Some patients experience a sense of heat in the skin that may last for several days and is quite unpleasant. Close expert monitoring of the healing of the skin is very important to obtain a good result. Scarring can develop but is usually treatable, especially if noticed early. Hyperpigmentation is common but is usually treatable. Redness or pinkish discoloration of the skin is a normal result for a few months after the operation.
Hypopigmentation is less likely and tends to be of a more permanent nature.
This is much less frequently encountered than with phenol peels. Dramatic improvement of skin lines is often noted with laser resurfacing. The continuous improvements in technology, the better understanding of the healing process of the laser burn, and the availability of longer term results with this new technique have resulted in a rapid increase in its use for the treatment of the skin lines. Its high tech appeal and aggressive promotional advertisements have a lot to do with its increasing use. This is a new laser that is gentler on the skin, less painful to the patient and results in a more rapid skin healing.