Skin resurfacing is a popular procedure to address wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, and other skin blemishes, as well as to tighten the skin and improve skin tone. There are two main types of laser skin resurfacing: ablative and non-ablative.

Ablative lasers are more invasive and are typically used for treating mild to moderate wrinkles, facial scarring, and skin discoloration. This treatment option can deliver dramatic improvements after a single session, but it requires a recovery period of two weeks or more. During recovery, patients may experience discomfort, swelling, oozing, and crusting of the skin. Ablative laser resurfacing is recommended for individuals who have significant signs of facial aging, deep or pitted facial scars, and are willing to take time off from work for recovery.

Non-ablative lasers are less invasive and primarily focus on improving skin texture and tone. They can also be used to address fine lines, mild wrinkles, and pigmentation issues. Fractional laser treatments, a newer form of laser resurfacing, are popular for achieving improved skin texture and appearance with minimal discomfort and quick recovery. Multiple treatment sessions are usually required to achieve significant results. Recovery from non-ablative laser resurfacing is generally mild, with mild redness or swelling as the most common side effects. Most patients can resume their normal routines immediately after treatment.

Good candidates for non-ablative laser resurfacing are typically younger individuals between 25 and 65 years of age who have mild to moderate signs of aging with minimal skin sagging. They should be willing to undergo multiple treatment sessions before seeing noticeable results and may not be able to take an extended period of time off from work.