With the erbium laser, a topical anesthetic cream is applied to the skin two hours prior to the procedure. Laser resurfacing is then performed over selected areas. The patient applies Vaseline over the area and washes the area 4-6 times a day for the next 3-5 days. Most patients find that, by the third to fifth day, they are able to apply makeup over the reddened skin. The redness usually fades away within the next week. The advantage to this technique is that the patient recovers more quickly and can resume normal social and work activities in approximately one-third the time of traditional chemical peels or laser resurfacing techniques. The disadvantage is that 1-3 treatments are usually required spaced at 1-3 month intervals in order to obtain the maximum improvement for the deepest wrinkles. There is virtually no pain associated with this technique, and minimal if any pigmentation changes to the skin are noted, in contrast to other rejuvenation techniques. This makes this laser resurfacing procedure very desirable for men and those with busy schedules and limited recovery time.

The carbon dioxide laser scanner is used for facial rejuvenation. With this technique, a topical anesthetic cream is also applied to the skin approximately two hours before treatment. Because the treatment is more intense, local anesthetic is frequently needed to anesthetize the areas to be treated. This procedure can be done with a minimal amount of discomfort. Some individuals prefer to have "twilight" anesthesia. If the full-face area is treated, twilight anesthesia is usually utilized. Following the procedure, the patient applies Vaseline to the treated areas and washes their face 4-6 times a day. There is slightly more swelling and crusting than with the erbium laser. Most individuals find that they can begin to cover the reddened areas with makeup at seven days following treatment. Redness may persist for several weeks following surgery, but can usually be concealed with makeup. While there is a longer recovery time and significantly more erythema [redness] associated with this procedure, the carbon dioxide laser usually requires only one, rarely two, treatments to obtain the desired result, in contrast to multiple treatments with the erbium laser.

As with any skin rejuvenation technique, it is important for patients to avoid increased sun exposure for the first several months following their procedure. We recommend that individuals apply a sunscreen for the first 3-4 months following any skin rejuvenation procedure, whether it is a chemical peel or laser resurfacing technique.