what is laser resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that uses a laser to improve the skin's appearance or treat minor facial flaws. It can help rejuvenate and repair the skin, providing a more youthful appearance. Laser resurfacing can improve the appearance of blemishes, spots, facial aging, surgical scars, acne scars, smoker's lines, large pores, uneven skin pigmentation, and redness from conditions like rosacea. The procedure can be done with ablative or fractional lasers, which remove the thin outer layer of skin and heat the underlying skin, stimulating the growth of collagen, a protein that improves skin firmness and texture. Laser resurfacing typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the technique used and the size of the area treated. The procedure can be done alone or with other cosmetic surgeries on the face. Laser resurfacing cannot produce perfect skin, but it can improve the appearance of the skin. The potential risks of the procedure include burns or other injuries from the laser's heat, scarring, changes in the skin's pigmentation, reactivating herpes cold sores, and bacterial infection. The average cost for laser skin resurfacing was around $2,000 in 2023