Management of the Postpeel and Laser-Resurfaced Patient: A Ten-Year Experience

Abstract

Three principal methods exist to resurface skin: mechanical, chemical, and laser. All ablative resurfacing is fraught with the potential for significant postoperative morbidity, including discomfort, milia and acne outbreaks, protracted erythema, dyschromias, dermatitis, and even scarring. Unlike with traditional, uneventful surgical rejuvenative procedures such as blepharoplasty or rhytidoplasty, postoperative care may be quite labor-intensive for the office staff and patient alike. Unfortunately, postoperative care of the resurfaced patient may be complicated and confusing, and no consensus exists as to what constitutes the optimal treatment algorithm. This article reflects the author's personal philosophy and ten-year experience in managing the resurfaced patient and offers some guidelines in the postoperative period to minimize adverse outcomes and achieve maximal benefit for the patient.