What is Facial Resurfacing?
A peel with a laser or similar device designed to remove the damaged upper layers of skin and allow the growth of new healthier, smoother, tighter skin.
How long is the recovery?
For Fractionated Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing or Portrait® Plasma Skin Regeneration the initial recovery is about 7-8 days. You may have some pinkness for 3 weeks or so after that. You can cover this with make-up. I heard that the recovery from laser resurfacing is painful. Is that true?
Not usually. Our patients tell us that it feels like a bad sunburn the first night. They rarely take significant pain medication after the first night, and many take no pain medication at all. Our plasma patients take even less medication.
Will resurfacing treatments lighten my skin?
You can get some lightening with the carbon dioxide laser, but Dr. Bentkover usually dose a very nice job of "blending" the color. He has been using this laser since 1995. Portrait® plasma will even out your complexion by removing unwanted pigment but should not overly lighten your skin.
How do I know which is better for me, laser resurfacing or plasma? The differences in outcome can be subtle or very significant, depending on the amount of energy used, the depth of your wrinkles and/or the amount of excess pigment in your face. In a consultation Dr. Bentkover should be able to recommend which he thinks will be best for you. He needs to see you in person.
