Does laser skin resurfacing treat sun-damaged skin?

Photoaging, also called sun-damaged skin, may show as fine lines, uneven texture, blotchy colour, rough areas, and reduced skin elasticity. Resurfacing uses a laser to remove some surface skin or create controlled heat in deeper skin, depending on the approach. The healing response can make texture look smoother and can soften selected lines or pigment irregularity.

The treatment does not remove every sun-related change. A rough or scaly spot, a sore that does not heal, or a changing pigmented mark needs medical assessment rather than cosmetic resurfacing. Skin tone, the depth of damage, previous scarring, and the chosen laser affect the plan and recovery.

Book an assessment with a qualified clinician who can distinguish photoaging from lesions needing diagnosis. Share your history of cold sores, raised scars, dark marks, recent tanning, medicines, and previous procedures. Ask whether a gentler or deeper approach fits your concerns and how much time you may need away from work or heat.

Use broad-spectrum sun protection, shade, and protective clothing before and after treatment as directed. Follow cleansing and moisturising instructions, do not pick peeling skin, and pause irritant products when told. The treated skin can be more sensitive while it heals, and pigment changes may be more noticeable in some skin tones.

Have any changing, bleeding, crusting, tender, or non-healing spot assessed before resurfacing. After treatment, contact the clinic for increasing redness, pus, fever, severe pain, blistering, or delayed healing. Seek urgent care for swelling that affects breathing or vision.

Ask which signs of sun damage are treatable, whether any spot requires examination first, which laser depth is proposed, and how your skin tone affects the risk of dark or light marks. Discuss preparation, healing, sun avoidance, antiviral medicine when relevant, and the plan for follow-up.