BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuLaser surgery for the skinSurgery using a laserLaser surgery uses laser energy to treat the skin. Laser surgery can be used to treat skin diseases or cosmetic concerns such as sunspots or wrinkles. Description A laser is a light beam that can be focused on a very small area. The laser heats specific cells in the area being treated until they "burst."There are several types of lasers. Each laser has specific uses. The color of the light beam used is directly related to the type of surgery being performed and the color of the tissue being treated. Why the Procedure Is Performed Laser surgery can be used to:Remove warts, moles, sunspots, and tattoos WartsWarts are small, usually painless growths on the skin. Most of the time, they are harmless. They are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MolesA birthmark is a skin marking that is present at birth. Birthmarks include cafe-au-lait spots, moles, and Mongolian spots. Birthmarks can be red or...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Reduce skin wrinkles, scars, and other skin blemishes Remove dilated blood vessels and redness Remove hair Remove skin cells that could turn into cancer Shrink surface leg veins Improve skin texture and cellulite Improve loose skin from aging Risks Possible risks of laser surgery include:Pain, bruising, or swelling Blisters, burns, or scarring Infections Discoloration of the skin Cold sores Problem not going awayMost laser surgery for the skin is done while you are awake. Talk to your health care provider about the risks of laser surgery. After the Procedure The success of laser surgery depends on the condition being treated. Talk to your provider about what you can expect.Also discuss with your provider, skin care following treatment. You may need to keep your skin moisturized and out of the sun. Outlook (Prognosis) Recovery time depends on the type of treatment and your overall health. Ask your provider before treatment how much recovery time you will need. Also ask about how many treatments you'll need to achieve your goal.Open ReferencesReferencesDiGiorgio CM, Anderson RR, Sakamoto FH. Understanding lasers, lights, and tissue interactions. In: Hruza GJ, Tanzi EL, Dover JS, Alam M, eds. Lasers and Lights: Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 1.James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Cutaneous laser surgery. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 38.AllVideoImagesTogA Closer Look Skin wrinkles and blemishes - InDepth(In-Depth)Melanoma and other skin cancers - InDepth(In-Depth)Cataracts - InDepth(In-Depth)Self Care Urostomy - stoma and skin careIleostomy - caring for your stomaRelated Information Tumor(Condition)Warts(Condition)Birthmarks - pigmented(Condition) Review Date: 11/30/2022 Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Laser surgery for the skinSurgery using a laserLaser surgery uses laser energy to treat the skin. Laser surgery can be used to treat skin diseases or cosmetic concerns such as sunspots or wrinkles. Description A laser is a light beam that can be focused on a very small area. The laser heats specific cells in the area being treated until they "burst."There are several types of lasers. Each laser has specific uses. The color of the light beam used is directly related to the type of surgery being performed and the color of the tissue being treated. Why the Procedure Is Performed Laser surgery can be used to:Remove warts, moles, sunspots, and tattoos WartsWarts are small, usually painless growths on the skin. Most of the time, they are harmless. They are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MolesA birthmark is a skin marking that is present at birth. Birthmarks include cafe-au-lait spots, moles, and Mongolian spots. Birthmarks can be red or...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Reduce skin wrinkles, scars, and other skin blemishes Remove dilated blood vessels and redness Remove hair Remove skin cells that could turn into cancer Shrink surface leg veins Improve skin texture and cellulite Improve loose skin from aging Risks Possible risks of laser surgery include:Pain, bruising, or swelling Blisters, burns, or scarring Infections Discoloration of the skin Cold sores Problem not going awayMost laser surgery for the skin is done while you are awake. Talk to your health care provider about the risks of laser surgery. After the Procedure The success of laser surgery depends on the condition being treated. Talk to your provider about what you can expect.Also discuss with your provider, skin care following treatment. You may need to keep your skin moisturized and out of the sun. Outlook (Prognosis) Recovery time depends on the type of treatment and your overall health. Ask your provider before treatment how much recovery time you will need. Also ask about how many treatments you'll need to achieve your goal.Open ReferencesReferencesDiGiorgio CM, Anderson RR, Sakamoto FH. Understanding lasers, lights, and tissue interactions. In: Hruza GJ, Tanzi EL, Dover JS, Alam M, eds. Lasers and Lights: Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 1.James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Cutaneous laser surgery. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 38.