Lasers can treat sun damage with little recovery time

AORN Journal,  Oct, 2002  

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New nonablative lasers can be used to treat the signs of aging, including wrinkles, brown spots, loss of elasticity, and actinic keratosis, according to an Aug 3, 2002, news release from the American Academy of Dermatology. People who spend a lot of time in the sun can experience damaging effects years later, and many are seeking ways to regain youthful skin.

Past techniques for repairing damaged skin required invasive laser or surgical procedures that produce open wounds and require long recovery times. Laser techniques, however, take less time to perform and require only a minimal recovery period.

Using a nonablative laser to heat a layer of tissue under the skin's surface without damaging the top layer of skin produces no visible wound. The laser emits a beam of light that is absorbed by water in skin cells and that can improve superficial and moderately deep wrinkles, including those on the upper lip, crow's feet around the eyes, and shallow wrinkles on the cheeks and forehead. Laser treatment results in a microscopic wound healing response that promotes the formation of new collagen, which leads to improved skin tone and texture and a decrease in wrinkles and scars.

According to the release, research has shown three to six treatments at two- to four-week intervals produces overall improvement in skin appearance. Nonablative laser rejuvenation takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes and may be preceded by a 30-minute application of topical anesthetic. After the procedure, skin may appear red and blotchy for several hours. Results generally last six months, and a series of procedures may be required to maintain the outcome.

The advantage of laser treatment compared to other skin rejuvenation procedures is that laser treatment allows for the improvement of various changes in skin texture and color with only a few visits. Lasers do not damage the skin's natural pigmentation, and almost any skin type can be treated safely with nonablative laser therapy.

Regaining that Youthful Glow is Only a Light Beam Away (news release, New York: American Academy of Dermatology, Aug 3, 2002) http://www.aad.org/Press Releases/regain.html (accessed 5 Aug 2002).

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