As we age, the sun damage that we’ve accumulated over our lifetime starts to show up on the face. Skin that was formerly glowing and vibrant may start to look dull, or even yellowish or grayish, complete with a web of fine lines around the mouth and eyes. This can happen without sun damage too, of course: The normal signs of aging, old acne scars, blemishes that left behind some discoloration … those can all make their mark on your face, too. But you don’t have to just grin and bear it. If you’re dissatisfied with these effects, you could consider a cosmetic procedure like laser skin resurfacing. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is laser skin resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is exactly what it sounds like: The use of a laser to improve damaged skin to reveal smoother skin underneath. It’s designed to smooth away the signs of aging, like those wrinkles, as well as scars and blemishes and sun damage. It can even out your skin tone and make your pores appear to shrink. Ideally, you’ll look in the mirror afterward—well, a week or so afterward, as that’s about how long it takes to recover—and you’ll be pleased to see smoother, firmer skin. You can have your face, chest or neck (or all three) resurfaced if you want to improve the appearance of the skin. “Laser skin resurfacing treatments are a great choice for those who are looking to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, textural irregularities and acne scars and hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. You can undergo a laser skin procedure right in your dermatologist’s office. You can opt for either an ablative procedure or a non-ablative procedure. An ablative procedure is one that uses a certain kind of laser to remove the top layer of skin is removed. Meanwhile, in a non-ablative procedure, the laser passes through the skin but doesn’t remove it, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS). Dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of the book Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist, often recommends one treatment per month, for a total of four treatments. Sometimes, one more treatment might be warranted six months later or so, but not always. You’ll probably want to block out about two hours for each treatment, from the time you arrive until it’s all over and you can go home. And yes, there is a healing period afterward where your skin will be very sensitive afterward. It takes about a week for the face to heal after a laser resurfacing treatment, but your body will need a little more time–perhaps 10-14 days, says Dr. Jaliman. During that time, you’ll definitely want to stay out of the sun since your skin will be very sensitive. (And you might not want to take any selfies for a few days, too.) You may also want to think about the time of year when you schedule the first session. “We dissuade most people from doing it in the summer,” adds Dr. Jaliman.
Who should try laser skin resurfacing?
“Laser skin resurfacing is safe provided that you are a good candidate for the procedure,” Dr. Green says. But that means that there are people who may not be good candidates for laser skin resurfacing. So, you might want to think twice about whether this is really the right choice for you, if you have any of these conditions:
Deep wrinklesActive acneVery dark skinSagging skin
You might also want to consider a different treatment if you have rosacea or very sensitive skin, Dr. Jaliman says. “If you’re prone to a lot of redness, you could be left with residual redness,” she says. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), people with darker skin are at risk for winding up with some hyperpigmentation. That’s one reason that Dr. Green emphasizes the importance of making sure your doctor chooses a laser that’s safe to use on your skin color. “This does not mean that you are not a good candidate for treatment with laser skin resurfacing if you have darker skin but that extra precaution should be taken by your dermatologist before selecting a treatment,” she says. Or if you have darker skin and you don’t want to take the chance, you could opt for another type of skin resurfacing procedure, such as microneedling, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
Side effects of laser skin resurfacing
Even for good candidates, there are some possible side effects of laser skin resurfacing. “Some of the most common side effects of laser skin resurfacing include redness, peeling, dryness and swelling,” says Dr. Green. “These side effects typically resolve on their own within several days of treatment.”
How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?
If you want to experience the benefits of laser skin resurfacing, be prepared to pay for it. According to the ASPS, the average cost of skin laser resurfacing is $2,509 for an ablative procedure and $1,445 for a non-ablative. And the process may cost more, depending on other possible related expenses, like anesthesia fees, as well as the experience of the physician who performs the procedure and where you live. You also may be on the hook for the entire bill, since most health insurance plans don’t cover cosmetic surgery. However, you could think about the cost in another way, says Dr. Jaliman. She charges $1,000 per ablative treatment in her office, for a total of $4,000 for a complete four-session series. (Non-ablative laser resurfacing is cheaper, at $500 to $750 a pop.) And she acknowledges that it’s more expensive than a session of Botox. But many people who opt for Botox have to return for subsequent injections every few months, since Botox does wear off, and your skin returns to its previous state. Same goes for fillers. Meanwhile, the effects of laser skin resurfacing are long-lasting, and you won’t have to keep doing it indefinitely. That’s a benefit of laser skin resurfacing that might appeal to you. Next up: How to Get Rid of Acne Scars
Sources
Michele Green, MD. Cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.Debra Jaliman, MD. Dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Laser Skin Resurfacing: Skin Care Procedure. American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Laser Skin Resurfacing: Top 8 Things You Need to Know. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
