For those with wrinkles, age or liver spots, acne or injury scars, sun damage, uneven skin texture or tone, and other types of minor facial flaws, laser skin resurfacing may be able to improve the overall look of the skin.

 Laser resurfacing can be done with an ablative laser, which resurfaces the skin by removing thin layers of the skin, or a nonablative laser, which simulates new collagen production and tightening of the skin. The laser skin resurfacing before and after results for both nonablative and ablative are excellent, but do keep in mind that the less invasive nonablative laser usually doesn’t produce as dramatic of a result as that of the ablative laser resurfacing.

Following an ablative laser resurfacing, the skin may be slightly raw, irritated, and swollen. It may also ooze a small amount of yellow fluid. The treated skin will usually be covered with an ointment and bandage. However, within one to two weeks, the treated area is teeming with new, better than ever skin and the laser skin resurfacing results start to become apparent. Skin quality and appearance is obviously and significantly improved, although some patients may experience temporary flushing for several more weeks. Such improvements may last for years, depending on how well the rejuvenated skin is cared for after the laser resurfacing.

 Following nonablative laser resurfacing, the skin may be slightly swollen and reddened. A bandage usually isn’t necessary, and makeup can generally be used immediately after the procedure. The laser skin resurfacing results with a nonablative laser are usually more progressive and gradual than those of the ablative laser. In other words, it may take a little longer to see the full results of the laser skin resurfacing and it probably won’t be a dramatic change that occurs overnight. However, the ultimate before and after is improved skin texture, tightness, and pigmentation.