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Facial resurfacing is performed using CO2 laser.
C02 Laser systems (Which will either be known as "Super-Pulsed" or "Ultra Pulse" produce a greater cosmetic improvement, but also requires a much longer recovery period. By this we mean extensive scabbing for weeks after treatment, and also hospitalisation and general anaesthesia during the procedure.
Careful preparation of the skin for several weeks prior to resurfacing is certainly necessary for the best possible outcome of both laser resurfacing and the facial peels.
The preparation should include topical application of retinoic or alpha-Hydroxy acids to the skin. If you have considerable freckling or sunspots, or have somewhat darker skin, hydroquinone or other bleaching agents are used.
It is important for your surgeon to take your complete medical history. He needs to know of any history of excessive scar formation and history of herpes simplex breakouts.
You should not have used the drug Accutane for at least one year before the resurfacing procedure, because this will increase risk of significant permanent scar formation.
Other potential complications as laser resurfacing may include changes in skin pigmentation, especially in patients with dark Mediterranean, Asian or Caribbean skin. In these dark-skinned patients, hyper-pigmentation (Darkening of the skin) may develop following laser resurfacing, and last for several months or longer.
Generally, this skin darkening can be successfully treated with the use of bleaching agents, but may take considerable time to resolve. Resurfacing the neck and the area of the skin overlying the jawbone has a greater chance of producing significant scars than the rest of the face. Laser resurfacing of the hands also carried a higher risk of scarring.
Other complications have included delayed healing and persistent abscess formation, but are fortunately quite rare. In order to minimise the risk of complications, it is extremely important for you to see your surgeon at frequent intervals during at least a two-week post operative period, since careful immediate post-operative care is essential for satisfactory healing.
In most cases, a single laser resurfacing will produce between a fifty and seventy -five percent improvement in facial skin appearance. Some patients may require a second procedure performed several months later for maximum benefit. Redness of the face can persist for up to six months after the procedure, requiring careful protection against sun exposure, including the use of a good sunscreen, and wearing a hat during sunny weather. | 
