LASER RESURFACING (Erbium)

“Treatment to preserve and restore a youthful appearance to the skin.”

Introduction

Dr Lanzer was the first to use the Contour Laser in Australia. This was reported on “Today Tonight” (channel 7) and the
“H B & H” magazine. With ageing and sun damage, fine lines appear around our eyes and lips, then as the collagen beneath our skin wears out, deeper wrinkles begin to appear. Surface irregularities such as pigment discolouration and acne scarring may also occur. The Erbium Laser has been a great advancement in the treatment of ageing and sun-damaged skin.

The Erbium Laser provides a safer, more accurate and less painful method of restoring a softer, smoother, more youthful appearing skin. Erbium Laser skin resurfacing is a procedure specifically designed to remove superficial and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on the face. It also treats or removes pigmentation, moles, acne scars and traumatic induced scars.

Why

• This method is ideal for texture problems such as pigmentation, blotching, freckles, acne scarring, sun damage and solar keratoses.
• Both superficial and deep wrinkles will respond to laser and the most commonly treated area is around the mouth and the eyes.
• Patients usually have their full face resurfaced for a uniform rejuvenated appearance. Localised areas such as under the eyes or the lip can be resurfaced alone, however, there may be a slight colour difference between treated and non-treated areas (demarcation line).
  

Advantage

• Erbium Laser skin resurfacing is a safe, reliable, well-controlled procedure.
• Resurfacing with the Erbium laser produces fewer unwanted side effects and complications.
• Erbium Lasers can sometimes be used on the neck, chest and hands.
• With the Erbium Laser, it is possible to treat people with naturally darker skin.
• Treatment with the Erbium Laser produces minimal heating and burning of surrounding tissue.
• Healing is more rapid because the Erbium Laser causes minimal redness, swelling and bruising compared with the CO2 Laser.
• May be combined with eyelid rejuvenation, liposuction, facial fillers, relaxants and the face skin suture lift.
  

Procedure Technique

The Erbium Laser produces less heating and burning of surrounding tissues than other lasers used for resurfacing. This allows your doctor to gently and comfortably vaporise the damaged skin cells, layer by layer. Many cases require only a local or topical anaesthetic. Recent studies have shown that the Erbium Laser also stimulates the production of collagen, creating a tightening and smoothing of the skin from the deeper skin layer.

The Erbium (contour laser) is the first resurfacing laser that has a computer-controlled function to predetermine the exact depth in microns of the amount of skin rejuvenation required.

Recovery

Skin resurfacing with the cool light of the Erbium laser results in less post-operative redness, less swelling and provides a more rapid healing than with other skin resurfacing methods and in most cases, patients are fully recovered and back to normal activities within 7 -10 days.

Following the procedure, the treated areas are covered with thin occlusive dressings for the first 5-6 days and make-up and sunscreen can be worn after the first week and is encouraged as it enhances the result, covers the initial redness and provides protection from the sun.

Over the next few weeks your fresh, new, pink skin will fade to a normal tone revealing a softer, smoother, younger and refreshing skin.

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Commonly asked questions

1. What are the benefits of laser resurfacing?

A) Produces a natural rejuvenated appearance of the facial skin. There is no change in the shape of your face as can be seen with facelift surgery.

B) Less risk of scarring.

C) Less risk of pigmentation change.

D) Little or no pain.

E) Quick recovery.

F) No bleeding.

G) Removes skin layer by layer.

H) Very accurate and specific, which allows the surgeon to vary the required depth on different areas.

I) Able to vary the depth of resurfacing by a computer generator, which allows precise control and a smooth result.

J) No risk of catching AIDS/Hepatitis.

K) No risk of nerve damage as with a face lift.

L) Able to safely treat fragile skin regions that previously have been untreatable, for example under and around the eyes.
M) Long lasting - most results last years or have life-long improvements.

2. Is there any pain?

You may feel discomfort if the procedure is done while you are awake. We recommend a light general anaesthetic when having a full face resurfacing. During the healing there is usually no pain at all. Occasionally the skin can become irritated or itchy. Swelling and crusting on the edges of the dressing can occur.

3. How long do the effects of the laser treatment last?

The effects last for many years, Dr Lanzer has performed resurfacing procedures for over a decade with long lasting results.

4. What risks are involved with the Erbium Laser?

Although risks are much less compared with older lasers, the same side effects can occur. These include infection, persistent redness, increased or decreased pigmentation and scarring. In order to predict these risks, very occasionally a test area may be recommended, particularly if you have a dark complexion. Fair skin patients who burn easily have the least risk of pigmentation.

5. How successful is this procedure?

Our experience indicates excellent results for sun damaged skin, superficial pigmentation, wrinkles and acne or surgical scarring. Results are long lasting and usually do not need to be repeated. Localised treatments for benign moles and seborrhoeic keratoses are very successful and usually leave no scars compared with excision surgery.

6. Who uses the laser?

The laser machine is very expensive and the operator needs specialised, supervised training in order to use the laser safely. Our doctors are trained and have experience in the latest laser methods. Please make an appointment so that we can answer any further questions.

7. When can I resume work?

Usually the skin is fully resurfaced and healed between 6-10 days. At this stage, redness can be covered with make-up and ordinary duties recommenced.

8. Alternatives?

Face-lift involves cutting out the loose, sagging skin and pulling tight on the muscle and skin. Chemical peels and dermabrasion also improve skin texture but have higher risks. Sun protection and avoidance of smoking may prevent skin damage. Other alternatives: Plasma, Photorejuvenation.

9. Combination?

Laser is often combined with other procedures performed by Dr Lanzer, such as blepharoplasty, liposuction of the neck and suture lift.

10. Risks?

Dr Lanzer has performed laser treatments since its discovery and therefore has extensive experience. The most nuisance risk is pigmentation, browning of the skin in olive skin patients. Cold sores can occur if the patient has had them before and therefore a tablet is taken to suppress this. The skin may be red when healed but can be covered with make-up. Scarring and pigmentation are also uncommon risks.

>>> Click here for a FREE online consultation

>> Click here now for a FREE copy of Dr Lanzers cosmetic surgery book