Laser Skin Resurfacing in San Diego

Reveal Smoother, Clearer, Healthier-Looking Skin

Laser skin resurfacing uses light or energy to improve damaged skin so your body builds smoother, clearer skin in its place. Lanoi Dermatology in San Diego offers CO2, ResurFX, IPL, Opus Plasma, and targeted Nd and Q-switched treatments for sun damage, acne scars, wrinkles, redness, and uneven texture.

Comprehensive Care

Medical. Cosmetic. Surgical.

Tailored Care

Your Skin. Your Goals.

Advanced Technology

Multiple Treatment Options.

Physician-Performed

Treatments by Dr. Berman.

San Diego Cosmetic Dermatology

Laser Skin Resurfacing in San Diego at Lanoi Dermatology

If the skin in the mirror no longer matches how you feel, you are not imagining it. Years of San Diego sun add up. So do old acne scars, redness, brown spots, fine lines, and changes in texture. Together, they can make your skin look tired when you are not. Laser skin resurfacing at Lanoi Dermatology is not about changing your face. It is about improving the things that keep catching your eye every morning. You do not have to figure out which treatment you need. We look at your skin, listen to what you want to improve, and build a plan around the result you want.

Laser Treatments San Diego

Refresh Your Skin

At Lanoi Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology, we use laser, light, and energy-based treatments to improve the skin concerns that can make your complexion look older, tired, uneven, or less like the skin you remember.

Common Concerns We Treat

  • Sun damage and brown spots
  • Acne scars
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Redness and visible vessels
  • Rough or uneven texture
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Loss of firmness
  • Surgical and other scars
Laser Skin Resurfacing

CO2 Resurfacing: Model shown. Not an actual Lanoi Dermatology patient. For illustrative purposes only. Individual results vary by patient and treatment plan.

Why San Diego Patients Choose Lanoi Dermatology for Laser Treatments

When it comes to your face, the goal is not to find the “best laser.” It is to find the treatment that is right for your skin. Sun spots, acne scars, redness, wrinkles, and uneven texture do not all respond to the same treatment, and the strongest treatment is not always the smartest one. At Lanoi Dermatology, we start with you, not a device. We look at what you want to improve, how your skin behaves, your history, your goals, and the amount of recovery that works for your life. Then we choose from advanced laser, light, and energy-based treatments to build your plan. All treatments are performed by Dr. Hannah Berman. The technology matters. The judgment behind it matters more.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

What is laser skin resurfacing? 

Laser skin resurfacing uses light or energy to improve damaged skin, on purpose and under control. Your body responds the way it responds to any injury. It builds new skin and new collagen to replace what was treated.

What grows back is smoother, firmer, and more even in color. Scars soften. Fine lines fade. Pores look smaller because the skin around them has tightened.

This is also why creams can only take you so far. Creams work on the surface. Sun damage, scarring, and loss of firmness live underneath it, and no cream reaches that deep. Laser and energy treatments do. That is the difference.

Some treatments take the top layers of skin off, which produces a bigger change and needs real recovery time. Others leave the surface alone and heat the layer underneath, which produces gradual change with very little time off. Neither is better. They answer different questions, and which one you need depends on what you want to fix and how much recovery works for your life.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

IPL Laser Skin Resurfacing: Model shown. Not an actual Lanoi Dermatology patient. For illustrative purposes only. Individual results vary by patient and treatment plan.

Which Laser Treatment Is Right for Me?

You do not need to know the answer before you come in. But if you want a sense of how the treatments differ, here is the short version.



UltraPulse CO2


Best For
Deep acne scars, etched wrinkles, significant sun damage


Downtime
5–10 days


Treatments
Varies by concern



ResurFX


Best For
Fine lines, mild acne scars, uneven texture


Downtime
1–2 days


Treatments
A series



IPL Photofacial


Best For
Sun spots, brown spots, facial redness


Downtime
About a week


Treatments
A series



1550 Fractional


Best For
Brown spots or redness when texture and firmness are also a concern


Downtime
About a week


Treatments
Added to an IPL treatment, per area



Opus Plasma


Best For
Crepey texture with early loss of firmness


Downtime
3–5 days


Treatments
A series



Q-Switched & Nd:YAG


Best For
Selected spots and visible vessels


Downtime
Minimal


Treatments
Varies by concern


Facial Rejuvenation in San Diego

Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments at Lanoi Dermatology

There is no single “best laser.” There is a treatment that is better suited to what you want to improve. Some treatments focus on pigment and redness. Some stimulate collagen without removing the surface of the skin. Others create deeper resurfacing when scars, wrinkles, or more significant sun damage need greater correction.

Here are the primary laser and resurfacing treatments available at Lanoi Dermatology.

TYPE 1

CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

A Deeper Reset for Skin That Needs More

CO2 laser skin resurfacing is designed for skin that needs more significant correction. Lanoi Dermatology uses the Lumenis UltraPulse CO2 laser to improve wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage, and uneven texture while stimulating collagen as the skin heals. ActiveFX, DeepFX, and TotalFX allow Dr. Berman to customize treatment depth based on your concerns, goals, and desired recovery time, lifestyle, and comfort.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Improves wrinkles, scars, and uneven texture.

  • Stimulates collagen during the healing process.

  • Customizes resurfacing depth to your needs.

SKIN CONCERNS & TARGETS

  • Sun damage & brown spots
  • Fine lines & wrinkles
  • Acne scars & uneven texture
  • Target: Face and cheeks
  • Target: Around eyes and mouth
  • Target: Neck and chest

WHAT TO EXPECT

Treatment Plan: ActiveFX, DeepFX, or TotalFX is selected based on your skin and goals.
Onset: Improvement appears as the skin heals and collagen continues to remodel.
Duration: Results may be long-lasting with consistent skincare and daily sun protection.
Downtime: Recovery is more involved and depends on treatment depth and intensity.

TYPE 2

ResurFX

Smoother Skin With Less Recovery Time

ResurFX is a non-ablative laser skin treatment for patients who want to improve texture, fine lines, and mild acne scarring without the recovery of deeper CO2 resurfacing. Controlled laser energy reaches below the skin’s surface to stimulate collagen while leaving the outer layer intact. This creates gradual rejuvenation with less downtime and a treatment plan that can build comfortably over time.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Improves fine lines and uneven texture.

  • Stimulates collagen beneath the skin’s surface.

  • Offers less downtime than ablative resurfacing.

SKIN CONCERNS & TARGETS

  • Fine lines
  • Mild acne scars
  • Uneven skin texture
  • Target: Face and cheeks
  • Target: Neck
  • Target: Chest

WHAT TO EXPECT

Treatment Plan: ResurFX is often performed as a series based on your treatment goals.
Onset: Gradual improvement develops as new collagen forms over the following weeks.
Duration: Results may be long-lasting with consistent skincare and daily sun protection.
Downtime: Recovery is shorter, with temporary redness or swelling sometimes possible.

TYPE 3

IPL Photofacial

Clear the Spots and Calm the Redness

When the problem is color rather than texture, IPL may be the better answer. Intense pulsed light targets unwanted pigment and visible redness without resurfacing the skin. Lanoi Dermatology uses M22 and Nordlys IPL treatments to improve sun spots, brown spots, facial redness, and uneven tone while keeping recovery easy and treatment focused on the concerns you want to change.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Fades sun spots and unwanted pigmentation.

  • Reduces visible redness and facial vessels.

  • Brightens uneven tone with minimal downtime.

SKIN CONCERNS & TARGETS

  • Brown spots and sun damage
  • Redness and visible vessels
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Target: Face
  • Target: Neck and chest
  • Target: Hands

WHAT TO EXPECT

Treatment Plan: One treatment or a short series may be recommended for your concerns.
Onset: Pigment and redness improve gradually as treated areas respond after treatment.
Duration: Results may be long-lasting with consistent skincare and daily sun protection.
Downtime: Recovery is minimal, with temporary redness or pigment darkening possible.

TYPE 4

Opus Plasma Skin Resurfacing

Renew Texture and Firmness Without a Laser

Opus Plasma offers a resurfacing option for patients who want to improve texture, fine lines, crepey skin, and early loss of firmness without laser resurfacing. It uses fractional radiofrequency and plasma energy to create controlled treatment zones that stimulate skin renewal and collagen remodeling. This gives Lanoi another way to match treatment intensity to your skin, goals, and recovery preferences.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Improves fine lines and uneven texture.

  • Encourages collagen remodeling and skin renewal.

  • Offers adjustable resurfacing with shorter recovery.

SKIN CONCERNS & TARGETS

  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Crepey or uneven texture
  • Early loss of firmness
  • Target: Face
  • Target: Around the eyes
  • Target: Neck and chest

WHAT TO EXPECT

Treatment Plan: One treatment or a series may be recommended based on your goals.
Onset: Improvement develops gradually as the skin heals and collagen continues remodeling.
Duration: Results vary with natural aging, skincare, sun exposure, and ongoing maintenance.
Downtime: Recovery is typically short to moderate, depending on the treatment intensity.

TYPE 5

Q-Switched & Nd:YAG

Target Specific Concerns With Precision

Not every skin concern needs full-face resurfacing. Q-Switched & Nd:YAG lasers allow us to focus treatment on selected pigment or vascular concerns when precision makes more sense than a broader procedure. This targeted approach helps us treat the area that needs attention while avoiding unnecessary resurfacing, so the treatment stays proportionate to the problem you actually want to solve today.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Targets selected pigment and vascular concerns.

  • Focuses treatment where it is needed.

  • Avoids unnecessary full-face resurfacing procedures.

SKIN CONCERNS & TARGETS

  • Selected pigmented spots
  • Visible vascular concerns
  • Localized discoloration
  • Target: Face
  • Target: Individual spots
  • Target: Selected body areas

WHAT TO EXPECT

Treatment Plan: One or more treatments may be recommended based on the concern addressed.
Onset: Improvement develops gradually as the targeted pigment or vascular area responds.
Duration: Results may be long-lasting, although new pigment or vessels can develop.
Downtime: Recovery is generally limited, with temporary redness or swelling sometimes possible.

TYPE 6

Fraxel Laser

Improve Texture and Stimulate Collagen

The Fraxel laser is a non-ablative treatment that works below the skin’s surface to stimulate collagen and improve texture without aggressive resurfacing. It can help soften fine lines, smooth uneven texture, and support early firmness changes with manageable recovery. At Lanoi Dermatology, it may complement IPL when both discoloration and texture are part of your individual cosmetic treatment goals.

KEY BENEFITS

  • Stimulates collagen below the skin’s surface.

  • Improves fine lines and uneven texture.

  • Adds resurfacing to pigment-focused treatment plans.

SKIN CONCERNS & TARGETS

  • Fine lines
  • Uneven skin texture
  • Acne scars
  • Target: Face
  • Target: Neck
  • Target: Chest

WHAT TO EXPECT

Treatment Plan: Fraxel laser treatments may complement an IPL treatment based on your goals.
Onset: Texture and collagen improvements develop gradually over the following weeks.
Duration: Results may be long-lasting with consistent skincare and daily sun protection.
Downtime: Recovery is shorter than with deeper ablative laser resurfacing treatments.

CHERISH THE SKIN YOU’RE IN.

PROTECT IT, RENEW IT, BE CONFIDENT IN IT.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Opus Plasma Skin Resurfacing: Model shown. Not an actual Lanoi Dermatology patient. For illustrative purposes only. Individual results vary by patient and treatment plan.

Is Laser Skin Resurfacing Right For me?

Laser skin resurfacing and other energy based treatments may be right for you if you want to improve visible changes in your skin without surgery. The right treatment depends on the concern you want to address, your skin characteristics, your goals, and the amount of recovery that works for your life.

You may be a good candidate if you:

  • Want to improve sun damage, pigmentation, scars, lines, or texture.

  • Prefer a non-surgical approach to skin rejuvenation.

  • Have realistic expectations about the level of improvement possible.

  • Are willing to follow preparation, aftercare, and sun-protection instructions.

During your cosmetic consultation at Lanoi Dermatology, we review your medical history, evaluate your skin and Fitzpatrick skin type, discuss what you want to change, and recommend a treatment plan with clear expectations about results, recovery, and pricing.

You should leave knowing what we recommend, why we recommend it, and what to expect next.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type

Your Fitzpatrick skin type describes how your skin responds to sun, and it is one of the first things we look at when planning treatment. Skin that burns easily and skin that tans easily respond differently to light and heat. That difference changes which treatment we recommend, what settings we use, and how many sessions you may need. Matching the treatment to your skin type is how we get a result that looks natural and heals well.

There are six types. Find the one that sounds most like you below, and do not worry about getting it exactly right. We confirm it at your consultation.






Type I


Skin, Hair & Eyes
Very fair skin, often with freckles. Light or red hair and blue, green, or grey eyes.


Sun Response
Always burns. Never tans.








Type II


Skin, Hair & Eyes
Fair skin. Blond or light brown hair and blue, green, or hazel eyes.


Sun Response
Burns easily. Tans very little.








Type III


Skin, Hair & Eyes
Light to medium skin. Any hair or eye color.


Sun Response
Sometimes burns. Tans gradually.








Type IV


Skin, Hair & Eyes
Olive or light brown skin. Dark hair and dark eyes.


Sun Response
Rarely burns. Tans easily.








Type V


Skin, Hair & Eyes
Brown skin. Dark hair and dark eyes.


Sun Response
Very rarely burns. Tans very easily.








Type VI


Skin, Hair & Eyes
Deeply pigmented dark brown to black skin.


Sun Response
Never burns. Always tans deeply.




Your skin type helps determine which treatment and which settings are right for you. We assess this at your consultation.

What to Expect at Your Laser Treatment Appointment

1. Consultation

We start with what you want to change. Your dermatologist evaluates your skin, medical history, previous treatments, cosmetic goals, and any upcoming events that may affect treatment timing.

2. Treatment Selection

We recommend the laser, light, or energy-based treatment that best fits your concerns. And, we explain why we recommend it, how many treatments may be needed, and what recovery may look like.

3. Preparation

Your skin is prepared for treatment. Depending on the procedure, topical numbing or other comfort measures may be used to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

4. Treatment

Your treatment is selected based on your skin, treatment area, goals, and desired recovery time. Settings are customized to balance the level of correction with comfort and healing.

5. Aftercare

You receive clear instructions for caring for your skin while it heals. We explain what to expect, which products to use or avoid, and how to protect your skin from the sun.

6. Follow-Up & Maintenance

Some improvement appears as the skin heals, while other changes develop gradually. When appropriate, we recommend follow-up treatments, maintenance, or skincare to help protect your results/investment.

Laser Skin Resurfacing FAQs

It depends on the treatment. ResurFX is one to two days of redness and most people return to normal activity the next day. IPL and Nd or Q-switched treatments involve very little. CO2 resurfacing is the significant one. We tell you the realistic number for your plan before you book.

For the right concern, it does what creams cannot. It reaches below the surface where scarring, sun damage, and loss of firmness live. Whether it is worth it for you depends on what is bothering you and how much recovery fits your life. We will tell you honestly if a gentler treatment would serve you better.

IPL is usually the first choice for scattered sun spots and general brown discoloration, because it treats color across a whole area. A Q-switched laser suits individual stubborn spots that have not responded to IPL. If rough texture bothers you alongside the color, a resurfacing treatment may fit better. We use Lumenis M22 and Nordlys IPL at our San Diego office.

Crepey skin responds to treatments that rebuild collagen rather than to creams alone. We use Opus Plasma, which delivers radio wave energy through a grid of tiny points to smooth texture and tighten at the same time, with roughly three to five days of visible healing. The neck and chest are treated as their own areas, not as an afterthought to the face.

Visible vessels need a treatment that targets the vessel itself, which creams and most brightening treatments cannot do. We use an Nd:YAG laser, which passes through the surface and closes the vessel underneath, so the redness fades over the following weeks. Treatment is scheduled in timed sessions based on how many vessels there are and how large.

Laser results depend on matching the setting to the skin in front of you, and getting that wrong can cause scarring or lasting color change. At Lanoi Dermatology, every CO2 resurfacing treatment is performed by a board-certified dermatologist and is never delegated to a technician. We also practice medical and surgical dermatology, so we see how skin heals every day.

CO2 removes the top layers of skin, which produces a larger change and needs real recovery time. ResurFX heats the layer underneath without breaking the surface, which produces gradual change with almost no time off. CO2 is often a single treatment. ResurFX usually runs as a series of three to five. We use the Lumenis UltraPulse for CO2 and the M22 for ResurFX.

Yes, for the concerns it is built for. ResurFX stimulates collagen below the surface to improve rough texture, fine lines and mild acne scarring, and it works gradually across a series of three to five visits rather than all at once. If your scarring is deep, ResurFX will underdeliver and we will recommend CO2 instead.

Both rebuild collagen, but they work at different depths. Microneedling suits mild scarring and shallow texture, and it needs a series. CO2 reaches deeper and handles scars that have set in, usually in a single treatment, in exchange for real recovery time. We offer both and will tell you honestly which one your scarring calls for.

A single stubborn spot often needs a different tool than a full-face treatment. We use a Q-switched laser, which delivers energy in very short pulses that break the pigment into particles small enough for your body to clear. Treated spots usually darken first, then flake away over one to two weeks. A single spot can be treated on its own.

Yes, with the right treatment and the right settings. Deeper skin holds more active color-producing cells, so heat can trigger darkening after healing. That makes treatment choice more important, not less. Some of our treatments suit deeper skin better than others, and we tell you which rather than reaching for the strongest option by default.

It depends which treatment your skin calls for. CO2 resurfacing is often a single treatment. ResurFX usually runs as a series of three to five. Opus Plasma may be one treatment or a series. IPL may be one or a short series depending on how much pigment or redness is present. Your plan is set at your consultation.

Some change shows as the skin heals. The rest builds slowly, because collagen rebuilds over three to six months. Texture and firmness in particular keep improving well after the redness has gone. If you are two months out and worried about your progress, come back in and we will look at it together.

Numbing cream goes on first, usually for thirty to sixty minutes. Most patients describe the treatment itself as hot and prickly rather than painful. Afterward the skin feels like a sunburn for a day or two. If you are worried about tolerating a treatment, tell us and we will adjust the plan.

Learn More About Our Other Cosmetic Treatments

Cosmetic Dermatology in San Diego

Laser skin resurfacing is only one way to rejuvenate your skin. Depending on what you want to improve, we may recommend another cosmetic treatment on its own or as part of a broader plan.

Restore Balance & Volume

Injectables

Botox, dermal fillers, and Sculptra address concerns that laser treatments do not, including facial movement and volume loss. When both are appropriate, we can plan the timing so each treatment supports a natural, balanced result.

Injectables

Revitalize Your Complexion

Microneedling

Microneedling uses controlled micro-injuries to encourage your skin to rebuild collagen, and your own platelet-rich plasma can be added to support the process. It may be considered when the goal is to improve texture and overall skin quality without laser resurfacing.

Microneedling
Lanoi Cosmetic Dermatology

Protect and Maintain Results

Medical Grade Skincare

What you use at home decides how long your in-office results last. We carry medical grade products from leading brands, chosen by a dermatologist rather than stocked by a front desk. Your dermatologist builds you a routine around what your skin actually needs, whether that is pigment, texture, aging, or daily sun protection.

After laser treatment this matters more, not less. New skin has no defense yet, and the right products protect the result you just paid for while it settles.

Ready to Feel Better About Your Skin?

You do not need to walk into Lanoi Dermatology knowing the difference between CO2, ResurFX, IPL, or Opus. Tell us what keeps catching your eye when you look in the mirror and how much downtime works for your life. We will handle the rest. Lanoi Dermatology is located in Sorrento Valley and treats patients from La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, UTC, Torrey Pines, and surrounding San Diego communities.

Contact Our Office (858) 900-2747