Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing treatments are versatile and easily customizable to your skin concerns. Different technologies offer varying energy wavelengths, treatment depths, pulse durations, and more, so your dermatology and medical spa professional can tailor the best laser treatment for your skin. The laser center serves patients from Springfield, Westfield, and Northampton, MA, and others who travel to New England Dermatology & Laser Center for advanced facial rejuvenation with laser skin resurfacing.

What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

This treatment uses laser energy to remove some or all of the skin’s outer layer while heating the underlying skin. This action works to stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers. As the treated area heals, the new skin that forms is smoother and firmer.

Types of Laser Resurfacing

There are different types of laser skin resurfacing treatments, including:

• Ablative laser skin resurfacing vaporizes and removes the top layer of skin.
• Nonablative laser skin resurfacing injures but doesn’t remove the top layer of skin.
• Fractional laser skin resurfacing causes less surface injury but affects the deeper layers of your skin.
• Hybrid fractional laser resurfacing uses both fractionated nonablative and ablative skin resurfacing simultaneously.

What Skin Issues Can Laser Resurfacing Improve?

While individual results may vary, laser skin resurfacing can improve various skin issues, including:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Skin texture issues and enlarged pores
• Sun damage
• Surgical, burn, trauma, and acne scars
• Hyperpigmentation and discoloration

Your provider can help you choose the best laser treatment based on your skin type and pigment. They may recommend pairing your laser treatment with DiamondGlow® for comprehensive skincare benefits.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Options

Below are some laser skin resurfacing treatments available at our practice so you can enjoy smooth and radiant skin.

CO2 Resurfacing

The CO2 laser is a powerful and effective option if you want to improve the tone and texture of your skin and achieve significant results. A CO2 laser delivers therapeutic heat to the deep layers of your skin and stimulates your body’s healing process to improve issues such as wrinkles, scarring, and dark spots.

You may not be a good candidate for CO2 resurfacing if you have darker skin, as there is some risk of post-treatment hyperpigmentation. A gentler med spa treatment such as IPL photofacial may be more beneficial for darker-toned skin.

Ablative CO2 lasers are the deepest penetrating lasers we offer, and discomfort and recovery are more significant than with other laser treatments.

Erbium:YAG Laser Skin Resurfacing

This treatment uses an erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser to deliver heat to a customized skin depth and can be used for ablative and fractional treatments. Some skin concerns you can improve with this treatment include facial lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and photodamage. The discomfort and recovery are reduced compared to a CO2 treatment.

Fraxel®

Fraxel fractionated laser treatments target aging and sun-damaged skin with microscopic columns of laser light that penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate your body’s healing response and remodel collagen. Since the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, leaving surrounding tissue unharmed, recovery time is minimal.

How Painful Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?

We are careful to ensure you are comfortable during your treatment and will use topical or other anesthetics as needed. Most patients only feel minor discomfort during treatment, depending on the strength of the laser used.

Your provider may advise using an ice pack or over-the-counter pain relievers to manage discomfort after your treatment, especially in the case of ablative treatments.

What Is Recovery Like After Laser Skin Treatments?

We will provide aftercare instructions and recovery timelines specific to your treatment. In general, you will need to protect your skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen when going outdoors and use a gentle cleanser when cleaning your skin after the treatment.