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Laser skin resurfacing with the Erbium-YAG-CO2 combination laser is an effective alternative to deeper chemical peeling and works well to reduce wrinkles, reverse signs of sun damage, smooth out the skin's texture, and treat scars such as those resulting from acne.
With a fractionated CO2 laser like Fraxel ®, the laser light is delivered to the skin in tiny pinpoints rather than diffusely and so treats only a portion of the surface. By leaving behind some healthy skin in between the treated areas, healing is more rapid and risks are lessened.
New brands of lasers appear regularly, all claiming certain advantages. The CO2 laser and its variants, however, remain the gold standard.
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Healing is not easy after deep laser skin resurfacing. Swelling and pain can be marked at first, and the skin may stay noticeably red for many months. Risks include scarring, loss of pigmentation, burning, and infection.
As with deep chemical peels, the results of laser skin resurfacing are not permanent but rather very long-lasting.
Other weaker lasers can be used to treat spider veins, angiomas, brown spots, benign skin lesions, and tattoos. They are discussed elsewhere in this Section.
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