Lasers were discovered in the late 1950s and since have become dominant as tools in industrial applications. More recently, the use of lasers as medical tools has been revolutionary. Lasers, when used as surgical devices, can slice through tissue without triggering excessive bleeding. They are known for their ability to coagulate tissue in order to contain bleeding. Also, lasers can penetrate deeper and make contact with parts of the body not easily accessible to the scalpel. Besides, the wavelengths of the lasers light allow the surgeon to use the tool judiciously, on specific types of tissue, without damaging the surrounding tissue.

However, lasers applicability in skin resurfacing was discovered as if by accident. During the treatment of acne scars using lasers, it was observed that after skin resurfacing was done to diminish acne scars, wrinkles in the area also diminished. Resurfacing appeals to people because it refreshes the skins surface and creates a new layer of undamaged, youthful skin. Laser-induced skin resurfacing can give people a youthful look because it helps form youthful collagen. Collagen is a fibrous protein in the connective tissue of the skin which gives skin its look and feel. Aging and poor habits (such as smoking), among other things, destroy the collagen so that wrinkles develop on the skins surface. Lasers, however, cannot rejuvenate skin. They can merely refresh the surface.

The process of cosmetic surgery using lasers is not easy, and not everyone is a suitable candidate for it. People with sensitive skin, for instance, may not be able to tolerate the skin medication post-treatment. Apart from this, some amount of oozing and swelling can be expected. The skin will look totally raw and bruised for over a week. One also cannot expect flawless skin at the end of the treatment. A fifty percent improvement is the best that most surgeons will promise.

There are risks involved in cosmetic laser surgery just as there are in any other type of surgery. Some of these include prolonged inflammation of the skin, changes in skin color, tenderness and so on. Other risks, which are probably permanent, are lightening of the skin in the areas that were treated, and scarring in some cases, due to inadequate post-surgery attention, or the use of too much light by the surgeon, which can result in burns.