Laser Skin Resurfacing Fact Sheet

The objective

Laser skin resurfacing reduces the appearance of ageing and imperfections on the skin, including the removal of tattoos and discolouration, through use of light radiation to take away the top layers of skin. Laser skin resurfacing is only suitable for surface skin damage, not droopy or saggy skin.

The procedure

The procedure can be carried out with local anaesthetic and takes about 30 minutes to two hours, depending on complexity. Sometimes, a general anaesthetic is used.

The practitioner will use a laser beam - light radiation - to deliver intense energy to the specific area of skin being treated. This destroys the surface layer of skin in a carefully controlled manner to expose the pink, lower layer of dermis below. Then, at a lower power, the laser heats the dermis, which stimulates the growth of new tissue. As the wound heals, the new skin that is formed will be softer and less wrinkled or scarred.

The outcome

Following the procedure, the treated area will be dressed in bandages and there may be swelling for up to two weeks or more, with redness visible up to six weeks. You will need to apply protective antibiotic creams to aid the healing process.

Normally, you can leave the clinic a few hours after the procedure, depending on the type of anaesthesia used. Recovery is dependent on the area treated. You can usually return to work within 1-2 weeks and resume most activities within 2-3 weeks.

If the treatment was for tattoos or abnormal skin pigmentation, you can expect the coloured areas to be gone or diminished as a result of this procedure. If it is to treat lines, wrinkles or acne, expect smoother and softer skin, with blemishes eased, as a result of this surgery.

The risks

All local and general anaesthesias carry associated risks, but complications associated with laser skin resurfacing include a risk of facial scarring, delayed healing and burning of the skin from the laser.

There may be slight changes in pigmentation, or long-term darkening or lightening of the skin. People who have had radiotherapy to the area or a recent course of vitamin A skin treatments may be more prone to developing ‘keloid’ scarring, which are red, bumpy and raised scars.

If you experience cold sores, then there may be a recurrence of them after treatment, although the chance of this can be minimised by the use of antiviral medicines.

The costs

In the UK, expect to pay from around £1,700 - £3,500. Abroad, expect to pay from around £1,200 (USA).

The availability

Laser skin resurfacing procedures are widely available at private cosmetic surgery clinics and specialist skin care clinics within the UK and abroad.

The popularity

Laser skin resurfacing is a relatively new procedure but is growing in popularity, particularly amongst people who have had tattoos at a young age and would now like to remove them. As well as tattoos and facial lines, laser light can be used to treat skin lesions such as port wine stains and spider veins, so people with birthmarks such as these also commonly seek this procedure.