The procdure is performed on an outpatient basis. During the laser peel, the patient is placed under topical anesthesia and sedative medications, and the patient’s eyes are covered to protect them from the laser light. The length of the procedure depends upon the size of the area the patient wishes to have treated. A partial facial skin resurfacing can take as little as half an hour; a full resurfacing can take up to two hours.

Last updated on February 6, 2010 by Sarah Yousuff, MD