Are there risks involved with laser cosmetic surgery? The risks associated with laser cosmetic surgery vary with the procedure and depend on the type of laser used and the area of the body. Laser cosmetic...
Laser cosmetic surgery has truly claimed its place in the medical community. The procedures performed with lasers often have many advantages over traditional surgeries.
So are there any risks involved with laser cosmetic surgery? "Yes, it depends on the type of laser. If I am using a laser to remove some hair on the face or neck, the wavelength of laser targets specifically the hair follicle underneath the skin. Part of that means that we need to cool the skin and treat the hair follicle that lives just below the skin. The potential risks of lasers could include maybe a temporary burn of the skin although that is very rare, but is certainly possible," said Charles M. Boyd M.D., M.B.A., and F.A.C.S. He has been a plastic surgeon for more than 13 years.
There are different risks involved in receiving las cosmetic surgery. Since the skin is being burned there are many dangers that go along with that. First off the skin os going to react to being burned. After the procedure and for sometime afterwards the skin is going to red. This is normal and usually a temporary occurance. The skin will also be very feeble after being burned. The skin can also change in coloration. Your skin may appear to be lighter or darker. All of these are almost always temporary effects of the laser treatment.
In some cases there can be more serious risks. Lasers can be very dangerous. Permenant scarring can occur. This does not happen often but is a risk that must be assessed. Scarring happens when the laser is set to high and penetrates too deeply into the skin. When is done too deeply the skin is unable to heal itself and the result is a scar. Scars can also come about after the surgery. If one recieves poor postoperative care an infection could set in and cause scarring.
"One of the most important things with any laser procedure or laser surgery is that you want to provide adequate eye protection. When you are treating the face or the hair or any other wrinkles of the face, the patient always has eye protection and likewise with all personnel. I would wear eye protection as well as any of my nurses or assistants in the room will also have eye protection," Boyd said.
Laser cosmetic surgery is not for everyone. The procedures often have amazing results but not everyones skin can handle the process. People with highly sensitive skin may not so well with laser surgery. From the burning of the skin to the care regimin needed to care for the skin it may be too much for some. People with a dark pigment skin may not be well-suited for the surgery. Cosmetic laser surgery can greater alter the color of the skin which can leave the skin looking blotchy and this is more noticeable on darker-tone skin. Finally, the surgery can be tough for those who are prepared to go throught he process. At times it can be ugly. People want to walk into surgery and walk out with a brand new face but it takes time. A good part of that time the skin can look quite unattractive as it is regenerating and preparing a prettier and smoother layer for you.
The number one thing you can do to limit the risks in your cosmetic laser surgery is to find the right person to treat you. There are no national standards or credentials in place for those who wish to treat patients with laser surgery. So be very discriminative in your search for a surgeon. The safest route would be to so to an experienced cosmetic or dermetological surgeon to get the best results.
