Before And After Pics
Anna Faris Before and After Surgery
Laser resurfacing can often make patients look 10 to 20 years younger, and the results can last for eight to 10 years, says Tina Alster, M.D., director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in the nation’s capital. But she warns that after surgery, patients must avoid sunbathing and destroying their skin again. Patients can have a repeat treatment after one year, but usually the first procedure is so successful a follow-up is not needed.
Lasers cannot rejuvenate skin on other parts of the body nor can laser treatment lift or remove sagging jowls or smooth out “crepey” or sagging neck skin. These conditions only respond to traditional cut-and-stitch surgical methods.
Is Resurfacing for You?
Not everyone makes an ideal candidate for laser resurfacing, Perkins explains. “Certain people with very sensitive skin cannot tolerate the medications and lubricants used on the skin during healing.” Perkins also feels that the darker-skinned ethnic groups are not candidates because the laser treatment alters the color of skin too dramatically and unpredictably. Alster, on the other hand, believes that in the hands of a very experienced surgeon, people with darker skin tones, although not ideal candidates, can benefit from surgery.
Alster warns that anyone not mentally prepared for resurfacing or who expects instant results is not a good candidate. “This is not easy in-easy out surgery,” she says. “Potential patients have to realize that there will be bruising and swelling and they will be holed up in the house for seven to 10 days,” she says. “They will have a crusty, oozy, bruised, scabbed, raw-appearing face.” Further, they should not expect unflawed skin. “I can’t deliver that,” she says. “I am not able to give unlined, unscarred skin.” Patients, however, can expect a 50 percent or greater improvement.
They must also plan on at least 10 days of healing before applying any makeup. For satisfactory healing, that means following rigorous after-care treatment, including proper skin cleansing, the application of a skin lubricant, and the frequent changing of dressings.