After Laser Skin Care

What Should I Expect After A Laser Skin Procedure?

The important thing to expect after a laser skin procedure is that your original hopes and expectations for the final results following the procedure will not show up right away. It takes some time for any swelling to go down and some skin procedures even require more than one treatment with at least a week or maybe even a month in between. Knowing what your expectations should be and what is realistic is important in order to lessen any chances of severe disappointment in a successful procedure. A cosmetic laser is not a magic wand and cannot eliminate everything though it does great work in relieving the skin of certain abrasions and blemishes. Speaking to a laser treatment professional about what realistic expectations should be and how many treatments are necessary for your specific procedure will help minimize the chances of being caught off-guard with disappointing results. Instead, you will be prepared to take on whatever follow-up care is needed and will be able to appreciate the work on the right time line. Once the treatments are all completed and the swelling or any redness has gone down, it will be easy to be greatly pleased with the final results of your laser skin treatment if you understand what expectations are realistic and what are not.

Immediately After The Procedure

Immediately following your laser skin treatment procedure, expect to be a bit groggy from any general anesthetic the doctor used, some swelling and/or bruising and the need to carefully dress the area of your body with certain prescription ointments and gauze. Follow any directions given to you by the laser skin professionals carefully as this will minimize the risk of complications and/or infection. Some treated areas might have some spots of blood but excessive bleeding should not occur since no incisions have been made. Immediately following a laser skin procedure, you will be able to go home as there is no need for the health professionals to monitor your progress overnight. If you have been put under a general anesthetic, it is possible you will be required to stay at least two hours to make sure your body does not react badly to the drugs. Other than that, you will be able to go home once you are given the okay. Make sure someone is there to drive since most patients are still quite a bit groggy after their laser skin treatment procedure.

The Recovery Period

The convenience of a laser skin treatment is the fact that most recovery periods are incredibly short. Some treatments have no downtime required, unless the patient feels the need to rest a bit but some do require you to rest for a day or two before returning to normal, everyday activities. Most doctors have their patients return within a number of weeks to check on the skin's progress and prevent infection or treat it should it already arise. You will also be more than likely asked to refrain from great physical exertion like exercise or other things for at least twenty-four hours following your treatment and staying out of the sun for a number of days is advised as well so the skin can have the time it needs to completely heal and fight infection. The risk of infection with such a safe method of treatment to the skin is low but the phrase "better safe than sorry" is a cliché for a reason. It is better to play it safe and ask questions should there be any rather than run the risk of being one of the few people to get an infection from a laser skin treatment.

When Can I See The Full Results From My Treatment?

The doctor will be the best source for a time line of how many treatments are needed, when they will be necessary, how many weeks to wait in between and when to expect to see the final results from your laser skin treatment. Most doctors estimate that within two or three weeks of the final treatment is when the ultimate results show and the patient can be satisfied in seeing their unsightly blemishes significantly faded. Many skin abrasions like tattoos, stretch marks, some moles and some scars cannot be completely eliminated but by the end of the treatments will be made much less visible. They will be made so much less visible, in fact, that they may no longer be noticeable very much if at all. The important thing to remember is what exactly is a realistic set of expectations for your specific type of procedure and what your doctor has advised for your method of treatment and after-treatment check-ups.

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of My Treatment?

Most of the side effects of laser skin treatment procedures are relatively insignificant and non-threatening. Most side effects involve swelling of the treated area, some spotting/bleeding, redness of the skin, tightness and small degrees of pain. Others include but certainly are not limited to lightening of skin pigmentation and additional scarring For those who have darker skin pigmentation, laser skin treatments can sometimes result in a lighter spot of skin pigmentation around the problem area. This is not a wanted result but those who are ideal candidates for laser skin treatments have more fair skin than olive or dark-toned. Some lasers are specially designed for darker skin pigments and so if this issue has already been discussed with your doctor, there is little reason to worry. Some swelling is very common with the after affects of laser skin treatments and can be treated with some cold packs to the affected area. If redness or tightness occurs several weeks after the treatment, some kind of ointment will be prescribed by the doctor and can last up to six months after the fact though this length of time is not necessarily common in most patients. Paying attention to your physician's instructions is very important.

How Can I Tell If I Am Experiencing A Serious Complication From My Treatment?

Anytime there is serious pain or redness or swelling up to a few weeks following the procedure, you will need to contact your doctor. Serious side effects that are signs of a complication are serious skin damage where the skin is red, tight or ultimately painful for a long period of time after the procedure and cannot be treated well with ointments or other creams prescribed by your doctor. Burns sometimes occur when the "professional" operating the laser is not, in fact, a professional and puts the patient at risk by not having the proper training with a cosmetic laser. Most risks are minimized by following your doctor's instructions very closely and ensuring that your doctor is a fully licensed professional properly trained in your specific procedure. Any serious hormonal conditions or other conditions affecting the skin need to be pointed out to your doctor prior to undergoing any skin treatment procedure. Avoid tanning or staying in the sun very long and if it happens to occur, contact your healthcare professional immediately in order to treat the skin before it becomes permanently damaged. The main goal in dealing with a more serious complication following skin treatments is to minimize any permanent damage to the skin.