LASER RESURFACING: (Erbium)
“Treatment that can produce a smooth, clean, rejuvenated skin texture”
Scar Removal
Dr Lanzer was the first to use the Contour Laser in Australia. It was reported on “Today Tonight” (Channel 7) and the “H B & H” Magazine. His patients have been treated many times on national TV over the last 15 years. With ageing and sun damage, fine lines appear around our eyes and lips, then as the collagen beneath our skin wears out, deeper wrinkles begin to appear. Surface irregularities such as pigment discolouration and acne scarring may also occur.
The Erbium Laser is a form of Laser resurfacing and has been a great advancement in the treatment of ageing and sun-damaged skin. The Erbium Laser provides an accurate and less painful method of restoring a softer, smoother, more youthful appearing skin.
Erbium Laser skin resurfacing is a procedure specifically designed to remove superficial and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on the face. It also treats or removes pigmentation, moles, acne scars and traumatic induced scars.
Dr Lanzer was featured on a national program that first highlighted the use of Lasers in Cosmetic Surgery. This was called the “Invisible Knife” and is available to Dr Lanzer’s Patients.
Why Laser Resurfacing
- Both superficial and deep wrinkles will respond to laser and the most commonly treated area is around the mouth and the eyes.
- This method is ideal for texture problems such as pigmentation, blotching, freckles, acne scarring, sun damage and solar keratoses.
- Patients usually have their full face resurfaced for a uniform rejuvenated appearance. Localised areas such as under the eyes or the lip can be resurfaced alone, however, there may be a slight colour difference between treated and non-treated areas (demarcation line).
Advantages of Laser Resurfacing
- Erbium Laser skin resurfacing is an accurate reliable and well-controlled procedure.
- Skin resurfacing with the Erbium Laser can be performed with local topical anaesthesia in many cases.
- Resurfacing with the Erbium laser has been a valuable tool for Dr Lanzer’s patients for a long time.
- Erbium Lasers can sometimes be used on the neck, chest and hands.
- With the Erbium Laser, it is possible to treat people with naturally darker skin.
- Treatment with the Erbium Laser produces minimal heating and burning of surrounding tissue.
- May be combined with eyelid rejuvenation, liposuction, facial fillers, relaxants and the face skin suture lift.
Procedure Technique
The Erbium Laser acts on the skin water and therefore there is less heating and burning of surrounding tissues during the laser resurfacing. This allows your doctor to gently vaporize the damaged skin cells, layer by layer. Many cases require only a local or topical anesthetic. The Erbium Laser also stimulates the production of collagen, creating a tightening and smoothing of the skin from the deeper skin layer.
The Erbium (contour laser) is the first resurfacing laser that has a computer-controlled function to predetermine the exact depth in microns of the amount of skin rejuvenation required.
Recovery
Skin resurfacing with the cool light of the Erbium Laser results in reduced post-operative redness and swelling and provides a rapid healing despite the fact that it is a deep laser. Generally patients are fully recovered and back to normal activities in 7 days.
Following the procedure, the treated areas are covered with thin occlusive dressings for the first 5-6 days and make-up and sunscreen can be worn after the first week and is encouraged as it enhances the result, covers the initial redness and provides protection from the sun.
Over the next few weeks your fresh, new, pink skin will fade to a normal tone revealing a softer, smoother, younger and refreshing skin.
Scar treatment- Scar removal
There are many types of scars that can occur on the face and body. Some scars are amenable to scar removal therapy and others are not.
Generally scars that are created by heat such as chemical or fire burns do not respond well to scar removal or scar treatment.
A common reason that people come to see a dermatologist is for scar treatment and scar removal resulting from acne. Dr Lanzer says that the first thing that he assesses in scar treatment is the type of scars for example are they ice picks or gentle sloping ones. The latter respond best to scar removal. The next important factor is the patient’s skin texture. Olive skin patients can develop pigmentation from the actual scar treatment and so they need special care.
Dr Lanzer’s favoured scar removal therapy is the contour erbium laser for laser resurfacing. Laser resurfacing smoothes the scars and improves the texture. Unfortunately not every scar can be removed with the laser scar treatment.
There are other lighter forms of scar removal and scar treatments. These include medical microdermabrasion, dermafraxel which is a C02 laser in fine columns and portrait laser.
Fillers can also be of benefit in scar treatment. As opposed to top laser resurfacing that works on the outer layers a filler lifts the scars. Dr Lanzer has a range of fillers, both temporary lasting and permanent. The latest scar treatment has been the use of one’s own fat in fat transfer.
Finally it is important that patients understand that often it is not about total scar removal but rather scar treatment and scar reduction.
Dr Lanzer offers a free no obligation assessment regarding scar treatment and laser resurfacing.
Dr Lanzer was one of the initial dermatologists to perform laser resurfacing when the Ultrapulse laser was invented in the early 90’s. Dr Lanzer helped teach others the method of Laser resurfacing and also spent time in the USA learning the latest laser resurfacing techniques.
Dr Lanzer says that laser resurfacing on a fair skinned patient can be very satisfying. The full face becomes smoother and cleaner and the lines either go or are reduced. Having performed laser resurfacing for nearly 20 years, Dr Lanzer has a lot of experience and says the results may last years.
Pearly Penile Patches – (PPP) These are small growths around the gland head of the penis. They are normal physiological variant. No Treatment is required, focal erbium laser can remove them.
Commonly asked questions
A) Produces a natural rejuvenated appearance of the facial skin. There is no change in the shape of your face as can be seen with facelift surgery.
B) Little or no pain following the treatment.
C) Quick recovery.
D) Removes skin layer by layer.
E) Generally accurate and specific, which allows the surgeon to vary the required depth on different areas.
F) Able to vary the depth of resurfacing by a computer generator which allows precise control and a smooth result.
G) Generally no risk of nerve damage.
H) Able to safely treat fragile skin regions that previously have been untreatable, for example under and around the eyes.
I) Long lasting – most results generally last years.
J) Complications such as pigmentation and scarring have been reduced in Dr Lanzer’s Practice.
You may feel discomfort if the procedure is done while you are awake. We recommend a light general anaesthetic when having a full face resurfacing. During the healing there is usually no pain. Occasionally the skin can become irritated or itchy. Swelling and crusting on the edges of the dressing can occur.
The effects last for many years, Dr Lanzer has performed resurfacing procedures for over 15 years to 20 years with generally long lasting results.
Although risks are much less compared with older lasers, the same side effects can occur. These include infection, persistent redness, increased or decreased pigmentation and scarring. In order to predict these risks, very occasionally a test area may be recommended, particularly if you have a dark complexion. Fair skin patients who burn easily have the least risk of pigmentation.
Our experience generally indicates excellent results for sun damaged skin, superficial pigmentation, wrinkles and acne or surgical scarring. Results are generally long lasting and usually do not need to be repeated. Localised treatments for benign moles and seborrhoeic keratoses are very successful. A Fair sun damaged skin with fine wrinkles can hope for a smoother texture.
The laser machine is very expensive and the operator needs specialised, supervised training in order to use the laser safely. Our doctors are trained and have experience in the latest laser methods. Please make an appointment so that we can answer any further questions.
Usually the skin is fully resurfaced and healed between 6-10 days. At this stage, redness can be covered with make-up and ordinary duties recommenced.
Face-lift involves cutting out the loose, sagging skin and pulling tight on the muscle and skin. Chemical peels and dermabrasion also improve skin texture. Sun protection and avoidance of smoking may prevent skin damage.
Laser is often combined with other procedures performed by Dr Lanzer, such as blepharoplasty, liposuction of the neck and suture lift. Fat Transfer can improve volume loss under the skin and enhance laser results.
Dr Lanzer has performed laser treatments since its discovery and therefore has extensive experience. The most nuisance risk is pigmentation, browning of the skin in olive skin patients. Cold sores can occur if the patient has had them before and therefore a tablet is taken to suppress this. The skin may be red when healed but can be covered with make-up. Scarring and pigmentation are possible but uncommon risks.
All photographs represent one person’s experience, and results may vary for each patient. All photographs are of actual patients of Dr Lanzer. The visible change in these photographs has occurred as a result of the procedure/s undertaken. Best results are obtained when the procedure is combined with a balanced diet and exercise.
Some before and after photos shown are not exact, in that they vary in light, contrast, clothing, background, distance from camera, hairstyle and make-up.
“Click here to the before and after photos”
We offer a FREE, No Obligation Cosmetic Surgery Consultation and a detailed explanation of the procedure.
Dr Lanzer can email all patients a detailed consent form which provides information related to the surgery. This information is made available to all patients before surgery, allowing enough time for the patient to ask any questions they may have.
