Laser Therapy & Dermabrasion for Aging Skin (2024)

NYU Langone dermatologists and plastic surgeons offer laser surgery and dermabrasion to eliminate wrinkles, reduce the appearance of lines, and make skin appear brighter, firmer, and fuller.

Laser therapy and dermabrasion can be administered in a doctor’s office and often take less than an hour to perform. Our experts recommend the most appropriate therapy based on your cosmetic and lifestyle needs.

Laser Therapy

For many people, laser therapy, which is also called photorejuvenation, is an effective method of diminishing wrinkles and making skin look younger. Results may last as long as 10 years.

Dermatologists at NYU Langone use fractional CO2 lasers and erbium lasers on the face, hands, chest, and neck.

Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy

Fractional CO2 laser therapy uses high-energy beams of light to stimulate cell turnover, which helps exfoliate damaged or discolored skin cells while stimulating collagen production. CO2 laser treatment can minimize the appearance of deep wrinkles, lines, and uneven pigmentation.

The term “fractional laser” means that the beam of light only targets a fraction of the skin at a time. Rather than resurface the entire area being treated, specialists focus microscopic beams of light in multiple areas. This approach reduces recovery time and minimizes damage to the skin from the heat of the laser.

Our doctors administer fractional CO2 laser therapy in the office using a small handheld device. After a local anesthetic is applied to the areas being treated, the device is passed over the skin. Bursts of energy penetrate the upper layers of the skin.

The doctor may treat one area, such as the lines around your eyes or mouth, or the entire face. A session may take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of the area that is being treated. Because this type of laser treatment is fractionated, multiple sessions are needed. Your dermatologist determines the appropriate number of sessions and the schedule.

After the procedure, doctors apply a bandage over the areas that were treated, and you can go home. Swelling, redness, and itching are normal after the procedure and typically diminish in five to seven days, when the top layer of skin begins to peel.

Our doctors recommend keeping the skin moisturized and clean during the healing process. They also advise wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. After one month, the skin is healed. After three months, redness fades completely, and skin looks younger.

Side effects can include permanent light or dark spots, burns, and infection. Your doctor works with you to minimize the risk of side effects and determine whether the therapy is right for you.

Erbium Laser Therapy

Erbium laser therapy is administered in the same way as CO2 laser therapy, but the erbium laser is gentler and doesn’t penetrate as deeply into the skin. It’s recommended for smaller wrinkles and lines.

Because the erbium laser is less powerful, you may need more than one treatment to achieve the desired results. However, recovery time and the risk of side effects are reduced. In many instances, the skin heals in one week.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a technique to remove damaged layers of skin by using abrasion, or scraping. The result is smoother, brighter skin that has fewer wrinkles, lines, and age spots.

To perform dermabrasion, a skin specialist first injects a local anesthetic into the area of skin being treated to ensure that you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. He or she then uses a small mechanical tool to gently remove damaged surface layers of skin. The procedure may take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of the area being treated.

After dermabrasion, the skin may bleed slightly, and specialists apply bandages. The skin remains tender and red for several days.

You schedule a follow-up appointment within seven days of the procedure, so your doctor can monitor the healing skin. It may take 10 to 14 days for the skin to completely heal. During this time, you should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Even after your skin heals, it may have a pink appearance for several weeks. Most people notice smoother, younger looking skin after two months. Results often last for one year or more. Side effects include scarring, changes in skin color, and infection.

Our Research and Education in Aging Skin

Learn more about our research and professional education opportunities.

Laser Therapy & Dermabrasion for Aging Skin (2024)

FAQs

Is laser treatment good for aging skin? ›

For many people, laser therapy, which is also called photorejuvenation, is an effective method of diminishing wrinkles and making skin look younger. Results may last as long as 10 years. Dermatologists at NYU Langone use fractional CO2 lasers and erbium lasers on the face, hands, chest, and neck.

Is dermabrasion good for aging skin? ›

Dermabrasion can decrease the appearance of fine facial lines and improve the look of many skin flaws, including acne scars, scars from surgery, age spots and wrinkles. Dermabrasion can be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.

What is the best laser treatment for aging skin? ›

One of the best lasers for skin resurfacing, Fraxel Repair effectively treats deep lines and wrinkles, sunspots and age spots, uneven skin tone and texture, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and melasma. The laser is also renowned for producing long-lasting results.

Is dermabrasion better than laser for wrinkles? ›

Technology. Non-invasive and non-chemical, microdermabrasion exfoliates the skin using a stream of microcrystals. The dead skin cells are then removed with a gentle suction. Laser skin resurfacing uses light energy to break down the bonds between damaged skin cells to reveal smoother skin beneath.

What are two drawbacks of laser therapy? ›

Laser therapy can result in misdirected or excessively intense burns, bleeding from the choriocapillaris, damage to macular and other ocular structures, and breaks in Bruch's membrane.

Is laser treatment expensive? ›

Total - Rs.

Considering 4 sessions on average, complete laser scar treatment on the face would cost approximately Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 2,40,000 which is still less compared to many other countries. For scars on larger body areas, more sessions may be needed ramping up the overall costs.

Why is dermabrasion no longer performed? ›

"It's good for getting a short-term glow, but microdermabrasion is not terribly impactful over the long term." Beyond that, the experts we spoke to said there might be a bigger reason for the drop: Advances in other exfoliation treatments are simply leaving microdermabrasion in the dust.

Who should not get dermabrasion? ›

Some medical conditions and medications you have may mean you're not a good candidate for dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is not ideal if you have: Rosacea, as it puts you at risk of infection. Blood, immune or skin disorders that slow the healing process.

What is the best procedure for aging skin? ›

Injectables and fillers are a good first step for someone who wants to address the early signs of skin aging, such as fine lines or mildly sagging skin,” explains Boahene. Facial fat grafting, or a fat transfer, is a more permanent solution to drooping skin and lost facial volume.

What laser gets rid of deep wrinkles? ›

CO2 laser resurfacing has been successfully used to treat wrinkles and scars as well as other benign skin growths such as warts, birthmarks, rhinophyma (enlarged oil glands on the nose), and other skin conditions. Recovery time with CO2 laser resurfacing is up to two weeks.

Is laser or Microneedling better for anti aging? ›

Some skin types and concerns respond better to laser therapy while other benefit more from microneedling. Men and women who want to reduce wrinkles, age spots, blemishes, scarring, large pores, and improve skin tone and texture may benefit from microneedling.

How many laser treatments are needed for wrinkles? ›

Hyperpigmentation, for instance, can usually be corrected in one or two sessions. Wrinkles and acne scars need more treatments and therefore require three to five sessions. And patients with photodamage will need to space their sessions six to eight weeks apart.

What does your face look like after dermabrasion? ›

Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that uses a rapidly rotating device to sand the outer layers of skin. Immediately after dermabrasion, treated skin will be reddish and swollen. The skin that grows back is usually smoother.

Is laser treatment better than injections for wrinkles? ›

Injectables: The Key Differences You Should Know. Treatment focus: Laser treatments primarily target skin issues such as texture, pigmentation, and unwanted hair growth, while injectables address concerns related to volume loss, wrinkles, and facial contours.

What is the best age to get laser done? ›

Fortunately, you can start laser treatments at any age as long as your parents agree. However, most dermatologists recommend that female patients wait until they start their menstrual cycle before beginning laser treatment. For some, this may start at age 10 or even age 16.

How much younger does laser resurfacing make you look? ›

The skin resurfacing laser works by sending a beam through the skin to create tiny columns within it. The skin will naturally go to work to repair those columns by pushing out old skin and replacing it with new skin. The newer and healthier skin can make people look up to ten years younger very quickly.

Who is not a good candidate for laser resurfacing? ›

Reasons You May Not Be a Good Candidate

You have deep wrinkles. You're on certain medications that might cause more damage to your skin. You have a skin condition that hasn't been properly treated.

What are the cons of laser resurfacing? ›

Laser resurfacing can cause side effects. Side effects are milder and less likely with nonablative approaches than with ablative laser resurfacing. Redness, swelling, itching and pain. Treated skin may swell, itch or have a burning sensation.

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