Let's face it, few of us take as much care of our skin as we should. The good news, however, is that there are various methods of removing the damaged outer layers of the skin of the face and allowing new and unblemished skin to replace it. The overall result is fresher, smoother and younger looking skin.
The most refined of all three skin resurfacing techniques is
Laser Skin Resurfacing - either by CO2 Laser or Erbium:YAG Laser. The first laser suitable for Laser Skin Resurfacing, the Ultrapulse CO2 Laser, was first introduced in 1993 and Dr Mayson was one of the first doctors in Australia to perform this then-revolutionary procedure. The Erbium:YAG Laser was subsequently introduced around 1996 and produces much the same results as the Ultrapulse CO2 Laser.
Laser Skin Resurfacing is an effective method of removing sun-damaged skin, wrinkles and some but not all shapes of acne scars. Fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars can be either improved or totally removed depending on how deep they are to start with. After laser removal, new skin grows upwards from the depths of the pores to replace that removed. Having been hidden in the depths of the pores from ultraviolet light this new skin is blemish-free, smoother, fresher and more radiant. The Ultrapulse CO2 Laser is so refined and precise that, unlike earlier CO2 lasers, there is no appreciable thermal injury to the surrounding skin thereby reducing the risks of scarring. Unfortunately, the capital cost of these lasers is very high and only few clinics have them.
Please Note: Laser Skin Resurfacing, like other resurfacing techniques such as Surgical Dermabrasion and Medium/Deep Chemical Peeling, is not recommended for non-facial areas such as the neck, décolletage, back and arms because of the high risk of scarring from the reduced healing power of the skin in these areas. Laser Skin Resurfacing is also not suitable for dark, deep olive or Asian skins because of the risk of pigmentation complications in such people.
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN YOU REALISTICALLY EXPECT?
Freckles and most brown blemishes can be totally removed as can fine and medium-depth wrinkles. However, very deep wrinkles that reach deeper than the level of resurfacing cannot be totally removed but only made shallower.
Laser Skin Resurfacing is also of benefit in selected cases of acne scarring, the degree of improvement depending on the shape and depth of the acne scars.
HOW LONG WILL THE IMPROVEMENT LAST?
This depends on you, your lifestyle and future sun exposure. Generally, the more you avoid sun exposure and use effective UV protection when sun exposure is unavoidable, the longer the results of Laser Skin Resurfacing will last. With good UV protection, the results should last 5-10 years. As with other forms of skin resurfacing, the procedure can be repeated if and when desired.
HOW IS IT DONE?
Laser Skin Resurfacing is performed in the privacy of our own Clinic under a combination of IV (Twilight) Sedation and Local Anaesthesia. Two hours after your procedure you may go home but because of the medications administered you cannot go home alone or drive for 24 hours. For the next 10 days you will need to attend the Clinic daily to have your dressings changed. Healing is usually complete within 10 days and you can then resume applying make-up and return to work and social activities.
SIX GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE DR MAYSON FOR YOUR LASER SKIN RESURFACING
Experience: Dr Mayson was one of the first doctors to commence Laser Skin Resurfacing when introduced into Australia in 1993 and since that time has done hundreds of cases.
Background Laser Knowledge: In 1998 Dr Mayson was the first Australian Doctor to qualify as a Diplomate of the American Board of Laser Surgery, subsequently being advised that he had achieved one of the highest examination scores ever recorded.
Careful Screening of Patient Suitability: Dr Mayson will only ever resurface those patients whose skin colour and type do not pose an increased risk of pigmentation problems.
Impeccable Resurfacing Record: Although scarring is an unsightly and disastrous potential complication of any Skin Resurfacing Procedure, Dr Mayson has an impeccable 'track' record with never a single instance of scarring in any patient.
Dr Mayson's Unique 'Composite Skin Resurfacing' Technique: Since Laser Skin Resurfacing was first introduced Dr Mayson has improved on the original technique by combining it with Chemical Peeling and Dermabrasion into the one procedure. He calls this unique technique 'Composite Skin Resurfacing' and is convinced that it delivers a more uniformed appearance, avoids demarcation lines, achieves better wrinkle elimination and reduces the chances of scarring. Please note that the 'Composite Skin Resurfacing' technique is Dr Mayson's own unique technique and is not available elsewhere.
Click here for more information on 'Composite Skin Resurfacing'.
Daily After-Care: Dr Mayson's excellent record in results is due in part to his high standard of post-operative care and his insistence that he sees you every day (at no charge) until you are fully healed. The healing phases after resurfacing are quite different to anything else and it is experience that determines whether an appearance is 'normal' or not. Dr Mayson will personally check your healing progress and change your dressings daily - even to the extent of coming in especially for you on weekends - all at no additional cost. He does this because he wants you to heal quickly and smoothly without the problems you could otherwise sustain if you were told to go home and look after it all yourself as reportedly some clinics do.
