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Laser skin resurfacing ranks among the most effective and proven cosmetic procedures that are designed to reduce the signs of aging without involving cosmetic surgery. At the time of pre-op consultation, the treatment provider will educate the patient about all aspects of the procedure and may also provide laser skin resurfacing before and after photographs.

This will enable the patient to understand the potential benefits and effectiveness of the procedure and compare it with other treatment options they may be considering. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides laser skin resurfacing and various other surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures to patients in Las Vegas, NV and surrounding communities and neighborhoods in the part of Nevada.

What are Laser Skin Resurfacing Before and After Images? 

Before and after images with respect to laser skin resurfacing refer to a set of pictures belonging to a previous patient who has received the same treatment successfully. The set includes images taken before the procedure and after the procedure at a time when complete effects of the treatment have settled in.

The pictures will be taken with the consent of the patient, and the treatment provider will ensure that they are presented before new patients in an appropriate manner. The patient’s identity may be kept confidential as per the established protocol. The goal of the treatment provider is only to educate new patients about various aspects of the procedure through these pictures.

Advantages 

Laser skin resurfacing procedures may include aggressive treatments as well as non-ablative or fractional skin resurfacing procedures, depending on the patient’s needs. For a new patient, it can get difficult to decide which of the treatment approaches may be most suitable to meet their personal cosmetic goals.

This is where the treatment provider can utilize laser skin resurfacing before and after photos very effectively to help the patient make an informed choice. Different types of skin problems may be addressed with different laser treatments. Dedicated and percipient cosmetic surgeon Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV and nearby areas for laser skin resurfacing.

Realistic Expectations 

Best satisfaction from any surgical or non-surgical aesthetic procedure can usually be achieved when the patient has clear aesthetic goals, a positive frame of mind, and realistic expectations. But a new patient may not always understand clearly what the laser skin resurfacing procedure can or cannot do for them.  

If the patient forms misplaced expectations, it could result in disappointment later on for no fault of anyone. To avoid such unsavory situations, experienced providers usually prefer to present laser skin resurfacing before and after photos at the very first appointment. Patients with realistic expectations will typically be able to appreciate the final results in a better way and feel happier about their new skin appearance.  

Digital Photos on the Website

Some providers may choose to provide laser skin resurfacing before and after photos on their official website. This allows free online access to anyone who may like to review the pictures. New patients can comfortably view the photos in the privacy of their home or office even before they have made up their mind to visit the practice for a personal consultation.

What is amazing about this technology is that it allows anyone to know almost as much as the surgeon himself. Now you can make a critical decision without anyone being the wiser. You do not have to make an appointment and talk to people at the clinic and no one you know has to know that you are contemplating this.

Digital technology has changed the game and the plastic surgery community has engaged digital technology like so many other industries. They say a picture speaks a thousand words but a digital picture speaks two thousand words. Now you can be truly comfortable with either route you choose to take since you know so much more about laser skin resurfacing.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Risks and recovery in case of laser skin resurfacing will vary depending on the extent of treatment and the type of laser used for a particular patient. In any case, the risks are lower compared to cosmetic surgery skin rejuvenation alternatives. Recovery may take a longer time with laser skin resurfacing, if ablative lasers are used over a larger surface area.

However, a gentler laser skin resurfacing procedure involving only fractional laser will reduce the discomfort and downtime. The treatment provider will explain about the potential risks and recovery issues involved in different treatment options at the time of pre-op consultation.

Board certified and prolific plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides laser skin resurfacing to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities and neighbors in The Silver State.

Temporary Side Effects 

Unlike plastic surgery, the side effects following laser skin resurfacing are usually very minor and fade away in a short time. Some of the common side effects may include redness in the treated sites, swelling, and moderate irritation similar to the feeling created by mild sunburn. In rare cases, more severe side effects such as scarring, burning or a change in skin pigmentation may occur.

At the time of initial consultation, the treatment provider will carefully evaluate the patient’s risk factors and discuss the likelihood of side effects and complications. An appropriate laser skin resurfacing treatment plan will be customized for the patient to ensure maximum effectiveness with minimum risks and side effects.

Estimated Recovery Time

While the recovery period will vary depending on the size of the treated area and the type of laser used, most patients will recover within two weeks. During this period, the treated areas will sufficiently heal and a new layer of healthy skin will emerge. Redness or pinkness of the skin will, however, last for a longer period.  

In some cases, the skin discoloration may persist for several months. If this happens, the patient can continue to cover it up with certain types of makeup in consultation with the treatment provider, until the discoloration completely disappears. Patients seeking laser skin resurfacing treatment should plan to take time off from work for about one to two weeks in order to have a safe and comfortable recovery.

Potential Risks

Although laser skin resurfacing is a safe procedure as long as it is performed by a qualified provider, patients should be aware of potential risks. Infections and abnormal healing, though rare, do occur in a few cases. If the patient is prone to scarring after a minor injury, they should avoid laser skin resurfacing. Skin disorders, acne and cold sores can increase the risk of complications and should be discussed with the treatment provider.  

Hyperpigmentation is a key risk for people with darker skin who seek laser skin resurfacing. In rare cases, hypopigmentation or permanent lightening of the skin may also occur. The patient should discuss their medical history with the treatment provider, and disclose information about any underlying health condition, drug allergy, immune disorder, previous surgery and prescription medications that they may be currently using.

Experienced and stellar cosmetic surgeon Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for laser skin resurfacing.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure designed to reduce the effects of aging, sun damage and illness on the quality, tone and texture of the skin. The procedure involves no cosmetic surgery, but will be based on ablative or non-ablative lasers.

Ablative lasers use short pulses of high-intensity light to remove the top layer of the skin to smooth and tighten the skin, lessen fine lines, and improve pigmentation.

Non-ablative lasers are relatively less invasive and do not cause wounds. This technique will trigger the growth of new collagen fibers in the deep dermis in order to volumize and tighten the loose skin and tissue. Stellar and astute board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides laser skin resurfacing to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities.

Key Procedure Steps

Prior to the laser skin resurfacing procedure, the patient will be required to wear special eye shields to protect the retinas and corneas from laser beams. Unlike plastic surgery, the procedure can be performed in-office. The provider will pass over a wand over the affected sites. The resurfacing laser device will emit tiny pulses of high intensity light to create controlled damage to the uppermost layers of the skin.

The procedure will be performed as pre-determined at the time of treatment planning. Thereafter, the skin will be allowed to heal and rejuvenate. Patients can return home the same day after the procedure, but they should have someone responsible to drive them back home after the treatment. If possible, the patient should also have someone stay over for the first night to assist at home.

Other Aspects

The laser skin resurfacing treatment is usually completed in about one hour. But in some cases, it can take longer if the surface area of treatment is larger.

• The provider will administer mild medications for complete patient comfort during the procedure.
• The procedure is often performed using only a local anesthetic.
• The provider may attach monitoring instruments to check the pulse and heart rate, blood pressure and the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood.
• After the treatment is over, the patient will be shifted to a recovery area.
• Most patients can go back home the same day following a brief observation period.

Variations in Procedure

Minor variations in laser skin resurfacing procedure can be made as per the patient’s specific requirements. The treatment can be performed to varying depths for optimal results. A wide range of devices can be used to perform the procedure. These devices may be classified into:

Ablative Laser

This device causes a uniform injury to the skin, similar to dermabrasion or a chemical peel.

Non-ablative Laser

The controlled heat released from this laser device penetrates into the deeper skin layers without removing the top skin layers.

Fractional Laser

This may be an ablative or non-ablative laser, which causes less surface injury but greater depth of injury.

Fantastic and reliable cosmetic surgeon Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and other cities and communities across the region for laser skin resurfacing and various other procedures.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson G. Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Laser skin resurfacing is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation alternative for people who want to avoid cosmetic surgery.

Laser skin resurfacing is a safer procedure with mild, temporary side effects. The skin will typically feel like minor sunburn in the treated sites. Some amount of redness and swelling may occur for a few days. Itching or stinging sensation may also be felt in a few cases.

An experienced laser skin resurfacing provider will perform the treatment will high precision, using controlled heat as per the patient’s skin type, color and their unique cosmetic requirements. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides laser skin resurfacing to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding locations across the horizon.

Potential Risks

If a stronger laser skin resurfacing procedure is applied, the patient may have what looks like a severe sunburn. The skin becomes raw, oozing and may even get blisters. From the treated sites, a yellowish liquid may ooze to form a crust. Picking or scratching at the crust must be avoided to prevent scarring. In any case, the risks will be significantly lesser than in the case of a plastic surgery.

Bacterial infections and acne flares are other potential risks that may occur after laser skin resurfacing. The doctor may prescribe a short antibiotic course before and after the procedure to mitigate the risk. If laser skin resurfacing is performed around the mouth area, it may increase the risk of reactivating cold sores.

The patient should disclose about any history of cold sores, if any. Reactivation may be prevented by taking antiviral medication before and after the procedure. A few patients may experience hyperpigmentation, and the treated area may become darker in tone. The provider may recommend a bleaching solution to improve the appearance.

During the healing process, small white bumps or milia may appear. A gentle cleansing solution with a washcloth can help to remove these bumps. Risk of scarring is minimal, but it may still occur in a few cases. If the procedure is performed around the eyes, the provider may prescribe oral steroids to address the risks of swelling.

Recovery

The patient will take about a week to recover in case of Erbrium laser, while CO2 laser resurfacing can take about two weeks. The skin will become dry and peel after the initial healing period. The patient may use an ice pack in the first two days to minimize swelling. The following steps can help the patient achieve a faster recovery:

• Clean the treated areas a few times a day with saline or diluted vinegar solution.
• Apply skin care ointments.
• Use a special sunscreen, which is formulated for sensitive skin on the face.
• Apply a liberal amount of moisturizer every day as per the provider’s advice.

The new skin will be pink once the treated sites begin to heel, but will lighten in about two to three months. Full natural complexion may occur over a period of almost one year. Remarkable and percipient cosmetic surgeon Dr. Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for laser skin resurfacing.

If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson G. Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.