What are the side effects of laser treatment for forehead wrinkles?

In general, laser removal of forehead wrinkles is a common cosmetic dermatological treatment. It works by applying laser thermal energy to the skin, stimulating collagen regeneration to achieve skin tightening and wrinkle reduction. Possible side effects include skin damage, redness, swelling, pain, secondary infection, pigmentation, and skin dryness.

Inappropriate control of laser energy may cause epidermal damage, resulting in temporary erythema, edema, or crusting. In severe cases, permanent pigmentation or scar formation may occur. Local redness and swelling after treatment are typically caused by laser-induced vasodilation and tissue edema due to thermal effects. Generally, such swelling subsides gradually within hours to days. If proper post-treatment care is not followed, secondary infection may develop, stimulating excessive tissue proliferation and scar formation. Scars may appear as red, raised, hard tissue masses, accompanied by itching or pain, and in severe cases, may lead to functional impairment.

Laser treatment may provoke inflammatory responses and activate melanocytes, causing brown spots. Such pigmentation commonly occurs in individuals with darker skin tones and may take several months to fade. Laser therapy may also cause dryness and flaking of the skin, as the laser disrupts the skin's natural oil film, reducing its ability to retain moisture. To alleviate this issue, patients should enhance skin moisturizing care after treatment and use gentle, non-irritating skincare products.

To minimize these side effects, patients should communicate thoroughly with their physician before treatment to understand their skin condition and the associated risks. After treatment, patients must strictly follow the physician's post-care instructions, such as keeping the treated area clean, avoiding sun exposure, and using moisturizing and reparative skincare products.