Laser Resurfacing
Laser Resurfacing Options Tailored to Your Skin and Goals
Laser resurfacing can improve concerns such as sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture, and certain types of acne scars.
At Athré Facial Plastics, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Raghu Athré offers several laser resurfacing treatments with different levels of intensity, downtime, and skin-renewing effects. Treatment is selected based on your skin type, concerns, goals, and tolerance for recovery.
During your consultation, Dr. Athré can evaluate your skin and recommend the treatment approach that best matches your goals and expected recovery.
“Couldn't be any more pleased! I came in with a mindset of what I was expecting and they surpassed my expectations!”
– Julie P. (Houston, TX), facial plastic surgery patient
About Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing uses targeted energy to improve skin texture, tone, and signs of sun damage and aging. Ablative lasers remove portions of the skin’s outer layers and heat underlying tissue, while less aggressive treatments work without removing the entire surface layer.
As the skin heals and collagen remodels, treatment can improve skin texture and firmness. The degree of improvement depends on the technology used, treatment intensity, and individual skin characteristics.
Because different resurfacing treatments vary in intensity, recovery time, and the concerns they address, Dr. Athré selects treatment according to each patient’s skin, goals, and desired level of correction. Options may include:
- Fully Ablative CO2 Laser: Fully ablative CO2 resurfacing removes the treated surface layer of skin while heating underlying tissue to stimulate collagen remodeling. It may provide more substantial improvement in deeper wrinkles, texture, and sun damage, but generally involves more downtime and a longer recovery than less aggressive treatments.
- Fractional CO2 Laser: Fractional CO2 resurfacing treats microscopic columns of skin while leaving surrounding tissue untreated, allowing the skin to heal more quickly than with fully ablative resurfacing. It can be used to improve wrinkles, uneven texture, sun damage, and certain acne scars.
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): IPL is a light-based treatment rather than a laser. It can target concerns such as brown spots, sun-related discoloration, and uneven skin tone, typically with less downtime than ablative laser resurfacing.
- Erbium and Fractional Erbium Lasers: Erbium lasers can provide controlled resurfacing for concerns such as fine lines, uneven texture, and sun-damaged skin. Fractional erbium treatments treat microscopic areas of skin rather than the entire surface, allowing treatment intensity and recovery to be adjusted according to the patient’s needs.
Key Takeaways
- Treats Multiple Skin Concerns: Depending on the treatment selected, resurfacing can improve fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture and tone, sun damage, and certain acne scars.
- Treatment Is Individualized: The appropriate technology and treatment intensity depend on your skin type, concerns, goals, and tolerance for downtime.
- Resurfacing Can Stimulate Collagen Remodeling: Laser treatments can stimulate collagen production and remodeling as the skin heals, contributing to improvements in texture and firmness.
- Recovery Varies by Treatment: Less aggressive treatments may involve little downtime, while fully ablative resurfacing requires a longer healing period. Your expected recovery should be discussed before treatment.
- Treatment Selection Matters: More aggressive resurfacing can produce greater correction but generally involves more recovery and a higher risk of side effects, making appropriate patient and treatment selection important.
Benefits of Laser Resurfacing
What are the benefits of laser skin resurfacing?
- Soften fine lines and wrinkles
- Improve uneven skin texture and tone
- Reduce the appearance of sun damage and brown spots
- Improve the appearance of certain acne scars
- Stimulate collagen remodeling for firmer, smoother-looking skin
What is the laser skin resurfacing procedure like?
The treatment experience varies depending on the type and intensity of resurfacing performed. Before treatment, your skin will be cleansed and an appropriate form of anesthesia or pain control will be used. Dr. Athré will then treat the targeted areas using the selected laser and settings based on your treatment plan.
Depending on the procedure, treatment may be followed by cooling measures, ointment, or a protective dressing. More intensive ablative resurfacing generally requires more extensive aftercare than lighter treatments.
Treatment Areas
What conditions does laser skin resurfacing address?
Laser resurfacing primarily targets the face, neck, and chest, effectively addressing concerns like wrinkles, sun damage, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, and superficial acne scars.
Laser resurfacing is most commonly performed on the face and can improve concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture, sun damage, areas of discoloration, and certain acne scars. Depending on the technology used and the patient’s skin, other areas may also be treated.
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Laser resurfacing can soften fine lines and wrinkles by removing damaged surface tissue and/or stimulating collagen remodeling, depending on the treatment used.
- Sun Damage and Brown Spots: Laser and light-based treatments can improve visible signs of sun damage, including areas of unwanted pigmentation and uneven tone. The appropriate treatment depends on the type and depth of pigmentation.
- Uneven Skin Tone and Texture: Resurfacing treatments can improve uneven texture and certain types of discoloration. Treatment selection is especially important for pigmentation concerns because some skin types have a greater risk of post-treatment pigment changes.
- Certain Acne Scars: Laser resurfacing can improve the appearance and texture of certain acne scars by stimulating collagen remodeling and, with ablative treatments, removing controlled portions of damaged surface tissue. The type and depth of scarring influence which treatment is appropriate.
Candidates for Laser Resurfacing
You may be a candidate for laser skin resurfacing if you:
During your consultation, Dr. Athré will evaluate your skin type and the concerns you want to address, review your medical history and medications, and discuss your goals and tolerance for downtime. This information helps determine whether laser resurfacing is appropriate and, if so, which treatment approach and intensity may be best suited to you.
Certain skin conditions, medical factors, medications, and skin types can affect treatment selection and the risk of side effects. Dr. Athré will review these considerations with you during your consultation.
Laser Skin Resurfacing Recovery
Recovery varies depending on the type and intensity of laser resurfacing performed. More aggressive treatments generally require a longer healing period.
Following your procedure, Dr. Athré will provide aftercare instructions based on your treatment. These may include using cold compresses, following a gentle skincare routine, and protecting your skin from sun exposure. Consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is important as your skin heals and afterward.
Initial redness, swelling, peeling, or crusting may occur after treatment. These effects generally improve as the skin heals, although redness or discoloration can persist longer after more intensive resurfacing.
Results
Improvements develop as the skin heals and collagen remodeling continues. Depending on the treatment and concerns addressed, you may notice smoother texture, more even skin tone, and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, or other treated concerns.
Laser Skin Resurfacing FAQs
See below for frequently asked questions about laser skin resurfacing.