Aged facial skin is typically the first sign of aging, not least of all because it’s the first thing we look at every day in the mirror. From decades of sun damage, volume loss over time, and even poor or no skin care routines, the face eventually will begin to give our age away, and therefore sees a surge of interest in rejuvenation tactics. Thankfully, the suite of modern laser devices can not only help to slow aging, but even reverse it.
In this article, we break down the fundamentals of laser skin rejuvenation, including resurfacing, and the best lasers on the market, based on insights from Dr. Joseph Kelling, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas. We explore common types of procedures, expected timelines for results, what recovery involves, and how frequently treatments should be performed for ongoing facial rejuvenation to truly rejuvenate your face and get your youthful glow back.
Laser skin rejuvenation is a broad category focused on improving skin tone, texture, elasticity, and pigmentation with less aggressive impacts on the surface. It is great for a wide-variety of patients, especially those looking for minimal to mild rejuvenation. When rejuvenation needs are more severe, laser skin resurfacing is the answer. These procedures remove or damage the outer layers of skin to reveal fresher skin beneath, stimulating significant collagen production. It targets deeper concerns like deep wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven texture.
All resurfacing can contribute to rejuvenation, but not every rejuvenation treatment qualifies as full resurfacing. Resurfacing tends to deliver more dramatic changes for advanced aging signs, while rejuvenation supports maintenance and early intervention with minimal disruption.
Dr. Kelling notes that different lasers serve distinct purposes: “A lot of plastic surgeons have lasers available to them in their office, but each laser's going to do something different.” He highlights the importance of matching the right technology to the patient’s unique needs for optimal laser rejuvenation.
Modern practices offer a suite of advanced lasers tailored to specific concerns.
For deep wrinkles, ablative resurfacing stands out. Dr. Kelling explains its role for patients in their forties to seventies: “You come to me, you're probably in your forties to seventies, and you have deep wrinkles on your face, and you're like, 'Doc, how do I get rid of these deep wrinkles?' That's where that ablative resurfacing comes in.”
The Sciton Joule X platform provides top-tier options, including full-field ablative erbium resurfacing that removes the complete surface layer for dramatic smoothing.
Fractional laser treatments, such as ProFractional (a fractionated erbium laser), create microscopic channels rather than treating the entire surface. This approach suits acne scarring or uneven texture: “It works very similar to the ablative laser, but instead of being a full-field laser, I'm punching individual holes across the skin. So if you have something like acne scarring, and you have uneven texture, when the skin grows back, it's gonna create a more smooth or confluent appearance to the skin. It's also a great laser to use on surgical scars to flatten them out.”
The process these lasers introduce is often likened to aerating a field of grass. If you’ve ever seen soccer fields and golf courses with little holes punched in them, typically in early spring, this is to stimulate the grass to come in stronger and more fresh. The same process is at play when punching small holes in facial skin with a laser. It "reawakens" the collagen, telling it to start growing better and stronger.
The Halo laser serves as a hybrid option—combining deeper non-ablative effects with superficial fractional erbium. Dr. Kelling describes it as “a great stepping stone toward that ablative erbium full-field resurfacing, but with much less downtime.” It uses two wavelengths: one for deeper collagen stimulation and skin tightening, and another for surface improvement. “One is going to cause some deeper areas of skin necrosis that stimulate new collagen and cause some skin tightening,” he shares. “And then superficially, it has that fractionated erbium component to it.”
For pigmentation and vascular issues, Broadband Light (BBL) targets reds and browns. “Primarily I'm using the BBL to treat reds and brown skin tones in your skin. So if you have small blood vessels on your skin, or you have some brown spots or freckles or any sort of dyspigmentation, the BBL is a great laser to do that.”
All in all, there exists a suite of laser rejuvenation options that are custom tailored to your unique situation. Additionally, laser rejuvenation is an incredible adjunct to surgical procedures, like a facelift and/or neck lift. While these surgical procedures are working to rejuvenate structure, they do not address skin quality. This is where lasers step in and provide total rejuvenation.
Downtime depends on the procedure’s intensity. Full ablative resurfacing involves more significant peeling, redness, and swelling, often requiring 1–3 weeks for social downtime as the skin renews.
Fractional erbium (ProFractional) generally allows return to activities in 1–2 days for lighter treatments, though redness and flaking may last 7-14 days. Patients can often apply makeup after 72 hours but must avoid sun exposure.
Halo offers a balance with reduced downtime compared to full ablative: most experience mild sunburn-like redness and swelling for a few days, with many returning to routines within 3–7 days.
BBL is the gentlest, with minimal to no downtime—mild redness or warmth that typically resolves within hours to a day or two.
Post-treatment care includes gentle cleansing, moisturizing, sun protection, and avoiding irritants. Individual healing varies based on skin type, treatment settings, and overall health.
Results vary by laser type and treatment depth. Ablative resurfacing often shows noticeable improvement once initial healing completes, with continued collagen remodeling for months. Fractional options like ProFractional yield initial changes in 3–5 days, with progressive smoothing over weeks and full benefits up to six months.
Halo treatments typically reveal visible glow and texture improvements within one to two weeks as redness fades, with ongoing collagen benefits developing over subsequent months. BBL results for pigmentation appear gradually over 2–8 weeks per session, with cumulative tone evening after a series.
Frequency depends on goals and laser choice. Aggressive ablative or deep fractional resurfacing may require only one or two sessions spaced months apart for lasting correction of deep wrinkles or scars.
Halo can be performed as a series or periodically for maintenance. BBL shines for ongoing care. Dr. Kelling references strong evidence: “There's a dermatologist at Stanford, Patrick Bitter, that published a paper several years ago showing that with three BBL treatments four to six weeks apart, it actually changes the genetic expression in the skin, so you're starting to express more youthful genetics in your skin.”
He adds that BBL functions well as “a maintenance laser to make sure that you don't have brown spots or red spots popping up on your skin. That's something that you can start really early on.”
For sustained laser skin rejuvenation, many patients incorporate periodic BBL or lighter fractional sessions every 6–12 months after initial improvement. Combining modalities—such as using BBL for tone and Halo or ProFractional for texture—allows comprehensive treatment of aging aspects.
Dr. Kelling’s laser suite, built around the Sciton Joule X platform, addresses multiple facets of facial aging: “That's really the laser suite that I offer in my office, and I think it's great for the facial rejuvenation patient treat every aspect of their facial aging and making sure we're talking about treating the skin on top of the surgical results that they're seeking.”
Consulting with a qualified provider is essential. Factors like skin type, severity of concerns (deep wrinkles versus mild pigmentation), and lifestyle (tolerance for downtime) guide the best plan. Whether seeking dramatic laser skin resurfacing for texture and wrinkles or gentler laser skin rejuvenation for tone and prevention, today’s technologies offer customizable solutions.
If you’re exploring options for smoother, more youthful skin, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kelling today to discuss which laser treatments align with your goals. From fractional laser precision to hybrid Halo benefits and BBL’s science-backed maintenance, personalized plans can absolutely help you achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results.
