Skin laser therapy uses concentrated light energy to treat specific targets in the skin. Depending on the laser and its settings, treatment can target pigment, blood vessels, hair follicles, water in the skin, or other structures.

Laser treatments are used for a wide range of concerns, including unwanted hair, acne scars, wrinkles, sun damage, certain pigmentation problems, visible blood vessels, vascular birthmarks, and tattoos.

There is no single “best laser” for every skin concern. The appropriate device depends on what is being treated, the depth and color of the target, the person’s skin tone, medical history, and the desired balance between results and recovery time.

Laser treatment can produce meaningful improvement, but results vary. Some treatments require several sessions, some conditions can recur, and laser procedures can cause burns, pigmentation changes, infection, scarring, or other complications when inappropriate settings or techniques are used.

Quick Answer

Skin laser therapy is a medical treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to selectively heat, break down, or remove targeted structures in the skin.

Different lasers are designed for different purposes:

Ablative lasers remove controlled layers of skin and are commonly used for resurfacing, wrinkles, sun damage, and some scars.
Non-ablative lasers heat deeper skin while leaving the surface more intact, generally resulting in less downtime.
Fractional lasers treat microscopic columns of skin rather than the entire treatment area and may be ablative or non-ablative.
Vascular lasers target blood vessels and can be used for certain red marks, visible vessels, and vascular lesions.
Pigment-targeting lasers can treat selected pigmented lesions and tattoos.
Hair-removal lasers target melanin in hair follicles to reduce unwanted hair.

Laser therapy is not automatically safe simply because it is described as cosmetic or non-surgical. The device, wavelength, energy settings, skin type, diagnosis, and experience of the person performing the procedure all matter.

What Is Skin Laser Therapy?

A medical laser produces concentrated light at a specific wavelength. The light is absorbed more strongly by particular substances, called chromophores, within the skin.

Important chromophores include:

Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair color
Hemoglobin, found in blood vessels
Water, which makes up much of the skin tissue

By selecting an appropriate wavelength, pulse duration, and energy level, a clinician can direct heat toward a particular target while trying to limit damage to surrounding tissue.

This principle is closely related to selective photothermolysis, in which laser energy is chosen to preferentially heat a target structure.

The exact biological effect depends on the laser and treatment settings. Some lasers remove portions of the outer skin, some create controlled microscopic injuries, some heat deeper tissue, and others fragment pigment or damage hair follicles.

Laser technology has therefore become a broad category of treatments rather than one single procedure.

What Can Skin Laser Therapy Treat?

Dermatologists use different lasers for different problems.

Common applications include:

Acne scars
Certain surgical or traumatic scars
Fine lines and wrinkles
Sun-damaged skin
Uneven skin texture
Some age spots and other selected pigmented lesions
Certain vascular lesions
Facial telangiectasia, or small visible blood vessels
Some vascular birthmarks
Unwanted hair
Tattoos
Certain benign skin growths or lesions
Selected pigmentation disorders
Skin resurfacing and rejuvenation

The suitability of laser therapy depends on the exact diagnosis. A treatment that is useful for one type of pigmentation may be inappropriate for another.

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that lasers can be used for several skin conditions and cosmetic concerns, but emphasizes that treatment should be selected according to the individual’s skin and problem.

Main Types of Skin Lasers

Laser terminology can be confusing because lasers are classified according to different characteristics.

A useful way to understand them is to look at what they do to the skin.

1. Ablative Lasers

Ablative lasers remove or vaporize controlled amounts of skin.

Common examples include:

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) lasers
Er:YAG lasers

Ablative resurfacing can produce substantial changes in skin texture because it removes damaged surface tissue and stimulates a wound-healing response.

It may be used for:

More pronounced wrinkles
Sun-damaged skin
Certain acne scars
Other scars
Uneven skin texture
Selected skin lesions

Because the skin surface is deliberately injured, ablative treatments generally involve more recovery than non-ablative treatments.

Possible effects during recovery include redness, swelling, tenderness, crusting, and temporary sensitivity. Infection, pigmentation changes and scarring are less common but important potential complications.

2. Non-Ablative Lasers

Non-ablative lasers heat tissue without intentionally removing the entire surface layer of skin.

They are generally associated with less downtime than fully ablative resurfacing.

Depending on the device, they may be used for:

Fine lines
Mild to moderate photoaging
Certain acne scars
Uneven pigmentation
Vascular concerns
Skin texture

The trade-off is that improvement may be more gradual and multiple sessions may be necessary.

Non-ablative does not mean risk-free. Pigmentary changes, burns and other complications can still occur.

3. Fractional Lasers

Fractional lasers treat microscopic columns or zones of skin while leaving surrounding areas untreated.

The untreated skin between treatment columns provides areas of relatively intact tissue that can support healing.

Fractional technology can be:

Fractional ablative
Fractional non-ablative

Fractional CO₂ and fractional Er:YAG lasers are examples of ablative fractional approaches.

Fractional non-ablative lasers use wavelengths designed to heat deeper tissue without removing the entire surface.

Fractional treatments are widely used for concerns such as:

Acne scars
Certain other scars
Wrinkles
Photoaging
Uneven texture
Selected pigmentation problems

The exact outcome depends heavily on the device and settings.

Common Laser Types and Their Uses

Laser or technology	Common targets or uses	Important considerations
CO₂	Resurfacing, wrinkles, selected scars	Stronger treatment; greater downtime and risk of pigmentation changes
Er:YAG	Resurfacing and selected scars	Ablative treatment with different tissue interaction from CO₂
Fractional non-ablative	Texture, scars, photoaging, selected pigmentation	Usually less downtime; multiple sessions may be needed
Pulsed dye laser (PDL)	Certain red vascular lesions	Can cause temporary bruising or redness
Nd:YAG	Selected vascular lesions, some pigmentation and hair-removal applications	Wavelength can penetrate relatively deeply
KTP	Selected superficial vascular and pigment concerns	Requires appropriate diagnosis and settings
Q-switched lasers	Selected pigmented lesions and tattoos	Pigmentary complications are possible
Picosecond lasers	Selected pigmentation and tattoos	Very short pulses; suitability depends on the target
Alexandrite	Hair removal and selected pigmentation	Skin tone and pigment concentration affect safety
Diode	Hair removal and other selected applications	Device wavelength and settings matter

This table is a general guide rather than a treatment-selection chart. A particular laser may have multiple indications, and device names alone do not determine whether treatment is appropriate.

Is IPL a Laser?

No.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a light-based treatment but is not technically a laser.

A laser generally delivers light within a specific wavelength or narrow range, while IPL uses a broader spectrum of light.

IPL may be used for selected:

Pigmentation concerns
Redness and vascular concerns
Photodamage
Unwanted hair

Because IPL and lasers work differently, they should not be treated as interchangeable terms.

What Are the Benefits of Skin Laser Therapy?

The potential benefit depends on the condition being treated.

Improvement in skin texture

Resurfacing lasers can remove damaged surface tissue or create controlled injury that stimulates remodeling. This can improve the appearance of uneven texture.

Reduction in certain scars

Laser resurfacing, particularly fractional approaches, can improve the appearance and texture of some acne and traumatic scars.

The result is usually improvement rather than complete removal.

Reduction in wrinkles and photoaging

Ablative and non-ablative laser treatments can improve selected signs of photoaging, including fine lines, uneven texture and sun-related changes.

More aggressive resurfacing generally produces greater tissue disruption and longer recovery.

Reduction of selected pigmentation

Some lasers can target melanin and are used for selected pigmented lesions.

However, not every dark spot should be treated with a laser.

A new, changing, irregular, bleeding, or otherwise suspicious pigmented lesion should be medically evaluated before cosmetic treatment.

Treatment of selected vascular lesions

Certain lasers target hemoglobin within blood vessels.

Examples include pulsed dye lasers and selected Nd:YAG or KTP systems.

They may be used for certain facial blood vessels, vascular birthmarks and other vascular lesions.

Reduction of unwanted hair

Laser hair removal targets pigment within hair follicles.

It generally works best when there is sufficient contrast between hair and surrounding skin, although modern devices and treatment techniques allow many people with darker skin to be treated safely when appropriate equipment and settings are used.

Laser hair removal usually requires multiple sessions because hairs respond differently depending on their growth cycle.

The American Academy of Dermatology reports that many patients require several treatments and that maintenance treatments may be needed as hair regrows.

Who May Benefit From Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy may be considered when:

A specific skin condition has been correctly identified.
The selected laser has evidence or an accepted medical use for that condition.
The expected benefit justifies the potential risks.
The patient’s skin type has been considered.
The person understands that improvement may be partial.
Appropriate treatment and aftercare can be provided.

Laser treatment is not necessarily appropriate simply because a person wants smoother, clearer, or younger-looking skin.

A dermatologist may recommend another treatment instead, or may combine laser treatment with other approaches.

Laser Therapy and Skin of Color

Skin tone is an important consideration in laser treatment.

People with darker skin have more melanin in the epidermis. Because many lasers interact with melanin, inappropriate wavelength selection or excessive energy can increase the risk of:

Burns
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Hypopigmentation
Prolonged discoloration
Scarring in severe cases

This does not mean that people with darker skin cannot have laser treatments.

Modern laser techniques can be used safely in many darker skin types when treatment is appropriately selected and performed by someone experienced with those skin types.

The American Academy of Dermatology specifically advises people with darker skin to seek clinicians experienced in treating darker skin with lasers.

Research also supports the use of selected fractional non-ablative lasers in darker skin phototypes, although the appropriate device and settings remain important.

For someone with brown or Black skin, asking a provider about their experience treating patients with a similar skin tone is an important part of the consultation.

How Is the Right Laser Chosen?

A dermatologist generally considers several factors.

1. What is being treated?

A blood vessel, tattoo, acne scar, hair follicle and brown spot do not have the same target.

2. How deep is the target?

Some targets are superficial while others are located deeper in the skin.

3. What is the person’s skin tone?

The amount of melanin in surrounding skin affects both treatment selection and risk.

4. Is the condition active?

For example, active inflammation or infection may need to be controlled before certain procedures.

5. How much downtime is acceptable?

A person who wants minimal downtime may be offered a different approach from someone willing to undergo a longer recovery for potentially greater resurfacing.

6. What result is realistic?

The goal should be improvement that is appropriate for the condition rather than an unrealistic promise of perfect skin.

What Happens During Laser Treatment?

The exact experience depends on the procedure.

Before treatment, the clinician may:

Examine the skin
Confirm the diagnosis
Review medications and supplements
Ask about previous procedures
Ask about previous cold sores or herpes infections
Assess the skin tone
Discuss expectations
Photograph the treatment area
Explain risks and aftercare

During treatment, protective eyewear is generally required.

Depending on the laser and treatment area, the clinician may use:

Cooling
Topical anesthetic
Local anesthetic
Other pain-control measures

Some people describe laser pulses as feeling like heat, snapping, pinching, or rubber-band-like sensations.

The duration can range from a few minutes to considerably longer for larger treatment areas.

How to Prepare for Laser Therapy

Preparation varies according to the procedure.

Your clinician may recommend:

Avoiding tanning

A recent tan can increase the amount of pigment in the skin and may increase the risk of unwanted pigmentation or burns.

Using sun protection

Protecting the skin from ultraviolet exposure before and after treatment is important.

Reviewing medications

Tell your clinician about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and topical products you use.

Some medications can increase sensitivity to light or affect healing.

The AAD specifically recommends telling the dermatologist about medications, skin-care products and supplements before laser treatment.

Discussing a history of cold sores

Certain facial laser procedures can reactivate herpes simplex infection in people who are susceptible.

A clinician may prescribe antiviral medication when appropriate.

Discussing previous abnormal scarring

Tell your clinician if you have developed keloids or unusually raised scars after previous injuries or procedures.

Following procedure-specific instructions

Do not assume that instructions for one laser procedure apply to another.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

Laser therapy can be safe when appropriately selected and performed, but it is still a medical procedure.

Common short-term effects may include:

Redness
Swelling
Warmth
Tenderness
Mild discomfort
Temporary darkening or lightening
Peeling or flaking
Crusting, depending on the procedure

More significant complications can include:

Burns
Blisters
Infection
Herpes reactivation
Persistent pigmentation changes
Hypopigmentation
Hyperpigmentation
Scarring
Changes in skin texture
Prolonged redness

The exact risk depends on the laser, energy settings, treatment area, skin type, medical history and experience of the operator.

The AAD warns that inappropriate laser treatment can result in burns, permanent changes in skin color and scars.

Can Laser Treatment Cause Hyperpigmentation?

Yes.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) can occur after skin injury, including some laser procedures.

This risk can be particularly important for people with darker skin tones.

The risk does not mean that laser treatment is automatically inappropriate. It means that treatment settings, device choice, sun exposure and the patient’s individual risk factors need to be considered carefully.

Some laser approaches may have a lower risk of pigmentary complications than others, but no laser is completely risk-free.

Can Laser Treatment Cause Hypopigmentation?

Yes.

Laser treatment can sometimes result in areas of skin becoming lighter.

This may be temporary or, in some cases, persistent.

The risk depends on the treatment and individual factors.

This is particularly important when treating darker skin because even relatively small changes in pigmentation can be noticeable.

Can Laser Treatment Cause Scarring?

Scarring is uncommon with many modern laser procedures but remains a possible complication.

The risk can increase with:

Excessive treatment energy
Overlapping treatment areas
Infection
Poor wound healing
Certain individual scarring tendencies
Inappropriate treatment selection

More aggressive ablative resurfacing carries greater potential for complications than many lower-intensity procedures.

Laser Therapy Results: What Should You Expect?

Laser treatment does not produce identical results in everyone.

Results depend on:

The condition being treated
Laser type
Wavelength
Energy settings
Skin tone
Age and health of the skin
Number of sessions
Aftercare
Sun exposure
Individual healing response

Some treatments produce visible changes relatively quickly.

Others rely on gradual remodeling and may take weeks or months for the full effect to become apparent.

One treatment may not be enough

Many laser treatments are performed as a series.

For example, laser hair removal commonly requires multiple sessions because hair follicles are not all in the same growth phase at the same time.

Similarly, fractional resurfacing and vascular treatments may require multiple sessions depending on the problem and treatment response.

Are Laser Results Permanent?

It depends on what is being treated.

Laser treatment may permanently destroy or significantly reduce some targeted structures, but that does not necessarily mean the underlying condition can never return.

Examples:

Hair: Long-term hair reduction is possible, but some regrowth commonly occurs and maintenance may be necessary.
Wrinkles: Laser resurfacing can improve existing photoaging, but normal aging and future sun exposure continue.
Pigmentation: A treated spot may improve, but new pigmentation can develop.
Vascular lesions: A treated vessel may improve, but additional vessels can appear later.
Acne scars: Improvement may be long-lasting, but scars are generally remodeled rather than completely erased.

A realistic goal is usually improvement, not perfection.

Laser Hair Removal: What Makes It Different?

Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly recognized laser procedures.

The laser targets pigment in the hair follicle. Because hair follicles cycle through different growth phases, multiple treatments are usually necessary.

Results depend on:

Hair color
Hair thickness
Skin tone
Treatment area
Laser type
Hormonal factors
Treatment settings

Dark, coarse hair generally responds better because it contains more melanin that can absorb the laser energy.

Very light, gray, or white hair can be difficult to treat because there may be insufficient pigment for the laser to target.

The AAD reports that common temporary side effects include redness, swelling and discomfort, while less common complications include blistering, infection, scarring and changes in skin color.

Laser Treatment for Acne Scars

Laser resurfacing can improve the appearance of some acne scars by remodeling scarred skin and stimulating new collagen formation.

However, acne scars are not all the same.

They can include:

Ice-pick scars
Boxcar scars
Rolling scars
Hypertrophic scars

Different scar types may respond differently to different treatments.

Laser treatment is therefore not a universal solution for acne scarring.

Some people may benefit from combinations of procedures rather than laser treatment alone.

Active acne may also need to be controlled before certain resurfacing procedures.

Laser Treatment for Wrinkles and Skin Rejuvenation

Laser resurfacing can improve selected signs of photoaging.

Potential targets include:

Fine lines
Uneven texture
Sun damage
Certain pigmentation changes
Some superficial scars

Ablative resurfacing generally produces more significant tissue injury and potentially greater improvement, but it also requires more recovery and carries greater procedural risk.

Non-ablative approaches generally have less downtime but may require more sessions and may produce more modest changes.

No laser can stop the natural aging process.

Laser Treatment for Pigmentation and Brown Spots

Some pigment-targeting lasers can improve selected pigmented lesions.

However, pigmentation is one of the areas where correct diagnosis is especially important.

A brown spot could represent many different things, including:

Sun-related pigmentation
Freckles
Melasma
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
A benign mole
Another skin condition

Some pigmented skin cancers can also resemble benign spots.

For this reason, a suspicious lesion should not simply be treated cosmetically without appropriate assessment.

Laser treatment can also sometimes worsen pigmentation rather than improve it.

Laser Treatment for Blood Vessels and Redness

Some lasers selectively target hemoglobin in blood vessels.

They may be used for selected:

Facial telangiectasia
Spider veins
Vascular birthmarks
Other vascular lesions

Pulsed dye laser and Nd:YAG laser are examples of vascular laser technologies.

The appropriate wavelength depends on the depth, size and characteristics of the blood vessel.

Temporary bruising, redness, swelling and pigmentary changes can occur after vascular laser treatment.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Certain lasers can break tattoo pigment into smaller particles that the body can gradually clear.

Tattoo removal commonly requires multiple sessions.

Results vary according to:

Tattoo ink colors
Ink depth
Ink quantity
Tattoo age
Tattoo location
Skin tone
Type of laser used

Some tattoo pigments are substantially more difficult to remove than others.

Complete removal is not guaranteed.

Pigmentary changes and scarring are possible complications.

What Should You Tell Your Dermatologist Before Treatment?

Before laser treatment, tell your clinician if you:

Have a recent tan or sunburn
Have a history of keloids or abnormal scars
Have had previous laser treatments
Have a history of cold sores or herpes
Have an active skin infection
Have open wounds in the treatment area
Use prescription medicines
Use photosensitizing medicines
Use topical retinoids or other active skin-care products
Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
Have recently used tanning products
Have an immune system condition or another condition that may affect healing

The exact precautions depend on the procedure.

Who Should Perform Laser Treatment?

Laser treatment should be performed by an appropriately trained medical professional, particularly when treating a medical skin condition or performing higher-risk resurfacing.

For many procedures, seeing a board-certified dermatologist with experience in laser treatment provides an important level of medical expertise.

The AAD emphasizes that the skill of the person performing laser treatment has a major effect on outcomes and recommends choosing a dermatologist experienced with lasers, particularly for people with darker skin.

Before treatment, consider asking:

What diagnosis are you treating?
Which laser are you recommending?
Why is this laser appropriate for me?
What alternatives do I have?
How many treatments might I need?
What results are realistic?
What are the most important risks for my skin type?
What is the expected downtime?
What should I do before treatment?
What should I do afterward?
How often do you perform this procedure on people with my skin tone?
Who will actually perform the treatment?
What happens if I develop a complication?

These questions can help you understand the procedure rather than choosing a treatment based only on the device’s brand name.

What About Laser Treatment at Spas or Non-Medical Settings?

The setting matters because laser procedures can cause medical complications.

A low price or convenient location does not necessarily mean a procedure is appropriate or safe.

The AAD warns that procedures performed in non-medical settings may have limited training, supervision or equipment and recommends treatment by appropriately qualified medical professionals.

Ask who is responsible for assessing your skin, selecting the treatment parameters and managing complications if something goes wrong.

Laser Therapy Aftercare

Aftercare depends on the type and intensity of treatment.

Your clinician may recommend:

Avoiding direct sun exposure
Using appropriate sunscreen
Keeping the treated area clean
Using prescribed ointments or moisturizers
Avoiding picking or scratching treated skin
Temporarily avoiding irritating skin-care products
Avoiding heat or strenuous activity for a specified period
Following specific wound-care instructions after ablative treatment

Sun protection is particularly important because ultraviolet exposure can increase the risk of prolonged pigmentation and interfere with recovery.

The AAD recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher and other forms of sun protection around laser treatment.

When Should You Contact a Doctor After Laser Treatment?

Contact your healthcare provider if you develop:

Increasing rather than improving pain
Significant swelling
Extensive blistering
Pus or other signs of infection
Fever
Rapidly worsening redness
Unexpected skin color changes
Delayed wound healing
New or worsening scarring
Eye symptoms after treatment near the eyes

Seek urgent medical care for severe symptoms, significant burns, serious eye exposure, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms suggesting a medical emergency.

Common Misconceptions About Skin Laser Therapy

“Laser treatment removes all skin problems.”

No.

Lasers are specialized tools. They can be highly useful for selected conditions but are not a universal treatment for every skin concern.

“More powerful lasers always give better results.”

Not necessarily.

Higher energy can produce greater tissue injury and potentially greater improvement in some situations, but it can also increase downtime and complications.

The appropriate treatment is the one that provides a reasonable balance between expected benefit and risk for the particular patient.

“Laser treatment is completely permanent.”

Not always.

Some results can be long-lasting, while others require maintenance or can change as the skin continues to age or the underlying condition recurs.

“Laser treatment is safe for every skin tone.”

No.

Many people with darker skin can undergo laser treatment safely, but some procedures have a higher risk of pigmentation changes. Device selection and clinical experience matter.

“A laser can remove a mole safely without an examination.”

A suspicious pigmented lesion should be evaluated before cosmetic treatment.

Laser treatment should not replace appropriate diagnosis of a potentially concerning skin lesion.

“IPL and laser are the same thing.”

They are both light-based treatments, but IPL is not a laser.

How Much Does Skin Laser Therapy Cost?

There is no single standard price for laser therapy.

Cost varies according to:

Type of laser
Condition being treated
Size of treatment area
Number of sessions
Location
Clinician’s experience
Whether anesthesia or other medications are required
Whether follow-up care is included

For medically necessary treatment, insurance coverage may sometimes differ from cosmetic treatment, but coverage depends on the diagnosis, procedure and insurance policy.

A clinic should be able to explain whether the quoted price is per session or for an entire treatment plan.

Laser Therapy vs Other Skin Treatments

Laser treatment is only one category of dermatologic procedures.

Depending on the concern, alternatives may include:

Prescription medicines
Topical treatments
Chemical peels
Microneedling
Electrosurgery
Cryotherapy
Intense pulsed light
Radiofrequency-based treatments
Surgical procedures

The best choice depends on the diagnosis and the person’s goals, skin type, medical history, tolerance for downtime and risk.

A dermatologist can help compare these options.

Key Takeaways

Skin laser therapy is a broad group of treatments rather than one procedure.

The most important points are:

Different lasers target different structures in the skin.
Ablative lasers remove controlled amounts of skin and generally involve more downtime.
Non-ablative lasers heat deeper tissue while preserving more of the surface.
Fractional lasers treat microscopic areas rather than the entire surface.
Vascular lasers target selected blood vessels.
Pigment-targeting lasers can treat selected pigmented conditions and tattoos.
Hair-removal lasers target pigment in hair follicles.
Laser therapy can improve scars, wrinkles, pigmentation, vascular lesions, unwanted hair and other selected concerns.
Results vary and often require multiple sessions.
Laser treatment can cause burns, pigmentation changes, infection and scarring.
People with darker skin require particularly careful treatment planning because pigmentary complications can be more significant.
A suspicious mole or pigmented lesion should be evaluated before cosmetic laser treatment.
The skill and experience of the person performing the procedure are important.
Realistic expectations are essential because improvement is not the same as complete removal or a permanent cure.

The safest approach is to choose the treatment based on the diagnosis, skin type, laser technology, expected benefit and individual risk, rather than choosing a procedure simply because it is popular or advertised as the newest technology.