The use of laser technology is becoming increasingly popular in cosmetic surgery procedures. Lasers can be used for a variety of purposes including hair, tattoo and vein removal, removing red and brown marks, wrinkle treatment and rejuvenation.  Skin resurfacing lasers fall under three basic categories: ablative, non-ablative and fractional.

Ablative Skin Resurfacing

Ablative lasers remove outer layers of the skin (epidermis and upper part of the dermis) by vaporising them, causing skin underneath to regenerate. Once the dermis has repaired itself and the skin has healed, the new outer layer will be free of most wrinkles and blemishes. Ablative treatments are used to treat wrinkles, fine lines, birth marks, ageing and sun-damaged skin, acne scarring, scars, skin blemishes and brown and red spots.

The two main types of ablative lasers are carbon dioxide (CO2) and the erbium:YAG laser. The carbon dioxide laser is more invasive and therefore is very effective, though at the cost of carrying the greatest risk of complications. The erbium:YAG laser is less invasive, using less heat but not producing such dramatic results. Some surgeons combine the two lasers.

Since these types of lasers vaporise the skin surface, recovery time and redness last significantly longer than treatment by non-ablative or fractional methods. The recovery process is both physically and emotionally demanding. The face will look worse before any noticeable improvement. Expected effects include oozing, redness, crusting and swelling. The skin typically heals after seven to ten days. Most persons resume work after a fortnight, with redness remaining for six to eight weeks. Results will start to become noticeable after three months when production of collagen has been fully stimulated.

Due to the intense nature of ablative lasers, significant risks involved including blisters, cysts, infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and skin hypersensitivity.

Non-ablative Skin Resurfacing

These lasers are less intense and as such, require a number of treatments over a course of several months, often with less vivid results. The beams penetrate through the skin without vaporising it, working beneath the surface to stimulate growth of collagen and improve skin tone and texture. Non-ablative lasers can also remedy brown spots and blood vessels. The recovery time with these lasers is virtually nil with short-lived minor redness.

Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL) is an extremely versatile non-ablative laser technique. Surgeons may treat numerous features at a time, such as red veins, brown spots, texture, tone, and unwanted hair. Broad spectrum light is used to thicken collagen, reversing the signs of ageing and sun damage on the face, neck, upper chest and/or hands. The skin is cooled to 10 degrees Celsius to allow high-intensity light to pass through without blistering. Results normally appear after two weeks with better outcomes on untanned skin.

Low energy must be used during IPL in order to have no downtime. Consequently, repeat treatment is normally required after three to six months. Side effects can include bruising, swelling, darkening, whitening, blistering and scarring.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing

Fractional lasers fall between ablative and non-ablative technology by working on a fraction of the deeper skin layers at a time only in zones of imperfection.

Fraxel is the first system to be developed under this category and can be used on any part of the body. It assists with wrinkles, pigment, skin tone and texture, melasma, stretch marks and mild acne scars. However, Fraxel is not intended for deep wrinkles. It comprises a cooling device, frosting the skin to ease some discomfort with the focused treatment. Topical anaesthetic or numbing cream is used to further assist.

Recovery time is relatively short. You may feel a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour afterward with swelling and redness usually subsiding in three days. The skin feels dry and tight and may remain pink for approximately one week. Risks involve blistering, discoloration, infection and scarring.

Professional help

Since lasers work by applying heat, there are always risks of suffering burns, blisters, infections or scars if the procedure is not carried out by a qualified professional. You should always seek the advices of a certified surgeon as to which treatment is preferable for your particular circumstances and to help you weigh up the risks involved in such treatment.