Laser Resurfacing

Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed prior to and for a few days after surgery to reduce the risk of surgical wound infection. An antiviral medication is started prior to the procedure as well. For 2-4 weeks prior to treatment with the Ultrapulse CO2 laser, patients are placed on a skin prep using Retin-A and a bleaching cream. This is not necessary if the doctor is using the Erbium laser. A prescription for pain medication is also written, so that you have your pain pills when you return home from the procedure.

Pre-operative photographs are taken so that you can see the improvement from your surgery afterwards. We generally take post-operative photographs at 3 to 6 months after your procedure.

You will be asked to sign a surgical consent which enumerates the risks of the procedure in detail. These risks are explained herein and also at the consultation.

You will need to arrange for an escort to drive you to and from the surgery center. Patients cannot operate motor vehicles after surgery, and we will not place recently sedated patients into a taxi for transport home. We can arrange for medical transportation in the event that you cannot find an escort. It is mandatory to have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery for your comfort and safety.

The Operation:
The overwhelming majority of Dr. Parson's resurfacing procedures are performed under a general anesthetic. Patients are completely unconscious during the procedure, and an anesthesiologist is responsible for administering the anesthetic. Though the resurfacing can be done under a local anesthetic with sedation, the injection of the local anesthetic results in swelling of the tissues that interferes with the ability to gauge the location and severity of the wrinkles during the procedure.

The procedure usually takes one to one and a half hours. After the skin is prepared with a surgical prep solution, the appropriate settings are dialed into the laser equipment by a technician at the direction of Dr. Parson. Dr. Parson performs the procedure in its entirety. Specialized contact lens-type eye shields are placed over your corneas for your protection throughout the procedure. Your teeth are also protected against inadvertent injury. A long-acting local anesthetic is injected selectively to block the major sensory nerves of your face for pain control after the procedure.

The skin is "painted" with the laser beam in small square patterns generated by a computer. The first "pass" removes the superficial layer of skin (epidermis). Any heat generated in the vaporization of the skin cells is dissipated in a smoke plume; heat is not absorbed to any significant extent because the laser beam is "pulsed" at a rate such that heat buildup is avoided. Subsequent passes are done to sculpt the underlying dermal layers, where the wrinkles really exist. Dr. Parson, based on the color of the treated area, as well as the contour of the area determines the endpoint of treatment. There may be small pinpoint bleeding, but this is usually minimal. At the conclusion of the treatment, ointment will be applied over the treated area. You are awakened from the general anesthetic and monitored in the recovery area for approximately one hour until you are ready to be discharged. Some patients choose to stay in the hospital the first night following this procedure.

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