If your complexion has lost its smooth texture and you're looking to banish age spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation beauty, skin laser treatments may be right for you.
Lasers are powerful tools in the beauty arsenal, and certain laser procedures, as well as therapies that use specific beauty types of light, do an excellent job of zapping age spots, freckles, and other hyperpigmentation woes.
Commonly referred to as laser skin rejuvenation or resurfacing, some of these procedures can often be performed in less than an hour, others in about two hours. The depth of penetration — how many layers of skin are removed — will determine recovery time. Light resurfacing might not require any, while the effects beauty of deeper techniques will take a few weeks to heal. A consultation with a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist will determine which procedure is most likely to give you the results you want.
Different Types of Skin Lasers beauty
Ablative laser resurfacing. The word “ablate” means to destroy, so laser treatments described as “ablative” laser resurfacing mean that you should plan for recovery time. The procedure involves heating the skin and beauty purposefully creating a wound. The downtime is up to two or three weeks beauty for most people, with some mild redness lasting much longer. Many patients feel it’s worth it because ablative procedures can be highly effective for significant age spots that develop after years of sun exposure.
Fractional laser rejuvenation. Effective at reducing age spots and hyperpigmentation, the fractional laser is a deep rejuvenation procedure with a quicker recovery time than an ablative approach. The fractional laser is considered more effective than the non-ablative laser, but it is still sub-par in terms of results when compared with ablative beauty resurfacing. There can be significant improvements in age spots and other kinds of hyperpigmentation, plus lower risk and beauty recovery time when compared to ablative lasers, making it the right option for some patients.
Photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy involves two steps: The application of a light-sensitizing solution to the skin, followed 30 minutes later by a skin laser directed at the area. The procedure usually requires minimal recovery time and can help with age spots, freckles, and uneven skin tone and texture.
Intense pulsed light. This form of skin rejuvenation is beautynot actually a laser, but rather a light therapy used to improve skin texture and tone. Intense pulsed light doesn't harm the skin surface, so it is a non-invasive procedure that requires no recovery time, yet it still penetrates deeper than some lasers. It is helpful for age spots, freckles, and tiny facial spider veins.
Skin Laser Pros and Cons
While some skin rejuvenation beauty therapies typically require very little or no recovery time, the flip side is that it can take beautynumerous treatments to see results. As a general rule, the more gentle the treatment, the longer it takes to work. Some patients see a 50 percent reduction of age spots after just one treatment, but the norm is to undergo a series of three to six treatments before desired effects are achieved.
Another point to remember about skin laser rejuvenation is that results are unpredictable. These therapies work well for some people, but not as well for others. It’s important to have realistic expectations. Age spots on some patients can be permanently removed by skin laser treatments, but the procedures do not prevent the skin from developing new signs of aging that naturally occur with time.
Skin laser and light therapies are generally considered safer than other beauty skin renewal procedures like chemical peels and dermabrasion. Still, any skin resurfacing treatments should be discussed with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon before undergoing therapy. There have been cases of temporary skin discoloration reported with skin laser use.
And prior to signing up for skin laser rejuvenation beauty, ask about cost. Prices vary widely depending on the procedure and the doctor and, typically, cosmetic skin laser treatments are not covered by insurance. However, coverage may be available if the therapies are being used to eliminate precancerous pigmentations or skin alterations from scarring.