Frequently Asked Questions:  Cosmetic Surgery / Laser Surgery

Laser Surgery:

v     Laser surgery is performed using a beam of laser energy, which vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration.

v     "Laser" - is an acronym and stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A "laser beam" is simply a stream of photons, which has 3 important properties. 1.The light is monochromatic   (a single colour) 2. The photons travel only in one direction (collimation) 3. The ability to focus precisely (coherence).           They work by bouncing a beam of light back and forth between optical mirrors and lenses, amplifying the strength with each cycle. When the beam is powerful enough it is released, almost as if opening a gate, in a short pulse of energy. This burst of energy causes a carefully controlled burn. The color and energy of the light depends upon what type of material is being stimulated. Each laser can be tuned, much like a musical instrument. Many materials can be used, such as carbon dioxide, ruby crystals, and argon, which is a gas similar to what is used in florescent lights.

v     Lasers have many uses in surgery in general, and the field of plastic surgery. Lasers use light energy to cut, coagulate and vaporize tissue. Common uses in plastic surgery include: treatment of vascular lesions (e.g. "port wine stains"), benign pigmented lesions (e.g. "non-cancerous" moles), to remove irregular contours, discolored areas, and some tattoos. Laser resurfacing, also known as laser dermabrasion, is a technique for smoothing fine wrinkles of the skin. Laser is used to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. The In many cases, facial wrinkles form in localized areas, such as near the eyes or around the mouth. Procedure is most commonly used to minimize the appearance of fine lines, especially around the mouth and the eyes.

v     The CO2 laser is used for sun damaged, aging, wrinkled or scarred skin. It may also be used as a cutting instrument, or on very high power to remove moles and skin cancers.  The Q switched Nd: YAG laser is used for tattoos and pigmented lesions, such as moles or freckles. The flash lamp pulsed dye laser is used for vascular lesions, such as spider veins.

v     For the most part lasers are very safe. However, as with any medical procedure there are risks and benefits. Scarring, pain, lack of permanent results, delayed healing up to several months, and other risks are uncommon, but possible. Sometimes additional treatment in the form of surgery may be necessary after laser treatment.

Laser Resurfacing:

v     Laser resurfacing is still a very new procedure. However, it has been shown that in some cases, this surgical method produces less bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort than is typically seen with other resurfacing methods. Men and women of all ages can benefit from laser resurfacing.

v     The ideal patient for laser resurfacing has fair, healthy, non-oily skin. Patients with olive skin, brown skin or black skin may be at increased risk for pigmentation changes no matter what type of resurfacing method is recommended. Patients who are prone to abnormal (keloid-like) scarring or those with active skin infections on the treatment area may not be appropriate           candidates for this procedure. Laser resurfacing can help enhance one's appearance and self-confidence, but it won't completely remove all facial flaws or prevent one from aging. Lines that occur as a result of natural movements of the face - smiling, squinting, blinking, talking, and chewing - will inevitably recur.

v     The depth of the laser burn is probably more predictable than that of chemical peels or dermabrasion. The laser strength and exposure time to the skin can be precisely controlled. However, the body's tissue reaction to the laser cannot always be predicted for a particular patient.

v     Lasers do firm up the skin and increase skin tone, but they are not capable of eliminating skin that has lost its elasticity. Once the skin truly sags instead of simply wrinkles, surgery is required to correct the undesirable cosmetic appearance. Other risks associated with laser resurfacing include: burns or other injuries from the heat of the laser energy, scarring, and obvious lightening or darkening of the treated skin. Also, laser surfacing can activate herpes virus infections ("cold sores") and, rarely, other types of infection.

v     After about two weeks or so, most patients can safely apply makeup to conceal this temporary color change. However, some pinkness may remain for up to six months. On rare occasions scarring can be permanent. The final result from laser resurfacing may take several months to fully appear. However, once the pinkness fades, patients usually notice a significant improvement in the quality of their skin and a fresher, smoother appearance. It is important to understand that the results will be long lasting, but not permanent. Remember, new skin is not immune to the effects of aging.