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Overview
What Is Laser Resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic treatment that uses controlled laser energy to remove, heat, or remodel selected layers of skin. Depending on the laser and its settings, the treatment may work mainly on the surface or reach deeper layers to encourage new collagen formation. Common goals include improving the appearance of fine lines, uneven tone and texture, sun damage, acne scars, and some other scars, but results vary from person to person.
Who It's For
Who Is Laser Resurfacing For?
People may consider laser resurfacing for fine lines, uneven skin tone or texture, sun damage, acne scars, and selected surgical or traumatic scars. Some laser facial treatments may also support a smoother or firmer-looking appearance, but the best approach depends on the concern being treated. An in-person skin assessment is needed to determine candidacy and whether another laser treatment, procedure, or skin-care plan may be more appropriate.
- Potential candidates should have a specific cosmetic concern and realistic expectations about improvement.
- Active infection, significant inflammation, or a recent tan may require postponing treatment.
- A history of abnormal scarring, pigment changes, or cold sores should be discussed before treatment.
- The clinician should review medications, skin conditions, and previous procedures before recommending resurfacing.
Preparation
How to Prepare for Laser Resurfacing
During the consultation, the clinician will examine your skin and may take photographs, review your medical history and medicines, and discuss pain control or anesthesia. They will select the laser approach, settings, and treatment depth based on your goals and skin characteristics. Preparation for CO2 laser resurfacing or fractional laser surgery may be more involved than preparation for a lighter treatment.
- Avoid intentional tanning and follow the clinician’s instructions about sun protection before treatment.
- Use only recommended skin-care products and pause specific products or medicines when instructed.
- Arrange transportation and help at home if anesthesia, sedation, or a more intensive treatment is planned.
- Tell the clinician about cold sores, allergies, scarring history, skin conditions, and all medicines or supplements.
During the Procedure / What to Expect
What Happens During Laser Resurfacing?
The treatment area is cleansed and protected, and numbing cream, local anesthesia, cooling, or another comfort measure may be used when needed. The clinician then delivers laser pulses or passes over the planned area before applying soothing ointment, dressings, or other protective wound care. Sensations may include warmth, snapping, stinging, or heat, and treatment time varies with the laser type, depth, and size of the area.
| Approach | Treatment depth | Typical course |
|---|---|---|
| Fractional or nonablative | Treats selected columns or deeper layers without removing the entire surface | Often involves several sessions and shorter recovery |
| Ablative, including some CO2 treatments | Removes or vaporizes more of the outer skin surface | May provide more dramatic change with longer healing |
Risks & Benefits
Benefits and Risks of Laser Resurfacing
POTENTIAL BENEFITS
May improve selected wrinkles, sun damage, uneven texture, acne scars, and overall skin appearance.
POTENTIAL RISKS AND LIMITS
Results vary, and treatment may cause prolonged redness, pigment changes, infection, scarring, discomfort, or incomplete improvement; repeat treatment may be needed.
SAFETY
Plan carefully for deeper treatments
Deeper CO2 laser treatment and treatment of darker or recently tanned skin may carry a greater risk of pigment changes and healing complications. A qualified clinician should assess your skin and tailor the settings and aftercare plan.
Recovery
Recovery After Laser Resurfacing
Redness, swelling, sensitivity, peeling, or crusting can occur after treatment. Recovery depends on the treatment depth, area treated, individual skin response, and whether the procedure was ablative or nonablative. More intensive laser resurfacing may require more downtime before normal activities and may need careful wound care.
- Clean and protect the treated skin exactly as directed by the clinician.
- Do not pick peeling or crusted skin while it heals.
- Use broad-spectrum sun protection and avoid direct sun exposure during recovery.
- Return for scheduled follow-up so healing and any complications can be assessed.
Before & After
Laser Resurfacing Before and After
Patients may notice changes in skin texture, tone, fine lines, sun damage, or the appearance of selected scars. Results depend on the starting condition, laser settings, number of sessions, healing, sun exposure, and ongoing skin care. Laser scar removal and acne scar removal laser treatments may soften the appearance of scars without making every scar disappear.
INTERPRETING RESULTS
Review comparisons realistically
Before-and-after photographs should be representative, consented, and taken with consistent lighting, positioning, and healing intervals. Photographs can illustrate possible changes, but they cannot guarantee the result an individual will achieve.
When to Call a Doctor
When to Call a Doctor After Laser Resurfacing
- Contact the treating clinician for worsening pain, spreading redness, increasing warmth, pus, or fever.
- Seek prompt advice for unexpected bleeding, extensive blistering, severe swelling, or skin discoloration that worsens.
- Get urgent medical care for vision changes, severe eye pain, facial weakness, or trouble breathing.
- Report healing that is not progressing as expected or any concern about infection or scarring.
Diseases & Conditions
1 topic
Laser Resurfacing
Acne Scarring Treatment
