Are you someone who is unhappy with your looks? If so, you’re not alone. A recent survey found that only 28 percent of men and 26 percent of women are “extremely satisfied” with their looks. In other words, about 70 to 75 percent of us are unhappy about the way we look.
If you want to feel better about your looks, the best thing to do is to change your mental state. No amount of weight loss, nipping or tucking, is going to change how you feel about your looks if you don’t first work on your self-esteem.
However, with that being said, there are things you can do as you’re working on your self-esteem to feel better about your appearance.
One such thing is fractional laser resurfacing. With fractional laser resurfacing, you can improve the appearance of your skin.
But, what exactly is fractional laser resurfacing?
Check out this guide to learn everything you need to know about this procedure.
What is Fractional Laser Resurfacing?
First things first, what exactly is fractionated laser resurfacing?
In a nutshell, laser resurfacing is a skin treatment that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and other skin irregularities (ie, hyperpigmentation, acne spots, sun spots, and acne scars).
During the procedure, an esthetician or doctor will use a device to direct short, pulsated beams of light at the skin in order to remove it layer by layer.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Just like any other skin procedure, not everyone is a good candidate for fractional laser resurfacing.
For example, if you have active acne or dark skin, you may not be a candidate for this procedure. This technique is also not recommended for reducing stretch marks.
But, if you have lighter skin, wrinkles or fine lines or lighter scars from acne, then you may be a good candidate for this procedure.
Before you decide to go ahead with fractional laser resurfacing, you should talk to your doctor.
Preparation
Once you’ve been identified as a good candidate for laser resurfacing, your doctor will ask you to avoid any supplements or medications that can affect clotting for 10 days prior to the procedure.
This includes aspirin, vitamin E, and ibuprofen, as well as some other medications.
If you smoke cigarettes, you should stop this two weeks before the procedure, as smoking can prolong healing time.
During the Procedure
This is an outpatient procedure, which means you don’t need to stay overnight anywhere.
The entire procedure only takes about 30 to 45 minutes if the doctor is only treating certain parts of your face. However, if they’re treating your entire face, it may take up to two hours.
After the procedure, the treated area will be bandaged, and you’ll need to clean the area four to five times a day for the first 24 hours. You’ll also need to apply ointment to prevent wounds.
In general, it will take 10 to 21 days for your skin to fully heal.
Are You Ready for Fractional Laser Resurfacing?
Now that you know a bit about fractional laser resurfacing, it’s time to decide if it’s right for you.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check back in with our blog for more skin-related tips and tricks.
