Whether you’re dealing with wrinkles, fine lines, lingering acne scars, or sun damage, laser resurfacing can help rejuvenate your complexion and restore a fresh, youthful glow to your skin. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about laser resurfacing, from how it works to the different types of laser resurfacing available at DermaBlue, and what to expect during a laser resurfacing treatment.
What Is Laser Resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure that uses laser technology to remove the outer layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and promoting the growth of new, healthy skin cells. The process works by using concentrated beams of light to target specific areas of the skin, improving texture, tone, and overall appearance.
Here at DermaBlue, laser resurfacing is used to treat and reduce imperfections in the skin:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone or pigmentation
- Acne Scars
- Age spots, brown spots, or sunspots
- Enlarged pores
- Stretch marks
One of the great things about laser resurfacing is that it can also be used on the face, neck, hands to treat age-related imperfections and scarring.
The Two Main Types of Laser Resurfacing
There are two main types: ablative and non-ablative lasers. These two types have different use cases, and the type of laser resurfacing you’ll need depends on a variety of factors and your ultimate goals.
1. Ablative Lasers
Ablative lasers work by removing the thin, outermost layer of the skin and heating the underlying layers of skin, stimulating collagen production. Ablative laser resurfacing is more intense and generally requires more recovery time but yields dramatic results. Common types of ablative lasers include:
CO2 Lasers: CO2 laser resurfacing is highly effective for treating deep wrinkles, scars, and other significant imperfections. They remove layers of skin and can deliver substantial rejuvenation.
Erbium Lasers: These are often used for more superficial wrinkles and fine lines. They are less invasive than CO2 lasers, leading to faster healing times.
2. Non-Ablative Lasers
Non-ablative lasers target the deeper layers of the skin without removing the outer layer. These lasers are less invasive and require less recovery time and peeling. However, more than one laser resurfacing treatment is typically necessary to achieve desired results.
Fractional Lasers: Fractional lasers create tiny columns of heat within the skin, leaving the surrounding skin intact. This speeds up healing and minimizes downtime. Fractional CO2 and erbium lasers are popular in this category.
Pulsed-Dye Lasers: This treatment is often used to treat redness, broken capillaries, and rosacea. These lasers can target blood vessels without affecting the outer layer of skin.
What to Expect During A Laser Resurfacing Treatment Procedure
Before the Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment
Before your laser skin resurfacing treatment, your laser technician or other qualified provider will first need to assess your skin to determine which type of laser resurfacing is best suited to your needs. They may recommend a series of treatments for the best possible laser resurfacing results, especially for non-ablative lasers.
Your DermaBlue expert will likely give you specific pre-treatment care instructions tailored to your skin, but here’s generally what to expect and how to prepare for your treatment:
- Avoid direct or intense sun exposure for at least 2 weeks before the procedure and wear sun screen whenever possible.
- Don’t use exfoliating products or retinoids.
What to Expect During the Laser Resurfacing Treatment
The procedure typically takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of the area being treated and the type of laser used. Here’s what happens during your laser resurfacing procedure:
- Cleansing: Your skin will be thoroughly cleaned to remove oils, dirt, and makeup.
- Anesthesia: Depending on the intensity of the procedure, a topical anesthetic, local anesthetic, or sedation may be used to make the treatment more comfortable.
- Laser Application: The device is carefully and precisely passed over the target areas of your skin. You may feel warmth, burning, or stinging, though discomfort is minimal with non-ablative lasers.
- Cooling: Some devices have built-in cooling mechanisms to reduce discomfort and prevent overheating of the skin.
After the Treatment
Immediately after the procedure, your skin may feel sensitive and appear red or swollen, similar to a sunburn, and there may be some oozing or crusting as the skin heals—especially with the more intense ablative treatment.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery time depends largely on the type of treatment. Ablative treatments are more intensive and remove a layer of skin, so it might take 1-2 weeks for initial healing. On the other hand, non-ablative laser resurfacing treatments very little downtime.
Your DermaBlue expert will provide aftercare instructions that are pertinent to your specific treatment and skin, but here are some general aftercare tips for laser resurfacing:
- Keep the skin moisturized: Use a moisturizer or ointment recommended to you by your laser technician to keep your skin hydrated as it heals. You’ll want to look for fragrance-free and extremely gentle moisturizers to prevent irritating your skin as it regrows.
- Avoid sun exposure: Your skin will be highly sensitive to the sun after a treatment. Use a high-SPF sunscreen daily and wear a hat and protective clothing when applicable.
- Avoid harsh products: Do not use exfoliating products, retinoids, and chemical peels until your skin is fully healed—this will hurt and slow down the healing process!
- Manage swelling and redness: Applying ice packs or using anti-inflammatory creams (if recommended) can help with swelling. Redness may last several weeks for ablative treatments.
- Follow your specialist’s aftercare instructions: Follow all advice provided to by your DermaBlue expert to ensure the best results and healing.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Before & After
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Laser resurfacing is generally quite safe when performed by a qualified professional. However, as with any cosmetic treatment, there are potential risks and possible side effects:
- Redness and swelling: Redness is to be expected, since we’re talking about removing and heating layers of skin, but the swelling is temporary.
- Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation: Some individuals, especially those with darker skin tones, may experience changes in skin color. Your DermaBlue expert will vet carefully to ensure this doesn’t happen.
- Infection: Infections are rare with proper aftercare, but is possible for some susceptible patients.
- Scarring: While highly uncommon, there is a slight risk of scarring, particularly with ablative lasers.
Be sure to be open and honest about your medical history, and discuss any concerns with your dermatologist prior to the procedure to minimize the risks.
How to Choose the Right Provider
If you want your treatment to be safe and effective, choosing a qualified and experienced provider is super important. Here’s what to look for in a laser resurfacing specialist:
- Experience: Ask how many procedures they’ve performed, particularly with the type of laser recommended for you.
- Reviews and Results: Before committing to treatment anywhere, check reviews, before-and-after photos, and testimonials from previous patients.
- Consultation: The best treatment providers will offer a thorough consultation before suggesting a laser resurfacing treatment. During this consultation, they should assess your skin and provide personalized recommendations based on your particular goals with the treatment.
See If Laser Resurfacing at DermaBlue is Right for Your Goals
Laser resurfacing is a safe and effective tool for achieving smoother, younger-looking skin. Whether you’re looking to address deep wrinkles, acne scars, or just want to treat a bit of sun damage, there are a variety of laser resurfacing options to fit your needs.
Schedule your free consultation with one of our experts to see if your skin concerns can be effectively treated with our lasers here at DermaBlue. During this 30-minute consultation, we’ll sit down with you to go over medical history, beauty goals, and determine if laser skin resurfacing is right for you.
If you have any other questions in the meantime, we’re here to help! Contact us today.
Lase Resurfacing FAQ
Laser resurfacing does involve some discomfort, depending on the type of laser and intensiveness of the laser resurfacing treatment you decide on. Patients often liken it to a rubber band snapping on the skin.
Most patients find laser resurfacing to be highly effective for reducing wrinkles, scarring, and sun damage, and overall one of the most effective treatments out there for these specific concerns. It stimulates collagen growth in the healing process, so it’s a great “natural” alternative to plastic surgery, expensive creams that don’t work, and injectables.
Laser resurfacing isn’t an age-specific treatment, although it does work wonders on age-related skin issues like wrinkles and brown spots.
Younger patients with uneven skin texture or acne scarring can benefit greatly from laser resurfacing, while older patients can reap the regenerative and restorative benefits of collagen stimulation and wrinkle-reduction.
