Full-face, medium resurfacing is expensive, generally about $800 to $3000. Resurfacing on smaller areas of the face will be less. Insurance generally does not cover skin resurfacing unless it is to treat blemishes or scars associated with a congenital defect, medical condition, or injury. (Check the specific provisions in your policy and get written approval if you think you are covered.) Laser resurfacing is the most expensive procedure due to the high cost of the laser equipment.

Despite its higher cost, laser resurfacing is rapidly becoming the most popular method of medium resurfacing since it is easier for the doctor to perform than a chemical peel or dermabrasion. The doctor doesn't have to handle messy acids or bloody abrasives. Some doctors also believe that the laser produces contraction of collagen in the dermis, giving a better result than a chemical peel or dermabrasion of the same penetration.

If you decide to have medium resurfacing, you can minimize the risk of scarring, loss of pigment, and healing problems by having the doctor resurface a small test area first to see how your skin responds. (A test area on the side of your face will be least noticeable.) A test area is recommended because there is a wide variation in people's skin thickness and healing ability.

To understand the risks of medium skin resurfacing, you should think of the procedure as a controlled surgical wound, not as a "spa treatment." For it to be successful, penetration must be carefully controlled, and then the skin must heal well.

Excessive penetration into the dermis in an effort to remove deep wrinkles can cause uneven, scarred skin. If this happens, the resulting scars are similar to those caused by second-degree thermal burns. Infection following the procedure can cause scarring.

Skin resurfacing is the removal of skin layers by chemical acid peeling, abrasive dermabrasion or laser. When the skin regrows, the skin may appear smoother. Numerous medical studies have shown that resurfacing can potentially reduce the appearance of wrinkles, remove benign discolorations, improve skin texture, and improve some scars.