My clinic
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Renewing skin texture and tone
Laser skin resurfacing uses targeted laser energy to renew the surface and deeper layers of the skin, acting on texture, tone and the appearance of fine lines, scars and sun damage. At Dermapure, your treatment plan is shaped around your skin, your concerns and your goals, and resurfacing is often planned alongside other in-clinic treatments, such as injectables and medical-grade skincare, within a broader treatment plan for more complete, longer-lasting results. Each treatment is performed by our specialists and personalized to you.
What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing works on a simple principle: the laser emits a wavelength of light that is absorbed by the water in your skin. That energy either vaporizes the outer layers in a controlled way, or heats the deeper layers without removing them, prompting the skin's natural repair process and stimulating collagen production. The energy can be delivered across the full surface of the skin, or fractionally, in microscopic columns that treat only part of the skin at a time while leaving the surrounding tissue intact to support faster recovery. This is what sets resurfacing lasers apart from pigment lasers, which target melanin or tattoo ink, and from vascular lasers, which target the hemoglobin in blood vessels.
Types of Laser Skin Resurfacing
Ablative Resurfacing
Ablative resurfacing removes the outer layers of the skin to reveal newer skin and stimulate collagen renewal in the layers beneath. It can be delivered across the full surface or fractionally, and is often considered for more pronounced texture concerns, deeper wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage. Because it renews the surface itself, it generally involves more recovery time than non-ablative options.
Non-Ablative Resurfacing
Non-ablative resurfacing heats the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production without removing the surface. Most often delivered fractionally, it supports smoother texture, more even tone and the appearance of fine lines, with little downtime. Because the surface stays intact, it is often a gentler starting point and may suit a wider range of skin tones, which your specialist will assess during your consultation.
Hybrid Resurfacing
Hybrid resurfacing combines ablative and non-ablative energy in the same session, delivered to the same treatment zone. The aim is to support visible improvement in texture and tone while keeping recovery shorter than fully ablative resurfacing, with the balance between the two adjusted to your goals.
Laser Resurfacing Technologies
CO2 Laser
The CO2 laser is a carbon dioxide gas laser that emits a 10,600 nm wavelength strongly absorbed by water. It is an ablative resurfacing technology, often considered for more pronounced texture concerns, deeper wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage, and it can be delivered fractionally to support a shorter recovery.
Erbium (Er:YAG) Laser
The erbium laser, or Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet), emits a 2,940 nm wavelength with a particularly high affinity for water. This allows precise removal of tissue while limiting heat spreading to the surrounding skin. It is an ablative technology available in both full-field and fractional modes, used for fine lines, acne scars, stretch marks and uneven texture.
Erbium YSGG (Er:YSGG) Laser
The Er:YSGG laser (erbium-doped yttrium scandium gallium garnet) emits a 2,790 nm wavelength that is absorbed by water in the skin. Its absorption sits between that of the Er:YAG and CO2 lasers, which means it removes the outer layers while also delivering a bit more residual heat to the surrounding tissue to support collagen renewal. It is an ablative technology available in both full-field and fractional modes, often considered for uneven texture, fine lines, acne scars and sun damage.
Thulium Laser
The thulium laser is a fiber laser that emits a wavelength of around 1,927 nm with strong water absorption, allowing it to act on the more superficial layers of the skin in a non-ablative way. It is used to support a more even tone, refined texture and overall skin quality with little downtime.
Erbium-Glass Laser
The erbium-glass laser is a fiber laser that emits a wavelength of around 1,550 nm, absorbed by water in the deeper layers of the skin. It is a non-ablative technology used to stimulate collagen and support smoother texture and tone with little downtime. Well-known platforms in this family include Fraxel.
Diode Laser
The diode laser used in skin resurfacing emits a near-infrared wavelength of around 1,440 nm that is absorbed by water in the skin. It is a non-ablative technology that heats the deeper layers to stimulate collagen production and refine texture, tone and the appearance of fine lines, with little downtime and the surface left intact.
Follow-up and Maintenance
Skin resurfacing results develop progressively as the skin heals and new collagen forms, often over several weeks to months following treatment. Depending on the approach and your goals, a series of sessions may be planned, and follow-up sessions can be suggested over time to support and maintain your results, particularly as ongoing sun exposure and the natural aging process continue. Results vary from one person to another, and your treatment plan is built and adjusted with our team during your consultation as part of a longer-term approach to skin health.
Side Effects & Contraindications
As with any laser treatment, skin resurfacing can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, while some less frequent reactions deserve attention.
- Common side effects: Redness, mild swelling, a sensation of warmth, and dryness or flaking at the treatment site are common in the first days following treatment. Ablative and hybrid treatments can also involve some crusting and peeling as the skin renews, while non-ablative treatments typically involve less.
- Less frequent side effects: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation may occur, particularly on darker skin tones or with sun exposure. Infection, blistering, temporary changes in skin texture and, rarely, scarring are also possible. Cold sore reactivation can occur in people with a history of oral herpes, and preventive measures may be discussed beforehand.
- Who should avoid laser skin resurfacing: Resurfacing is generally not recommended during pregnancy, on tanned or recently sun-exposed skin, on active skin infections at the treatment site, with recent use of oral isotretinoin, with a personal history of keloid scarring, or with certain photosensitizing conditions or medications, without prior evaluation. Suitability for darker skin tones is assessed carefully, as some lasers carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes.
Add-On Treatments Often Combined With Laser Resurfacing
Exosome Therapy
Exosome therapy uses plant-based exosomes, tiny vesicles rich in peptides, micro-RNAs and growth factors that help calm inflammation, support collagen production and accelerate tissue repair. They are applied topically to freshly treated skin, where the microchannels created by the laser help them absorb into the upper layers. Exosome therapy is especially valued after resurfacing to soothe the skin, support a faster recovery and help results develop.
VAMP
VAMP is a topical regenerative treatment applied immediately after procedures that gently affect the skin barrier, such as laser resurfacing. Its key ingredient is PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotides), a DNA compound derived from salmon that is recognized in regenerative medicine for its supportive role in skin repair and renewal, and its formula also includes hydrating hyaluronic acid and essential amino acids. Delivered through the microchannels created during treatment, VAMP helps support hydration, texture and overall skin quality as the skin recovers.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP uses your own biology. After a small blood draw, the sample is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelet-rich plasma, a fluid rich in growth factors that support collagen and elastin production, circulation and tissue repair. Applied to freshly treated skin through the microchannels created by the laser, PRP is often combined with resurfacing to support healing, refine texture and improve overall skin quality. Because it comes from your own blood, it is highly biocompatible
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)
PRF is a second-generation option also drawn from your own blood, but spun at a lower speed and without additives or anticoagulants. This creates a soft fibrin matrix that releases growth factors gradually over several days, so PRF tends to work more slowly than PRP while supporting regeneration over a longer period. Applied to the skin after resurfacing, it helps support collagen production, firmness and a smoother, more even appearance as the skin recovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can laser skin resurfacing be performed on darker or Black skin tones?
Yes, but the choice of laser matters. Ablative lasers and some fractional treatments carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on richly pigmented skin, so non-ablative options and carefully adjusted settings are often preferred. Your specialist will assess your skin type during your consultation and recommend the most appropriate approach for you.
What is the difference between ablative and non-ablative, full-field and fractional laser resurfacing?
Ablative resurfacing removes the outer layer of skin, while non-ablative resurfacing heats the deeper layers without removing the surface. Separately, full-field delivery treats the entire surface at once, while fractional delivery treats microscopic columns and leaves the skin in between intact to support faster recovery. A single treatment can combine these, for example ablative and fractional. More intensive approaches tend to address more pronounced concerns but involve more recovery, which your specialist will weigh with you.
What skin concerns can laser resurfacing treat?
Laser skin resurfacing is often considered for fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars and other scars, uneven skin texture, enlarged pores, sun damage and uneven tone. The right approach depends on your concerns, your skin and your goals, and is determined during your consultation.
Is laser skin resurfacing painful?
Comfort depends on the laser and the depth of treatment. A topical numbing cream is typically applied beforehand, and cooling may be used during the session. Most people describe a warm or prickling sensation. More intensive ablative treatments can feel more involved, and your specialist will discuss comfort measures with you.
What is recovery like, and what should I avoid afterward?
Recovery ranges from little to no downtime with non-ablative treatments, to about a week or more with ablative resurfacing. During healing, it is important to avoid touching, scratching or picking at the skin, to keep it protected and moisturized, and to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen while avoiding sun exposure. Your specialist will give you tailored aftercare instructions, and exosome therapy may be suggested to help support recovery
How long do the results last?
Results develop gradually as collagen forms and can last from several months to longer, depending on the treatment, your skin and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure. Maintenance sessions and a consistent skincare routine help support results over time. Results vary from one person to another.
How should I prepare for a laser resurfacing treatment?
Preparation usually includes avoiding sun exposure and tanning before your appointment, pausing certain skincare actives if advised, and following any specific instructions from your specialist. If you have a history of cold sores, preventive measures may be recommended. Your consultation is the time to review your medical history and how to prepare.
Can laser resurfacing be combined with other treatments?
Yes. Laser resurfacing can be planned alongside other treatments such as other lasers, microneedling, chemical peels and medical-grade skincare protocols within a broader treatment plan, with intervals adapted to your skin's recovery. Your plan is built and adjusted with our team based on your goals.
Why Choose Dermapure
With laser skin resurfacing, the expertise of your specialist makes all the difference. The settings, the choice of technology and the technique all need to be tailored to each skin type, and this is what helps achieve good results while reducing the risk of side effects such as burns or changes in pigmentation. At Dermapure, every treatment is performed by our specialists, who continually deepen their training in laser technologies and treatment protocols. And because we are the largest network of medical aesthetic clinics in Canada, our teams share their knowledge and clinical experience, so your care benefits from the expertise of the entire network.
