Optimize Laser Treatments Before Plastic Surgery: Timing & Techniques

Timing Your Laser Treatments Before Plastic Surgery: What You Need to Know

Timing your laser treatments before plastic surgery is an important consideration to ensure the best possible outcome for your procedure. Here are a few key points to keep in mind when planning your laser treatments:

Wait At Least 2 Months Before Getting Plastic Surgery

It's generally recommended that you wait at least 2 months prior to your plastic surgery to have your last laser treatment. This allows enough time for any redness or irritation caused by the laser to heal and for your skin to return to its normal state. In order to achieve optimal results, it's recommended that you undergo at least 5 laser treatments before your surgery. This gives your skin the chance to respond well to the treatments and for the desired effects to take place.

In general, it's best to avoid any intense laser treatments that may cause significant redness, swelling, or bruising before the surgery. Both CO2 and Erbium laser resurfacing will definitely cause such issues, and it's suggested that consulting with your surgeon and laser technician prior to the surgery and planning your laser treatment schedule accordingly would be the best approach to take.

Why Timing is Essential

Timing your laser treatments correctly before plastic surgery is essential to achieving the best possible results. This is because laser treatments work by stimulating the production of collagen, which is the protein that gives skin its elasticity and firmness. Collagen takes time to rebuild, so it's important to allow enough time between your last laser treatment and your plastic surgery to allow your skin to heal fully.

If you don't allow enough time for your skin to heal, you run the risk of complications during and after your surgery. For example, if your skin is still red or irritated from a recent laser treatment, your surgeon may not be able to perform the surgery as safely or as effectively as they would be able to otherwise. Also, if your skin is still healing from a laser treatment, it may be more vulnerable to infection or other complications after surgery.

Undergo At Least 5 Laser Treatments

It's also important to undergo at least 5 laser treatments before your surgery. The reason for this is that it can take several laser treatments for the effects of the laser to become fully visible. If you only undergo a few treatments, you may not see the full benefits of the laser and your skin may not be in the best condition for your surgery.

Work Closely with Your Surgeon and Laser Technician

It's important to work closely with both your laser technician and plastic surgeon to ensure that your laser treatments are timed correctly in relation to your surgery. Your surgeon will be able to advise you on the best timing for your specific procedure, based on factors such as the type of surgery you're having, your overall health, and your skin type.

Avoid Last-Minute Intense Laser Treatments

Finally, it's important to avoid any intense laser treatments that may cause significant redness, swelling, or bruising before surgery. Intense laser resurfacing treatments can cause significant inflammation, which can make it difficult for your surgeon to see your skin clearly and work effectively. Instead, you could opt for milder, non-ablative laser treatments that don't cause significant damage to the skin, such as Fraxel, IPL, and gentle laser.

By following these guidelines and working closely with both your laser technician and plastic surgeon, you can ensure that your laser treatments are timed correctly and that your skin is in the best possible condition for your plastic surgery. This can help to minimize the risk of complications and ensure that you achieve the best possible results from your procedure.

Disclaimer: Information in this blog is for illustrative purposes only. Information provided in social media, through our website, appointments, and consultations are not intended to replace, substitute, or delay the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. There are risks with any cosmetic product or treatment. Results are never guaranteed, and some conditions could return or become worse. Use of our social media and our appointments are subject to our terms and policies found on our website.

IVONNE is a Permanent Makeup, Skincare, and Laser Clinic. Plastic surgery is not available at IVONNE. Consult with your physician for Plastic Surgery options and providers near you.

If you are a physician looking to coordinate your patient's treatment with IVONNE, please consider scheduling a referring physician consultation appointment.