Your face and yourself: Over time our facial skin begins to show the first signs of age. The first Fine lines and folds usually appear first in the area around the eyes, on the forehead and around the mouth. Often our appearance no longer reflects the real personality, especially by people who still feel young, vital and healthy.

The skin forms the largest organ of our body. It protects us against infection and shields our body from harmful environmental influences.  While natural and genetic factors are the main contributors to the aging process of our skin, exposure to the elements accelerate the formation of the first fine wrinkles. The skin is stressed from birth by the sun, pollution, alcohol, nicotine, and stress, and these factors weaken the natural structures of our skin. The first sign of structural weakness usually appears in the form of fine lines around the eyes and lips. Later, when the natural production of collagen in our skin slowly diminishes, the first deeper folds appear. Often their appearance is accompanied by the formation of skin imperfections and spots of pigment.

Former types of treatment and new developments: In the past the choice of treatment of these problems was limited to dermabrasion or chemical peel. With dermabrasion the upper skin layer (skin surface) is removed using an abrasive method. With a chemical peel the skin is treated with the use of acid solutions. The skin surface is dissolved by the effect of the solution and can be removed. Skin resurfacing can now be done with laser appliances such as Erbium or CO2-Laser that dissolves the upper skin layer with laser energy, stimulating the formation of a new skin layer. Both the Erbium and CO2 laser represent some of the newest developments of laser technology. The Erbium Laser allows a safe, easy and effective treatment of nearly all benign skin changes in a painless way, usually without any hospital stay.

The Skin Resurfacing: Basically the difference between the CO2 Laser and the Erbium Laser lies in the strength and effectiveness of the treatment. While the Erbium laser represents a gentle kind of treatment of skin aging, and the correction and renewal of sun-damaged skin, the treatment intensity of  the CO2-Laser can be regulated, individually adapted. With the CO2 laser the specialist can perform a gentle treatment or a medium treatment or a extremely effective treatment for radical skin rejuvenation and smoothing of wrinkles. During a gentle treatment session the laser produces less heat energy (burning heat). A gentle treatment is safer and less painful, and at the same time reduces post-surgical redness and swelling. The surrounding skin tissues are therefore undamaged. This allows the dermatologist to perform a slow, safe, and careful procedure when dissolving and removing the upper skin cells, layer by layer. At the same time, there is less post-surgical redness and swelling. A faster recovery time is therefore expected than with the strong treatment. However, the results of the strong treatment -as this is possible with the CO2 Laser- are longer lasting and more dramatic. In both cases the treatment leads to the re-establishment of soft, smooth, young-looking skin. The regenerative and renewing procedure of laser skin resurfacing was specifically developed for the treatment of all superficial and moderately deep skin imperfections and folds in the face. Laser resurfacing usually require only local anesthesia or sedation. For full face resurfacing only, general anesthesia is required.

Stimulation of natural skin regeneration: Scientific studies show that laser resurfacing procedures stimulate the production of the skin’s natural collagen. Tightening and smoothing of the skin is a long term consequence of the treatment. The regenerative and renewing laser resurfacing treatment leads to an optimal rejuvenating effect, thanks to the use of cold light. After 6-8 days the patient is presentable for work. During the first few days after resurfacing, the treated areas are kept moist with special regenerative substances and protective creams. Skin regeneration is stimulated and supported by the application of vital substances. A special sun block is applied in order to protect the skin from potential pigment formation caused by sun exposure. The post-operational healing period is 3 to 5 days after a soft treatment and 5-7 days after a strong treatment. During the days after the treatment, and after consulting the dermatologist, a limited amount of makeup may be used. After the first week makeup can again be applied as usual. In the course of the next 2-3 weeks the fresh, new skin becomes completely normal in color with a natural, smooth and youthful appearance. Patients are usually highly satisfied with the results.  The area of application extends from the face over the neck to the decolleté, but the back of the hands can be rejuvenated also.

Am I candidate for Laser Skin Resurfacing? We recommend starting relatively early with skin- or facial resurfacing- between the ages of 30-40. The right moment to start the treatment is when the first signs of aging become visible. Skin that is still relatively young responds better to treatment. Starting with preventative treatments at this age helps to get a better skin picture at a later age. The treatments can and should be repeated, depending upon need, after a reasonable period of time.

Qualified consultation before the treatment:During a consultation, a qualified dermatologist will take the patient’s medical history. He considers age and determines the skin’s condition and pigmentation. He discusses the desired result with the patient and suggests, based on these criteria, the ideal method of treatment. The depth of the treatment is agreed before starting and can -in case of CO2 laser - be adapted for each patient individually.

Procedure: Treatment for laser resurfacing in our clinics can be carried out, for example, on a Thursday. The patient may then leave on Friday. The patient will return to the clinic on Monday morning (if possible)  for the first follow up before departure. Complete healing takes place within 6-8 days.

Laser Resurfacing before-after