LASER RESURFACING
One of the greatest developments in facial plastic surgery in the last twenty-five years has been the carbon dioxide laser. This device is used to smooth wrinkled and/or acne scarred skin. Until the advent of this technique six years ago, the usual techniques were deep chemical peeling and dermabraision. The CO2 laser is the only method and the only laser that makes collagen reproduce and shortens the collagen fibers thus tightening the skin. There are many advantages of this technique. While all three methods remove a partial layer of skin, the laser is most accurate.
The laser leaves the skin smoother yet natural and not polished in appearance. Healing time is shorter and in the right hands complications are less. The laser is a computerized medical device that delivers a precise amount of energy to the tissue, removing it to an exact depth. Dr. Truswell owns the Coherent Ultrapulse 5000C carbon dioxide laser. This is the industry gold standard by which all other devices are judged. The advantage of owning (rather than renting a laser one half day a month) is that the laser is available for daily use. Patients experience little discomfort and are able to return to work in about two weeks. In selected cases the Erbium-Yag laser may be chosen. This device is akin to a light peel and can produce a good albeit limited result. SCAR REVISION Scars are the unfortunate reminders of accidents, assaults, or even surgery. Once the skin has been cut or damaged, scarring is inevitable. Scar revision surgery is performed to minimize the appearance of the unsightly souvenir. Laser resurfacing to further refine the result often follows this procedure.
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