Rosacea Laser Treatment Infection

Laser therapy is a medical procedure and all medical procedures carry some degree of risk. You need to fully understand and weigh the risks and possible side effects of the procedure you are considering with your surgeon along with the potential benefits to determine if this procedure is the best fit for what you are hoping to accomplish.

The skin reflects, transmits and absorbs the energy emitted from light whether that light is sun light or the directed light from the laser. The heat or thermal energy changes the cell structure of the skin. This can be seen in sun damage to skin from sunburn, or rejuvenation of the collagen building cells from light therapy. But light therapy can have unwanted side effects, not only temporary side effects listed on the previous page but as the laser removes layers of skin, the risk of infection can occur. Anytime the skin surface is burned, or abraded small cracks or fissures open up in the skin's surface. Fungal, viral, and bacterial infections are all a possibility. Bacteria from contact with sea water, lake water, airborne pollutants and bacteria transferred from the skin's surface can enter the body from the fissures in the skin. Bacterial infections such as pseudomonal or staphylococcal are most common in cases of deeper tissue removal resulting in the need for prolonged wound dressings, Herpes simplex virus can be reactivated as a result of laser resurfacing and hair removal procedures, and candida infections may occur or re-occur. To minimize the risk of infection, be sure your surgeon knows your full medical history so that steps can be taken reduce the risk of infections.

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