Lasers can be an investment, not to mention a little scary, for those not well-acquainted with them.
Downtime? Sensitivity? Heat? Reactivity? Scarring? Not all lasers are built for everyone, and it’s hard to know what is ideal for you.
When in doubt about a decision like laser treatment, always defer to a professional. Don’t limit yourself to Google. When we got curious about using laser treatment to help us reach our skin goals, we asked Dr. Lauren Moy, double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon to shed some light on the matter.
“Not all lasers are invasive or require downtime,” Dr. Moy tells us.
“Non-invasive laser treatments, like low-level laser therapy or some cosmetic lasers, target specific issues without causing significant damage to surrounding tissues. These procedures are often used for skin rejuvenation, hair removal, or other cosmetic purposes with minimal recovery time.”
No need to schedule those sick days and hide from the sun.
In Dr. Moy’s office, she offers various lasers to address many different needs, and it’s not all about aging or total skin perfection. According to Dr. Moy, there are a lot of reasons someone might use laser treatment.
Here are a few:
“This one is primarily used for vascular issues like rosacea, spider veins, and port wine stains.” We had to look that up, but a port wine stain is a pinkish birthmark that darkens in color over time, resembling port wine. Dr. Moy explains that PDL works by targeting blood vessels with a concentrated beam of light without affecting the surrounding skin, making it safe and effective for spot treating the areas in question.
This “addresses pigmentation issues, tattoos, and skin rejuvenation by emitting short pulses of energy to break down pigments or stimulate collagen production, promoting clearer and more youthful skin.”
This is a super versatile laser with both really specific purposes as well as general glow-inducing uses.
We know what this one is for. “It permanently reduces or removes unwanted hair by targeting the hair follicles with laser energy, inhibiting future hair growth,” Dr. Moy explains. It’s a pretty simple laser. Recipients rarely, if ever, feel much at all aside from a little bit of heat. There isn’t any downtime to the appearance of the skin, but staying out of the sun before and after treatment is crucial to preventing skin damage.
“This noninvasive fractional laser treatment is designed to improve skin texture and tone. It addresses early signs of aging, sun damage, enlarged pores, and overall skin texture improvement using a fractional laser. This technology creates microscopic treatment zones in the skin, promoting collagen production and replacing damaged skin with healthier tissue.”
Ok, sign us up for this super simple, no-downtime treatment!
Dr. Moy goes on to detail that the fractional approach minimizes downtime and speeds up the healing process. “Each laser caters to specific concerns, providing targeted and effective treatments tailored to individual needs.” (She customizes for the girlies.)
Of course, not everyone should immediately hop on the laser train. In fact, not all lasers will be effective on certain skin pigments. Those with more melanin might experience unwanted discoloration, so some research and consultation are absolutely necessary. Some people with very pale or sensitive skin may not have the desired effects. They may experience a reaction or damage to the skin barrier, so before investing in this type of treatment, always talk to a professional to discuss your concerns, assess your skin type, and determine the most suitable treatment.
“You should thoroughly review what to expect during the procedure, as well as the projected results, potential risks, and any pre/post-treatment care,” Dr. Moy adds.
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