Perhaps the newest fad and trend to hit the cosmetic world is laser resurfacing skin treatments. While such treatments have been around for quite some time, and are essentially nothing new, in light of recent FDA warnings regarding injected skin treatments and others, laser resurfacing skin treatments are gaining vast popularity amongst the masses. But are laser resurfacing skin treatments really all that valuable, do they truly offer a safe and effective way to reduce wrinkle depth, reverse the effects of aging and turn back the clock on your skin? Or are they overly lauded and side effect ridden, dangerous alternatives that can put you at risk of many known adverse side effects?

How Laser Resurfacing Skin Treatments Work

Such types of treatments can only be conducted by doctors that also have acquired an additional license to practice such treatments. They involve you lying on a table while the doctor guides a powerful laser over the surface of your skin on targeted areas. The laser emits a powerful burst of energy that essentially vaporizes the upper layer of your skin. The theory behind laser resurfacing skin treatments is this: burn off the upper layers of the skin so that new skin can grow underneath and heal. At the same the collagen levels in the skin are boosted to encourage new skin growth. More collagen means suppler and more glowing skin and reduced wrinkle depth; at least in theory.

The Pros

Laser resurfacing skin treatments have some pros. They are safer than injections and they show results quicker. They are affordable in comparison but still costly. Many people report reduced wrinkle depth when using such treatments to reverse the effects of aging in their skin. The skin can heal relatively quickly post treatment, in about a week or two. Sometimes insurance will cover the procedure, depending on the insurance company. However, in most cases it will not as the procedure is deemed by most insurance companies to be cosmetic by nature. Finally, the procedure is relatively short, most take about an hour and they are outpatient procedures so you can go home afterwards.

The Cons

You can permanently scar your skin with laser resurfacing procedures. In some cases a rash can form. In other cases, blisters and pustules, and scarring. The recovery process can be extremely painful. Many people are instructed to wrap the areas with plastic wrap and use a localized anesthetic. However, the FDA has had swarms of reports of nasty side effects associated with the over usages of these products, even when the patients were using them as instructed to by their doctors. In some cases the side effects caused death or permanent injury to the patient. The procedures are also costly, and usually take a few painful treatments to see true results. And they are out of pocket, as most insurance companies will not cover this cosmetic procedure.

Other Alternatives

Use clinically proven wrinkle creams like Dermaxin or Skinlastin to avoid scarring and see similar results. You can also try spa treatments that treat scarring and reduce wrinkle depth; some body wraps are helpful in this realm as well.