Factors that affect the cost of laser resurfacing include the skin condition being treated, the overall size of the body area being resurfaced, and the specific type of laser treatment needed. Additional fees may also apply for laser procedures done under anesthesia or in certain types of medical facilities. Moderate and numerous cosmetic flaws, such as acne scars and wrinkles, can sometimes increase the cost of laser resurfacing if multiple sessions are required. Large body surfaces, such as the back, also come with a higher price tag for skin resurfacing with lasers. Various kinds of skin damage may require specific types of lasers to result in visible improvements.
Noticeable acne scars are commonly treated with laser surgery, and the scar type is often a determining factor for the effectiveness of this procedure, along with the cost. Hypertrophic marks that are raised from the normal skin surface are usually the most easily minimized with laser treatments. Scars that create small pits in the skin normally do not make a person the best candidate for this kind of skin resurfacing, and many dermatologists prefer alternative treatments for them such as filler injections. The cost of laser resurfacing for acne scars generally depends on the size, number, and severity of hypertrophic scars that may require several sessions.
Skin treatments with ablative lasers are usually more expensive because these sessions involve concentrated heat that penetrates the top layer of skin and helps smooth out flaws. In addition to the type and strength of laser used, another factor affecting the cost of laser resurfacing is the experience level of the administering physician. Doctors who have spent more years in their practices and who are trained in a wider variety of laser technologies tend to charge higher prices. Many people who have obtained visible skin improvements report that the best results often come from these experienced and reputable physicians.
Skin damage from ultraviolet sunlight is another condition that can often be improved with laser treatments. Depending on the depth of the associated wrinkles in the skin, a more concentrated type of laser may be needed for sufficient skin rejuvenation. An experienced medical doctor rather than a laser technician most often performs this procedure in an operating facility, which generally adds to the cost of laser resurfacing. Some cases of sun damage necessitate laser resurfacing under a local anesthetic that comes with an additional payment for the anesthesiologist.