Can you really turn back time in under an hour? Medical spas and anti-aging specialists believe it is possible with the help of a treatment known as the laser skin peel. Laser skin peels are a more powerful version of the traditional skin peel that uses glycolic, lactic or fruit acids to promote the shedding of the skin and speeds up skin renewal.
Laser energy is used to remove the top layer of skin completely, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, diminish age spots or discoloration, and give you a healthy glow. Here’s a close look at the key benefits and drawbacks of this innovative anti-aging procedure:
Key Benefits of Laser Skin Peels
The laser skin peel offers a number of benefits for most skin types, and you will most likely need to undergo a series of treatments in order to achieve dramatic results. Key benefits of laser skin peels include:
- Customization options for treatment. People choose to have one or two very deep treatments in order to stimulate the skin renewal process, while others prefer to have a series of light treatments so that the skin can slowly begin to regenerate. Your treatment plan can be customized based on your preferences and goals.
- Progressive improvements after a single treatment. Even though a series of peels is recommended to achieve better results, you will begin to see noticeable differences in your skin after a single treatment. The skin takes about 21 days to undergo its natural cycle of renewal, so you will see results on a weekly basis after the initial treatment.
- Minimizes deep frown lines. If you’ve been thinking about Botox treatments to get rid of deep frown lines and furrows on the forehead, you may not need to get dermal filler injections just yet. Laser skin peels can help to diminish deep lines and improve the tone and texture of your skin to create a smoother appearance.
- Minimal discomfort. In some cases, a topical anesthetic will be applied to the treatment area because the pulsating laser can be too intense for sensitive skin types. However, most people do not need any type of anesthetic because the treatment creates only a slight pinching sensation against the skin.
Drawbacks of Laser Skin Peels
While laser skin peels do offer a number of benefits, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind. First, even the least-intense laser peel will make your skin turn pink, and the skin may be slightly swollen immediately after the treatment. This means you will not be able to resume normal activities right away, and may need to apply a cold compress to the skin a few hours after treatment.
Secondly, the skin will begin to flake off or ‘shed’ considerably a few days after the treatment. This means you may not be able to wear makeup or apply certain skin products, because these will interfere with the natural shedding process.
Overall, recovery times vary by skin type and the intensity of the treatment. After your first session, your skin will become more resilient and stronger, so subsequent sessions may not leave the skin as sensitive. Wearing extra sun protection and limiting sun exposure after treatment are recommended.
Learn more about
skin rejuvenation treatments in our information guide, or consult with an
anti-aging specialist in your area to find out if you are a good candidate for the laser skin peel.
Published: 06/26/2009, Last Updated: 06/26/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.