’re ready to sleigh your selfies at all your holiday festivities, laser skin resurfacing is here to give you the renewal you need to feel your most confident!
Say hello to a rejuvenated you by booking a consultation at Vitality Women’s Healthcare today!
