Laser Facelifts

For laser facelifts and skin resurfacing, we perform PEARL laser resurfacing and fractional therapy using Cutera's laser. We hope these questions and answers will help give you information about our procedure and help you make your decision as to whether you would like to proceed with a laser treatment consultation with us.

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Questions and Answers about Pearl Laser Treatments

Q. Who should have a Pearl Laser Resurfacing?
A. Anyone can have a Pearl Resurfacing, especially if they have sun damage, open pores, fine lines and wrinkles, mild acne scarring, or would like fresher looking skin.


Q. Who should have a Pearl Fractional Treatment?
A. Damaged skin with deep lines, wrinkles, deep acne scarring or very rough open pored skin will benefit.


Q. What is a Pearl Fusion?
A. This is a treatment that is a combination of the two. Pearl treatments carried out simultaneously, thus cutting the ‘downtime’ to the same as an individual treatment but giving a more successful finished result, which will continue to improve for six months.


Q. Why do the two need to be done together usually?
A. Usually to give a more powerful result with no extra risk and a similar downtime.


Q. What can I expect from these treatments?
A. A more youthful, glowing skin, with a reduction in the depth of lines, pores, sun damage and scar tissue. Please see our before and after results for more information.


Q. How long will the effects last for?
A. The results are ongoing with perhaps a second treatment required for a few patients and the ‘real’ result will continue for up to six months. The majority of patients have one treatment but some people benefit from repeat treatments.


Q. Will it make my skin more sensitive?
A. No, it will make the skin more robust and able to cope with the ravages of the environment, however we strongly suggest the continuous use of the specialist skincare products to be used long term post treatment, especially a suitable Sunblock.


Q. How much time does the treatment take?
A. The amount of time the laser is placed on the skin is approximately 30 minutes, however, two hours are booked out for each treatment for skin prepping and post treatment recovery and home care instruction.


Q. What age is this treatment suitable for?
A. All ages are able to have this treatment, however, older skin may take longer to recover. Younger skin usually has this treatment for Acne scarring and may need more than one treatment in the worst affected areas.


Q. How much does it cost?
A. A full face Pearl Resurfacing costs £1,000, smaller areas such as the eyes can be as little as £250. A Pearl Fractional Full Face treatment costs an additional £1,500, and £250 for smaller areas such as the eyes can be done.


Q. How much time off work do I need?
A. One week is the minimum amount of time suggested for a Pearl Resurfacing treatment, a Pearl Fusion is more likely to be 10 days, with some level of epidermal redness present for up to a month, which can be covered with foundation.


Q. Do I need to prepare my skin in any way before treatment?
A. No preparation is required prior to the treatment being performed.


Q. How long does the effect of the laser last?
A. Depending on the extent of the dermal damage present on the skin, one or more treatments may be needed. However, most people may not feel the need for a subsequent treatment.


Q. When can I get another treatment?
A. A subsequent treatment can be safely carried out after one month.


Q. Is it painful? If so when will the pain subside and can you describe what it may feel like?
A. Correct anesthetic cream (Emla) for 45 minutes prior to the laser application, renders the skin virtually numb, the heat post treatment is quite intense for approximately 20 minutes and feels like very hot sunburn. The ‘sunburnt’ tenderness of the skin usually lasts approximaterly 24-48 hours post treatment, the skin is very red for several days, and then turns brown and starts to slough off to show the new epidermis showing underneath. Prior to the skin shedding usually on day four the skin becomes very tight and the sloughing/peeling releases the tightness.


Q. How long is the recovery?
A. The first week is the most active for the skin, and approximately two to three weeks of uneven discoloration may remain after treatment, this can be safely covered with foundation, preferably mineral powder.


Q. What should I expect to happen to my skin after treatment?
A. Your skin will be red and tender for a couple of days and this inflammation gradually subsides after a few days. The skin should continue to change for up to six months, with improvements in the quality of skin texture, vascularity, colour, and condition, as well as improvement in depth of lines and scar tissue if incorporated with the Pearl Fractional.


Q. Are their any review appointments, do we charge for them, and how often?
A. Post care phone calls are daily for the first few days after treatment, and a post treatment review is usually 10 – 14 days after the treatment. We do not charge for these appointments.


Q. Will products be recommended after the treatment and are they a separate cost?
A. Specialist products are recommended both prior and/or post treatment for the continued improvement of the skin’s functioning and protection, and these are separate to the cost of the treatment. Specialist post care products are supplied for the duration of the Laser treatment and these are included in the initial treatment cost, and are recommended to be used exclusively until the first clinic review. In most cases the cost of the recommended products do not exceed a few hundred pounds for six months supply.


Q. What if it doesn’t work? And why would that be?
A. This would be a very rare occurrence and if this is the case subsequent treatments or combination treatments may have already been discussed with the Laser practitioner, however, the effects of the Laser are ongoing for approximately six months, so even if the effects are not immediately visible, this may not mean the treatment has not worked, this may apply to acne scarring and rough textured skins.


Q. Can adverse reactions occur and how are they managed?
A. The skin has to have some kind of reaction for the treatment to be successful, so swelling and tenderness is expected for several days, and can be managed with mild pain relief and tablets. However, excessive discomfort or pain is not expected but could occur on a small number of clients, and may require a prescription if a mild infection occurs, also some clients may experience a cold sore if they are prone and an anti viral is recommended if susceptible to outbreaks.


Q. Is medication required following treatment? And any that I should avoid?
A. Medication is not specifically required following treatment, however, if a complication occurs, then you may require treatment. There is no specific contraindication to any medication, however, treatment would not be carried out on a patient taking photo sensitive medication or any form of cancer medication. A good wellness level is required to have this treatment.


Q. When should I expect my skin to peel and how long will I be peeling for?
A. Peeling usually occurs on day 3-4, and may continue for several days, and the skin may feel dry and flaky for a couple of weeks.


Q. When can I put on makeup?
A. Makeup can be safely applied to the skin after the majority of the peeling has occurred.


Q. Is it only the face that can be treated?
A. At present the company recommends we only perform treatment on the face and upper neck/jawline, although other areas have been treated cautiously such as the Décolleté and hands.


Q. How long does the consultation take? Are there any leaflets given? How long can I take to consider whether to have a treatment?
A. The initial consultation usually takes 45 minutes, and all aspects of the treatment are covered in this time, including consultation form, before and after photo display, recommended leaflets are supplied if required, and there is no time limit as to when the treatment needs to be carried out, this is an individual decision based on time available for recovery.


Q. Are there any consent forms given?
A. Yes, consent forms must be signed and all aspects of the treatment will be made clear to the patient prior to consent.


Q. I have been told that Lasers will make me sick, is this true?
A. This is untrue, as most lasers are minimally invasive treatments so do not cause any illnesses, however, a full medical consent form must be completed and signed prior to treatment, although Epilepsy patients cannot be treated under any circumstances.

POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PEARL LASER TREATMENT

• Apply Almond Oil ,Rescue or Cetaphil lotion to treated areas 3-4 times a day or more if needed to maintain a continuous layer on your skin for the first 3-4 days. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands prior to touching your face.
• Do not put ANY other creams, ointments or products of any kind on your face until you are told it is ok to do so.
• Do not pick, rub, scrub or irritate your skin in any way while healing.
• You can leave the oil or ointment on and soak the treated area with a clean scot cloth and the following solution: 1 teaspoon of plain white vinegar to 2 cups of water. This solution may be mixed up ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator.
• Washing at least twice daily with a mild non-soap cleanser such as Gentle Cleanser/Cetaphil can be done in place of soaks.
• Apply a layer of oil, rescue ointment or Cetaphil lotion to the treated area immediately after soaking. If the skin gets dry or scabbed you need to soak more often. You can if required continue dabbing the skin with damp cloth if it is feeling uncomfortable prior to sloughing.
• Skin may be red for the first 3-7 days or longer and then turn darker as the skin begins to slough (peel). The skin will continue to be red or discoloured for anything up to four weeks, and the ‘active’ progress of the skin will continue for up to six months. The skin can be covered with makeup or mineral powder after the ‘sloughing’ has mostly finished.
• Edema (swelling) may also occur. Sleeping on 2 pillows with your head elevated is helpful.
• The skin will usually start sloughing on day 3 or 4. Do not pick at it but allow skin to slough off on its’ own. This is done by saturating the skin with water and then gently massaging the skin with the oil and then gently rubbing off any skin that has come looses with the massaging, this can be done frequently during the sloughing period.
• It is OK to shower but do not let the shampoo or hair products get on the face. Do a soak after the shower followed by oil and rescue.
• It is normal for skin to feel “sunburned” and/or tight.
• Ibuprofen or similar pain relief may be used if needed.
• Do not expose your skin to the sun. Remember UVA light passes through the house and car windows.
• Make-up may be worn after the majority of skin has sloughed usually day 4 or 5. I recommend pure mineral make up with a SPF.
• You can resume use of your regular cleanser/moisturizers after sloughing is complete. Although we strongly suggest using ‘long term’ the specialist products recommended by the clinic for more specific success at continuing correction of the skin.
• The use of sunscreen with a high SPF of 20 or greater is very important after sloughing to maintain results and help prevent post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darker areas). Again suggested products are strongly recommended.
• An increased sensitivity or irritation to anything that comes in contact with your skin such as detergents, fabric softeners or dryer sheets in pillowcases, sheets and clothes may occur.
• If you experience itching, an over the counter antihistamine may be helpful.
• Please call us on 0141-552 0828 if you experience increased pain, drainage, severe redness or fever, increased itching, the appearance of a cold sore, blister or a similar tingling sensation, or if at any time you feel that you are not healing normally.

We now provide laser facelift and skin resurfacing consultations in both our Glasgow and Edinburgh clinics. Please Contact Us today for more information or to book an appointment.