| Laser Skin Resurfacing |    |
A Tried and Trusted Procedure
Carbon dioxide, laser resurfacing came into being in 1994 and is therefore, a relatively new adaptation of the old techniques of dermabrasion and chemical peels which are used to improve fine wrinkles and mild to moderate scarring. Over the past 2 years, thousands of cases using laser resurfacing have been successfully carried out all over the world with stunning results. Indeed, with this procedure, fine wrinkles can be completely eradicated and superficial blemishes caused by sun damage can be significantly improved. This technique has a number of advantages over the older chemical peels, including the fact that it will not change the colour of the skin.
Your Consultation: Talking It Through
When you meet with your surgeon, you'll have an opportunity to share your feelings about the results you want to achieve, learn about what will happen during your surgery and help design a procedure that meets your individual needs.
- One month before the operation, you will be started on Retin-A cream (Retrieve); you will also have 3 chemical peels in the office. These are excellent ways of preparing the skin before surgery.
- The procedure will basically involve the use of an extremely precise and accurate, carbon dioxide laser to plane down the skin of the face.
Your Operation: What To Expect
This is an extremely safe technique, and all of the laser power settings and safety standards have been determined with great accuracy to produce excellent results.
At present, this procedure is only available for the face where numerous cases have proven its suitability.
One of the safety advantages which laser resurfacing has over the technique of dermabrasion is that it does not have the potential problem of a fine aerosol of blood being thrown into the air during the procedure. In these days of HIV and Hepatitis C and B, it is obviously wise to avoid such an occurrence if at all possible.
Laser resurfacing also has an advantage over the older technique of chemical peeling using Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or Phenol, because it does not alter the colour of the skin.
You can expect -
- Fine wrinkles will be completely eradicated.
- You can confidently expect a 50% improvement in the dynamic lines where the skin is attached to the muscle.
- Superficial blemishes caused by sun damage will also be significantly improved.
- You will only need to wear a dressing on the face for 2 days. However, you will have to remove this dressing every 2 to 4 hours in order to apply some Vaseline or a petroleum based jelly. You should use the Vaseline on your face until it is completely healed; this will only take about 7 to 10 days.
After your surgery
After the procedure, you will be placed on Retinova indefinitely, and you will also need to take a home maintenance course of Theraderm treatment.
Immediately following wound healing, your face will be very red, but this is normal and is only temporary. Usually, this redness will be gone within 12 weeks if not sooner; in the meantime, you may start wearing make-up about 1 week after surgery. Naturally, due to individual differences in skin type, it is difficult to determine exactly how long it will take for the redness to disappear completely.
If you would like further laser resurfacing, this is available to you after 6 months. Complications from Laser Resurfacing are rare
- Complications following laser resurfacing are very rare. Bacterial infection after this procedure is also very rare, and if it did occur it would not affect the results. Antibiotics will be prescribed to guard against this potential problem.
- You must tell me if you have ever had a cold sore, so that I can give you Zovirax tablets before, during and after your surgery. This will prevent a cold sore during the healing period which could lead to some skin loss and delayed healing.
- If you have had previous, lower eyelid surgery, there is a small risk that the eyelid may pull slightly after this surgery. However, I will assess your particular case in order to determine whether or not this will be a risk for you. If it is, I will use lower power settings during the procedure, but this may result in a less dramatic outcome.
Breakdown of Surgical Costs
There are several aspects to costings for cosmetic surgery.
1. The surgeons feesThese fees are fixed for each procedure.
2. The anaesthetic feesThese are generally based on an hourly rate.
3. The hospital feesThese vary widely depending on the complexity of the procedure, the length of the procedure and whether a hospital stay is required.
4. Medicare & Private Health FundsAdditionally, certain procedures attract a Medicare item number. If a Medicare item number is applicable then a health fund will usually contribute towards your fees, depending on your policy and level of cover.
Fees are a complex issue and vary depending on individual circumstances
Please contact my office if you wish to obtain an estimation of fees and my staff will endeavour to give you a fair idea of what costs may be involved. Finalisation of costs of some procedures however may require a consultation, examination and determination of the applicability of a Medicare item number.
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