Laser treatments are incredibly popular, with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Anniston, and Christie Brinkley swearing by these procedures and their benefits. Laser hair removal and skin resurfacing are popular solutions for smoother, glowing skin.
According to Alma Lasers, a leading provider of laser scar removal machines and laser skin tightening machines in Australia, the popularity of lasers in the aesthetic and beauty industry is poised to grow even further.
However, people who have never tried laser treatments or are unfamiliar with the technology involved may have some misgivings about them.
A common concern is safety. Because lasers are directly applied to the skin, they have questions about skin damage and pain. And the best way to answer these questions is to discuss how laser treatments work and what they can and cannot do.
Basic Premise of Laser Skin Treatments
In laser skin treatments, specialized medical lasers apply a specific wavelength of light and heat directly onto the skin to address specific skin challenges.
According to plastic surgeons, how laser treatments work is similar to how exercising causes small tears in the muscles. The tears heal, causing the muscles to be stronger in the process. In laser skin treatments, heat and light are applied to problem areas to break up melanin or dead skin cells. The goal is to hasten cell renewal and encourage collagen production.
Do They Harm Skin?
There are two main categories of lasers used to treat skin problems: ablative and non-ablative.
Ablative treatments remove the top layer of the skin, so we could say that they damage skin. However, they do so in a controlled way, with the end goal being to trigger the skin to heal by creating new skin cells. One example is CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatments, used to address warts, wrinkles, and many other dermal issues.
Non-ablative treatments, on the other hand, work by heating the skin. The heat triggers collagen production. For instance, pulsed-dye lasers are used to break down pigments in the skin using heat and are much less invasive than an ablative laser. They are used to address skin issues like hyperpigmentation and rosacea.
In the hands of a trained and experienced practitioner, both types of laser treatments will not cause permanent harm to the skin. It’s also essential to choose a facility that uses laser pigmentation machines from Australian makers with an excellent reputation for safety and efficacy.
The Importance of a Pre-Treatment Consultation
Consultations before any form of laser treatment involve discussions about the patient’s health, skin tone, sensitivity, and medications they are currently taking. These consultations are required prior so that each patient’s procedure can be carefully tailored to their specific situation and skin goals.
The laser type, intensity, and wavelength can be adjusted by carefully analyzing each patient’s unique conditions and specifications. This means that not only would a patient get the best possible results from the treatment, but they also get minimal to no adverse effects from the treatment.
Furthermore, it ensures that the patient has the correct aftercare, preventing any negative skin issues. For example, a patient taking isotretinoin for acne may have an increased risk for scarring. By discussing this issue with their specialist, they will receive an adjusted post-laser care regime that is specially targeted to prevent scarring.
Popular Laser Skin Treatments
Laser Pigmentation and Scar Removal
The lasers target the deepest layers of the skin to break up melanin patches that cause hyperpigmentation and dark scars.
Laser scar removal can also target areas of the skin with pitted acne scarring and trigger collagen growth. This makes the skin renew skin cells and regenerate collagen growth, filling in the areas with tissue loss.
Laser Hair Removal
Special wavelengths of laser, adjusted depending on your skin tone and hair thickness, are applied onto the skin, targeting the hair follicles. The heat damages the follicles and prevents regrowth.
Laser Skin Tightening
Laser skin tightening is the treatment of choice for people who want minimally invasive procedures to restore tightness and reduce wrinkles. The lasers heat the skin, making the natural collagen in the skin constrict. The result is tighter, firmer skin with less crepe texture.
Laser Skin Glow
This treatment is done so quickly that it’s considered a “lunchtime cosmetic procedure.” It takes only fifteen minutes to perform. The lasers gently apply heat into areas of the face that have redness. The redness becomes diffused, even able to alleviate symptoms of rosacea. It can also boost collagen production to help eliminate fine lines and wrinkles.
Get the Best Benefits from a Licensed Professional
Like any other cosmetic procedure, laser treatments should only be performed by a licensed, highly trained professional. This ensures that you get the right results and are not at risk of lasting skin damage. Furthermore, licensed clinics and practitioners use medical-grade equipment and laser machines that have been specially designed to prevent harm to patients.
Alma Lasers is staffed by accredited and fully licensed specialists who have comprehensive training and experience administering various laser procedures. We are also certified providers for medical laser machines that we provide to client clinics. Consult us today about laser procedures or check our list of Certified Providers.
