Procedures

Laser facial resurfacing

What is a laser?

A laser is a machine that emits a beam of high intensity light. There are many different kinds of lasers with different wavelength, colour and strength. Eye specialists have been using lasers for many years to treat the retina and to improve vision following cataract surgery. LASIK laser surgery is used to correct vision but Dr Lamb does not perform this surgery.  His extensive experience of lasers includes using Erbium and CO₂ lasers for skin surgery instead of a scalpel.

Before full face laser resurfacing, upper and lower blepharoplasty	After full face laser resurfacing, upper and lower blepharoplasty

The Erbium laser

Dr Lamb uses an Erbium laser for skin resurfacing because the results are excellent and predictable. The latest fractionated CO2 and Erbium lasers leave most of the epidermis intact, allowing a faster recovery. However, fractionated laser requires more treatments to achieve the same results as one treatment with the Erbium laser. Dr Lamb only uses a CO₂ laser for incisions in eyelid and brow surgery.

How does laser resurfacing work?

The laser precisely vaporises layers of the skin. By removing the damaged superficial layers, it stimulates the deeper layers to produce new collagen, thus improving skin texture and reducing wrinkles. The advantage of the Erbium over the CO₂ is that the Erbium is a cold laser and does not produce heat damage to the deeper layers. Therefore the risk of problems such as hypopigmentation (loss of pigment) and scarring are greatly reduced and the recovery period is much shorter.
 

What can Erbium laser be used for?

The treatment can be concentrated on eyelids or around the mouth, however the entire face can be resurfaced in one treatment.
 

Anaesthetic

Local anaesthetic cream is suitable when small areas are being treated. However, sedation is required for extensive, deeper, and more effective treatments.

Recovery period

For the first few days the skin will weep and may bleed a little. Depending on age, skin type etc, some redness may persist for a further week or two. Sun exposure must be completely avoided during this period. Sun block should be used for at least six weeks post-operatively and is recommended as a routine to maintain the result. Antibiotics and anti-virals are required for the week following the procedure.

Facilities

Dr Lamb has a dedicated operating theatre for cosmetic laser surgery. His staff includes a specialist anaesthetist and two fully-trained theatre nurses. Other surgery, for example, brow elevation or lid surgery, can be performed at the same time as the resurfacing. Photographs are available of previous patients showing post-operative results.