Laser Peel

ANSWERS TO MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CHEMICAL PEELS:

(click on each of the Frequently Asked Questions below to see the answer)

What is a Laser Peel?

Will it Hurt?


What are the Risks of a Laser Peel?


What Should I Expect After the Laser Peel?


Will I Have to Care for my Skin at Home After the Bandage is Removed?


Is the Treatment Very Expensive and Will My Insurance Pay for the Treatment?


LASER RESURFACING PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS

Download Document Click here to download Laser Peel Pre-Op Instructions

Two to four weeks before the procedure begin using:

  1. Retin-A cream every night or every other night - this can help you heal more quickly following the procedure.
  2. Sunscreen every day.
  3. Bleaching agent twice daily - this will help minimize the risk of the treated areas healing darker than the surrounding skin.

One week prior to the procedure:
  1. Arrange for transportation home after the procedure. You may use a taxi, but under no circumstances will you be allowed to drive yourself home.
  2. Pick up antibiotic and antiviral prescriptions and be sure that you have petroleum ointment (Vaseline) available.
  3. Cancellation of the procedure with less than one-week notice will result in forfeiture of your deposit.

The night before the procedure:
  1. Eat a normal dinner, but nothing after that (except medications and water).
  2. Begin antibiotics and antiviral medications as directed.
THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE
(Ambulatory surgery center patients):

Arrive at least 45 minutes before the procedure start time. You will need to check in and make payment for the anesthesia and O.R. time, if you have not already done so.

Patients being treated in the office: arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled time so that final photographs, etc. can be completed.

The procedure may take an hour or two, depending on the depth of resurfacing necessary and the surface area to be treated. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home.

LASER RESURFACING POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

Download Document Click here to download Laser Peel Post-Op Instructions

POSTOPERATIVE CARE: these are extremely important and must be followed religiously!

NO SMOKING. This is not optional. Nicotine impairs oxygen delivery to the wound and interferes with normal collagen formation.

Your bandage will be removed at the office on the second or third postoperative day. After bandage removal:

Every Morning: Gently soak off any and all crusts with a lukewarm washcloth. Then pat dry and immediately cover all treated areas with Aquaphor or petroleum ointment (Vaseline). The soaking and ointment application will need to be repeated four to six times a day. Your wound must not be allowed to dry out (with hard scabs and crusts); doing so will increase your risk of scarring. If tap water stings, a diluted vinegar and water mixture may be used. After four to five days, a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil, may be tried.

At Night: Apply a thick coat of ointment prior to going to bed. Non-stick gauze pads (Telfa pads) may be placed on the treatment areas subject to friction to minimize irritation by your pillow or sheets. You may want to place a towel over your pillow to catch any excess drainage. You may decrease the amount and frequency of ointment each day as your skin heals and eventually, just spot-treating any residual raw or crusty areas.

After Healing (usually seven to 14 days): As soon as the skin has resurfaced (you no longer have "raw" spots), begin applying sunscreen EVERY DAY. Some people will experience stinging and sensitivity to regular sunscreen lotions for a few weeks following the laser procedure. If this is a problem, use a chemical-free sunscreen such as Neutrogena Chemical-Free SPF, or PreSun Sensitive Sunblock Cream. Thirty percent of patients will develop some temporary increase in pigment after the laser procedure; this can be minimized with daily sunscreen use.

Continue the antibiotic and antiviral prescriptions for their entire courses. Call the office immediately if you have signs of infection such as fever, blisters, pustules, or thick yellow or green drainage (not clear yellow - that is normal).

Itching can be treated with Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) every four to six hours as needed. If this is not adequate, call the office.

Acne may flare up the week following resurfacing. Spot application of an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide product such as Clearasil for sensitive skin, will typically do the trick.

Three to four weeks after the procedure:
  1. Begin Retin-A or Renova cream every night or every other night.
  2. Use a bleaching agent twice daily to minimize the risk of blotchy, dark pigmentation in the treated areas.