Laser Resurfacing

Surgical Technique

Laser resurfacing is customized based on skin type, skin concerns, and how much recovery time is acceptable. Numbing cream is applied before treatment, and oral sedation may be offered for deeper full-face resurfacing. The laser is passed across the treatment area in controlled patterns, using settings chosen for the desired depth of improvement. Fractional laser treatment treats tiny columns of skin while leaving surrounding skin intact, which helps speed healing compared with fully resurfacing the entire area. Dr. Castro monitors the skin response throughout treatment to keep the depth controlled.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing is best for patients with sun damage, fine lines, acne scars, or uneven texture who are comfortable with the recovery required for meaningful skin renewal. Skin type, pigment history, and goals guide the safest settings and preparation plan. Active skin infection, active cold sores or herpes outbreaks, recent isotretinoin use, uncontrolled medical conditions, or unclear expectations may require delaying treatment or choosing a lighter option.

Recovery

After deeper or ablative laser resurfacing, the treated skin may be red, swollen, sensitive, and raw during the first few days. Gentle cleansing and ointment-based wound care are used to protect the skin while it heals. Peeling and shedding are usually most active between days three and seven. New skin often appears between days five and ten and may look bright pink at first, gradually fading toward normal tone over four to six weeks. Strict sun avoidance and broad-spectrum sunscreen are essential for several months to reduce the risk of dark spots and uneven pigment.

Laser Resurfacing Risks & Considerations

Laser resurfacing risks include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, meaning darkening after inflammation, especially in darker skin types. Pretreatment skin conditioning and strict sun avoidance help reduce this risk. Other risks include prolonged redness, infection, acne-like bumps or milia, skin lightening, scarring, and herpes simplex reactivation, which may be prevented with antiviral medication. Deeper treatments carry more recovery and a higher chance of prolonged redness.

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots after treatment)
• Prolonged redness
• Infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
• Milia or acne-like bumps
• Hypopigmentation (skin lightening)
• Scarring
• Herpes simplex reactivation

Alternatives to Laser Resurfacing

Chemical peels can improve tone, texture, and sun damage without using a laser, and medium-depth peels can overlap with some resurfacing goals. Non-ablative lasers, IPL, microneedling, or radiofrequency microneedling may be better for patients who want less downtime, though results are usually more gradual. Prescription skin care can help maintain results but cannot replace deeper resurfacing.

Related Procedures

Medical Sources

• Outcomes and adverse effects of ablative vs nonablative lasers for skin resurfacing: A systematic review of 1093 patientsDermatologic Therapy
• Full-face skin resurfacing using a combination of fractional and full spot ablative 2940 nm erbium laserJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology