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A laser is a machine that emits a beam of high intensity light. There are many different kinds of lasers with different wavelength, colour and intensity. Eye specialists have been using lasers for many years. They are used to treat the retina and often following cataract surgery to improve vision, and more recently on the cornea (the front of the eye) to improve the vision of those wearing spectacles.
Over the years laser technology has improved enabling its use in many different areas of the body. CO2 Laser has been used with good effect for treating skin wrinkles and although effective can have some undesirable side effects. Erbium laser, a newer form of laser, is as effective as the CO2 for wrinkles with a much lower complication rate. Dr Lamb has both CO2 and Erbium Lasers and only uses the CO2 for making skin incisions for lid surgery and uses the Erbium exclusively for rejuvenating skin and removing skin lesions. Dr Lamb also uses other lasers for skin treatments. These include a 3rd Generation Ruby Laser with Q switch for hair and tattoo removal.
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The laser precisely vaporises layers of the skin, removing the damaged superficial layers, it stimulates the deeper layers to produce new collagen thus improving skin texture and reducing wrinkles. The advantage of the Erbium over the CO2 is that the Erbium is a cold laser and does not produce heat damage to the deeper layers as does the CO2. Therefore the risk of pigmentary problems and scarring is greatly reduced and the recovery period is much shorter.
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| The treatment can be concentrated on eyelids or around the mouth, however the entire face can be resurfaced in one treatment. There are two different levels of treatment to choose from. Laser Resurfacing which is the treatment that produces maximum results or for a quicker recovery time with a lighter treatment, a Laser Peel.
Sun or age spots, freckles, acne scarring, facial scars from previous surgery or injury, chloasma (increased pigment changes on the face), hyperkeratosis (sunspots) and benign skin tags and lesions can all be treated.
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Light treatments can be done with local anaesthetic cream however for deeper more effective treatments local anaesthetic injections and sedation are desirable.
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It takes approximately one and a half-hours for a full face.
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For the first 5-6 days the skin will weep with some bleeding. Some redness may persist for a further week or two. Sun exposure must be completely avoided during this period. Sun block should be used for at least six weeks post-operatively and is recommended as a routine to maintain the result. Antibiotics and anti-virals are required for the week following the procedure.
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Before Treatment
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After 4 Lids - Blepharoplasty + Full Face Resurface using Erbium Laser
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Bacterial or viral infection is a possibility but unlikely. Scarring has been reported following the use of the CO2 Laser however this is unlikely with the Erbium Laser. Pigmentary changes to the skin have also been reported following the use of the CO2 and again this is most unlikely following the use of the Erbium Laser.
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| Dr Lamb has a dedicated operating theatre for cosmetic laser surgery. His staff includes a specialist anaesthetist and two fully trained theatre nurses. Other surgery, for example brow elevation or lid surgery, can be performed at the same time as the resurfacing. Photographs are available of previous patients showing post-operative results.
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Before - 4 Lids - Blepharoplasty and Full Face Resurfacing
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After Full Face Resurfacing using Erbium Laser and Upper
& Lower Lid Blepharoplasty.
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| Copyright©2001. Dr Archie Lamb. All Rights Reserved. |
| This
page was last updated on Sunday May 26, 2002. |
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| This site was designed by MURFMEDIA |
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