Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Center of Houston, Texas

Laser skin resurfacing, a relatively new procedure, has grown considerably. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 180,855 laser skin resurfacing procedures performed in 2003, an increase of 6% since 2000.

As people grow older, signs of aging become more and more prominent, usually one’s face. Many can accept this aging appearance as a fact of life, while others wish to regain a more youthful appearance. Various cosmetic procedures help these people achieve their cosmetic goals. Cosmetic surgery procedures such as a facelift can help remove the more visible signs of aging. However there are some people that desire a youthful appearance, but without incisions or losing a significant amount of time from their daily activities. One such minimally-invasive options is laser skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing, also referred to as a “laser peel,” is a procedure designed to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. This is commonly performed around the mouth and the eyes. Patients who undergo laser skin resurfacing gain a fresher, smoother skin appearance.

With the increasing popularity of various cosmetic surgery procedures, including laser skin resurfacing, it is important that the prospective patient research and understand different issues like what the procedure can and cannot treat, inherent risks, costs, and other factors. Keep in mind, cosmetic surgery is just that – a surgical procedure whose results cannot simply be erased. While the information contained in this website will provide you with a good introduction to laser skin resurfacing, when considering this or any other cosmetic procedure, we recommend that you consult a qualified provider with significant experience. Some important elements you should understand regarding laser skin resurfacing include the following:

How is Laser Resurfacing different?

Laser skin resurfacing can deal with more significant skin problems like deep wrinkles, crow’s feet, and scarring from moderate to severe acne. With this procedure, CO2 lasers cut away at the skin layer by layer, while still keeping the blood vessels sealed. This surgical method produces less bleeding, bruising and post-operative discomfort than is typically seen with other resurfacing methods.

To learn more about which of these minimally-invasive procedures would work best for you, please click here to schedule an appointment.

Who would be an ideal candidate for laser skin resurfacing?

People looking to enhance their appearance in a quick, virtually painless fashion would represent an ideal candidate for laser skin resurfacing. Even though reasons vary from person to person, the more common include:

Enhancing appearance and boosting self-confidence
Becoming less self-conscious about appearance
Achieving smoother looking skin
Regaining a more youthful look

However, the prospective patient must also be aware that cosmetic surgery is designed for improvement, not perfection. Patients should have realistic goals and expectations for their laser skin resurfacing. Be sure to discuss your reasons for wanting to undergo this operation with the doctor during your consultation visit. This will also help determine your candidacy for the procedure.

How is laser resurfacing performed?

Patients undergo the laser skin resurfacing procedure either at a hospital, an outpatient surgery center or at a doctor’s office-based facility. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and the patients can go home on the same day.

The procedure itself can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on how much area is to be treated. Laser skin resurfacing works through a beam of laser energy vaporizing the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration and removing it in layers. The doctor carefully passes the laser back and forth over the skin until reaching a layer where the wrinkles or scars are less visible. As a result, new skin will replace the old, and the appearance of wrinkles and scarring are reduced considerably.

After completing the procedure, the doctor may apply protective creams or ointments to aid in healing.

How much pain is associated with laser skin resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is usually performed under local anesthesia allowing the patient to be awake but relaxed during the procedure. For more extensive cases, the operation can be performed under general anesthesia so that the patient will sleep through the operation. Following the procedure, the patient may experience some mild swelling and discomfort. This can be lessened applying ice packs and taking prescribed medication.

What are the risks and limitations of laser skin resurfacing?

All cosmetic procedures share some degree of risk. While the risks involved with laser skin resurfacing are minimal, patients must be made aware the risks include burns (due to the heat the laser produces), scarring, and changes in pigmentation. Rarely will laser skin resurfacing cause any types of infection.

What are the typical costs associated with laser skin resurfacing?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average cost for laser skin resurfacing is $2,378. Click here for our costs. Fees within various states may vary depending on whether the doctor’s practice is in an urban, suburban or rural area. This fee only covers the physician’s costs, and does not include other miscellaneous costs. Plus, this fee is only for one treatment session and multiple sessions may be needed for optimal results. A comprehensive cost figure may be obtained while consulting with the physician. Make sure this figure includes any and all associated costs.

Unfortunately, most medical insurance providers do not cover cosmetic surgery procedures. However, some surgeons do offer financing options. On some occasions, the procedure can be performed to modify scars or remove pre-cancerous growths on the skin. These conditions could then meet criteria allowing insurance companies to cover the procedure. Check with your cosmetic surgeon and insurance provider for more information.

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