Who is Qualified to Do Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Depending on the state you are living in, some states only allow MD’s to do resurfacing, others allow MD's and nurses, and others allow medical assistants. The Clinic most qualified is the one who is working very closely with a Plastic Surgeon or Board Certified Dermatologist, and treats a variety of skin conditions and skin types.

First, realize that it is easy for anyone or any company (any kind of doctor, nurse, spa, etc.) to buy a laser. There are far too many non experts selling laser services to the public. Owning a laser and buying an advertisement in a local magazine does not make one an expert. With so much on the market it is no wonder there is a lot of public confusion about who to go to or how it is even best to resurface the skin. The laser companies are driving public opinion regarding the benefit of... more

Laser skin resurfacing is one of our most effective treatments for improvement of aged skin. But as with all things -- with increased reward comes increased risk. It is imperative that you seek a knowledgeable, skilled, and respected practitioner. In general, those physicians with the most skill, experience, expertise and knowledge of laser and skin tissue interaction are Board Certified (very important!) Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeons. Some ENT or Ophthalmologist are also... more

Listen to your friend. Board Certified Dermatologists are truly the best trained individuals for laser treatments. They are the most familiar with all skin types. Not only are the best behind the laser, they will also help you with the right regimen before and after these procedures. Good luck.

Do to the potential risks of the procedure, only physicians who have been well trained in these procedures such as dermatologist or plastic surgeons should be performing these treatments.

In my opinion, laser skin resurfacing should be done by physicians only. There are different types of physicians that are well-trained in using a variety of lasers and which include Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons, Facial Plastic Surgones, and Occuloplastic Surgeons. I personally do not believe that most lasers (and especially ones used for skin resurfacing) should be used by medical assistants, nurses, physician assistants and so forth. The main reason is simply because physicians have... more

A laser is broadly defined as "light amplified by stimulated emission of radiation", and more narrowly defined by the specific wavelength of the laser. For cosmetic purposes, it definitely belongs only in the hands of a Physician specifically trained in the cosmetic use of lasers. This is defined by a certain "core group" of Physicians, which include Facial Plastic Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, and Occuloplastic Surgeons. A wide variety of lasers can... more

I think the best way to get to a recommendation is to get a doctor to tell you what he / she would do for his own daughter,. In my case, I would feel comfortable entrusting her care to that of a competent Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist. I would NEVER allow her to get her face buzzed in a spa / Gyn - primary care doctor's office or a "laser clinic". With economic pressures being what they are the field of Cosmetic Surgery is over run with people who do not have the background,... more

Board-certified Dermatologists are the most trained in laser treatments of the skin as the pre-op and post-op skin care routines must be customized to maximize the clinical benefits and minimize potential complication associated with laser resufacing. Ideally, you should seek out an experienced physician who has performed more than 50 cases of your skin type.

Regardless of the procedure undertaken, training determines competency. Whether that trainind comes inthe form of an MD designation or a laser competency course is debatable, but whoever you choose, make sure they have performed the procedure hundreds if not thousands of times. Generally speaking, more ablative procedures with greater potential for side effects should be reserved for the most experienced laser practitioners.

There are many lasers and laser-like procedures available these days. Obviously, some have more risk than others. The more aggressive the treatment, the more the potential for complications. As cosmetic surgeons, our objective is always to offer our patients the best results and to eliminate any possibility for complications. There are many procedures, mainly non-ablative type treatments, that can be done by non-physicians such as RNs, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners who... more

The laser is a tool that can give great results or horrible results, if inappropriately used. (Think of the analogy of a hammer- you can build a piece of furniture with it or a house, or you can kill someone with it!). The dangers of overtreatment are burns, scars, damage the eye or other facial structures and permanent pigment changes. Some of these are unavoidable even in teh best of hands, but why risk having an inexperienced operator treat you? It is your face, for heaven sakes! I... more

I agree with your friend although I would expand this to plastic surgeons who are experienced in laser treatments. This would be especially true if this is an ablative procedure. Some excellent laser specialists no longer choose to perform this procedure. Ironically, we are now seeing "non-core" physicians such as Ob-Gyn, IM, radiologists even, feeling this void. I would feel a bit more comfortable, though not much, if the nurse was under the supervision of a dermatologist.... more