If aging, acne, or too much time in the sun has left your face with blotches, scars, wrinkles, or
lines, laser skin resurfacing may help your skin look younger and healthier.
Laser skin resurfacing removes skin layer by layer with precision. The new skin cells that form
during healing give the skin a tighter, younger looking surface. The procedure can be done alone
or with other cosmetic surgeries on the face.
Laser resurfacing is done by a plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
It's an outpatient procedure, meaning you'll not have to stay
overnight.
The doctor may treat wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or
forehead individually or treat your entire face. For small areas,
the doctor will numb the areas to be treated with a local
anesthetic and may also sedate you. You may require general
anesthesia if your whole face is being treated.
Treating just parts of the face takes about 30 to 45 minutes. A
full-face treatment takes up to two hours.
Although skin resurfacing cannot produce perfect skin, it can improve the appearance of your
skin. Potential risks of the procedure include:
 Burns or other injuries from the laser's heat
 Scarring
 Changes in the skin's pigmentation, including areas of darker or lighter skin
 Reactivating herpes cold sores
 Bacterial infection