There are lots of skin treatments in the market today. The quest for younger, fresher look can include everything from facials to face lifts, with varying amounts of aesthetic improvement. Two of the most popular skin rejuvenation procedures today are laser skin resurfacing and microdermabrasion.

Each has its particular benefits and risk factors. It is important to understand these before deciding on either one.

Laser Skin Resurfacing
Also called as laser peeling or laser vaporization. Laser resurfacing is the process of removing facial blemishes with the use of concentrated pulsating light energy. The laser uses either Co2 or erbium to remove the top layers of the skin to reveal fresh, undamaged surface. In fact, the laser light vaporizes the top surface and problematic cells.

The procedure takes place in an outpatient facility with the use of local anesthesia and various sedatives. In most cases, the resurfacing takes less than two hours and the average cost is around $2000.

Benefits
The benefits of laser skin resurfacing include the elimination or reduction of crows feet or wrinkles around the eyes, mouth and forehead wrinkles, and scars. You may also be able to get rid of warts, birthmarks, and cancer.

Another benefit of this procedure over other treatments is that the recovery period is short, lasting just a week or two depending on the type of chemicals used. Once the face heals from the heat absorption, the rejuvenation effects can last anywhere from one to five years.

Laser resurfacing works well because it is a very precise procedure and it causes limited heat damage to the face. There is also very little bleeding associated with the process.

Disadvantages
There are some risks or negative aspects of the procedure though. Healing from the skin resurfacing will feel like having mild sunburn.

The treated surface will most likely be quite red and look swollen for the first week or two. It may sting or itch during the first couple of days.

In extreme cases, patients can experience infection, lasting redness, a permanent change of facial surface color, or serious scarring. This process is also not recommended for those who currently have problems with acne.

Microdermabrasion
This is a procedure that involves shooting tiny crystals at the top layers, basically polishing or scraping off the uppermost damaged layers.

It is very non-invasive and can take place in less than an hour. Several treatments are required to achieve the desired results and each session can cost between $150 and $300.

Benefits
A microdermabrasion is good for getting rid of crows feet, acne scars, and age spots. It is very popular because it does not cause swelling, redness, or burning like the laser resurfacing. It produces a fresh layer of facial skin and a glowing look on the face. Others really like it because it is gentle on the sensitive facial surface types and there is no recovery process to go through.

Disadvantages
The biggest risk is that the procedures will not be very effective every time. Because it is a less invasive process, the effects are sometimes less effective than desired. Multiple treatment sessions are required and these can become very expensive when added up. Also it really only works best for those who already have a nice skin tone to begin with.

Each of the above described processes has its own pros and cons. Talk to your doctor to decide which of the skin rejuvenation treatments is suitable for you.

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About the Author (text)Cosmetic surgeons Baltimore are experts in microdermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing treatments that can help erase scar and wrinkles around face, eyes, and lips. You can visit http://www.drcohenplasticsurgery.com/ for more information and decide which one is right for you.

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