After Your Nonablative Laser Procedure

If you’ve had a blood vessel or a pigmented area such as an age spot or tattoo removed, the skin will immediately turn white and then change to a reddish-purple color about five to ten minutes after the treatment. Mild swelling is possible, but normally not enough to be noticeable to anyone else.Your skin color will gradually return to normal over a one- to two-week period.You can disguise it with makeup in the meantime. With intense pulsed light treatments for rosacea, spider veins, or age spots, there is usually no change in skin color after a treatment.

What Do Nonablative Lasers Do?

• Firm and tone the skin
• Remove age spots or melasma
• Remove spider veins
• Remove port-wine birthmarks
• Reduce rosacea reddening
• Remove unwanted hair]
• Lessen acne scars, other minor scars
• Remove warts
• Remove tattoos

	Several laser treatments are often required to permanently remove excess facial hair.

In most cases, nonablative laser sessions require minimal follow-up. The basics include not picking or scratching at the skin while any discoloration remains, and faithfully using a high-SPF sunblock. If you choose to wear makeup afterward, ask your doctor what kind is appropriate, and apply and remove it very gently.

Although it often takes a series of six to ten nonablative treatments to achieve the best results, once a vascular or pigment problem is corrected, the result is permanent. However, if your aim was simply to counteract overall mild sun damage, you may decide on an additional series of treatments after several years to treat continuing sun damage and aging. For ongoing permanent hair removal, you may need touch-up sessions a few years later, as new hair follicles continue to develop.

Potential Risks

Nonablative laser treatments are considered extremely safe. However, as with any procedure, scarring can occur in some individuals. If you are in the care of an experienced physician, the risk is very small. Proper screening to be sure you do not have a history of severe scarring is important. Rarely, white spots or other pigmen­tation problems can appear after laser treatments, particularly in people with dark or olive-toned skin.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel is a procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to remove the top layer of the facial skin, leaving your face smoother and fresher. Peels restore sun-damaged skin.They also diminish wrinkles, acne scars, and can improve irregularities in the skin tone. For example, a peel can eliminate discoloration such as melasma, the brown patches that often accompany pregnancy. Peels will also eliminate age spots and the yellowish bumps called solar elastosis, which are areas of degenerated collagen caused by sun exposure. Peels can remove the often precancerous lesions known as actinic keratoses.

Although a chemical peel can soften the appearance of deep wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds and frown lines, it will not remove them. A peel won't tighten skin, but because it improves its surface and texture, your skin may appear firmer. Some research indicates that peels boost collagen production, which may help forestall the formation of new wrinkles.

Modern formulas for chemical peels contain a blend of ingredients that offer additional benefits. For example, a peel formula may contain hormones, anti-acne agents, or melanin inhibitors. Hormones enhance the plumpness of the skin by increasing moisture content.Anti-acne ingredients kill bacteria and absorb excess oils. Melanin inhibitors help prohibit the formation of skin discoloration or brown spots.

Chemical Peels Improve:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
  
• Uneven pigmentation
  
• Shallow acne scars
  
• Sun-damaged skin
  
• Age spots
  
• Freckling

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