What Can Laser Surgery Do For You?
The use of lasers in medicine is complex, and Dr. Dishell is trained in the use of lasers and understands how and when to use a laser. Dr. Dishell will decide if a laser is appropriate, and which laser is best for the situation.
In medicine, physicians can use lasers to make incisions, vaporize tumors, close blood vessels, selectively reduce pigmentation, or even treat skin wrinkles. The laser makes it possible to change tissue without making an incision. So a surgeon can treat birthmarks or damaged blood vessels, remove port-wine stains, and shrink facial "spider veins" without major surgery.
Is it any wonder that many facial plastic surgeons use lasers on a routine basis? They use the laser as a "light scalpel." The tissue is left sterile, and bleeding is greatly reduced. When the laser is used to treat port-wine stains, no cuts are made. The laser energy penetrates through the skin to shrink the abnormal blood vessels that are the cause of these marks.
Types Of Laser Surgery
Laser Skin Peeling
Lasers can be used to reduce wrinkles around the lips or eyes, even the entire face, softening fine wrinkles and removing certain blemishes on the face.
Laser Removal of Birthmarks and Skin Lesions
Port-wine stain birthmarks respond remarkably well to laser treatment. The abnormal blood vessels that cause these marks are reduced in size by the laser. This results in a lightening of the treated area. Skin growths, facial "spider veins," warts, and some tattoos respond to laser surgery. Most situations take more than one laser treatment, but some respond to a single treatment.
Dr. Dishell often uses the minimum laser intensity possible. The low intensity requires many treatments. However, the low intensity also preserves as much of the healthy tissue as possible. This produces an aesthetically pleasing result. Many of these laser surgeries are performed in the office or in our outpatient surgery center.
New Lasers
There are constant technologic advances which lead to even new applications of future generations of lasers. Please ask Dr. Dishell to discuss the latest advances with you.
Understanding The Surgery
After Dr. Dishell has indicated that a laser can be helpful in the surgery, he will explain the laser of choice and what can be accomplished. As with all surgery, the laser has its limitations. Often the results are spectacular. Dr. Dishell will give you the best judgment for the particular procedure.
Dr. Dishell may use local anesthetics to numb the treated area before the surgery. Surgery can sometimes be done in the our office; other times the surgeries are performed in our outpatient facility. Dr. Dishell will decide on the appropriate method, dictated by the nature of the surgery.
Because safety is a major component of laser use, Dr. Dishell will describe safety precautions before the surgery. If you are treated with a local anesthetic, you will be required to wear protective glasses or goggles during laser use.
What To Expect After Laser Surgery
After the surgery, you will probably experience some swelling and skin redness for several days. Antibiotic ointments may be used during the healing process. It is important for the patient to follow all the post-operative directions of Dr. Dishell, particularly in using sunblock and avoiding sun exposure.
The full impact of the laser may not be apparent for a month or two, especially with vascular deformities. Additional treatment sessions will not be scheduled until the healing process for a particular treatment is complete.
It is important for the patient to realize that lasers have specific applications. Dr. Dishell is experienced in the use of the laser and is the best source of information as to whether laser surgery is appropriate for your condition
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