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Question

How can I choose between the different types of laser treatments?

Anonymous

Answers (2)

1
17 months ago

Different laser treatments explained

Most lasers emit light (a source of heat) to treat varying skin conditions. There are many types of lasers. It can be confusing to the lay person, as there are several options. To simplify it, there are two primary options:

  1. Ablative lasers – One common ablative laser is the traditional carbon dioxide laser. The ablative lasers create wounds that must heal completely, thus they come with serious downtime and often require post-treatment care. Upon healing, a new fresh layer of skin appears. In short, if you are adverse to pain, or are rather skin sensitive, skip the ablative laser machines and move on to the non-ablative lasers.
  2. Non-ablative lasers – These lasers do not vaporize the surface layers of the skin and require less downtime, yet they typically produce wonderful results. There are two main types in this category, as follows:

a) Skin rejuvenation is often best accomplished with IPL (intense pulsed light), which works to rid the skin of blemishes, red spots, brown spots, age spots, spider veins, and so on. IPL is often the treatment of choice for quick skin improvement and rejuvenation with little if any downtime. b) Skin tightening is best accomplished with radiofrequency, which is typically provided by Thermage, as well as the Syneron ELOS system. Leaving the upper layers of the skin intact, these lasers heat the dermis to stimulate collagen production and improve the tone of the skin. These treatments also involve little if any downtime.

Choosing a type of laser treatment best suited to your skin and your specific skin condition is complicated. This is best accomplished by a thorough evaluation of your skin by a dermatologist, specifically someone who does more than laser treatment only. There may be other methodologies that may suit you better, so explore all options with your doctor.

2
23 months ago

Different skin resurfacing options, not just laser treatments

Mary Lupo, MD
Mary Lupo, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Answer by Mary Lupo, MD

There are many resurfacing options.

  • Peels can be light and lunchtime to gradually exfoliate the skin to improve acne, discoloration and early signs of aging.
  • Microdermabrasion and SilkPeel exfoliate using a machine and so there is no delayed desquamation of dead skin cells. A true quick fix with no downtime. These are not for more severe scars or damage.
  • For that, true dermabrasion, or laser treatment is necessary. The exciting news of late is the improvement in laser resurfacing with two newer technologies:
    • "Fractional" resurfacing, which has 1-3 days of swelling because only small spots of the skin are removed by the ablating laser. Five sessions are needed for most patients.
    • Pearl, which has a different wavelength with full ablation but significantly less pain, no swelling, and much shorter healing time than older ablating lasers. Two to three sessions are usually necessary.
Virginia Stevens, MD
181 posts
14 Jun 2007

Each procedure has its own forte. One treatment may do one or several things very well and another compatible treatment can work to improve other areas. Each treatment offers different benefits making combination treatments the way to go. Examples of compatible combination treatments: Thermage and Portrait: Thermage works deep into the collagen for a lifting and tightening effect, while Portrait works from the mid-collagen and up to improve the outer third, resulting in a full improvement of the skin. Thermage and Fraxel for stretch marks: Thermage shrinks and tightens the loose, lax collagen where stretch marks are located. Fraxel obliterates the interface between the purple stretch marks and the skin around it, making stretch marks less apparent. Mesotherapy and Thermage for body sculpting: The bulk of the fat is eliminated through Mesotherapy and the loose skin is tightened up through Thermage to provide an improved contour of the body.

lhaney
154 posts
4 May 2008

Choosing between the many available laser treatments is best determined by what the goals of the patient are. Besides being safe for a patient and their skin type, the treatment plan should also be appropriate in meeting the patient's goals. Whether it is sun damage, facial redness, acne scarring, or fine lines and wrinkles, the treatment of choice should reflect a collaborative effort. Keep in mind that the training, not title of the practitioner, is what is most important for safety and efficacy.

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