Love the Skin You’re In With These Effective Treatments
Skincare products, like facial cleansers and moisturizers, can only do so much. With so many brands and products out there, it can be a long and frustrating process to find what actually works best for your skin and will help it look and feel its best. Not to mention, it can be a huge waste of time and money. What if I told you to ditch these products altogether?
Instead, laser treatments can quickly address your skin concerns and provide you with unbelievable, long-lasting results, sometimes in a matter of minutes. It’s important to note that there are different types of laser treatments, and some treat specific concerns better than others.
Don’t worry if you aren’t quite sure which is right for you. In this guide, we’ll review the different types of cosmetic laser treatments and which one will best help you achieve your personal skincare goals.
What are Laser Treatments and How Do They Work?
Laser treatments are medical treatments that use direct and concentrated light beams to target skin irregularities. They help treat acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and other skin concerns. Each kind of laser treatment works a little differently, but all result in smoother, more flawless-looking skin.
The Different Types of Laser Treatments and What They Target
Laser treatment looks different for everyone, depending on the skin concerns you want to treat. This list can help you decide which treatment might be better for you and your skin goals.
- Ablative Laser Treatments
These treatments are the most effective way to improve severe aging signs, like discoloration and deep lines and wrinkles. Ablative lasers produce an intense wavelength of light that removes the outermost damaged layer of the skin. This then stimulates the underlying layer of skin to produce more collagen. Using fractional technology, the laser is able to treat the targeted area and leave the surrounding skin untouched.
Ablative lasers will deliver you with faster results in fewer treatments. Because of their strength and effectiveness, you can expect a longer downtime compared to other methods, about two weeks.
Non-Ablative Laser Treatments
Non-ablative laser treatments can treat milder cases of fine lines, wrinkles, and newly-developed pigmentation, and can overall improve skin tone and texture. These lasers add a youthful, beautiful glow to the skin and can restore any new dark spots. They work by heating the cells that are found in the deepest layers of the skin. This heat prompts the cells to produce new collagen. Because non-ablative lasers don’t directly alter the skin’s surface, this treatment has a shorter downtime. You may need several treatments to achieve desired results.
There are two non-ablative laser wavelengths: 1550nm and 1927nm. The 1550nm laser is very effective in treating fine lines and improving the overall health of your skin, while the 1927nm is especially useful for treating discoloration.
Intense Pulsed Light
This treatment improves color balance within the skin as it reduces any redness or discoloration, ultimately providing you with a youthful, glowing complexion. It uses scattered and unfocused wavelengths of light to heat the deepest layer of your skin. Once your skin is heated, your body gets rid of the unwanted cells, which reduces the discoloration you were experiencing.
Intense pulsed light requires minimal downtime, but you’ll need multiple treatments for best results.
Energy Modalities
If you’re most concerned about dull, sagging skin, energy modalities could be just what you’re looking for. Rather than using laser light, this technique uses energy, including radio-frequency micro-needling, ultrasound, and thermal-based technologies.
This treatment adds firmness, elasticity, and plumpness to your skin. It also doesn’t require any downtime, so you can return to your normal routine immediately after your appointment.
Achieve Flawless-Looking Skin With Cosmetic Laser Treatments
Laser treatments can help target acne scarring, lines, wrinkles, sagging, discoloration, or any other skin irregularities you may be experiencing. Now that you have an idea of all the cosmetic laser treatments out there, you’re one step closer to the skin you’ve always dreamed of.
But we aren’t experts – make sure to set up a consultation with a medical provider near you to confirm which treatment is best for you and your skin. No matter which treatment you choose, you’ll be left with smoother, restored skin.
If you are interested to learn about a skincare method that you can do at home, such as derma rolling, you may also check out our Complete Derma Rolling Guide.