How you prepare

Before you have laser resurfacing, your doctor will likely:

• Ask about your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions and any medications you're taking or you've taken recently, as well as any cosmetic procedures you've had in the past.
• Do a physical exam. Your doctor will inspect your skin and the area that will be treated. This will help him or her determine what changes can be made and how your physical features — for example, the tone and thickness of your skin — might affect your results.
• Discuss your expectations. Talk with your doctor about your motivations, expectations and the potential risks. Make sure you understand how long it'll take to heal and what your results might be.

Before laser resurfacing, you might also need to:

• Take medication to prevent complications. If you're having ablative laser resurfacing — or nonablative laser resurfacing and you have a history of herpes infections around your mouth — your doctor will prescribe an antiviral medication before and after treatment to prevent a viral infection.
• Avoid unprotected sun exposure. Too much sun up to two months before the procedure can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in treated areas. Strong sun exposure can also reactivate herpes virus in some people. Discuss sun protection and acceptable sun exposure with your doctor.
• Stop smoking. If you smoke, try to stop at least two weeks before and after your treatment. This improves your chance of avoiding complications and helps your body heal.
• Arrange for a ride home. If you're going to be sedated during laser resurfacing, you'll need help getting home after the procedure.