Don't take laser resurfacing too lightly

Richard P. Rand, MD answers: Laser resurfacing as a preventative cosmetic procedure?

Does laser (CO2) resurfacing have any benefit in the removal of sun damage that is not yet apparent? It obviously has great potential in improving evident pigmentation problems, but what about deeper spots that have not yet manifested themselves on the skin's surface?


Richard P. Rand, MD
4 months ago
By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

It would not be appropriate to use a laser prophylactically to treat sun damage that has not yet become visible.  Lasers are commonly used in aesthetic medicine but there are risks to any procedure and the benefits need to outweigh the risks to be reasonable proceeding.  The main risks of a laser resurfacing procedure are burn scars that are caused from going too deep and hypopigmentation where the color of the skin is permanently pale.  

There are much less invasive ways to improve your skin but remember that no skin care regimen is better than sun avoidance. 

Web reference: http://www.randcosmeticsurgery.com
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More answers to “Laser resurfacing as a preventative cosmetic procedure?”

A: Laser resurfacing can absolutely be done as preventative measure

Philip Young, MD
4 months ago
By Philip Young, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Laser resurfacing along with chemical peels, dermabrasion, dermasanding, can all remove cells that have accumulated sun damage over the years. The removed cells are then replaced with cells that are new from deep within the hair follicle which "resurfaces" the skin that has been treated.

There are many scientific studies out there and most of them are related to chemical peels which show the benefits of removing precancerous cells in the skin. Many of these studies have shown that the progression to precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses are significantly reduced when some deeper form of resurfacing is done. These resurfacing procedures have been shown to be as effective as topical chemotherapy such as 5-fluorouracil.

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