 Ablative Laser Surgery
What is Ablative Laser Surgery?
Ablative Laser resurfacing works in the basic principles of laser. It works by vaporizing the top layer of the skin to remove blemishes, scars and wrinkles. There are lasers that work beneath the top layer of the skin known as non-ablative lasers but they are less commonly offered as an option for those looking for laser resurfacing.
How Ablative Laser Resurfacing Works?
All lasers work by producing a single wavelength (color) of light that is very intense. In essence the laser produces a controlled injury to the skin that involves just the right amount of damage to encourage new cells to grow and heal the injury. The ablative laser injures the top layers of the skin and allows for healing of superficial problems due to photo aging (sun damage) or chronological aging.
Unlike ablative resurfacing, non ablative laser surgery , offers a much deeper treatment for such problems as collapsed blood vessels, deep scarring or tattoo removal. Usually your doctor will select the most appropriate type of treatment for you.
Types of Ablative Laser Resurfacing Surgery
The three most common three types of lasers used in most plastic surgery procedures are the three types of ablative lasers. Chances are you will be recommended one of the three types of laser removal identified with the ablative laser. The three different types are:
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Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser
- Erbium YAG (ErYAG) laser
- Long pulsed Erbium (YAG) laser
The first category of ablative laser skin resurfacing systems is the carbon dioxide lasers. This type of technology allows the doctor to focus and adjust a highly intense beam over the selected area of skin. It destroys the scars and wrinkles with short pulses of intense laser light. This is a very effective treatment as the laser is intensely hot yet not allowed to hover over the skin for long. The recovery time for the use of the CO2 ablative laser is about two months.
The second category of ablative skin resurfacing systems is comprised of the erbium YAG lasers. This is a type of laser that emits light that is designed to be absorbed by water as the light hits the skin. As skin cells are mostly composed of water, the heat produced by the laser light is scattered over the skin. Erbium lasers are used when very precise work is required or when there is danger of burning sensitive skin.
The long pulsed erbium YAG laser is just as gentle but the effects are more intense. It is most commonly used to correct deeper facial wrinkles, surface scars, tattoos and skin discoloration. As it is so gentle this technologically sophisticated laser is used most often on very delicate skin such as wrinkles around the outside of the eyes and mouth.
The benefits of using an erbium laser (for acne, scar and wrinkles) over a CO2 laser is that recovery occurs within five to seven days, rather than two months. There is also a decreased chance of unpleasant side effects such as redness, inflammation and infection if either type of erbium laser is used.
The Applications of Ablative Laser Surgery
Specifically, all three of these ablative laser treatments are effective at:
- Eliminating fine lines on the upper lip, cheeks, and forehead
- Smoothing and tightening upper and lower eyelid skin
- Removing crow's feet around the eyes
- Softening frown lines
- Removing freckles and brown spots
- Flattening scars
- Repairing smoker's lines
- Smoothing and polishing the complexion in general for a more youthful appearance
The benefits of ablative laser cosmetic surgery are; reduced healing time, less risk of infection and less time spent in the doctor’s office actually having the operation. It is usually done as an outpatient procedure and can take anywhere from two minutes to two hours to complete depending on the area to be treated.
If you are light skinned then either erbium or CO2 laser resurfacing will work for you. If you have dark skin then erbium laser resurfacing might be preferable as it is less likely to cause hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin.)
As the erbium technology is newer cosmetic surgery, it is not always offered by all plastic surgeons. If your plastic surgeon does not offer you the erbium ablative laser treatments it may be simply because he/she does not own the equipment. This does not mean that being treated with a CO2 laser will have less spectacular results. It only means that your recovery time from this less expensive treatment will be longer.
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