Laser resurfacing: a survey of pre- and postprocedural care

Laser resurfacing is fast becoming one of the most popular aesthetic procedures performed today. Techniques and equipment being used are undergoing rapid change. The patient desiring cosmetic surgery today has an active lifestyle with many commitments and responsibilities. Because of the needed healing time and initial appearance during the first week after laser resurfacing, the postoperative recovery period has been a major constraint when an individual is faced with making the choice for this procedure. These patients demand as little "down" time, or "out-of-sight" time as possible. Due to this identified need, a descriptive survey was done to gather information on practices performing laser resurfacing and the care to the patient before and after the procedure.