What are the Side Effects of Laser Skin Treatment?
by Sara in Laser Skin Treatment
Laser skin treatment is typically a very safe procedure, especially when compared with cosmetic surgery options usually offered as an alternative to lasers. Still, like all medical procedures, there are a few side effects. Luckily, any side effects should be gone within a month following the treatment, and most disappear within the first few days.
During the procedure itself, you may feel some discomfort or mild pain. Usually, a local anesthetic is used to reduce pain. You may also request a sedative or pain reliever medication to decrease your discomfort. The feeling of the laser entering your skin is unavoidable, but luckily it is temporary and the pain is over when the treatment ends.
The most common side effects of laser skin treatment are redness and swelling of the skin in the treated area. This is a result of the laser energy, and is experienced by most people who undergo laser skin treatments and it may feel like a sunburn. Cold packs or ice can help alleviate any discomfort related to the redness or swelling.
To reduce these side effects, do not scrub the skin rigorously until it has fully healed. Stay out of the sun, and follow your doctor’s post-treatment care instructions precisely. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream or ointment to apply to the treated area; this will reduce side effects and inhibit infections. Apply plenty of moisturizer to the treated area, and treat the skin gently. The redness and swelling should begin to go down immediately after the procedure, and should be gone within about 3 days. However, your skin may remain pink for up to two months as the skin fully heals itself.
A few people experience bleeding during or after laser treatments. A scab may or may not develop as part of the healing process; if it does, allow the scab to heal naturally. The skin may also be itchy or begin to peel.
The full healing process after laser skin care treatment can take up to a month. The length of time depends on your skin’s ability to heal as well as the extent of the laser procedure, as some laser procedures penetrate the skin deeper than others. Those that penetrate the tissue deeper can sometimes come with a higher risk of side effects and complications, although this is not always the case.
Before undergoing laser skin treatment, be sure that your doctor explains all potential side effects and risks of the procedure. To reduce your risks, choose a fully licensed and certified doctor who has experience using the particular type of laser that will be used during your procedure. Lasers are powerful, and should only be used in the hands of a professional who can control the situation to ensure your safety. The decision to undergo laser skin resurfacing should be made with all the facts; weigh the benefits as well as the side effects to determine whether the procedure is right for you.
Related posts:
- What are the Risks of Laser Skin Treatment?
- Laser Skin Treatment Introduction
- What Laser Skin Treatment Can Do For You
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