Pohen - How does a person's face look like during recovery for SmartXide laser? how long does the swelling and redness last? is there any 'bronzing' periord or the skin turn very dark then peel heavily or just like flaking off some dead cells? safe for Asian? The recovery from SmartXide DOT therapy varies from patient to patient but generally lasts around 5 days. You will be red for the first several days and essentially look like you had too much sun at the beach. Between day 2-3, you will start to peel and this process is generally over by day 5 but can last a little longer in patients with really dry skin or if moisturizer is not liberally applied. Peeling is expedited by keeping the skin moist at all times with moisturizer. In some patients, there is temporary (1-2 days) swelling around the eyes and sometimes neck (areas of thin skin). Swelling is expedited by ice, head elevation and Ibuprofen. In terms of ethnic skin, it depends on the level of pigmentation. Skin type is often categorized according to the Fitzpatrick classification which ranges from very fair (skin type I) to very dark (skin type VI). The higher the score, the more likely you will have problems with changes in pigment (hypo or hyperpigmentation). Treating patients with Fitzpatrick scores 4 and above is complicated and has to be handled on a case by case basis. I can treat Fitzpatrick 4s with lower energy settings and pre-treatment with Hydroquinone to help prevent pigment change. Fitzpatrick 5 and above is a score that we do not treat at The Refine Insitute. Asian skin has quite a range of Fitzpatrick subtypes, so I have to individually evaluate each person to give a definitive answer on whether or not they are appropriate for DOT therapy.
Dr. Pratt -
