Laser facial resurfacing vaporizes damaged outer skin layers so new, smoother skin can grow in — commonly used for wrinkles, scars, and sun damage.
For the full breakdown, see our best Face Laser guide.
Fine lines around the mouth, acne scars, and sun-spotted cheeks are exactly what laser resurfacing of the face was built to treat. The procedure removes damaged outer skin in a controlled way so fresh skin heals back smoother, tighter, and more even in tone. It’s also called laser peel, laser vaporization, or lasabrasion — and it is always performed by a clinician, never at home.
How Does Laser Resurfacing Actually Work?
Laser resurfacing vaporizes the outer layers of damaged skin while the beam’s heat reaches deeper tissue and triggers new collagen — that combination is what makes skin look smoother and firmer afterward. Cleveland Clinic’s overview of laser skin resurfacing describes the same mechanism: the laser removes the damaged surface, and the body responds by building fresh collagen fibers in the layers beneath.
With CO2 lasers, the most common resurfacing class, the beam removes damaged or wrinkled skin layer by layer until the wrinkle or scar is visibly reduced. The treatment can cover the whole face or specific zones such as the mouth and eyes. What it cannot do is lift sagging skin — laser resurfacing is not a substitute for a facelift, and no amount of collagen stimulation will pull drooping tissue back up.
The face is the most common site, but providers also treat the neck, chest, and hands for selected lines and wrinkles.
Facial Laser Resurfacing: CO2 vs. Erbium
CO2 and erbium are the two main resurfacing laser classes, and the right one depends on how deep your concern sits and how much recovery time you can accept. Mayo Clinic’s overview of laser resurfacing lists both as standard options, with erbium generally used for more superficial work and CO2 for deeper damage.
Erbium:YAG lasers operate at a 2940 nm wavelength, target fine to moderately deep lines, and tend to cause fewer side effects than CO2 — less dermal injury and a lower risk of pigment loss in ablative mode. CO2 reaches deeper, which makes it the workhorse for tougher wrinkles and scars, but the trade-off is a longer, more visible recovery.
| Laser Type | Best For | Recovery & Risk Profile |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 (carbon dioxide) | Deep wrinkles and facial scars | Most proven for tough damage; longer healing, higher side-effect risk |
| Erbium (Er:YAG) | Fine to moderate lines, mild sun damage | Gentler on skin; fewer side effects, lower pigment-loss risk |
| Fractional resurfacing | Same concerns, milder treatment depth | Fewer, less severe complications than full-field ablative treatment |
Fractional delivery, available with either laser class, treats only a portion of the skin at a time,
Mo Maruf
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