Disclaimer: This page is general educational information, not medical advice. Treatments described here are medical procedures with potential risks; candidacy, results and recovery vary from person to person. Consult a qualified, licensed provider before any treatment.
Overview
Laser skin resurfacing targets the skin's surface and deeper layers to improve texture, fine lines and the appearance of scars. Ablative lasers, such as CO2 and erbium, remove thin layers of skin and typically involve more downtime. Non-ablative lasers heat the skin without removing the surface and usually involve less recovery but more sessions.
Fractional lasers treat a fraction of the skin in a grid pattern, leaving untreated skin in between to aid healing. Many resurfacing treatments today are fractional.
Skin type, health history, downtime tolerance and goals all affect which option is appropriate.
The usual process
- Consultation and skin assessment.
- Pre-treatment skin preparation.
- Numbing.
- Laser treatment.
- Follow-up.
What affects the outcome
- Ablative treatments have more downtime.
- Skin tone affects risk of pigment changes.
- Cold sore history may require precautions.
- Sun avoidance is critical during healing.
- Multiple sessions may be needed.
Local notes for Colorado Springs
Colorado's high elevation and abundant sunshine mean stronger UV exposure than at sea level, which makes sun protection especially relevant before and after laser and light treatments.
We take inquiries from Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Manitou Springs, Security-Widefield.
Getting ready to reach out
- List your medications, supplements, allergies and relevant medical history so you can share them during a consultation.
- Write down what you would like to change or improve, and what results you are hoping for, in your own words.
- Decide on a budget range you are comfortable with, keeping in mind that some treatments require several sessions or maintenance.
- Mention if you are pregnant, nursing or planning a pregnancy, since many treatments are postponed in that case.
- Prepare questions about who will perform the treatment and who supervises it.
Signs to slow down
- No clear answer about who will perform the procedure and what their credentials are.
- Unwillingness to name the products or devices being used.
- Guarantees of specific results, or claims that a treatment has no risks or downtime.
- No plan for handling complications or follow-up questions after treatment.
- Pressure to buy large packages or prepay for many sessions at the first visit.
How to vet a provider
- Who performs the treatment?
- How should I prepare?
- What are the risks for my skin type?
- How many sessions?
- How much downtime should I expect?
Frequently asked
- What is fractional laser resurfacing?
- A technique that treats small columns of skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact.
- How long is recovery?
- It varies widely between ablative and non-ablative treatments.
- Can resurfacing treat acne scars?
- It's commonly used for texture concerns; results vary.
Related topics
- What to Expect at a Consultation: How aesthetic and laser consultations usually work, how to prepare and questions that help you compare providers.
- Tattoo Removal: How laser tattoo removal works, why it takes multiple sessions, and questions to ask a clinic.
- Pigmentation and Sun Damage: Treatment options for sun spots, uneven tone and other pigmentation concerns, and questions to ask a provider.
Ready to talk to someone about skin resurfacing? Send a short inquiry below and we'll follow up.
Disclaimer: This page is general educational information, not medical advice. Treatments described here are medical procedures with potential risks; candidacy, results and recovery vary from person to person. Consult a qualified, licensed provider before any treatment.