What is laser resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing may be used to remove or improve the look of:

• Wrinkles.
• Superficial scars from acne, surgery, or trauma.
• Color (pigment) changes or defects in the skin, such as liver spots, port-wine stains, or café-au-lait spots.

Your doctor may have you use skin treatments at home for several weeks before your procedure. At the time of the procedure, a local anesthetic is usually used to numb the area. You may also get a sedative, or in some cases, general anesthesia. Your face will be cleaned, and you may be given eye protection.

The laser is passed over the skin several times. It uses brief pulses of light. The pulses from the laser may sting or burn slightly. You may feel a snapping feeling against your skin. When the treatment is done, the area may be covered with a skin cream or a special dressing.

Laser resurfacing is usually done in a doctor's office or an outpatient surgery center.