The Best Laser For Skin Resurfacing

Michael Law, MD answers: What's the best laser for skin resurfacing?

My dermatologist offers a laser treatment for skin "resurfacing" which is different from the laser at my favorite medispa. Are all lasers the same? How do I make sure they use the right one?


Michael Law, MD
10 months ago

Many lasers are available for skin rejuvenation. The ideal laser treatment for you would depend on your concerns, your skin color and the amount of downtime and recovery you are willing to experience. In my Raleigh, North Carolina Plastic Surgery Practice I use the following modalities for skin rejuvenation

  1. IPL, second generation intense pulsed light . This device can safely remove irregular pigmentation, dark spots and red splotchy skin from the face neck chest hands or any area of the body.
  2. Laser Skin Tightening with the GentleYag long pulsed Nd:Yag laser. This laser provides skin tightening to all areas of the face and body with no downtime. It can even help smooth out acne scars.
  3. Melasma Treatment with Gentlelase Alexandrite Laser. This laser treatment is best for individuals with light to medium skin. After treatment witht his laser, the skin will become very rough and dry and eventually slough off, leaving skin that is even in color.
  4. Rosacea and spider veins of the face can be treated and often eliminated with the V-Beam Pulse Dye Laser
  5. Co2 resurfacing provides a true skin resurfacing. In the early days of laser resurfacing the treatments were aggressive and the downtime considerable. Today, most plastic surgeons provide a more conservative CO2 laser resurfacing treatment. The treatment still requires downtime and a commintment to avoid the sun but the results can be beautiful. I often use CO2 resurfacing in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures. I particularly like the effects of CO2 resurfacing around the eyes.
  6. Dermabrasion: I don't often perform dermabrasion, but on occassion, I think dermabrasion is the best treatment for very deep lines around the mouth. This is a treatment, like CO2 resurfacing that requires fairly significant downtime and a commitment to avoid the sun.
  7. Light or mild resurfacing treatments like microdermabrasion and light chemical peels are performed by aestheticians in my medical spa. Regular medspa treatments can be used to maintain beautiful skin and they can help prepare the skin for deeper treatments.

In order to find the best laser ftreatment for you, look for a plastic surgeon with significant experience in aesthetic lasers treatments, aesthetic plastic surgery and non-surgical aesthetic enhancement treatments.

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