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How do I prepare for this surgery? How do I prepare for this surgery? Skin preparation is very important prior to laser resurfacing. This takes six to eight weeks. Topical retinoic acid (Retin-A, Renova) is used to reduce the healing time and topical hydroquinone (Melanex) is used to reduce the risk of changes in skin color. It is necessary also to take some kind of antiviral medication (Zovirax, Valtrex) for three days before surgery and fourteen days after surgery. This reduces the risk of virus skin infections. What kind of anesthesia will be used? Most laser resurfacing in my office is completed under general anesthesia. Patients are completely asleep during the surgery and remember little or nothing of the experience. It can also be completed under local anesthesia that is supplemented with intravenous sedation. You have the choice. How is a laser resurfacing done? Laser resurfacing is done by vaporizing the superficial layers of the skin. Usually a carbon dioxide laser is used. The skin is treated multiple times until the appropriate color change in the skin is observed. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is then placed on the skin and covered with plastic film or cool moist packs. How long will I be in the operating room? The length of time it takes to complete laser resurfacing is about one hour. You will spend about two to three hours in my office. Frequently, other surgery is combined with laser resurfacing increasing the time to complete the operation(s). For safety reasons, I limit the maximum time for surgery on each patient to six hours on a given day.
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