Skin Rejuvenation and Resurfacing: Cost, Risks, Recovery
Overview
Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing are procedures that help reduce facial blotches, brown spots, red spots and veins, scars, wrinkles, or lines to restore skin to a more youthful appearance. Changes in your skin’s appearance and texture may occur over time due to aging, sun exposure, acne, and even heredity.
Different treatment techniques can be applied in skin rejuvenation and resurfacing procedure, such as laser resurfacing, mechanical resurfacing, chemical peels and injectable products. All of these can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles of the entire face. You can discuss with your surgeon about your specific treatment plan.
Candidates
A good candidate for skin rejuvenation and resurfacing include:
- Committed to protecting the skin from sun damage
- Physically healthy and do not have other illnesses that impair the healing
- Nonsmokers
- Non-drug users
- Have a positive and realistic outlook toward the surgery
Cost
According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2018, the average cost of intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment is $391 and the average cost of nonsurgical skin tightening is $2,059.
The cost of skin rejuvenation and resurfacing procedures can vary depending on the technique you choose, your surgeon’s experience and location of office. Other factors that are included in the total cost are:
- Medical tests
- Anesthesia fees
- Procedure costs
- Facility costs
- Prescriptions for medication
Risks
Although skin rejuvenation and resurfacing are minimally invasive procedures, they are medical procedures and do carry some risks. These potential risks and side effects include:
- Burns and scarring
- Infection
- Swelling
- Prolonged redness of the treated skin
- Pigmentation irregularities, like light spots or dark spots
- Poor wound healing
- Skin surface irregularities
- Textural changes
- Increased sensitivity to sun lights
Your surgeon will make sure that you understand these possible risks and help you decide.
Preparation
During consultation process, your surgeon will take your medical history and conduct physical examination on you to find out which type of procedure fits you. He or she will also discuss about your expectations on the surgery and give some instructions if you accept rejuvenation and resurfacing treatment.
Surgical steps
You can choose ablative or non-ablative skin rejuvenation and resurfacing techniques based on your personal condition and expectations.
Ablative skin resurfacing includes laser treatments such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium-doped yttrium aluminum (Er:YAG) lasers, medium and deep chemical peels, and dermabrasion. If you undergo CO2 or Er:YAG laser treatments, your surgeon will apply topical or local anesthetic to numb your skin, or may give you sedation. During the surgery, a beam of light is applied to your skin to destroy the epidermis and heat the dermis. Results can be seen in several months and last for several years.
Non-ablative skin resurfacing includes laser treatments, light chemical peels (glycol), and intense pulsed light (IPL) devices. Your surgeon will first apply topical anesthetic to numb the area of skin being treated before aiming a beam of light at the skin being treated.
Recovery
When your surgery is completed, your surgeon will instruct you on how to care for the treated skin. Depending on the treatment you received, your skin’s appearance can be normal, or red and flaky, or have blisters and scabbing lasting for one day to four weeks. It is important to discuss your specific treatment plan and anticipated recovery time before the surgery.
Keyword: skin rejuvenation and resurfacing.
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