Laser Resurfacing Reviews

People should be aware that there is a huge difference between the Yag:erbium and the CO2. For lighter or moderate scarring the Erbium should be used as it can provide in many cases the same results (if done by the right doctor) while having much less downtime or chance of hypopigmentation (white marks).

The smooth beam is also a good method for reducing oil, shrinking pores and preventing future breakouts while at the same time stimulating collagen. It is quite cheap here in Canada. I myself go once a month and usually spend around 50-75 dollars.

The v-beam is a good choice for reducing/preventing redness or 'flush' and as a bonus stimulates collagen.

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For lighter/moderate scarring- use s-beam combined with micro-derm for at least 6 months...then erbium if that fails

Moderate/heavy- Erbium, and C02 only as last resort and make sure it is done by a very experienced physician

Ice pick scars- s-beam combined with micro-dermabrasion is very affective

redness- v-beam

For the emotional/psyc aspect..i really suggest seeing a psychologist/therapist...very helpful..and SSRI's and anti-depressents can be very helpful in many cases.
Good luck.

(ps. my rating is for the s-beam/v-beam lasers only)

Absolutely not worth it!!
I had the C02laser resurfacing exactly one year ago
I am in my late forties but had very nice skin - very little sun damage to begin with but some lines around my eye. I went to top doctor and paid top $$$ - he assured me that since it was already in good condition the results would be amazing.
The recovery was a nightmare - very painful (even worse than the back surgery I had several years ago). As for the results, well it barely softened the lines around my eyes. Worse yet, it left ice pick scarring on my checks which had been totally smooth. I am not happy and do not recommend this procedure!
My

Just had laser resurfacing done 5 days ago. Thought I would die from the pain! I am now in the "glop" stage of recovery (aquapor on face 6-8 times a day) and I must say that right now I'm not too sure this was all worth it. No wrinkles remain on my face, looks like some of the acne scarring remains...but I am still very swollen. And very red. Reading the other comments really frightens me, because I had no knowledge beforehand of what to expect post-operative on this procedure. But I think I paid much less than the others on this forum for the procedure, and I had it done at a 1st class hospital, the Cleveland Clinic. The doctor is optomistic on my recovery. Time will tell...

Had two dermabrasions followed by one laser surgery.
In certain lighting it did produce much smoother results.
However, in other types, such as recessed lighting (my personal favorite) I still look like the elephant man.

Had laser resurfacing back in 1998 for mild-moderate acne scaring. The redness did not disappear until 6-8 months afterwards, and left a dime-sized hypopigmentation spot (white spot)in one area. Not worth the money and *extended* recovery time.

Had laser resurfacing about 3 years ago by a dermatologist who is supposed to be the best in the city. It was only for a few icepick scars on my forehead. The scars are now a little less deep but still almost the same. And I was left with new scars, too. I wish I'd had other people's comments to read like this before I went. He suggested I came back a second time. No thanks.

This forum confirms my thoughts about the "ablative" (invasive) lasers for acne scarring. They are not all they're "cracked" up to be...but the Doctors love them b/c they can charge 5,000.

I think the best way to go is with PULSE DYED LASERS (IE. Candela Smoothbeam Laser) or Dermabrasion (probably the least expensive procedure).

I had 4 treatments with a Pulse-Dyed Candela Smoothbeam Laser. I think it helped! It's almost been a year since I had the last treatment and I'm starting to notice my face not looking as good. I'm going to go back again for another procedure. One must have a procedure done every 6 months after the inital 4-6 treatments. By the way, the procedure for the pulse dyed laser is just an "in and out" visit to the office and you look completely normal after the procedure and back to work (or home). You are required to wear numbing cream which kills the pain from the pulses. Only a little feeling of puffiness after the procedure but you are fine the next day, with no redness...very simple.

Basically, the pulse dyed laser stimulates your skin to produce collagen and it fills in the pores. The only negative is that it destroys your Sebacious glands (oil glands) ... you definitely want to consider this before going in the procedure. I would only get the scarring areas treated.

I found a place that only charged 100 / procedure for the Candela Smoothbeam (full face). I know many doctors charge 400-500 / procedure for the laser...the treatment is so easy it really doesnt matter who you go to (just make sure you wear the eyewear) so do your research who who owns the laser. I could give the treatment with a 5 minute lesson.

Bottom line, after doing alot of research on acne scarring... i would not have the invasive procedure done. The simplist procedures are probably the most effective. Pulse Dyed, derm, etc.

it worked good, got rid of most my scars but it took a long time before healing

I had CO2 laser treatment almost three years ago, and I wouldn't recommend it. I had it done for very mild acne scars, but it did very little if anything for them, and then I ended up with noticably larger pores than before the procedure. So far the only thing I can recommend is Retin-A, like Differin. I'm using right now, but I have yet to see any significant results.

just 2 weeks past the post operative stage and can't really tell if there's going to be any difference. my doctor is supposed to be "one of the best" in town so i'm confident. had actually read the comments here months before so i was a bit hesitant of getting a go for the laser treatment but i did eventually. looking at the mirrow now i can say that my scars are still there and now more obvious because they're deep red. the doctor promised that the depression will be shallower by .5 mm and i hope it does because right now i can't see any difference between the scars i had before the laser and the ones that are visible right now. im just a bit curious as to why the doctor never took the necessary protocols before the operation such as taking pictures of my scars, assessing my skin type, the history of facial medical treatment, and what level of success i should expect from the treatment. he was also moving very fast as if wanting to see as many patients for the day as possible, which makes me think now that he was just after my money and did not really care about helping me get rid of my scars. so a bit of a caution to others: look for a dermatologist/doctor who doesn't give the impression that he's just after your money because that's a big sign he doesn't care about really helping you with your acne scars.