Laser surgery for the skin

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.

Laser surgery can be used to:

• Remove warts, moles, sunspots, and tattoos
• 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

Possible risks of laser surgery include:

• Pain, bruising, or swelling
• Blisters, burns, or scarring
• Infections
• Discoloration of the skin
• Cold sores
• Problem not going away

Most laser surgery for the skin is done while you are awake. Talk to your health care provider about the risks of laser surgery.

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.

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.

Surgery using a laser

DiGiorgio 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.

Updated 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.