Laser Resurfacing and Wound Healing

Ablative laser treatments, whether flat beam or fractional, will result in a “wounding” of the skin tissue. These procedures are commonly used to trigger a wound healing process, which can lead to a younger and more refreshed look to aging skin. The following provides information concerning the three separate phases of the wound healing process following a laser procedure, and what actually happens to the skin after such a procedure.

Phase 1: Inflammatory

Typically, wounds from cuts, abrasions, or breaks in the skin will last approximately 48 hours.

Phase 2: Proliferative or Rebuilding

During this healing and rebuilding phase, neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages move into the site, scavenging debris from the tissue and killing any infectious organisms.

Phase 3: Remodeling

During this time, free radicals are produced in immune cells. (These are referred to as MMP’s) These MMP’s (elastase, collagenase, and inflammatory mediators such as TNFα, IL1, & PGE2 will become present in the skin. Unfortunately, as long as these inflammatory mediators are present in the skin, the rebuilding phase WILL NOT/CANNOT begin.

Increased Inflammatory Hormone Levels Have Been Linked to Cancer and Poor Wound Healing

Post laser resurfacing typically wounds a large area of the skin, causing the damage to be prolonged following a laser procedure. (up to 2 weeks or longer, as shown in the graph to the right) and remains more pronounced than typical cuts or abrasions. During laser resurfacing, skin and immune cells produce very high levels of inflammatory mediators such as chemokines, cytokines, and hormones.

Laser Resurfacing Causes Long-Term Inflammation and Delays Normal Healing Time

The process of the rebuilding phase will continue for approximately three weeks after laser resurfacing. After such time, the skin will begin the remodeling phase, where the skin becomes more resilient and stronger. It is important to note that this remodeling can last up to a year or longer.

Because laser resurfacing causes such an extreme increase in inflammatory mediators, the length of the inflammatory phase can last longer than the average 4-6 days (as long as 20 days) to remove certain necessary tissue and debris, and to get the skin ready for the rebuilding phase.

The proliferative phase (or rebuilding phase) will be delayed as long as any inflammatory mediators are present in the skin. Chronic inflammation or prolonged inflammation with high levels of PGE2 can lead to poor wound healing and scarring.

The graph above shows basal levels demonstrate prolonged PGE2 and IL-1 hormone levels in skin post laser.

Recent research has shown that laser resurfacing elevates PGE2 levels four times more than normal levels and can last up to 3 weeks longer following treatment.

These same studies also reveal increased and elevated levels of PGE2 to be extremely damaging to skin, causing poor wound healing, scarring, and hyperpigmentation.

Most recent studies have shown that by blocking inflammatory levels (specifically PGE-2), it is possible to avoid scarring and hyperpigmentation typically associated with post-laser resurfacing. By merely preventing these harmful, inflammatory levels, the healing time is accelerated, allowing the rebuilding phase to begin more quickly, thus bringing the inflammatory phase back down to a normal 48-hour period, ensuring a healthy re-epithelialization of skin tissue.

Many common cosmetic medical procedures, such as chemical peels, laser treatments, and in-office procedures such as surgeries e.g., facial, breast, liposuction, etc.), liquid nitrogen procedures, Levulan®, and Efudex® can cause post-procedure inflammation and discomfort. Any prolonged inflammation can lead to changes in the skin, causing scarring, hyperpigmentation, and even aging of the treated area.

Lorenol Labs® has performed extensive research to develop gentle and effective products that help interrupt the production of harmful inflammatory hormones that can cause damage and premature aging to the skin, reduce the appearance of redness, and improve post medical downtime to achieve better overall post-procedure results and client satisfaction.

Decreasing The Inflammatory Phase Improves Recovery Time and Results

Lorenol Labs® has designed a natural yet gentle Post Laser Recovery System specifically to provide better post laser results without the undesirable characteristics of other post treatment products such as Aquafor and Biafine. Patients will recognize a more comfortable, pleasant, and faster healing experience by using the complete post-laser system during the healing phase (see graph).

Included in this system are four specially formulated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory products that have been designed to work synergistically to help promote the healing process without irritating delicate or damaged skin. Our patented natural antioxidant-rich technology provides a complete Post Laser Recovery System, which:

 provides a soothing layer of protection that reduces irritation and helps prevent moisture loss

 reduces post procedure pain and itch with natural analgesic and antihistamine properties

 reduce high levels of inflammation, allowing the skin's barrier to reform and retain water

 accelerates the rebuilding phase (improving post-laser results and downtime)

 reduces the risk of hyperpigmentation (leaving a more youthful and healthy appearance)

 stimulates collagen and elastin production (for prolonged)

Laser Recovery System