What should you know about laser therapy for face wrinkles?

Some lasers remove or heat selected layers of skin, prompting a healing response that can improve texture and fine lines. Others deliver energy below the surface with less visible peeling. Sun-damaged skin, reduced elasticity, repeated facial movement, and loss of facial fullness can all contribute to wrinkles, so one treatment may not address every part of the pattern.

Your clinician will consider the area, line depth, skin tone, tendency to scar, and the time you can allow for recovery. Crow’s feet caused mainly by muscle movement may be approached differently from etched lines or rough texture.

Use the consultation to review recent tanning, cold sores, active acne, eczema, medicines, and previous procedures. Follow instructions about retinoids or other products rather than changing them without guidance. After treatment, expect the advised degree of redness, sensitivity, dryness, or peeling; keep the skin clean, moisturised as directed, and shielded from sunlight. Do not scratch or remove flakes. Botox or dermal fillers may be discussed when movement or volume contributes to the appearance, but they work differently from lasers.

Contact the treating clinic if pain is increasing instead of settling, redness is spreading, swelling is marked, or the area develops pus, blisters, or fever. Seek medical review before treatment for a changing lesion, a sore that does not heal, or a new one-sided change that has not been examined.

Which type of wrinkle is being treated? How much resurfacing or heating is planned? What recovery should I arrange? How will my skin tone and sun exposure affect the plan? Would an injectable or another approach better match my goal?