Skin resurfacing
Resurfacing removes the damaged upper layers of the skin with a laser or a chemical peel so new skin forms. It treats wrinkles, sun damage and texture that a facelift does not change.
Skin resurfacing procedures
What each operation does, who it suits, the risks and how recovery goes.
CO2 laser resurfacing
CO2 laser resurfacing removes the outer layer of skin and heats the layer beneath it, so wrinkles flatten, loose skin tightens and new collagen forms. It treats fine and moderate wrinkles around the mouth and eyes and…
Erbium laser resurfacing
Erbium:YAG laser resurfacing removes thin layers of skin with each pulse and leaves little heat damage in the tissue around them. It treats fine to moderate wrinkles, sun damage and scars; it heals faster with less…
Phenol-croton oil peel
A phenol-croton oil peel is a deep chemical peel: painted on the skin, it wounds into the dermis, and the skin heals with a new band of collagen that smooths deep wrinkles and sun damage for years. Croton oil sets how…
TCA and medium-depth peels
A medium-depth peel uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA), usually at 35% after a first coat of Jessner's solution, to remove the outer skin and the top of the dermis so the skin heals with new collagen. It improves sun…
Resurfacing with a facelift
A facelift moves skin and deeper tissue but does not change fine wrinkles, lip lines or uneven pigment, so surgeons add laser resurfacing, a chemical peel or plasma, at the same operation or later. Done the same day…
Skin resurfacing research by topic
What the studies show about each part of the operation.
CO2 laser resurfacing
CO2 laser papers resurface facial skin by vaporizing thin layers, fully or in fractional columns.
Fractional resurfacing
Fractional papers treat skin in columns and leave skin between them to speed healing.
TCA and medium-depth peels
Medium and superficial peel papers use trichloroacetic, glycolic, salicylic and Jessner's solutions.
Erbium laser resurfacing
Erbium papers resurface skin with the 2940 nm laser, which removes tissue with less heat than CO2.
Pigment and skin of color
These papers measure dark spots and light spots after resurfacing and how to treat darker skin types safely.
Acne scars
Acne scar papers compare lasers, peels, needling and subcision for pitted facial scars.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion papers sand the upper skin layers mechanically to smooth scars and wrinkles.
Phenol and croton oil peels
Deep peel papers use phenol and croton oil to resurface wrinkled and sun-damaged skin.
Perioral and periorbital wrinkles
These papers treat fine lines around the mouth and eyes with lasers and peels.