Is Laser Resurfacing safe on all skin types? - Laser Resurfacing Questions & Answers

Answers

Replied on 6/21/2010

By: Laser Lipo and Vein Center | Thomas Wright M.D. F.A.C.P.
O'Fallon, MO

The short answer is that the safety of a laser resurfacing depends on how dark the skin type is and what type of resurfacing is being undertaken. For example, CO2 and Erbium laser resurfacing is generally considered unsafe for African Americans, but there are are other no-downtime procedures that are perfectly fine. Ultimately, whether or not the procedure is safe or not for a particular skin type depends on what kind of healing response takes place and to what depth in the skin the laser resurfacing goes.

Replied on 3/29/2010

By: Celibre Medical Corporation | Laser Dermatology & Injections
Orange, CA

Replied on 3/27/2010

By: About Face Aesthetic Centers, LLC | Dr. Leslie Pickens
Alexandria, VA

Fortunately, advanced technology with Syneron equipment allows resurfacing treatment to be done safely on all skin types for improvement in texture and wrinkles. No antibiotics, sedatives or pain medication is required. Clients drive home safely and are able to resume work the following day usually. Look for a doctor who has experience in treating darker skin.

Replied on 3/26/2010

By: Rejuve | John Tang, MD.
Click to view specials!!!
Saratoga, CA

Yes, you're right. For darker skin people ie dark skin people from India and African Americans you do have to be careful because you can get PIH or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation which is darkening of the skin. No laser is safe from this. The higher the heat the higher the risk. For patients who would like some skin tightening I use the Aluma. This seems to be safe for all skin types.

Can laser resurfacing treat rosacea? (11 answers)
What are other recommended treatments or combinations of treatments for rosacea facial redness?

How does laser resurfacing compare to other skin rejuvenation techniques? (8 answers)
I'm trying to decide what is best: laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, or chemical peels. Is laser resurfacing a good choicecompared to the other options out there?

How long do Laser Resurfacing results last? (7 answers)
I'd like to have laser resurfacing to tighten my wrinkly facial skin. I realize that the results may not be as dramatic as a surgical facelift, but how long will the results last? Are there face-tightening options that I should consider, as well?

Will a Laser Resurfacing help treat unsightly forehead veins? (6 answers)
I have unsightly veins on one side of my forehead which appear more prominent after a hot bath or exercise. Will laser resurfacing help or are their better treatment options?

Is laser resurfacing good for holes on my face? (6 answers)
I have some holes on my face due to my pimples problem few years ago. They are not very deep but it is still pretty obvious. Iwish to do laser resurfacing. Will that be enough for me to do once?

Is laser resurfacing or IPL best for a scar I've had for 17 years? (5 answers)
I have a pigmentation scar of about 3 inches by 2 inches wide, which is darker than my skin color. I am sure it is embedded deep into my skin because I used an Obagi kit on this and it did not help with lightening it. Would IPL be best for this pigmentation or resurfacing?

Do you have to have multiple treatments for Laser Resurfacing? (5 answers)
I've heard that the price is $2500 my friend told me it was only 1200. Is that fee for one treatment? Also, I read online that for darker complected people it may cause scarring or dark spots to become darker. IS that true?

Which Laser Resurfacing Procedure is best for sun damaged skin? (5 answers)
Which laser resurfacing procedure should I choose for sun damaged skin?

I have a scar from a childhoos surgery with laser resurfacing help? (5 answers)
I have a scar under my right ear from surgery I had when I was a child. I have a scar about the size of a quarter. I was wondering of Laser Resurfacing would be able to remove this scar. The scar is dark tone.

While I was pregnant I devloped something that looks like freckles, what are they and can I get rid of them? (5 answers)
The freckles on my face have multiplied and have now formed what looks like very large freckles, while I was pregnant and didn't go away. What is this and is there anything I can do?

How effective is Laser Resurfacing on post baby stretch marks? (4 answers)
How effective is laser treatment on post baby stretch marks? Is there a better procedure for this ailment?

How long does it take to heal from a laser resurfacing treatment? (4 answers)
How long does it take to heal to the degree that one can go out in public without makeup?

Freckle and mole removal procedure that also won't cause scarring? (4 answers)
Im not sure what procedure would remove freckles & moles (flat, not raised) off of my body. I am fair complected with many freckles & moles...is there any thing to remove them without scarring?

Why would wrinkles not disappear after a laser resurfacing treatment? (4 answers)
I had laser resurfacing done two weeks ago. All of the swelling is gone, but my wrinkles appear to be the same as they were before the expensive procedure. Why do I still have wrinkles when it was supposed to remove them? I am not that old, nor am I that wrinkled.

Would laser resurfacing close a hole I have on my face? (4 answers)
I am a 22-year-old woman with a hole in her face. I removed a mole at home seven years ago and a few days later removed the flattened area that was left over from the initial mole removal. There has been a hole there ever since. Would laser resurfacing help? Or, are there any other treatments that you could suggest? I am so worried. Please help.

Will laser resurfacing help get rid of my worsening melasma? (3 answers)
My melasma condition has been with me seven years now and seems to be getting worse. Is there any hope that it will improve with laser resurfacing or another treatment, and will it ultimately go away?

With all the current rejuvenation treatments available, short of a facelift? Which treat has the most benefits for the longest period? (3 answers)
I'm a 56 year old female, fitness trainer, red/blonde w/light skin, I see the droop starting around the sides of my lower face/chin and the lines around and on my lips and forehead increasing at an alarming rate, what would you recommend absent facelift?

Should I see a Dermatologist or a Burn Surgeon? (3 answers)
After foot surgery my bandages were too tied and caused what I see as 2nd/3rd degree burns on top of my foot. My DMP is treating it but I am afraid there will be some bad scaring and I want to have it treated by an specialist. Should I see a burn sur

What procedure is the best for removing moles? (3 answers)
My neck area is full of little moles that itch, sometime become irritating, and are unsightly. What can I have done to eliminate them?

What can I do about skin damage from a Revlite 'laser peel'? (3 answers)
I had a Revlite laser peel three months ago that caused white spots interspersed with brown spots. Spa gave a second lighter laser peel to remove but now its worse! What can i do to get my skin back to even skin tone?

What kind of laser for brown spots? (3 answers)
HI.
i have alot of sunspots on my face(especially on my chin&cheek).
I was thinking about laser
What kind of laser is appropriate for me?

Is there a Laser Resurfacing treatment to flatten scars? (2 answers)
Is there a Laser Resurfacing treatment to flatten scars?

What is the best treatment for Facial Veins if I have metal plates? (2 answers)
I want to have facial veins eliminated but I have metal plates in my face. Does the presence of the metal limit the type of procedure that can have? The veins are red and near the surface and are worsening.

Stretch mark removal (2 answers)
I have old stretch marks on my stomach from having my kids 10+ years ago. I am a small person so I don't need of a tummy tuck but wanted for years to get rid of the stretched out wrinkled skin around my belly button, what are my options?

How do I use tretinoin and kojic acid? (2 answers)
I received a tube of tretinoin (1%) and a tube of kojic acid (5%), but there were no instructions that came with them. Which one do I use first? Is one applied on top of the other?

If there is a difference between Laser Resurfacing and Micro-Laser Peel? (2 answers)

Will small white bumps go away after laser resurfacing? (1 answer)
I had severe acne on my chest and received laser resurfacing after clearing all active marks. 2 months following my skin broke out again. I am currently on accutane but have many small white bumps i believe to be Milia. Is there anything I can do?

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation - Dermal (1 answer)
Hi, I have post inflammatory hyper pigmentation (Dermal Layer) on my whole arms and upper back. The cause of this was initially excessive itching. Can someone please suggest whether laser resurfacing will be a good option and how many visits I need?

What are the risks of sun exposure after laser resurfacing? (1 answer)
Ware the risks of sun exposure after laser skin resurfacing by nd yag laser and laser mole removal by q switched nd yag laser? Can the indirect sun light also cause harm?

Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis (1 answer)
I have Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis and take Dapsone to manage it. I've noticed significant changes in my skin recently, with laxity being the primary issue. Am I a candidate for skin Tyte/Titan or Thermage?

A question regarding some weird lines on my cheeks. (1 answer)
I've been having lines like those on this person's cheeks for years(mine're more prominent)
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd442/nataliee25/Skin3.jpg
May the excessive use of steroid cream have caused this? What can I do to cure them?

What are the best creams? Which laser will lighten my scar? (1 answer)
I have an abdominoplasy scar that I would like to lighten. I believe it is a hyertrophic scar. What is best: creams or is there a laser out there that can lighten these types of scars?

What is the best laser treatment for old back acne scars? (1 answer)
What is the best laser treatment for old back acne scars?

If I take Amoxicillin can I do the Laser Genesis procedure? (1 answer)
I am interested in Laser Genesis and I currently take amoxicillin for mild acne. Can I still do the procedure?

How can I have a mole from my face removed? (1 answer)
I have had a mole on my face since I was a child. It has always been a source of bad self-image. I have wanted to get rid of it for years but I never knew how. It is right under my nose and is kind of like a permanent pimple. Recommendations?

Can the laser cause lesions? I had a brown spot appear (0 answers)
I had laser treatment the end of January. About a week ago a brown spot appeared over my lit (had laser around the lips) and I'm not sure what it is..can laser cause lesions?

Pulse dye laser for flat warts? (0 answers)
I have flat warts on my face and would like to remove them. Have tried topical creams like Retin-A and salicylic acids but to no avail. A friend of mine had the same condition and she got hers removed via laser. Will the pulse dye laser work?

Can Revlite cause a rash? (0 answers)
I had 10 treatments of Revlite to remove a brown spot on my leg. My last treatment was six weeks ago. In the past week my spot turned into a red rash. is this a burn/scar from the treatment? Is it common to have redness 5 weeks after treatment, and might it be a permanent scar?