What's the best laser for skin resurfacing?

The Pearl Fractional has been a success in our practice for fine lines, deep wrinkles, large pores, and age spots.  Not only does it treat all of these visible signs of aging, but it actually boosts a growth of new collagen, with a short down-time period of only 7 days!  Down-time, meaning... more

Great question! The CO2 laser is the gold standard for laser resurfacing, however, the potential side effects (pigment changes and scarring) have limited its use. There are a number of different lasers out there and a number of different lasers may be right for you...if your provider chooses correctly! This... more

First of all, what is laser resurfacing? Laser resurfacing involves removing layers of skin to promote new healthy tighter skin. It is not similar to non-cutting or non-ablative lasers you see in a medi-spa.  This is much more aggressive and must be performed by a physician.  There are a host of... more

The laser that your dermatologist is using is likely very different than the Med Spa laser.  Typically, only a physician will perform intense facial resurfacing.  At a med spa, typically nurses perform the treatment, which limits the power of the treatment that can be used. My favorite laser for... more

Many laser types have been used over the last few decades. The Fraxel re:pair CO2 laser has been a big leap forward in our ability to provide amazing results with minimal downtime and greatly reduced chance of complications. This laser provides a microscopic facelift with zones of uninjuried tissue to allow... more

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... more

I would agree that there is no "best" laser for all problems and all patients... The laser I would recommend would really depend to a large extent on your skin type, skin history, and your goals for improvement. For wrinkles, brown spots, and acne scarring, my favorite tool is the Mixto SX laser... more

Skin resurfacing implies that you want to have the outer most layers removed to expose the immature layers of the skin. The older outer skin is removed and the immature skin grows and heals the skin leaving fresher looking younger skin. No single company has the best laser. The types of lasers that will... more

We have had the best, longest lasting results with the least depigmentation, scarring and hyperpigmentation with the CO2 laser. While it is possible to perform this treatment under local anesthesia with nerve blocks, most of our patients opt for IV sedation with an anesthesiologist for greater comfort.

This question is like "What is the best hair style?". The answer is "It depends". The gold standard laser for skin resurfacing used to be the CO2 laser. But because of its aggressiveness, long healing period, and eventual hypo-pigmentation, it is not very mainstream any more. Erbium... more