Laser resurfacing is a very controlled burning procedure during which a laser vaporizes superficial layers of facial skin, removing not only wrinkles and lines caused by sun damage and facial expressions, but also acne scars, some folds and creases around the nose and mouth, and even precancerous and benign superficial .

CO2 Lasers

This type of ablative laser uses carbon dioxide, or CO2, to create an infrared beam of light. The CO2 laser is one of the most widely used surgical lasers because the energy it generates is absorbed well by water, which is present in great quantity in the body’s tissues. It’s precise and carries few side effects.

IPL Lasers

IPL lasers, or intense pulsed light lasers, are designed to create an intense pulse of light that’s perfectly suited for penetrating red and brown pigments. The primary uses for IPL lasers in a dermatological setting are for treating brown patches such as liver spots and relieving inflamed blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface.

Alexandrite Lasers

Alexandrite lasers represent another versatile class of light treatment that uses a green gemstone to create a laser in the wavelength that’s known to be effective in penetrating red spots. Like IPL lasers, they can be used to treat inflamed blood vessels, but they are also effective for hair and tattoo removal. Alexandrite lasers are considered red lasers, and they can be used in conjunction with the Q-switching mode, which produces high-intensity short pulses of energy.

Erbium Lasers

If you’ve ever had a scar treatment from your dermatologist, there’s a good chance that an erbium laser was what the doctor used. Erbium lasers use a white metal to create an infrared beam. They’re also effective when used for laser skin resurfacing. They’re known for causing reduced burning sensations and pain than some other types of lasers used for skin resurfacing.

Pulsed Dye Lasers

Pulsed dye lasers produce a yellow wavelength light that can easily penetrate red pigments, making it particularly effective for treating inflamed blood vessels. It’s also one of the leading laser treatments for acne and the treatment of scars. PDL lasers use an organic dye that’s included in the lasing medium.

Nd : YAG Lasers

Nd:YAG lasers use a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal to produce an infrared wavelength that allows dermatologists to reach a deeper layer of tissue beneath the skin than many other types of lasers. It can be used to treat spider veins, varicose veins, birthmarks, facial veins, and hemangioma tumors. It’s also effective against brown pigmented age spots.