Ablative Resurfacing, and Combination Treatments

Dr. Joel Cohen, a laser expert and MO surgeon, discusses ablative resurfacing treatments, emphasizing the advantages of full-field resurfacing, particularly in areas around the mouth and eyes. He notes that while some surgical scars can heal without laser intervention, often scars improve significantly with earlier treatments post-surgery. Dr. Cohen elaborates on a treatment algorithm that incorporates various approaches based on skin damage and patient demographics, utilizing neuromodulators for less severe issues and fillers for deeper lines. He compares full-field erbium resurfacing favorably against CO2 resurfacing due to its efficiency and reduced risk of hypopigmentation. Treatment planning involves patient education about downtime and expected recovery, particularly post-treatment erythema that can persist for months. The goal is to achieve natural-looking results with the right combination of treatments tailored to each patient. He concludes by highlighting the importance of understanding treatment modalities and improving techniques over time to enhance patient outcomes.