Description:
<jats:sec><jats:title>Background:</jats:title><jats:p> Skin resurfacing with the carbon dioxide (CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>) laser is currently a popular means of improving rhytides and scars and has been reported useful in the treatment for photodamaged skin, including precancerous and benign skin lesions, as well as superficial benign pigmented lesions. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods:</jats:title><jats:p> We describe a 68-year-old man who developed rapid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the resurfaced areas 3 weeks following CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> laser resurfacing. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results:</jats:title><jats:p> Rapid occurrence of SCC should be considered a rare complication, and we recommend carefully considering CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> laser resurfacing after excision of an SCC and surveying any cancer recurrences. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions:</jats:title><jats:p> We report a rare complication of CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> laser resurfacing. This report suggests that additional work in this area is warranted. </jats:p></jats:sec>