[Complications of laser facial resurfacing]

Laser resurfacing is a burn of the superficial skin layers: it's a controlled burn in its depth, that can destroy epidermis and the dermis superficial part, but not deeper for avoiding healing complications. All complications and the normal postoperative follow-up can be explained by the fact that laser resurfacing is a burn of the dermis and epidermis, with the destruction, partial or total, of their components. It's essential to understand the normal postoperative process and complications to avoid them and to treat them in the beginning. Infection, persistent erythema, pigmentation troubles like hyperpigmentation or depigmentation and demarcation surrounding the resurfacing area, healing troubles like hypertrophic scarring, keloids, excess of skin retraction are the main complications. Careful preoperative explanation of laser-resurfacing follow-up will help the patient adjust more easily to postoperative care.