Laser Resurfacing

What it is: Laser resurfacing involves the use of a laser to remove skin so new skin can form in its place. This is a new procedure and few studies have been done. Laser resurfacing is promising because the penetration depth into the skin is more easily controlled with a laser than with other methods. Some practitioners claim very good results, some less so. The procedure can take just a few minutes for small areas or an hour or more for large areas.

Right now you and your doctor can choose between the CO2 laser and the erbium (YAG) laser. Again, not a lot of research has been done to compare the two.

Laser resurfacing can cause uneven skin tones in people with darker skin.

Recovery: After treatment you will probably experience redness and swelling. Your doctor will most likely give you ointment to apply to the skin during healing. Your doctor may or may not apply a bandage to your skin. If he/she does, it will probably be on for a week or so, and be changed periodically.

Redness from laser resurfacing can last several weeks. Your skin may maintain a pinkish coloration for months afterward.

Return to Acne Scar Treatments

References

Alster, T.S., T.B. West. "Resurfacing of Atrophic Facial Acne Scars with a High-Energy, Pulsed Carbon Dioxide Laser." Dermatologic Surgery 22.2 (1996): 151-4. Abstract. PubMed. 15 Apr. 2005 link.

Brannon, Heather. "Acne Scar Treatment Procedures." About: Skin and Beauty. 2006. About, Inc. 2001 link.

Fitzpatrick, R.E., M.P. Goldman, E.F. Rostan. "Laser resurfacing with a long pulse erbium:YAG laser compared to the 950 ms pulsed CO(2) laser." Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 29.2 (2001): 136-41. Abstract. PubMed. 15 Apr. 2005 link.

Griffin, M.E., C. Ho, G. Lask, N.J. Lowe, Q. Nguyen. "Laser Resurfacing in Pigmented Skin." Dermatologic Surgery 21.12 (1995): 1035-7. Abstract. PubMed. 15 Apr. 2005 link.