Using the energy emitted from a laser beam, laser skin resurfacing can help rejuvenate the skin of the face, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and minimize surface scars.  The procedure can be performed on the entire face or localized to specific areas, and is commonly used in conjunction with other procedures such as a facelift.

How It's Done

Like with any skin resurfacing procedure, including chemical peels and dermabrasion, laser resurfacing works by stripping away the top layers of dead skin, leaving the way for new cells to appear, creating tighter and younger looking skin.  The procedure is almost always performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, and it usually takes place in a surgical facility or your doctor's office, though it is sometimes done in a local hospital, depending upon your physician's preference. 

During the procedure, which can last anywhere between a few minutes and an hour and a half, the laser will be activated and passed back and forth over the treatment area.  The depth with which the laser penetrates the skin can be controlled by the surgeon according to the desired correction.

Technology

Depending upon the wants and needs of the patient, the doctor will choose between one of two different types of lasers.  The first type is a pulsed carbon dioxide laser, the strongest of three, capable of more dramatic corrections.  A carbon dioxide laser is usually only used to treat the entire face because the large amount of tissue removal causes inconsistency in color and depth. 

The second type is called erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG).  This laser works best for small areas, minor or superficial wrinkles, and is better suited for patients with darker skin tones.  The combination of these two lasers is gaining popularity because it can produce greater effects with a shorter recovery period.

Recovery / Post Op

After surgery a dressing will be applied, and will remain for two days.  After the second day of recovery you should wash your face 2-3 times a day with Cetaphil soap, making sure not to rub your skin and pat gently with a towel when drying.  You will also need to soak the skin for at least 15 minutes 3-4 times a day, and then apply Vaseline after soaking until the skin has healed.  The recovery after Er:YAG laser treatment is much shorter than when the carbon dioxide laser is used.

Skin care after laser treatment is very important.  You should be cautious when out in the sun and wear sunscreen of SPF 25 or more for at least a year afterward.

Complications

Instances of complications are rare, though more common with the carbon dioxide laser, but can include the following:

• Erythema (abnormal skin redness and inflammation caused by congested and dilated capillaries)
• Hyperpigmentation
• Scarring
• Infection

Am I A Candidate?

The best candidates for laser skin resurfacing are acne free and have light skin.  The darker the patient's skin, the more difficult it is to achieve desired results with laser skin resurfacing. 

Cost

The national average surgeon fee for 2003 was $2,378 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).